My experience with Triad West Performance Options

[zeezee]

For those looking into new mufflers, some key points to know beforehand:
1) not all 2.0L exhausts are the same,
2) in 914 land, the definition for "exhaust header" and "heat exchanger" are, confusingly, interchangeable

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From: Alan
To: triadwest@comcast.net
Sent: Monday, March 11, 2013 10:47 AM
Subject: 914 muffler

Hi.

I am interested in your performance muffler for a Porsche 914 - 2.0L.
Dual exhaust (both pointing out back).

Shipping to zip:  94583

Anything else?

Let me know when & how much to PayPal you.
 
--> Alan


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From: Alan
To: triadwest@comcast.net
Sent: Wednesday, April 17, 2013 10:00:56 PM
Subject: Fw: 914 muffler

are you still in business?

--> Alan


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From: triadwest@comcast.net
To: Alan
Sent: Monday, April 22, 2013 12:33 PM
Subject: Re: triad west/914 muffler

Alan,
Shipping to 94583 would be $45.99 so total would be $320.00 (exhaust) + $45.99 (shipping) = $365.99. Patable to triadwest@comcast.net. I also would accept a check but no visa/MC.
I would need to know the type of heat exchangers you have as modifications are common with these cars...could be a 73/74 2.0 or a 75/76 2.0...
let me know
dave @ triad


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From: Alan
To: triadwest@comcast.net
Sent: Monday, April 22, 2013 12:47:30 PM
Subject: Re: triad west/914 muffler

Thanks for getting back to me.
There are no heat exchangers.
How long is the fab/wait time?

--> Alan


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From: triadwest@comcast.net
To: Alan
Sent: Monday, April 22, 2013 1:04 PM
Subject: Re: triad west/914 muffler

alan,
what do you mean that there are no heat exchangers? what are we attaching to? The exhaust is a two in/two out system,some headers are single out...?????????
Dave @ triad


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From: Alan
To: triadwest@comcast.net
Sent: Monday, April 22, 2013 2:16:39 PM
Subject: Re: triad west/914 muffler

There is no heat exchange casing to heat air for the cabin.
Exhaust headers only.

There are two gaskets that looks like this: 
http://www.autoatlanta.com/Porsche-Exhaust...R039251261.html

--> Alan


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From: triadwest@comcast.net
To: Alan
Sent: Thursday, April 25, 2013 9:57 AM
Subject: Re: triad west/914 muffler

Alan,
O.K. you have 2.0 heat exchangers with no heat. The exhaust will not supply any heat but will bolt to your system....I am all over it.
I'll build one today and be in touch...
 
Dave @ triad


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From: Alan
To: triadwest@comcast.net
Sent: Wednesday, May 29, 2013 7:42 AM
Subject: Re: triad west/914 muffler

What's the status?

--> Alan


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From: Alan
To: triadwest@comcast.net
Sent: Monday, June 10, 2013 2:11 PM
Subject: Fw: triad west/914 muffler

Hello. Do you have any updates on the 914 muffler build?

--> Alan


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From: Alan
To: triadwest@comcast.net
Sent: Monday, June 17, 2013 7:14 PM
Subject: Fw: triad west/914 muffler

Well, I'm not sure what happened here. 
I'm assuming the build will not happen and I'm moving on.

--> Alan


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[Spoke]

I've been in tech support for a couple of semiconductor manufacturers. Our rule of thumb is if you haven't straightened out the issue by 3 emails back and forth, it's time to pick up the phone.

Email is great for providing a written trail, but is not good for ironing out differences of thought. One minute on the phone can circumvent many emails and reduce frustration.

[montoya 73 2.0]

I've been in tech support for a couple of semiconductor manufacturers. Our rule of thumb is if you haven't straightened out the issue by 3 emails back and forth, it's time to pick up the phone.

Email is great for providing a written trail, but is not good for ironing out differences of thought. One minute on the phone can circumvent many emails and reduce frustration.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)

I have worked for a large privately owned company in the Glendale, Ca. area. The do not and will not use voicemail systems and do not use email as a major form of communication when it comes to customer service. You call them and you will actually talk to a person when ordering components. You can email to ask questions but you will receive a phone call in return.

I'm sorry you feel in some way you were cheated or ignored but if you want the product bad enough, than you need to call and find out what is the situation.

I personally have had two situations with separate vendors that were similar. One is a large professional parts supplier and screwed many of us customers in the last several years and one was a weekend warrior. Both were unresolved and I never received my refund and the other I never received my merchandise! They were small items and it was the principal of the matter but it was my problem, I did use the search function and took my chances anyway so I had dealt with it! As for informing the masses, everyone knows these two and their reputations.

If it were me, I would have called after the first email went unanswered but that's how I do things when someone has something I want or need. All the other vendors that I have done business with, they know that I'm a pain in the ass for all the phone calls but that's how things get done! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smash.gif)


My 2 cents and IBTL!!!