Public Apology to BlownChevy and Magnuson Products
Jan 3, 2005 | 08:57 PM
#1
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From: Sun Diego
Public Apology to BlownChevy and Magnuson Products
The purpose of this post is to come clean with my actions and interactions with Brian Zacuto, ‘BlownChevy’ here on LS1Tech and other boards, and Magnuson products. Although I don’t anticipate anything changing between Brian and I as a result of this, I believe it is the right thing to do in light of what has transpired. This is the least he deserves, and this is why I am posting.
Over the past year I have been suspicious, aggressive and mistrustful toward both Brian and Magnuson Products. I have been ungrateful of both Brian’s and Magnuson’s attempts to help me with the multiple issues I’ve had with my Radix since its installation late in 2003. In spite of this poor treatment, Brian was very patient with me over that time – certainly much more patient that I would have been with him, had the tables been turned. It is difficult and painful to see my behavior for what it was over the last year, but I do see it now, and I am very sorry for it. In addition, I believe I should share with all of you what I have learned.
Some of you know the story – a little over a year ago I was shopping for forced induction for my new Avalanche, and I eventually arrived on the Radix, due to its rave reviews here and elsewhere. I shopped around and ended up choosing an out-of-state vendor with a good reputation, which also translated into significant tax savings over purchasing it here in California. Shortly after I made the decision, I posted a question about a cam for my soon-to-be-Magnacharged truck. Brian immediately jumped in with lots of enthusiasm, saying he had Radix kits for sale. I responded with some serious negative attitude, telling him I had already chosen a vendor, and to basically back off. To me it seemed like he was trying to ‘sell’ me, which turned me off and made me suspicious.
In retrospect, knowing now what I know about Brian, he was simply being his usual, helpful self – passionate about auto performance in general, and the Radix in particular. Just having moved back to California after a long stint in New York City (where hardly anyone does anything selfless), I mistook Brian’s enthusiasm and forwardness as an attempt to 'take me'. Now I know, having watched his words and deeds over time with truck owners here and elsewhere, that Brian is a good man with a big heart, serious passion for cars and trucks, and a genuine desire to do good things for people who own them. This is what I’ve seen over the last year....too bad I didn’t see it sooner.
Had I received Brian’s enthusiasm differently and gone with him, I would be in a much better position than I am now. At minimum, I received a very poor Radix installation, and have had multiple problems with my vehicle since then. At first, I attributed those problems to the Radix product, and all but accused Brian and Magnuson of trumping up their power claims. I took my truck into Magnuson and they spent an entire day with it, gaining much of the power I should have had to start with, but still falling short. I’m sure my attitude while I was there was not the best (as I still mistrusted them), and this probably precluded me from receiving any further assistance. I can see this now, but I couldn’t see it them.
It has become clear to me over time that most (if not all) of my problems have come from a poor installation, not the Radix product. There were two immediate issues, one was a blown-up PCM, the second was a pitiful 60 RWHP gain from the blower. There have been other issues as well. I have been burning inordinately rich for over a year now, and not knowing what to do about it, I have probably ruined my catalytic converters and O2 sensors in the process. I have been operating underpowered the entire time. These are just a few of the issues I am aware of; I would bet that more will be uncovered.
After finally removing the blower this past weekend to get it inspected, we ran across some installation bolts that weren’t even finger tight, if you can believe that. Coupled with the rest of my earlier problems, my guess is that even more issues related to the install will soon be found. Bottom line, the install was not good, and this is likely the source of most (if not all) of the problems I’ve had over the last year. To top it off, I have been stubborn when listening to input from Brian and others on the board, on the Radix as well as other mods, such as my exhaust.
At this point, there’s not a lot I can do. I feel like I have misjudged both a good person and a good company, causing both bitterness and ill-will. All I can do is offer my apologies to Brian (BlownChevy), a great guy, and Magnuson Products, a great company with an excellent product. In light of my words and actions over the last year, however, I doubt that anything I say at this point will be sufficient and will fall way short. But there’s nothing I can do about that at this point. I just hope that in this note some you hear contrition and a genuine desire to set the story straight, because that is the spirit with which I wrote it.
Sincerely,
Kevin
Over the past year I have been suspicious, aggressive and mistrustful toward both Brian and Magnuson Products. I have been ungrateful of both Brian’s and Magnuson’s attempts to help me with the multiple issues I’ve had with my Radix since its installation late in 2003. In spite of this poor treatment, Brian was very patient with me over that time – certainly much more patient that I would have been with him, had the tables been turned. It is difficult and painful to see my behavior for what it was over the last year, but I do see it now, and I am very sorry for it. In addition, I believe I should share with all of you what I have learned.
Some of you know the story – a little over a year ago I was shopping for forced induction for my new Avalanche, and I eventually arrived on the Radix, due to its rave reviews here and elsewhere. I shopped around and ended up choosing an out-of-state vendor with a good reputation, which also translated into significant tax savings over purchasing it here in California. Shortly after I made the decision, I posted a question about a cam for my soon-to-be-Magnacharged truck. Brian immediately jumped in with lots of enthusiasm, saying he had Radix kits for sale. I responded with some serious negative attitude, telling him I had already chosen a vendor, and to basically back off. To me it seemed like he was trying to ‘sell’ me, which turned me off and made me suspicious.
In retrospect, knowing now what I know about Brian, he was simply being his usual, helpful self – passionate about auto performance in general, and the Radix in particular. Just having moved back to California after a long stint in New York City (where hardly anyone does anything selfless), I mistook Brian’s enthusiasm and forwardness as an attempt to 'take me'. Now I know, having watched his words and deeds over time with truck owners here and elsewhere, that Brian is a good man with a big heart, serious passion for cars and trucks, and a genuine desire to do good things for people who own them. This is what I’ve seen over the last year....too bad I didn’t see it sooner.
Had I received Brian’s enthusiasm differently and gone with him, I would be in a much better position than I am now. At minimum, I received a very poor Radix installation, and have had multiple problems with my vehicle since then. At first, I attributed those problems to the Radix product, and all but accused Brian and Magnuson of trumping up their power claims. I took my truck into Magnuson and they spent an entire day with it, gaining much of the power I should have had to start with, but still falling short. I’m sure my attitude while I was there was not the best (as I still mistrusted them), and this probably precluded me from receiving any further assistance. I can see this now, but I couldn’t see it them.
It has become clear to me over time that most (if not all) of my problems have come from a poor installation, not the Radix product. There were two immediate issues, one was a blown-up PCM, the second was a pitiful 60 RWHP gain from the blower. There have been other issues as well. I have been burning inordinately rich for over a year now, and not knowing what to do about it, I have probably ruined my catalytic converters and O2 sensors in the process. I have been operating underpowered the entire time. These are just a few of the issues I am aware of; I would bet that more will be uncovered.
After finally removing the blower this past weekend to get it inspected, we ran across some installation bolts that weren’t even finger tight, if you can believe that. Coupled with the rest of my earlier problems, my guess is that even more issues related to the install will soon be found. Bottom line, the install was not good, and this is likely the source of most (if not all) of the problems I’ve had over the last year. To top it off, I have been stubborn when listening to input from Brian and others on the board, on the Radix as well as other mods, such as my exhaust.
At this point, there’s not a lot I can do. I feel like I have misjudged both a good person and a good company, causing both bitterness and ill-will. All I can do is offer my apologies to Brian (BlownChevy), a great guy, and Magnuson Products, a great company with an excellent product. In light of my words and actions over the last year, however, I doubt that anything I say at this point will be sufficient and will fall way short. But there’s nothing I can do about that at this point. I just hope that in this note some you hear contrition and a genuine desire to set the story straight, because that is the spirit with which I wrote it.
Sincerely,
Kevin
Jan 3, 2005 | 09:53 PM
#7
14 Second Truck Club
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,775
Likes: 0
From: Tucson, AZ
brian is an awesome guy as well as a good friend to me now. i give you props for that post because i remember how heated it used to get. the only way to go from here is forward and getting more POWER!!!!
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It's very rare to see an apology like that these days.
Jan 3, 2005 | 10:03 PM
#10
I'm glad you finally figured out what was wrong with the thing. 
I know your about the only one that hasn't been thoroughly pleased with the blower kit. I hope once you get all the kinks worked out, you will be a bit more happier with it.
I know I've said some harsh things, and made some bitter remarks towards you and maybe some dyno sheets you requested. My apoligies.
It's all good. You live .. you learn.
I know your about the only one that hasn't been thoroughly pleased with the blower kit. I hope once you get all the kinks worked out, you will be a bit more happier with it. I know I've said some harsh things, and made some bitter remarks towards you and maybe some dyno sheets you requested. My apoligies.
It's all good. You live .. you learn.