[Hostile_1LE]

I am wondering if anyone here has ever dealt with Wilkes Performance in Rainbow City, Al. And how the service was?

Currently I’m in a very unfortunate situation, I will tell the full story below.

I bought a completely stock 2007 Z06, and I wanted to get the heads “fixed” locally. I found Wilkes Performance because my good friend’s uncle works for a shop next door called Gen3 Performance. So I got a quote from them for valve guides, exhaust valves, and resurfacing. I was told they would be done in a week or less, and every one in the shop told me it was a very light/easy job. Well a week rolls around (after dropping them off) and they hadn’t even touched them. I had only called them to ask what thickness gaskets they recommended based off how much they were removing from the heads (there answer in full was “cometic is good” and nothing more). I tried to call them back the next day, as I wanted to see if they had finished the resurfacing so I good get a gasket ordered, and they didn’t answer my phone. So immediately I called with my dad’s phone and they answered right away. Asked my question and they had yet to resurface them. 2 days later I wanted to call again to check on them, but they didn’t answer my dad or myself, so I had a friend call them and they answered right away again. They said they had the guides in and were working on the valve seats, and that they still needed resurfacing and that “they would be done either by the end of today or tomorrow”. I called back the same day, using my mom’s phone for the same reasons above. I asked if they would be done by tomorrow for sure and that if they aren’t done by the end of tomorrow I would like the heads back”. The man on the phone said “alright come get them” and immediately hung up on me. AT NO POINT HAVE THEY EVER REACHED OUT TO ME (at all) AND INFORMED ME OF ANY DELAYS WHATSOEVER.

So two questions:
1. Has anyone ever had something like this happen to them?
2. What should I do?

I REALLY hate talking bad about a shop, especially on the internet, but I find this behavior completely unacceptable, even more so for a business. I am afraid that they will try to hold my cylinder heads hostage based off of the hostile tone.

[taylorforschool@gmail.com]

A good work buddy of mine is from Gadsden. I’ll ask see if he has any words on them

[dmcmahan60]

If that is how they do business, then got get you heads and take them somewhere else. There are better machine shops in North Alabama to get the work done at. Glad you got it figured out.

[Hostile_1LE]

Heading there today to talk to them.

[taylorforschool@gmail.com]

Originally Posted by Hostile_1LE

Heading there today to talk to them.

Please let us know how this goes

[Hostile_1LE]

I showed up and they had a change of attitude and assured me the heads would be done by the end of the day and that I could come back at close or the next day. I'm going back tomorrow and we'll see what the deal is then.

[Gen5&Beyond]

Terry has my block and heads. We haven't set any timeline for pickup as I'm waiting on a few parts to come in. He is knowledgeable and pleasant to deal with in person.

[m6-lt1]

Just curious but did you get the C6Z in addition to your 1le or is it a replacement? The reason I ask is because I think about getting a c6 z06 everyday haha.

[Hostile_1LE]

Actually, I am letting my friend use my account to post this so he could get advice. I still have my 1LE. But my friend just sold is 22 2SS and got the vette. His first manual lol. I’m going to get to drive it soon so I’ll let you know how it is.

[taylorforschool@gmail.com]

Originally Posted by Hostile_1LE

I showed up and they had a change of attitude and assured me the heads would be done by the end of the day and that I could come back at close or the next day. I'm going back tomorrow and we'll see what the deal is then.

Glad to hear. Sounds like you probably sounded the reputation alarm pretty well, and they very likely will do an A+ job if they care about their name.

[Hostile_1LE]

Got the heads back complete today. They did end up doing a good job. As I was walking in they were packaging them up. Car is nearly back together.

[XXX ZL1]

Terry does really nice work, but it is a slow process. Did a set of 243 heads for me and turned into a little bit of a hassle to get them back. He is busy and developing rocker arms right now.