SGP Racing a Scammer?
03-22-2009, 08:29 AM
#1501
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^^ Little background refresher:
Both Marshall and Rude's "SGP" built AT were sent out to a Nissan Master Tech in Vegas to have torn down and inspected. The same Nissan Master Tech, Chris L, is re-building them so as to remedy and complete the job that should have already been done right the first time.
In Marshall's case, he brought the car to us, having already had the "built SGP" trans in his car from another shop. After months of strange issues with the trans, by pure freak chance, Marshall hurt the trans by driving over an underestimated-sized-speed-hill(bump)
and had to have it re-built. It was only then that the results of SGP's "built trans" were brought to light.
Concurrently, we had just recently received Rude's trans back from SGP. It had not been installed yet (Rude's G is a full blown project and wasn't ready for engine, trans to go back in). Having the results of Marshall's trans already, we were not going to risk installation on Rude's, so we sent it to Chris as well.
These are both significant set backs, obviously, but will be quickly overcome. The legality or rather illegality of the "work" that was done by SGP is, to everyone involved, disheartening, to say the least. More important, however, is that, just like the other upstanding shops in this community (Injected, Forged, GTM, SP, SFR, etc) our resolve in issues like this is clear: whatever it takes, the customer will win.
Both Marshall and Rude's "SGP" built AT were sent out to a Nissan Master Tech in Vegas to have torn down and inspected. The same Nissan Master Tech, Chris L, is re-building them so as to remedy and complete the job that should have already been done right the first time.
In Marshall's case, he brought the car to us, having already had the "built SGP" trans in his car from another shop. After months of strange issues with the trans, by pure freak chance, Marshall hurt the trans by driving over an underestimated-sized-speed-hill(bump)
and had to have it re-built. It was only then that the results of SGP's "built trans" were brought to light. Concurrently, we had just recently received Rude's trans back from SGP. It had not been installed yet (Rude's G is a full blown project and wasn't ready for engine, trans to go back in). Having the results of Marshall's trans already, we were not going to risk installation on Rude's, so we sent it to Chris as well.
These are both significant set backs, obviously, but will be quickly overcome. The legality or rather illegality of the "work" that was done by SGP is, to everyone involved, disheartening, to say the least. More important, however, is that, just like the other upstanding shops in this community (Injected, Forged, GTM, SP, SFR, etc) our resolve in issues like this is clear: whatever it takes, the customer will win.
03-22-2009, 12:49 PM
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Can somebody connect me with this mechanic? I would like to have his contact information and find out what his rate is to repair what's wrong. Mark keeps texting me telling me my stuff is shipping but I want to inspect it when it gets here and potentially ship out to this guy.
03-22-2009, 02:12 PM
#1504
Can somebody connect me with this mechanic? I would like to have his contact information and find out what his rate is to repair what's wrong. Mark keeps texting me telling me my stuff is shipping but I want to inspect it when it gets here and potentially ship out to this guy.
03-22-2009, 06:24 PM
#1505
Wow. Rude be glad you have your car at a shop like Intense, I know you car has had some setbacks because of this whole ordeal, but in the end Intense will take care of you and that is all that matters.
SGP and RA, whats next?
-George
GT Motorsports
SGP and RA, whats next?
-George
GT Motorsports
03-23-2009, 05:21 AM
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Sorry about all your problems Rude....I've seen the tag in your sig hasn't changed for quite awhile (well...the part about your G), must be a hell of a build.
03-23-2009, 02:23 PM
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Well, imagine my surprise when I go online to check up on how SGP is doing, only to see this thread pop up. I first visited the houston-imports site, only to see that SGP has been removed as one of the sponsors ( along with a lot of other shops) and there was a link to this thread.
I've read most of the thread ( had to skip to about every 4 pages ) and I feel like I'm watching a train wreck unfold right before me.
I worked at SGP about 3 years ago ( Kyle was still around ). It was my first mechanic job after I had just graduated automotive tech school. I had a buddy that worked there to help me get my foot in the door. It was like everything I had ever dreamed of had come true. We worked on some sick cars, went in at 10 and stayed there till all hours just havin a good time and working, making some good friends along the way, both with co-workers and customers.
After Kyle left / got booted things went down hill from there, Mark had to spend more time up front handling orders and phone calls as opposed to being at the welder or at the dyno where he was needed and that was just the start of where we were getting backed up. More jobs kept coming in, even while the stuff we were doing at the moment had to be put on hold due to whatever the circumstances were, waiting on parts, waiting on customer payment or what have you.
At some point someone should have realized that we couldn't continue to work that way, but all of that was out of sight out of mind when we had cars doing 600hp dyno pulls next door and customers coming back from their test drives with smiles glued to their faces.
Employees were always coming and going, during the two years I worked there I watched at least 4 techs come and go for different reasons. I think this was one of the problems, because many cars had been there longer than the techs and no one knew what the hell was going on. My first job there was a 3000gt that had moved with the shop from Deer Park, I'll never build another 6G as long as I live.
Thomas was brought in to work the front, some folks have said that he was the source of a lot of their woes, but in truth he really is a good guy, prolly just wasent very good at what he was doing and most likely didnt have the knowledge it required of him.
For those of you who apparently found stock parts in your " built " transmissions... we never built trannies there. Whoever Mark sent your transmissions to jacked them up and in a normal situation I would tell you to get a hold of Mark because he needs to know this sort of thing and not deal with these people anymore. I have installed z33 valve bodies and torque converters while working at SGP and unless things have changed, they don't ever actually open up your tranny. If you have never opened up an automatic tranny, i can tell you its no fun, there is a whole mess of parts, friction discs, plates and gears, more moving parts than anyone in their right mind would like to deal with. Someone needs to bring this to Mark's attention ( through email i suppose) asap so no one gets another one of these trannies if it was assembled the way Chris claims.
I will always look back on my time at SGP with fond memories. We were like a family and did everything together. I believe that Mark is a good guy deep down and is not intentionally trying to screw people, but I also know that the shop is everything to him and he would do just about anything to keep it going. This stuff about him being on drugs... you can just throw that out right away. He is likely pushing 40 now, back in the day he's done his share of drugs and drinking, but he wouldn't even smoke with us when we had offered it to him several times. Hell, after the meds he was on for his second back surgery, he couldn't even drink.
R.I.P. to Mark's dad, Terry ( Bub ) who was quite possibly the nicest guy I've ever met.
I've read most of the thread ( had to skip to about every 4 pages ) and I feel like I'm watching a train wreck unfold right before me.
I worked at SGP about 3 years ago ( Kyle was still around ). It was my first mechanic job after I had just graduated automotive tech school. I had a buddy that worked there to help me get my foot in the door. It was like everything I had ever dreamed of had come true. We worked on some sick cars, went in at 10 and stayed there till all hours just havin a good time and working, making some good friends along the way, both with co-workers and customers.
After Kyle left / got booted things went down hill from there, Mark had to spend more time up front handling orders and phone calls as opposed to being at the welder or at the dyno where he was needed and that was just the start of where we were getting backed up. More jobs kept coming in, even while the stuff we were doing at the moment had to be put on hold due to whatever the circumstances were, waiting on parts, waiting on customer payment or what have you.
At some point someone should have realized that we couldn't continue to work that way, but all of that was out of sight out of mind when we had cars doing 600hp dyno pulls next door and customers coming back from their test drives with smiles glued to their faces.
Employees were always coming and going, during the two years I worked there I watched at least 4 techs come and go for different reasons. I think this was one of the problems, because many cars had been there longer than the techs and no one knew what the hell was going on. My first job there was a 3000gt that had moved with the shop from Deer Park, I'll never build another 6G as long as I live.
Thomas was brought in to work the front, some folks have said that he was the source of a lot of their woes, but in truth he really is a good guy, prolly just wasent very good at what he was doing and most likely didnt have the knowledge it required of him.
For those of you who apparently found stock parts in your " built " transmissions... we never built trannies there. Whoever Mark sent your transmissions to jacked them up and in a normal situation I would tell you to get a hold of Mark because he needs to know this sort of thing and not deal with these people anymore. I have installed z33 valve bodies and torque converters while working at SGP and unless things have changed, they don't ever actually open up your tranny. If you have never opened up an automatic tranny, i can tell you its no fun, there is a whole mess of parts, friction discs, plates and gears, more moving parts than anyone in their right mind would like to deal with. Someone needs to bring this to Mark's attention ( through email i suppose) asap so no one gets another one of these trannies if it was assembled the way Chris claims.
I will always look back on my time at SGP with fond memories. We were like a family and did everything together. I believe that Mark is a good guy deep down and is not intentionally trying to screw people, but I also know that the shop is everything to him and he would do just about anything to keep it going. This stuff about him being on drugs... you can just throw that out right away. He is likely pushing 40 now, back in the day he's done his share of drugs and drinking, but he wouldn't even smoke with us when we had offered it to him several times. Hell, after the meds he was on for his second back surgery, he couldn't even drink.
R.I.P. to Mark's dad, Terry ( Bub ) who was quite possibly the nicest guy I've ever met.
03-23-2009, 04:38 PM
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Where did you send the trans to? What shop/tech did the builds on SGP transmissions. Please advise. We need to make sure nobody sends a part to them.
03-23-2009, 05:35 PM
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Did you know my car? It was there ~June 07 to Nov, 07. Archie did most of the work. (Left ~ 11/07) 05 G A/T black? A few points from the "other side". Thomas was a huge contributer to down fall... I axked him 100 things...got answers and he said/promised to perform...follow thru...order parts etc...NEVER did... complete imbecile.
I spent 3 days there watching...observing...
Shop...entire and complete disaster...no oversite, supervision, vision, direction...Mark stalking around stating all idiots. Meanwhile, he provides NO leadership.
Mark...no love lost...welcome to jail...damn consequences....
BTW (repeat) what exact proprietary parts have you developed (mr. "chemical engineer), designed that you promised to install in my AT... what a Fng liar you ___!
God luck selling the Skyline...
I spent 3 days there watching...observing...
Shop...entire and complete disaster...no oversite, supervision, vision, direction...Mark stalking around stating all idiots. Meanwhile, he provides NO leadership.
Mark...no love lost...welcome to jail...damn consequences....
BTW (repeat) what exact proprietary parts have you developed (mr. "chemical engineer), designed that you promised to install in my AT... what a Fng liar you ___!
God luck selling the Skyline...
Last edited by Zume; 03-23-2009 at 05:57 PM. Reason: blah
03-23-2009, 05:39 PM
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Did you know my car? It was there ~June 07 to Nov, 07. Archie did most of the work. (Left ~ 11/07) 05 G A/T black? A few points from the "other side". Thomas was a huge contributer to down fall... I axked him 100 things...got answers and he said/promised to perform...follow thru...order ports etc...NEVER did... complete imbecile.
I spent 3 days there watching...observing...
Shop...entire and complete disaster...no oversite, supervision, vision, direction...Mark stalking around stating all idiots. Meanwhile he provides NO leadership.
Mark...no love lost...welcome to jail...damn consequences....
BTW (repeat) what exact proprietary parts have you developed (mr. "chemical engineer), designed that you promised to install in my AT... what a Fng liar you ___!
God luck selling the Skyline...
I spent 3 days there watching...observing...
Shop...entire and complete disaster...no oversite, supervision, vision, direction...Mark stalking around stating all idiots. Meanwhile he provides NO leadership.
Mark...no love lost...welcome to jail...damn consequences....
BTW (repeat) what exact proprietary parts have you developed (mr. "chemical engineer), designed that you promised to install in my AT... what a Fng liar you ___!
God luck selling the Skyline...
03-23-2009, 05:58 PM
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^^ Little background refresher:
Both Marshall and Rude's "SGP" built AT were sent out to a Nissan Master Tech in Vegas to have torn down and inspected. The same Nissan Master Tech, Chris L, is re-building them so as to remedy and complete the job that should have already been done right the first time.
In Marshall's case, he brought the car to us, having already had the "built SGP" trans in his car from another shop. After months of strange issues with the trans, by pure freak chance, Marshall hurt the trans by driving over an underestimated-sized-speed-hill(bump) and had to have it re-built. It was only then that the results of SGP's "built trans" were brought to light.
Concurrently, we had just recently received Rude's trans back from SGP. It had not been installed yet (Rude's G is a full blown project and wasn't ready for engine, trans to go back in). Having the results of Marshall's trans already, we were not going to risk installation on Rude's, so we sent it to Chris as well.
These are both significant set backs, obviously, but will be quickly overcome. The legality or rather illegality of the "work" that was done by SGP is, to everyone involved, disheartening, to say the least. More important, however, is that, just like the other upstanding shops in this community (Injected, Forged, GTM, SP, SFR, etc) our resolve in issues like this is clear: whatever it takes, the customer will win.
Both Marshall and Rude's "SGP" built AT were sent out to a Nissan Master Tech in Vegas to have torn down and inspected. The same Nissan Master Tech, Chris L, is re-building them so as to remedy and complete the job that should have already been done right the first time.
In Marshall's case, he brought the car to us, having already had the "built SGP" trans in his car from another shop. After months of strange issues with the trans, by pure freak chance, Marshall hurt the trans by driving over an underestimated-sized-speed-hill(bump)
and had to have it re-built. It was only then that the results of SGP's "built trans" were brought to light. Concurrently, we had just recently received Rude's trans back from SGP. It had not been installed yet (Rude's G is a full blown project and wasn't ready for engine, trans to go back in). Having the results of Marshall's trans already, we were not going to risk installation on Rude's, so we sent it to Chris as well.
These are both significant set backs, obviously, but will be quickly overcome. The legality or rather illegality of the "work" that was done by SGP is, to everyone involved, disheartening, to say the least. More important, however, is that, just like the other upstanding shops in this community (Injected, Forged, GTM, SP, SFR, etc) our resolve in issues like this is clear: whatever it takes, the customer will win.
03-23-2009, 05:59 PM
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No...former follower...loser...now BORN AGAIN DIY'er...less +- $30K to Mark.
Biggest selling point was that he/they (SGP) were A/T "specialists" HAHAHA.
Biggest selling point was that he/they (SGP) were A/T "specialists" HAHAHA.
Last edited by Zume; 03-23-2009 at 06:04 PM.
03-23-2009, 06:11 PM
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Employees were always coming and going, during the two years I worked there I watched at least 4 techs come and go for different reasons. I think this was one of the problems, because many cars had been there longer than the techs and no one knew what the hell was going on. My first job there was a 3000gt that had moved with the shop from Deer Park, I'll never build another 6G as long as I live.
For those of you who apparently found stock parts in your " built " transmissions... we never built trannies there. Whoever Mark sent your transmissions to jacked them up and in a normal situation I would tell you to get a hold of Mark because he needs to know this sort of thing and not deal with these people anymore. I have installed z33 valve bodies and torque converters while working at SGP and unless things have changed, they don't ever actually open up your tranny. If you have never opened up an automatic tranny, i can tell you its no fun, there is a whole mess of parts, friction discs, plates and gears, more moving parts than anyone in their right mind would like to deal with. Someone needs to bring this to Mark's attention ( through email i suppose) asap so no one gets another one of these trannies if it was assembled the way Chris claims.
1. Employees did come and go at SGP.
2. I have never seen an open Z33 AT at SGP. In the case of Eric and MRG, I'm not making excuses for Mark, but I know for a fact he wasn't the one personally rebuilding these trannies. The trans and VB's are out sourced. So the problems we are seeing/hearing about may not be coming from SGP/Mark. However, in the end, Mark is still responsible. And again, a big part is the lack of communication. If Mark hadn't stretched himself so thin trying to do everything, then maybe he may have more time to focus of customer service.
3. I have never known Mark to use recreational drugs. If he's got an addiction it's to RedBull.
As for the other issues..... NO COMMENT.
03-23-2009, 06:45 PM
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03-23-2009, 07:08 PM
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Well I was hoping you were going to send it here to test out our super duper 8 clutch pack tranny conversion.Yes folks, we found a way to stuff 8 steels in there
But good luck with your build Eric.
03-23-2009, 07:29 PM
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What we are doing is way beyond using Alto clutch packs.If you machine the hub you can stuff 6 Alto clutch packs in.Thats it.We put 8 in.But I cant give away anymore secrets
03-23-2009, 07:31 PM
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WHAT!!!! How much power handling ability Tim? Give us some details please. Not to go off topic but every other vendor has chimed in, this would be a good place to see what options are on the market for us 5AT guys
