Stay Away from Elite Rotary!!!!!!! ***Now Renamed ROTARY PARTS WORLD***
04-01-21, 10:00 PM
#26
Rotary Mechanics and shops
For cars like mine which are stock or near OEM that need service here in Chicagoland the (former CJ Wilson) Napleton Countryside Mazda has an excellent lead mechanic who is a long standing rotary nut. He has helped resolve all the common issues on my FD.
Thanks Dan.
I believe he has also won some Mazda tech awards per this thread.
https://www.rx7club.com/build-thread...build-1135809/
I was a former Elite customer as well but poor communication led me to look elsewhere
Thanks Dan.
I believe he has also won some Mazda tech awards per this thread.
https://www.rx7club.com/build-thread...build-1135809/
I was a former Elite customer as well but poor communication led me to look elsewhere
The following users liked this post:
Lord Bro (07-12-21)
The following 2 users liked this post by Sgtblue:
cblake3 (05-13-21),
Howard Coleman (05-13-21)
05-13-21, 11:56 AM
#28
I recently met up with a local member who also received some poor service by Elite, he's a new member on this forum, I'll see if he can charm in here.
But needless to say the quality of work shows when you look at the engine bay, and hear the experience from the owner. This is also the 2nd car I have heard that has a tune from Elite, I don't know if it is the ECU or what but they both take some effort to start and idle like poop at the beginning. The last car I heard with an Elite tune was back in 2016, and it starts and idle the exact same way.
But needless to say the quality of work shows when you look at the engine bay, and hear the experience from the owner. This is also the 2nd car I have heard that has a tune from Elite, I don't know if it is the ECU or what but they both take some effort to start and idle like poop at the beginning. The last car I heard with an Elite tune was back in 2016, and it starts and idle the exact same way.
05-16-21, 08:35 PM
#29
I recently met up with a local member who also received some poor service by Elite, he's a new member on this forum, I'll see if he can charm in here.
But needless to say the quality of work shows when you look at the engine bay, and hear the experience from the owner. This is also the 2nd car I have heard that has a tune from Elite, I don't know if it is the ECU or what but they both take some effort to start and idle like poop at the beginning. The last car I heard with an Elite tune was back in 2016, and it starts and idle the exact same way.
But needless to say the quality of work shows when you look at the engine bay, and hear the experience from the owner. This is also the 2nd car I have heard that has a tune from Elite, I don't know if it is the ECU or what but they both take some effort to start and idle like poop at the beginning. The last car I heard with an Elite tune was back in 2016, and it starts and idle the exact same way.
We we went over the car and talked about my goals of shooting for 400hp and maybe some day more. He talked me into doing a compression test prior to ordering any parts to make sure the engine was healthy enough for the single turbo setup. After waiting months for them to complete the build( was told few weeks) I learned that the spark plugs were never touched while on the dyno. Oh the build was not completed either, a boost controller was never put on and a few other parts. The ignition was a gamble he told me hoping my current one was strong enough to handle the setup to save me money. After getting the ignition taken care of it went for another dyno tune where the engine went.
I had the car sit for a year after that and finally sent him a message giving him the benefit of the doubt that his mechanic lied about the compression test and sent a list of what I was hoping for, for a positive outcome for the both of us. Long story short I was charged 3 times what I was expecting to pay, same thing happen for the turbo build, but it finally got a complete tune, minus the boost controller.
19k later, I have a complete elite build with no boost controller.
05-16-21, 08:53 PM
#32
think he talking about me. Sal/Sam is a great salesman, he makes you feel good and like he going to take care of everything for you. My dumbass rushed in to getting a single turbo setup, when all I really needed was a well tune and few more parts to hit my goals. I took my car or Elite, because at the time I could not find a single bad review other then part delays on orders.
We we went over the car and talked about my goals of shooting for 400hp and maybe some day more. He talked me into doing a compression test prior to ordering any parts to make sure the engine was healthy enough for the single turbo setup. After waiting months for them to complete the build( was told few weeks) I learned that the spark plugs were never touched while on the dyno. Oh the build was not completed either, a boost controller was never put on and a few other parts. The ignition was a gamble he told me hoping my current one was strong enough to handle the setup to save me money. After getting the ignition taken care of it went for another dyno tune where the engine went.
I had the car sit for a year after that and finally sent him a message giving him the benefit of the doubt that his mechanic lied about the compression test and sent a list of what I was hoping for, for a positive outcome for the both of us. Long story short I was charged 3 times what I was expecting to pay, same thing happen for the turbo build, but it finally got a complete tune, minus the boost controller.
19k later, I have a complete elite build with no boost controller.
We we went over the car and talked about my goals of shooting for 400hp and maybe some day more. He talked me into doing a compression test prior to ordering any parts to make sure the engine was healthy enough for the single turbo setup. After waiting months for them to complete the build( was told few weeks) I learned that the spark plugs were never touched while on the dyno. Oh the build was not completed either, a boost controller was never put on and a few other parts. The ignition was a gamble he told me hoping my current one was strong enough to handle the setup to save me money. After getting the ignition taken care of it went for another dyno tune where the engine went.
I had the car sit for a year after that and finally sent him a message giving him the benefit of the doubt that his mechanic lied about the compression test and sent a list of what I was hoping for, for a positive outcome for the both of us. Long story short I was charged 3 times what I was expecting to pay, same thing happen for the turbo build, but it finally got a complete tune, minus the boost controller.
19k later, I have a complete elite build with no boost controller.
05-17-21, 03:11 PM
#34
think he talking about me. Sal/Sam is a great salesman, he makes you feel good and like he going to take care of everything for you. My dumbass rushed in to getting a single turbo setup, when all I really needed was a well tune and few more parts to hit my goals. I took my car or Elite, because at the time I could not find a single bad review other then part delays on orders.
We we went over the car and talked about my goals of shooting for 400hp and maybe some day more. He talked me into doing a compression test prior to ordering any parts to make sure the engine was healthy enough for the single turbo setup. After waiting months for them to complete the build( was told few weeks) I learned that the spark plugs were never touched while on the dyno. Oh the build was not completed either, a boost controller was never put on and a few other parts. The ignition was a gamble he told me hoping my current one was strong enough to handle the setup to save me money. After getting the ignition taken care of it went for another dyno tune where the engine went.
I had the car sit for a year after that and finally sent him a message giving him the benefit of the doubt that his mechanic lied about the compression test and sent a list of what I was hoping for, for a positive outcome for the both of us. Long story short I was charged 3 times what I was expecting to pay, same thing happen for the turbo build, but it finally got a complete tune, minus the boost controller.
19k later, I have a complete elite build with no boost controller.
We we went over the car and talked about my goals of shooting for 400hp and maybe some day more. He talked me into doing a compression test prior to ordering any parts to make sure the engine was healthy enough for the single turbo setup. After waiting months for them to complete the build( was told few weeks) I learned that the spark plugs were never touched while on the dyno. Oh the build was not completed either, a boost controller was never put on and a few other parts. The ignition was a gamble he told me hoping my current one was strong enough to handle the setup to save me money. After getting the ignition taken care of it went for another dyno tune where the engine went.
I had the car sit for a year after that and finally sent him a message giving him the benefit of the doubt that his mechanic lied about the compression test and sent a list of what I was hoping for, for a positive outcome for the both of us. Long story short I was charged 3 times what I was expecting to pay, same thing happen for the turbo build, but it finally got a complete tune, minus the boost controller.
19k later, I have a complete elite build with no boost controller.
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cblake3 (05-17-21)
05-17-21, 03:45 PM
#35
WOW! That's a loss, I'm still finding **** he messed up on my car 4 yrs later. Did you check to see if he stole any working parts off your car like he did on mine, dude is a Thief stealing from paying customers. Honestly we should try and get a class action law suit against his shop. I'm talking to lawyers , you should do the same.
Speaking of lawsuits, there are currently about $40K is suits in Cook County pending against Elite. I would imagine that number will grow. I have heard of a couple more coming down the pipeline.
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the one (05-18-21)
05-18-21, 12:06 PM
#36
Spoke to a few lawyers yesterday, I got word that someone put the squeeze on Sal in court. Almost putting his parents house up as collateral, and that he hides behind multiple shell companies. To protect himself like Elite rotary shop, elite performance, etc . He’s a pure scum bag. I’m getting my ducks in a row, to peruse him again. How he still gets anyone at his shop is beyond me.
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Speed of light (01-06-23)
05-18-21, 12:33 PM
#37
Spoke to a few lawyers yesterday, I got word that someone put the squeeze on Sal in court. Almost putting his parents house up as collateral, and that he hides behind multiple shell companies. To protect himself like Elite rotary shop, elite performance, etc . He’s a pure scum bag. I’m getting my ducks in a row, to peruse him again. How he still gets anyone at his shop is beyond me.
Go get him!
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the one (05-18-21)
06-15-21, 10:00 AM
#40
Junior Member
Hey All
A bit off topic (sorry) - Since we all seem to be in the Northern IL, or North IN area; does anyone get together at all?..
I'm in far North east IL. It would be nice to hang with some rotary people!..
A bit off topic (sorry) - Since we all seem to be in the Northern IL, or North IN area; does anyone get together at all?..
I'm in far North east IL. It would be nice to hang with some rotary people!..
07-12-21, 04:47 PM
#44
Hurts to read. All of the talk about salesmanship and broken promises reads true from my experience as well.
I went through the Elite experience December 2015 into 2016. I did eventually get my car back (smelling like cigarettes), and over time the remaining issues did get worked out, but every single trip was guaranteed to be drawn out with some unnecessary back and forth after something had been done/not done that had been agreed upon beforehand. I also of course got the semi-complimentary powder-coat in exchange for some random pieces going missing over time.
After all was said and done my experience was tainted and I never really felt great about the car or trusted that "one more thing" wouldn't pop up, and was just emotionally exhausted with the whole thing so I sold the car I think near the beginning of 2018. I'd feel really bad if the new owner ran into any residual mechanical issues with the car since that's not why I sold it, but reading everything makes me have my doubts about his success.
I met some great individuals through the forums after I got my FD in 2015 (shout out to ze power mx6), and I'd love to get back in another one, but everyone knows what the market looks like these days.
I went through the Elite experience December 2015 into 2016. I did eventually get my car back (smelling like cigarettes), and over time the remaining issues did get worked out, but every single trip was guaranteed to be drawn out with some unnecessary back and forth after something had been done/not done that had been agreed upon beforehand. I also of course got the semi-complimentary powder-coat in exchange for some random pieces going missing over time.
After all was said and done my experience was tainted and I never really felt great about the car or trusted that "one more thing" wouldn't pop up, and was just emotionally exhausted with the whole thing so I sold the car I think near the beginning of 2018. I'd feel really bad if the new owner ran into any residual mechanical issues with the car since that's not why I sold it, but reading everything makes me have my doubts about his success.
I met some great individuals through the forums after I got my FD in 2015 (shout out to ze power mx6), and I'd love to get back in another one, but everyone knows what the market looks like these days.
The following 2 users liked this post by Lord Bro:
Howard Coleman (07-13-21),
ZE Power MX6 (07-23-21)
07-12-21, 06:49 PM
#45
Good for you! I am sure there are some Mazda techs around that still know what they're doing. Mine is mildly modified. I'll stand behind Chris at Banzai as I move forward, but for guys in Chicagoland...listen to the rest of us who have been dicked over by Elite. Find the tech at Napleton or go to Banzai. Stay away from Elite.
For those of you who have had your car worked on by Elite, I suggest you have your car looked over. I have seen way too many horror stories.
For those of you who have had your car worked on by Elite, I suggest you have your car looked over. I have seen way too many horror stories.
The following users liked this post:
Howard Coleman (07-13-21)
07-22-21, 09:53 PM
#46
So I made my first post on this thread back at the end of March, fast forward to today I finally got my car back. Sal told me to go easy with the RPMs and to change the oil after 500, and then change the oil again after 1,000 miles, then normal from then on. From what I've driven so far with my car it seems okay but I intend to take it to a shop around here to see if everything looks alright. Is there anything else specific I should keep an eye on?
02-12-22, 03:00 PM
#50
Curious that I see this, a few months ago i was in Chicago on a road trip and my buddy was getting ink done down the street from Elite. Being a rotary nut I stopped by to see what was up, guy up front talked with me for a bit, I explained that I was a tech, and just curious about the operation they had going on. The guy did a lot of talking but that was it. At some point I figured it was harmless to ask to just see the shop, Ive worked at quite a few specialty auto repair shops and its not uncommon for customers to want to see the shop. The guy got real fidgety and nervous and said "I mean I guess you could. Give your phone to so and so though" and made me hand my phone to the cashier so I couldnt take pictures? Which I guess for like porting and such is important but it was still weird. So we went back and immediately all the techs were on edge as soon as they saw me back there, they seemed to loosen up a bit when I explained I was also a mechanic. Overall I will say that their showroom has this clean sterile feel to it, that the shop DOES NOT. It seemed like kind of a dirty shitty shop with cars crammed in every corner, many with plastic tarps over them. Not to mention the engine assembly room which contained a table covered in at leasty 40-50 rotor housings. Makes you wonder how they ensure that you get the rotor housings from your motor, and not someone elses worn out or edge worn rotor housings?
End of the day they rushed me in and out of the shop as quickly as possible, handed me my phone back and told me if I ever needed work done to come see them. I totally understand the idea of not wanting a customer in the back of the shop, but at least where I've worked I have a general understanding that the customer is usually excited to see their car, other cars being worked on, and as long as the guys not a dick or acting weird, I usually let them hang around and ask questions and chat for a bit. I wasnt expecting free reign of the shop but as a potential tuning customer you think you'd want to put out a little better introduction.
End of the day they rushed me in and out of the shop as quickly as possible, handed me my phone back and told me if I ever needed work done to come see them. I totally understand the idea of not wanting a customer in the back of the shop, but at least where I've worked I have a general understanding that the customer is usually excited to see their car, other cars being worked on, and as long as the guys not a dick or acting weird, I usually let them hang around and ask questions and chat for a bit. I wasnt expecting free reign of the shop but as a potential tuning customer you think you'd want to put out a little better introduction.