Sorry that this post is long, but I don't want to start off on a bad note, just read until the end please.

There have been a lot of posts questioning skunk2 parts (cams, cam gears, and so-forth). I will start off on a good note, and I would like to say that I have ordered two things from Skunk2; a shifter and cam gears.

The cam gears were very impressive. They were easily obtainable, and shipped to my home within two days. When I got them, again I was please to find both of the gears individually wrapped, and packaged with foam peanuts. A nice touch. The gears were constructed well, with 6 screws securing the light yet strong two piece gear together. The gear itself was smooth, with no harsh edges that could wear on the timing belt, and had a tacky grip to it that sticks well to the timing belt and prevents any unwanted slip during installation and normal wear. I would highly recommend this item to anyone who is considering a cam gear upgrade.

With the shifter comes a different story. When I FIRST got it everything looked wonderful. It had a nice powder sprayed finish, that was smooth and comfortable. It also has a double bend, similar to stock. The bearings were wonderful! Smoothe and error free. By looking at it you could tell that there was meticulous thought in design...or maybe not...

This is where the story takes a different path. It's a very good thing that I tried to put on my shift **** BEFORE I started to take the center console appart! When I tried to get it on I noticed that the wonderful powder coating (which contained some type of metal alloy) has seeped into the threads where the shift **** goes. Huumm I though as I tried to think of a way around this.

So I tried to use a wire brush to rid the threads of the pesky powder coating (which I could really give two ***** less about anyway). No good. So I call Skunk2. At first they started off nice. "Yes, we've been having problems with those lately, a lot of people are calling about them". I say "what should I try". S2 = "try using a wire brush or paint thinner to remove the coating". Nope no worky. I call again the next day. Rather than suggest that they should send out another one, they say "try using your shift **** to re-thread the shifter" "Huh?" I say. "Won't that potentially kill the threads on my shift ****"? S2 = "Oh no...I had to do that with mine, just try it". *shrug* Ok, I'll try it I thought. Nope no worky.

I call again. "Hello, will you please help me...I hate calling you all the time, but I have this shifter that doesn't do any good". S2 = "Did you try what I told you"? ME = "yes". S2 = "I don't know what to tell you". ME = "Well...will you take it back, it's already taken a month for the part to ship" (forgot to tell you all that) "can you just take back the shifter, or fix it". S2 = "Well I guess we could look at it, but I'm not sure if I can do anything...". At this point I'm thinking...geeze you guys make and sell the stuff. What do you mean "your not sure if you can do anything".

So I send the part out. Next day. With my number, address, story and so forth.

Had to call THEM 4 days later. ME = "do you have the shifter"? S2 = "Not sure...oh yeah. There was a problem with the threads? Yeah we have it. We'll fix it and give it back to you".

2 weeks later (now 2 months total).

ME = "What happened? Is everything ok with it". S2 "We shipped that out...3 days UPS". ME = "Great"! "Finally".

Well that was two weeks ago (going on 2 ½ months)...and a total pipe dream. No shifter to be found to date. They have never initiated a call; ever! I always had to call them...Like a baby sitter checking on the kids in the next room. NOW they are moving, and are out of business until the 5th! I wish that someone would have been nice enough to tell me what's going on. It's only a $150 item, but geeze, I wanted so much more (cams and so forth). Not me. I don't want to have to deal with their CS again. They were so matter of fact, and non-caring.

I would say:

S2 Cam gears =
S2 Short Shifter =
S2 Customer Service =

Places like:
Mike at IPS
Dave at R&D

(So much on the customer service that I won't buy anything Skunk2 again...besides most of their crap is cosmetic anyway. I'll go with JUN or toda for engine components).

 

I don't blame you. I'd do the same. Money is not the issue. You buy a product and they should come through with good customer service and a properly functioning product. I think God is telling you to get a Cs short shifter. I heard they are the best and the board sponsors can give you a good price and CS.. Go for the Cs bro..

 

sorry to hear that S2 does not really respect the costomers who pay thier bills! heck, all you would have had to do was get a nut, cut it in half and clean those threads! that would have only cost about 30cents... oh well maybe next time..

-nate

 

It's funny you should mention that about the shifter. I thought maybe I received a "bad apple". Anyway, I purchased the S2 shifter a few weeks ago from a local shop. Unfortunately, I didn't try to install my ITR **** prior to installation I install shifter, really like the feel, height, angle. etc. Go to put on the shift ****...NO LUCK. Long story short, I end up having to re-tap the shifter. Definately a lot of added work(which shouldn't have to have been done in the first place) just for a new shifter.

Personally, I really like S2 products...however, this has left a bad taste in my mouth.

 

I live down the freeway from Skunk2 (when in Hayward). They do have terrible customer service. Pretty unhelpful to say the least. If you had posted it on this board (maybe you have?) that you needed help, you could have sent it to me(or others in the area willing to help) and I could of drove over there personally and handled it, to speed things up a little. I have there shifter as well and personally it feels the same as the stock itr one. Only problems with Skunk I encountered is their poor customer service (over the phone). In person its a little different, they seem to be a little more helpful (just a tad though). I hope you get your situation settled and it becomes a happy ending.

 

lol, kinda funny i read this today.

I was trying to get through today at work, but I had no luck.

Perhaps, their sick of the phone.

 

sorry to hear man. i bought a skunk2 rear low tie bar and love how much better my car feels. installation coulda been easier if they came with tapered bolts, but overall it was fine.

now my friend bought one for his Si... and thats a different story. I guess they packaged the wrong parts with it and so it doesnt fit.

also i emailed them something a while ago and it took so long that i forgot about it. finally one day they returned an email, answering my questions. maybe they are just too busy. some businesses get so busy that they seem to come off as ********. you just gotta bear with them sometimes... however as far as your situation, that aint cool. go to http://www.bbb.org and file a complaint. we cant have businesses screwing us over.