WELD/SUTTON DIRT MISSILE build

[GregWeld]

Originally Posted by preston

Curious about this. I learned more practical knowledge reading Ron's threads on here in 1 week than I learned in 15 years of reading books/internet and building myself.

So I drank the kool-aid hard. But I had a reasonably positive experience with Ron Fall 2016. I ordered a suspension design workup. He told me up front it would take a while so I waited and he did deliver after a few months, and then I had some changes and he did an update for me fairly quickly. This was a workup using his basic philosophy but somewhat constrained as I was adapting it to an existing chassis. When I could get him on the phone he was very very helpful. And every part I ordered showed up fairly quickly, although I didn't order anything too exotic or custom (I built or sourced those myself because I am impatient and experienced). So overall It was somewhat positive, but after 20 years at this hobby I'm also very attuned to certain subtle and not so subtle red flags, so I was glad I wasn't too dependent on him.

The car drove better than ever when I was done but I 've been burnt out for some time and I sold it before it saw serious track time (I need to write that thread).

However I still feel like his suspension design and philosophy make total sense so I'm very curious if others dont' feel the same way. Dusold certainly seems to have had success with his design.

NO --- MIKE DID EVERYTHING OVER AFTER TWO COMPLETE FAILURES.... I've been texting and on the phone with Mike just today over it. We're also cancer buddies..... He has nothing "Sutton" on his car. When he said he would tell about it -- Sutton threatened to sue him. So they agreed to go their separate ways.

ME -- I say HEY SUTTON -- you know where I am --- SUE ME ASSWIPE..... I'll own your house!

[GregWeld]

In fairness to GOOD SUPPLIERS --- Sutton designed some pretty cool stuff --- and people like SpeedTech and others have had great success with it -- but they build, and design, and test their stuff!!

I'm only taking issue with RON SUTTON RACE TECHNOLOGIES as a supplier and answer man. And only AFTER so many people shared their stories did I decide to go public.

If you want a bad ass high tech sub ---- The SpeedTech stuff seems to be absolutely outstanding. I wish now I'd insisted THEY build my car. I can assure you I would have been a very happy man right now. I should have stood my ground when I had the chance.

[Blake Foster]

Thank you Greg

I feel that the design and performance of our subframes and chassis are the top of the Line. We did all the design EXCEPT the geometry on the front suspension, which Ron did and I think you are starting to see some pretty well built competitive cars out there now. we all know how long these can take to be completed.
This whole thing is sad
If any one has any questions about that subject i will do my best to answer them as fully as I Can.

[jarhead]

Originally Posted by Blake Foster

Thank you Greg

I feel that the design and performance of our subframes and chassis are the top of the Line. We did all the design EXCEPT the geometry on the front suspension, which Ron did and I think you are starting to see some pretty well built competitive cars out there now. we all know how long these can take to be completed.
This whole thing is sad
If any one has any questions about that subject i will do my best to answer them as fully as I Can.

I've been working with Jay on a torque arm for my Torino since maybe March. In fact I think he figured out the hard part, I just sent pictures and measurements. He has everything under control, I am not concerned...

I am still a customer for this system even though I have only put a down payment on it. My health degraded this year, daughter is getting married in a few days, allot of things have changed in my life.

Count me in on believing on your business and products. Nothing in the thread would sway me, and I am pretty sure none of it's intended too.

Hopefully I will be fulfilling the order in January (when I retire) and am healthy again. I've been keeping Jay updated.

I am really looking forward to the purchase, and there are allot of people in the Torino community waiting to see it installed. Well maybe not FE Rob so much since he has the RS stuff, but I know he's rooting for me. Someone has to finish a Torino on here

EDIT:
By the way of all the rear suspension vendors not one has followed through to help me until I spoke to Jay W.
Not a single vendor was interested in helping me with a custom torque arm. I talked to them all, not kidding.
That speaks volumes to your company and it's dedication to the community. I have spoke to them all and was ready to just get some shi### leaf springs and move on with my project.
Thanks,
Joe T. from Fort Collins, CO

[Spiffav8]

Originally Posted by Blake Foster

Thank you Greg

I feel that the design and performance of our subframes and chassis are the top of the Line. We did all the design EXCEPT the geometry on the front suspension, which Ron did and I think you are starting to see some pretty well built competitive cars out there now. we all know how long these can take to be completed.
This whole thing is sad
If any one has any questions about that subject i will do my best to answer them as fully as I Can.

Blake you have nothing to worry about. Speedtech turns out nothing but high end, quality products. Additionally the customer service is second to none. Speedtech has a solid reputation that was earned by doing things right.

Speedtech equipped cars are dominating the autocross course these days proving the product works, is well built and dependable.

[Rmt]

Originally Posted by GregWeld

NO --- MIKE DID EVERYTHING OVER AFTER TWO COMPLETE FAILURES....

What failed on Mikes design?

The suspension did work great on your beast, yes?


Full disclosure:
I purchased a “Full Frame, Suspension & Cage Design Package + TRS & Brakes”,
on 4-30-2014.
I have experienced poor communication at times,
Wrong (non fitting) parts, and long delays.
But—
Ron has always been up-front about being slow on reply’s and deliveries,
aways came up with solutions as problems came up,
and made good on issues with parts.
Yes, it’s taken a long time,
To the point I lost interest in the project for some time.
I still feel Ron’s knowledge, and ability to produce a great handling chassis, out of the box, to be a great value (for me).

But my situation is very different,
I have far more time than money.
I just paid for a design (and expected a few bugs),
not a turn-key product, within a guaranteed time-frame.

[Jtomas801]

First off, sorry Greg that you have to deal with all this bs, especially with everything else going on right now. And thank you for bringing all these issues to light.

I have been through this before (but much, much smaller scale!) with a previous forum member/vendor and his C6 subframe that I had to basically trash and start over. Which stalled my project big time and I just had to step away from it for a few years. I only own a Sutton Front TA and rear GT frame section so far, but no suspension pieces yet as I am buying as I go along.

My personal experience with Sutton so far has been good, but seems every time I check this thread, things seem to get worse :/ I hope he gets things straightened out quickly. But now I need to figure out how to proceed with purchasing the rest of the pieces I need.

Anyway, the car does look pretty badass in the pics! It seems like you have a pretty good base to work from and I am sure you will get the car where you want it, just unfortunately more time and money than should be required. Thanks again for putting this out there.

[Matt@BOS]

After talking back and forth with Rob all weekend, I’d say you’re a pretty patient man, Greg!

If there’s any good news, it’s that you have a ton of friends in the industry, and a handful of them have very professional shops that can get you and the car back where you’d like to be!

Now if I may, I’m going to give a shameless promotion for a friend and say that you need to give JJ a call when it’s time to get your car back out on track!

[glassman]

Greg,
first of all i'm sorry this happened to you
second, i'm sorry about the friendship gone sour
I am shocked, surprised and saddened.
I do not like excuses. My car got screwed the last two years because of two bad subs, the work was good (well, very very decent), but i missed out on so many events.

Like ELO said in that song when they sang backwards, "You can rewind this music, but you can't rewind time". Thats what truly hurts....

cheers my friend, see u in Utah. 5 weeks(ends)

[mad68rs]

Greg,

I don't really know you, but we most likely share some friends in common (I worked for GM as an engineer).

I feel for you after reading your experience. He put you in a tough situation. I think you did the right thing.

I am originally from the Sacramento area and raced circle track on a well respected team in the area. I'm not completely surprised by your dissatisfaction. I had heard some things while working/racing. I believe his latest venture is at least his 2nd or 3rd attempt at something. So I don't believe your experience is limited to the circumstances. Kind of makes me feel bad in a way also for not saying anything, but you can only do so much based on your experience with someone.

I'm sure you will get the shipped turned in whatever direction you choose. I hope you stay in good spirits and health.

P.S. Not trying to dog pile, just meant to reach out in support.