STAY AWAY!

Went to these guys about a week ago to have a new clutch kit installed as I don't have a lift and jack stands are too small to get the tranny out or I would have done the swap myself.

First off; about 3-4 weeks ago I called around different places to ask how much to install a clutch kit AND get my flywheel resurfaced. I was quoted $400 from HB Transmissions as well as a few other places. Again, this quote was for the install of a CLUTCH KIT AND RESURFACING FLYWHEEL.

After dropping the car off; I get a call a few hours later and was told there were hot spots on the flywheel and do I want it resurfaced. I said yes; and I told them that is part of the quote of $400 I was given, I was then told no, its $65 more to do that plus my kit I purchased did not include the pilot bearing, only a FRPP TOB. The pilot bearing was only $15, no biggy.

So from the original quote of $400 I am now at $481.16 with taxes. The car was done by the end of day; so I picked it up the following morning. I went on their website and found a 10 coupon which stated this:

"It's great that you've found us here on the internet. For a limited time you can print the coupon below (CLICK HERE!) to save 10 on your next service!"

Now; it may be vague when the coupon states "10 on your next service" because my car was in fact serviced. The stock clutch, throwout bearing, pilot bearing were replaced and the flywheel was resurfaced. Does that not count as a "service"? Well I'd like to think so; however the owner saw differently.

Upon presenting the 10 coupon to him; I was told it wasn't a "service" but he will give me $25 off anyway. Hmmmm; should have been $48 unless my math is off but I'm sure it isn't. So my total was $456.16.... I got about 5 off!!!! SCORE! O wait; right the coupon was for 10 sad face.

After paying more than what I was expecting and realizing I shoulda listened to my fiance and went to another place to save over $100, one of the mechanics started my car up; and brought it over. It sounded kinda strange but figured it was just the new clutch and it's been sitting for a bit, as he didn't warm it up.

I get in the car; put it in first and let out the clutch.....car dies. I'm thinking; must be the new clutch, I'm not used to it and its a bit more sensitive than the stock one. Well I try again and....car dies.... So I do it a bit faster and start going however; it sounds like junk and feels bogged down. Then the "Service Engine Soon" light turns on. I make a right onto Gothard then a right onto Ellis and pull over. I put the hood suspecting something isn't right and turns out my intake where the MAF sensor and inlet pipe connect is disconnected! The car was getting unfiltered and unmetered airflow! WOW.

I quickly get the stuttering car back to HB Transmission where the owner is about to leave; I pop open the hood and tell him the intake is disconnected and ask why. His response; "we didn't open the hood or disconnect that, it was like that when the car was brought in". I'm moments away from kicking his truck and he tells me to see the manager inside, as he apparently has to rush out of there.

I go in and see; Adrian, I believe. I tell him what happened; and same thing, "we didn't open the hood or do anything under the hood, it probably came apart when we took the transmission out". I request a flat-head screwdriver to fix it b4 I head home. A mechanic comes out and fixes it and clears the DTC code even though I told him I'll clear the code myself at home.

I know they were under the hood; how? To disconnect the battery. The starter is very close to the mid-pipe and transmission so they would have to had to disconnect the battery AND my cd player's memory was cleared, in other words, yup the battery was disconnected... So I was lied too as they were definitely under the hood to disconnect AND reconnect the battery. Now; if the intake "fell apart upon taking out the transmission" that would mean three things:

1. The intake WAS together when the car was brought in AND was together when they disconnected the battery b4 starting to work on the tranny.
2. Someone obviously would have noticed the intake apart when reconnecting the battery as it is quite big and chrome, but didn't put it back together. Maybe assuming it was that way when it was brought in?
3. Test driving it after the clutch kit was installed; the test driver did not notice how bad it was acting? I find that hard to believe.

The other scenario is that they took the intake apart; for what reason, I do not know.

After getting the car home and adjusting the clutch cable w/ my firewall adjuster i inspected the car to make sure everything else is fine and there. Long story for just a day's worth of work but this is to say; DO NOT TRUST THESE GUYS. I will NEVER go back to this place and I will NEVER recommend this place to anyone. I'm sure these guys mean well; but they definitely suck when it comes to quality. again; STAY AWAY.