Reflections on GTM over the years

MMC Racing · 09-17-2014, 05:16 PM

Mike - since you are giving the inside scoop.. Can you talk about the CARB certification fiasco?

DEpointfive0 · 09-17-2014, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MMC Racing

Mike - since you are giving the inside scoop.. Can you talk about the CARB certification fiasco?

LMAO, cocksucker won't let it go...

Carry on, this one time...

Kingbaby · 09-17-2014, 05:54 PM

Hope you guys learned your lesson...

Boost is the devil!

Just saying

Pie · 09-17-2014, 05:56 PM

Does anybody know where Sam is right now? Hopefully not sipping a pina colada in central America somewhere...

Kingbaby · 09-17-2014, 05:56 PM

Also with people wanting to be the fasted out!

What's stopping Sam forming forking a good pitch to a young oil prince and backing his company!?!

A possible rename/revamp for the new chassis z35/r35 revisions/new Qs

Mike@GTM · 09-17-2014, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MMC Racing

Mike - since you are giving the inside scoop.. Can you talk about the CARB certification fiasco?

For starters, CARB is a real challenge. Back when I worked for the State of Washington, I reviewed Energy Life Cycle Cost Analyses submitted by contractors that were either building new state facilities or upgrading existing ones. There were a lot of hoops the contractors had to jump through to even get approval to do the project. Often, we would ask them to analyse other alternative methods or review their calculations and assumptions with more scrutiny. Basically, what I'm saying here is that environmentally conscious state agencies will put you through the ringer and make you jump through a lot of hoops which costs money. Especially if they've never worked with you before.

But that's only part of it. The other part is that Sam only kinda wanted to get it done. It sat on the back burner for years and every now and then he'd give it another shot. He just wasn't that motivated to overcome any obstacles CARB put in his path. In his mind, the kits were selling well enough without it. Sure, it would have increased sales a bit, but as any business owner can tell you: is the additional cost/risk worth the potential reward/profit? I don't know if he ever actually sat down and crunched the numbers to make a determination or not (although I highly doubt it), but one thing is for sure, there are a lot of people that don't know the rules and regulations for their particular state and automatically assume that CARB approval unequivocally translates to street legal. For most states, CARB is irrelevant but having CARB approval would certainly translate to a lot more sales overall because it is the gold star standard that people recognize. I don't think Sam quite recognized its importance otherwise it would have been done years ago.

nomodsjk · 09-17-2014, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kingbaby

Hope you guys learned your lesson...

Boost is the devil!

Just saying

Really man??

MMC Racing · 09-17-2014, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike@GTM

For starters, CARB is a real challenge. Back when I worked for the State of Washington, I reviewed Energy Life Cycle Cost Analyses submitted by contractors that were either building new state facilities or upgrading existing ones. There were a lot of hoops the contractors had to jump through to even get approval to do the project. Often, we would ask them to analyse other alternative methods or review their calculations and assumptions with more scrutiny. Basically, what I'm saying here is that environmentally conscious state agencies will put you through the ringer and make you jump through a lot of hoops which costs money. Especially if they've never worked with you before.

But that's only part of it. The other part is that Sam only kinda wanted to get it done. It sat on the back burner for years and every now and then he'd give it another shot. He just wasn't that motivated to overcome any obstacles CARB put in his path. In his mind, the kits were selling well enough without it. Sure, it would have increased sales a bit, but as any business owner can tell you: is the additional cost/risk worth the potential reward/profit? I don't know if he ever actually sat down and crunched the numbers to make a determination or not (although I highly doubt it), but one thing is for sure, there are a lot of people that don't know the rules and regulations for their particular state and automatically assume that CARB approval unequivocally translates to street legal. For most states, CARB is irrelevant but having CARB approval would certainly translate to a lot more sales overall because it is the gold star standard that people recognize. I don't think Sam quite recognized its importance otherwise it would have been done years ago.

Thanks Mike.. I can now die in peace someday knowing the truth..

bullitt5897 · 09-17-2014, 10:08 PM

Hey everyone,

For those of you concerned with the White Dragon build I want to say thank you! I also want to say thank you for everyone who has shown me and the project support.

As you all know my car is still at GTM and still under the knife. There have been several changes to the original build and I believe we are at te end of this chapter of the project. I have spoken with Sam and stated my desire for the car to be put back together with the new parts and for a base tune to be applied so the car can receive its final tune here locally at our elevation and on our local gas. With that being said I have discussed this with Sam and have made plans to travel out to California to meet with Sam and the tech working on the car. I will be traveling out onsite to GTM on 10/3/14 to assess the build and it's finished work. I will be staying on site until 10/5/14 with the hopes of leaving with the car on a truck completed and on its way home. While I am out there I will be sending home a bunch of parts that never got the opportunity to be installed on the car. The goal of this project was always to see what we can do with this platform. If anyone has any questions or would like to talk feel free to reach out to me.

Again, I will be at GTM on 10/3/14 thru 10/5/14. With hopes of having the car finished for ZNationals! I wanted to surprise everyone but hey if I can pull this off Jon@Z1 would you mind staying late one night with me for a tuning session? I will bring marshmallows and we can roast them over the exhaust together...

Thanks again everyone for the support! *fingers crossed*

John@Z1 · 09-18-2014, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bullitt5897

Hey everyone,

For those of you concerned with the White Dragon build I want to say thank you! I also want to say thank you for everyone who has shown me and the project support.

As you all know my car is still at GTM and still under the knife. There have been several changes to the original build and I believe we are at te end of this chapter of the project. I have spoken with Sam and stated my desire for the car to be put back together with the new parts and for a base tune to be applied so the car can receive its final tune here locally at our elevation and on our local gas. With that being said I have discussed this with Sam and have made plans to travel out to California to meet with Sam and the tech working on the car. I will be traveling out onsite to GTM on 10/3/14 to assess the build and it's finished work. I will be staying on site until 10/5/14 with the hopes of leaving with the car on a truck completed and on its way home. While I am out there I will be sending home a bunch of parts that never got the opportunity to be installed on the car. The goal of this project was always to see what we can do with this platform. If anyone has any questions or would like to talk feel free to reach out to me.

Again, I will be at GTM on 10/3/14 thru 10/5/14. With hopes of having the car finished for ZNationals! I wanted to surprise everyone but hey if I can pull this off Jon@Z1 would you mind staying late one night with me for a tuning session? I will bring marshmallows and we can roast them over the exhaust together...

Thanks again everyone for the support! *fingers crossed*

I'm down!

fuct · 09-18-2014, 12:28 PM

Im not a fan of drama but boy was this a great read!

GL to you Mike.

Alstann · 09-23-2014, 12:19 PM

Hey all,

I just spent some time at work reading through these last few pages, and man, what a trip.

As some of you may know, I was one of the first people to lay down money for the kit, and I've been in a constant struggle trying to get my money back, as well as contact them for information. I even visited their facility personally to see what was going on.

Just a little quick update on where I am at - I currently have a court summons and date by the California Court for a small claims lawsuit. I have asked for exactly what I paid for, and I have a set court date.

I have all of my previous invoices, contact records, phone calls, and emails. I hoped it had not come to this, but Sam and GTM will be held responsible.

I guess I can keep you all posted on that end of things, when I fly out to California soon for the court date.

28 pages is a crapton of info to sift through without anyone at work noticing, haha.

Chuck33079 · 09-23-2014, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alstann

Hey all,

I just spent some time at work reading through these last few pages, and man, what a trip.

As some of you may know, I was one of the first people to lay down money for the kit, and I've been in a constant struggle trying to get my money back, as well as contact them for information. I even visited their facility personally to see what was going on.

Just a little quick update on where I am at - I currently have a court summons and date by the California Court for a small claims lawsuit. I have asked for exactly what I paid for, and I have a set court date.

I have all of my previous invoices, contact records, phone calls, and emails. I hoped it had not come to this, but Sam and GTM will be held responsible.

I guess I can keep you all posted on that end of things, when I fly out to California soon for the court date.

28 pages is a crapton of info to sift through without anyone at work noticing, haha.

How does a bankruptcy filing affect a small claims lawsuit in CA? Does that move you higher on the list of creditors?

Alstann · 09-23-2014, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck33079

How does a bankruptcy filing affect a small claims lawsuit in CA? Does that move you higher on the list of creditors?

From what I understand in California, a bankruptcy filing discharges debts that are previously owed, unless the debt in question was fraudlent (which I believe this is the case), and was obtained with a false pretense.

From the US Code - Section 523 - Exemptions to Discharge (in terms of bankruptcy):

(a) A discharge under section 727, 1141, 1228(a), 1228(b), or 1328(b) of this title does not discharge an individual debtor from any debt.....(2) for money, property, services, or an extension, renewal, or refinancing of credit, to the extent obtained by - (A) false pretenses, a false representation, or actual fraud, other than a statement respecting the debtor's or an insider's financial condition.

I'm going to be speaking to a friend of mine who is an attorney to get more information, but I believe I have a case. Also, I am unsure of how that bankruptcy filing worked out - they filed under a different name.

Nismo350z#310 · 09-23-2014, 01:15 PM

What are you thinking.

Someone needs to get a hold of you and shake you for about 10 minutes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ill

He is holding over $40,000* (including parts and labor as well as the value of the car, labor and parts that I have already paid for) of mine, and it will be ready for me to take delivery by the end of this week.

*The number is what I have spent totally up to this point in the past two years, not necessarily the the total value of the car currently.

I am a 23 year old working my way through college, I do not have the luxury of of making a bad investment or bad financial decision. I feel that if I am willing to take a risk and trust a company, then others should be able too.

09-17-2014, 05:16 PM	#406 (permalink)
MMC Racing Track Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: San Diego Posts: 661 Drives: 2015 GT-R Rep Power: 17	Mike - since you are giving the inside scoop.. Can you talk about the CARB certification fiasco? phunk and Mike@GTM like this. __________________ 2014 F150 Raptor, 2014 Mazda 3, 2015 Nissan GT-R

09-17-2014, 10:08 PM	#414 (permalink)
bullitt5897 Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: North GA Posts: 6,831 Drives: Twin Turbo Z34 Rep Power: 3682	Hey everyone, For those of you concerned with the White Dragon build I want to say thank you! I also want to say thank you for everyone who has shown me and the project support. As you all know my car is still at GTM and still under the knife. There have been several changes to the original build and I believe we are at te end of this chapter of the project. I have spoken with Sam and stated my desire for the car to be put back together with the new parts and for a base tune to be applied so the car can receive its final tune here locally at our elevation and on our local gas. With that being said I have discussed this with Sam and have made plans to travel out to California to meet with Sam and the tech working on the car. I will be traveling out onsite to GTM on 10/3/14 to assess the build and it's finished work. I will be staying on site until 10/5/14 with the hopes of leaving with the car on a truck completed and on its way home. While I am out there I will be sending home a bunch of parts that never got the opportunity to be installed on the car. The goal of this project was always to see what we can do with this platform. If anyone has any questions or would like to talk feel free to reach out to me. Again, I will be at GTM on 10/3/14 thru 10/5/14. With hopes of having the car finished for ZNationals! I wanted to surprise everyone but hey if I can pull this off Jon@Z1 would you mind staying late one night with me for a tuning session? I will bring marshmallows and we can roast them over the exhaust together... Thanks again everyone for the support! fingers crossed fuct, MMC Racing, Mike@GTM and 7 others like this. __________________ *Shop Cars: 2013 318whp Nismo VspecII 370z SOLD, 2009 1000hp+ 93oct 4.0L TT 370z Fast Intentions STAGE 4 #054*

09-18-2014, 12:28 PM	#416 (permalink)
fuct A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Sugar Land Posts: 3,692 Drives: 97' Ranger :) Rep Power: 24	Im not a fan of drama but boy was this a great read! GL to you Mike. warpeacelove and DEpointfive0 like this.

09-23-2014, 12:19 PM	#417 (permalink)
Alstann Track Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: South Florida Posts: 882 Drives: 12 PW 370z 6MT Sport Rep Power: 15	Hey all, I just spent some time at work reading through these last few pages, and man, what a trip. As some of you may know, I was one of the first people to lay down money for the kit, and I've been in a constant struggle trying to get my money back, as well as contact them for information. I even visited their facility personally to see what was going on. Just a little quick update on where I am at - I currently have a court summons and date by the California Court for a small claims lawsuit. I have asked for exactly what I paid for, and I have a set court date. I have all of my previous invoices, contact records, phone calls, and emails. I hoped it had not come to this, but Sam and GTM will be held responsible. I guess I can keep you all posted on that end of things, when I fly out to California soon for the court date. 28 pages is a crapton of info to sift through without anyone at work noticing, haha. GaleForce, elperuano, Chuck33079 and 1 others like this. __________________ 2012 Pearl White 370Z GReddy Twin Turbo

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