Max Speeding Rods - EDIT

[luvemfast]

Thought that recommended businesses was best place to post this.
Or in this instance-
Non Recommended Businesses
As some of you may have already read.
I ordered 6 FJ20 forged con rods from Max Speed Rods. They were pretty quick with responce and delivery, so all was good.
FJ20 rods are 140mm long between centres, have same big end size as L series and have a pin size of Ø22mm.
Peter Mac tried to assemble them onto the custom made pistons to suit FJ20 rods, only to find the rod pin size Ø21mm.
I got onto Max Speed Rods pretty quickly explaing the problem and asking for them to be replaced with correct units.

This is where things got interesting.
They showed no interest, in even the mere thought, that they supplied the incorrect part.
Max Speeding Rods kept on going on about the fact I bought 6 and FJ20's are 4 cylinders. Clearly not understanding the quantity doesn't matter when they are wrong. Even when I showed them the facts here- http://www.fj20.com/

Lurch is buying these rods off me, as he can get the pistons made to suit.
I've ordered Spool rods locally.

Bottom line.
If you want to buy go fast parts for your cars. Be careful if you are buying cheaper alternaltives offshore, as they will clearly not give you any after sales help.

This is my experience with this company.
I wouldn't consider buying anything or recommend them to anyone purely based on these facts.

[MaygZ]

Simon,

I know it's not the point (quality service is the point) but couldn't you get them reemed to 22mm?

[peter mc]

no they don't have the material in the bush to fix the problem and the work to fix them is more expensive than new rods..

[luvemfast]

I know it's not the point (quality service is the point) but couldn't you get them reemed to 22mm?

As you stated, its more about the customer and after sales service........ Or lack of!
Honing of rods is expected.
But to remachine them because they are not what they should be is completely unacceptable.
Plus, as Peter said. There is not enough material to allow it.
Had Max Speeding Rods have been clear that they weren't actually OEM, I would have had the custom rods made to suit a Ø21mm pin.

[Scottz]

Simon,
You are right. Dead set on the mark.
I to am sick of the gear and parts that turn up and don't fit.
After spending time and money finding what you need, to then be let down during the work is a real pain.
Especially when you put aside time to do the build and then have your whole day or week stuffed because something is the wrong size. Then more time wasted trying to get replacements or re-work the parts to fit.

Now talking about rods and who to buy from .... I found this a while back when I was looking for something equal to but cheaper than Spool.
Seller is "perfectcrank" in USA. He only sells in USA, no export. Rods for L26 & L28.
Just need a friendly USA zed member to find some past buyers/users to see if they are the real deal......Ah Rev...where are you mate..?
Aircraft Quality 4340 Chrome Molly Steel "H" Beam Super Racing Rods
Crankshaft Depot 3D Plus super racing H beam rods are manufactured from the best aircraft quality 4340 chrome-molly steel.  The 3D Plus super racing rods are the lightest in weight without sacrifice of any tensile strength.  3D Plus rods forged in separate process for gaining optimum grain flow and structural integrity perfected producing 900+HP.   Every rod is magna-fluxed, X-rayed, and ultrasonic tested.  A third hole is drilled at top of the small end to bleed air in the aerated lube system to protect piston pin from direct impact. Rod and cap are shot peen for stress relief.  Rod is CNC center finished and cross honed with Sunnen machine weight control within 4 grams in each set.  Silicone bronze pin bushings are installed withstand high impact for FLOATING PIN PISTON application. ARP 8740 cap screws are installed.

[luvemfast]

Thanks Scott.

Rod is CNC center finished and cross honed with Sunnen machine weight control within 4 grams in each set.

Which reminds me. Max Speeding Rods also claim to be matched sets with 1gram tolerance.
When they were sent for balancing, they were 4.5grams difference 

[jamo240]

I guess it's the old adage..."you get what you pay for"

Cheap Chinese rods are just that...they look the part, but there is plenty of evidence they are not in the same paddock as Carillos, which they're all based on.

After you buy them, you should budget to size them, straighten them and balance them, as they almost certainly won't be right from the factory.

Bottom line...if you are building an engine that really needs H-beam rods, then spend the money to put good ones in, as if they fail, all the expensive bits in your engine are history. If you don't need them, then stay with the high quality standard rods, which with the same work I have described above, plus a shot peen, will give you excellent service in most competition applications.

Cheers

Jamo

[luvemfast]

After much too and fro
We have come up with an arrangement that we are both happy with.

So at the end of the day, they will stand by their product.

[Wayne G]

good to see you have a resolution that is satisfactory and that you are willing to give credit when it is due.  It is a shame that you had to go through all the drama to get what you asked for though.

[luvemfast]

good to see you have a resolution that is satisfactory and that you are willing to give credit when it is due.  It is a shame that you had to go through all the drama to get what you asked for though.

They did truly believe they were right.
It was only after much pestering by Peter Mac and myself, that they looked into it and discovered that they were working to an incorrect specification.
Once they acknowledged that, they were great to deal with.

[MaygZ]

That's good news.

[Wayne G]

so glad I am no longer in the engine reconditioning and modification game as work; parts suppliers are the worst!  "I have been doing this for years mate!" was their typical response yet it was clear they did not understand what they were selling or how it could be used for other applications!  It has only been ten years or so but it still bugs me.