SAAC Forum

The Cars => 1967 Shelby GT350/500 => Topic started by: 6972boss on July 31, 2019, 11:58:19 PM

Title: Friendly warning
Post by: 6972boss on July 31, 2019, 11:58:19 PM
Hi all, i want to post a kind warning about dealings with survival motorsports.  I purchased a set of FE complete heads off ebay from Barry.  He promised me they would be completed in 60 days.  90 days later still no product. 120 days later no product. I was way overdue my heads so i asked for a refund. Sent numerous emails, no reply. Several voice messages and no return calls. 6 months later i received an email stating he has been sick. 7 months later he says he is short of help. 9 months later he said he was
short on inventory,  more excuses why he cant refund my $2700 or provide me a set of heads. It was an endless string of excuses. I had to finally break down and buy another set of heads to get my engine back in the car. Barry was apologetic and promised he would take care of me. It didnt happen. I had to text, call and email constantly with no replies. I finally was forced to contact the FBI internet crimes detail and the Michigan state police
 after 14 months of being blown off. I emailed Barry of my intentions to prosecute him for theft as a courtesy to him. Amazingly i had a set of heads on my doorstep within a week. Be careful with your dealings with survival motorsports. Barry is not a good guy!
Title: Re: Friendly warning
Post by: Shelby_r_b on August 01, 2019, 12:11:16 AM
So sorry to hear this, and thanks for the heads up. 👍🏻
Title: Re: Friendly warning
Post by: cob4ra on August 01, 2019, 12:36:47 AM
Great to have our forum for education and bad potholes in the road like this guy ( Thanks ( sorry this happened to you)
Title: Re: Friendly warning
Post by: cobradad on August 01, 2019, 01:33:09 AM
I'll add to the do not even consider this company.
I contacted ATK to get an engine built for my Shelby in January 2019.
No problem says the sales guy. February I put half down and was told 4 to 5 weeks to build and ship.
Early April, still no engine. on 4-9 was told "the engine is finished we are just having an issue with our new operating system to be able to ship it out.  The engine should ship out this week." 4-23 the engine still not shipped out due to shipping issues. 5-1 still not shipped 'cause computer issues lost the shop address it was supposed to go to. 5-7 I was told "It seems that your engine has been lost, the shipping department tried to track it down but no one can find it." Then they were building another engine but were waiting for a camshaft. on 5-24 I asked for my money back since nothing was showing up.
Long story short, if you need a crate engine contact Kell at BlurPrint Engines. I  asked for an engine and it was shipped out in less than a week.
Clarence
Title: Re: Friendly warning
Post by: 2112 on August 01, 2019, 02:08:12 AM
Too bad about Survival. He has had a great reputation for years. Sorry to hear it has changed.
Title: Re: Friendly warning
Post by: Kent on August 01, 2019, 02:13:44 AM
Yes really bad I also had a conservation with them and I was only a step away from ordering a 30.000$ engine, so thanks for the information.
Title: Re: Friendly warning
Post by: 67gt500 on August 01, 2019, 03:45:40 AM
6972Boss, i had the same problem, but with a FE stroker kit, brought through his web site.. paid the coin and then nothing.. what a drama..
Your story sounded exactly what happened to me.. All sorts of excuses.. 1 year later i finally got my money back.. Never again.. Put my engine build back 2 years. I'm sure there is going to be some folks who say, "he was great to deal with", but i'm with you.. tread carefully..
Title: Re: Friendly warning
Post by: 557 on August 01, 2019, 09:34:38 AM
Thanks for the heads up!!!
Title: Re: Friendly warning
Post by: Rickmustang on August 01, 2019, 11:02:02 AM
Almost a year to get my 462 stroker built, and I supplied all the parts. I even went to Survival for a status review meeting. In the end, got a great product, but it was painful.
Title: Re: Friendly warning
Post by: BGlover67 on August 01, 2019, 12:20:24 PM
How does this guy stay in business?
Title: Re: Friendly warning
Post by: Shelby_r_b on August 01, 2019, 12:41:07 PM
Sounds like the case of someone who had a good reputation that is sliding downhill quickly.
Title: Re: Friendly warning
Post by: 2112 on August 01, 2019, 12:59:27 PM
How does this guy stay in business?

He wrote a book, is in the Engine Masters contest regularly and does get press;

https://www.hemmings.com/blog/article/21st-century-cobra-jet/
Title: Re: Friendly warning
Post by: gt350hr on August 01, 2019, 04:59:30 PM
   Sorry to hear that . My only dealings with him are on the supply end and he has always been great. I expedite part production for him often and in some cases ship direct to his customer to save delays. He always pays his bills on time. I value his business.
     One note on the cylinder head deal , He has those heads cast by another major aluminum casting company that makes parts for themselves and other "private" label companies like Ford racing , GM , Mummert ( Y block Fords) and others. IF there is a production delay , Barry doesn't receive HIS parts when expected. I can't ( and won't attempt to) defend  him on this issue and I am in TOTAL agreement that YOU had to go to EXTREMES that you should NOT have had to.
    Respectfully ,
      Randy
Title: Re: Friendly warning
Post by: tonys_shelby on August 01, 2019, 05:21:56 PM
so that's good to hear maybe he isn't having money problems. I would hate to have someone have a deposit down and not get it back! Like me!
Title: Re: Friendly warning
Post by: 67gt500 on August 01, 2019, 05:51:15 PM
Hi Randy, yep your right with supply issues, and I total understand that, that was his issue with the pistons, but I had to chase him for information, which was like playing detective across different forums until I got a response.. Wouldn’t answer via his company emails. I would even ring his business phone number and it would just go to answer phone, on multiple occasions.. Then the stories would not align.. and I was prepared to hang in there and wait for the parts, but man,it just became “ shit I’m going to lose my coin here” if I don’t do something. So I asked for it back, and then that became a drawn out process.. and that’s the short version of events..
I ended up getting what I needed from Blair Patrick.. Now, there is a top bloke to do business with..
Title: Re: Friendly warning
Post by: gt350hr on August 01, 2019, 06:17:09 PM
    Keith ,
        I understand and that is the reason I bust butt to help him on that issue. He was using a local MI manufacturer and having troubles . We talked two years ago at PRI and I have been doing parts for him since then on a two week or less basis as long as he remembers to place an order with me. I make him do emails for validation of order date.
    Randy
   
Title: Re: Friendly warning
Post by: Greg on August 01, 2019, 06:20:57 PM
Way too many issues with Barry.  I think he is a good guy with good intentions but he needs someone else running his business.   He seems more interested in the Engine Masters challenge than his customers.  Blair Patrick however is top-notch!
Title: Re: Friendly warning
Post by: roddster on August 02, 2019, 08:43:43 AM
  And the information to contact Blair Patrick is?  Thank you.
Title: Re: Friendly warning
Post by: stangman39 on August 02, 2019, 08:49:41 AM
So frustrating when communication isn't good or the communication doesn't match actions.
In the tech world we live in today there really isn't any excuse for blowing people off.

Title: Re: Friendly warning
Post by: Thomas on August 02, 2019, 09:25:46 AM
So frustrating when communication isn't good or the communication doesn't match actions.
In the tech world we live in today there really isn't any excuse for blowing people off.

+1
Title: Re: Friendly warning
Post by: shelbydoug on August 02, 2019, 09:33:11 AM
It could be a bankruptcy situation? You do not have to be notified of the filing and income from any source is put to the overall situation of the filer. It does not have to go to your transaction. There is essentially a priority list of debtors.

This smells a little of it?
Title: Re: Friendly warning
Post by: Greg on August 02, 2019, 10:09:38 AM
  And the information to contact Blair Patrick is?  Thank you.

The number for Blair is (423) 837-1514...  He is in South Pittsburg TN.
Title: Re: Friendly warning
Post by: 2112 on August 02, 2019, 12:31:51 PM
  And the information to contact Blair Patrick is?  Thank you.

The number for Blair is (423) 837-1514...  He is in South Pittsburg TN.

Thanks, I tried looking him up and it appears he doesn't have a site.

Does he go by Blair on the FE forums?
Title: Re: Friendly warning
Post by: Greg on August 02, 2019, 02:11:37 PM
  And the information to contact Blair Patrick is?  Thank you.

The number for Blair is (423) 837-1514...  He is in South Pittsburg TN.

Thanks, I tried looking him up and it appears he doesn't have a site.

Does he go by Blair on the FE forums?

Yes, he is really well known in FE circles. 
Title: Re: Friendly warning
Post by: Greg on August 02, 2019, 02:17:09 PM
It could be a bankruptcy situation? You do not have to be notified of the filing and income from any source is put to the overall situation of the filer. It does not have to go to your transaction. There is essentially a priority list of debtors.

This smells a little of it?

I don't think that is the case.  I truly believe that Barry is a guy that had a hobby and was good at building engines and the hobby turned into a job and the job turned into a hassle and he can't say no.
Title: Re: Friendly warning
Post by: Terry Curry on August 02, 2019, 03:09:15 PM
I bought a set of heads from Survival Motorsports and yes the communication was lacking. I think Barry was overwhelmed when a article about FE's and performance parts for those engines was published a couple of years ago (That is what prompted me to buy his heads) and his heads were rated at the top. It took two years to get them but at the time I wasn't in a hurry because of family stuff going on and other projects. I called once a month for awhile with no word and then a he would call back and give me status.
When I finally received the heads, my engine builder was impressed with the work and he has been building engines for some time for a few of the stock car and trans am racers here on the west coast so I was pleased to hear that.

Once I figure which carbs I'm going with I hope to have heck of a motor.

Terry
Shelby GT500 #504
Title: Re: Friendly warning
Post by: camp upshur on August 02, 2019, 03:41:58 PM
Blair Patrick is active on the FE Power forum: CaptCobraJet.
Title: Re: Friendly warning
Post by: 67gt500 on August 02, 2019, 05:09:25 PM
Here is his email address

captcj@hughes.net
Title: Re: Friendly warning
Post by: 69mach351w on August 02, 2019, 07:05:11 PM

Blair Patrick is active on the FR Power forum: CaptCobraJet.
Whats FR power  ;D
Title: Re: Friendly warning
Post by: shelbymann1970 on August 02, 2019, 07:21:17 PM
Hi all, i want to post a kind warning about dealings with survival motorsports.  I purchased a set of FE complete heads off ebay from Barry.  He promised me they would be completed in 60 days.  90 days later still no product. 120 days later no product. I was way overdue my heads so i asked for a refund. Sent numerous emails, no reply. Several voice messages and no return calls. 6 months later i received an email stating he has been sick. 7 months later he says he is short of help. 9 months later he said he was
short on inventory,  more excuses why he cant refund my $2700 or provide me a set of heads. It was an endless string of excuses. I had to finally break down and buy another set of heads to get my engine back in the car. Barry was apologetic and promised he would take care of me. It didnt happen. I had to text, call and email constantly with no replies. I finally was forced to contact the FBI internet crimes detail and the Michigan state police
 after 14 months of being blown off. I emailed Barry of my intentions to prosecute him for theft as a courtesy to him. Amazingly i had a set of heads on my doorstep within a week. Be careful with your dealings with survival motorsports. Barry is not a good guy!
Did you ask for any help on the forum for a drop in at his place? A few of us live real close to Survival. I have heard of them but never did business with them as I haven't had anything that has needed to be done  in at least a decade. Gary
Title: Re: Friendly warning
Post by: 427heaven on August 02, 2019, 07:28:01 PM
Blair Patrick... Racing engines have a tendency to make its customers cars get up on the back bumper, when asked to do so! ;)
Title: Re: Friendly warning
Post by: 6972boss on August 03, 2019, 12:15:33 AM
 honestly,  i didn't think to ask someone to stop in for me. That would have been a big help! Not really surprised that others have had issues with survival motorsports. How can guys like this stay in business? Barry talks a good game but i would respect him more if he would just tell it like it is and not lie!!
Title: Re: Friendly warning
Post by: shelbymann1970 on August 04, 2019, 07:42:19 AM
While at the SAAC convention last month I talked to Steve V. Who was with Randy Sizemore. Steve is 428CJhardtops on the 428CJ forum and by one topic has been dealing with Barry for at least 10 years. I believe Survival is the company that does his race FE CJ engines now. So I did a search on the CJ forum and found many who have dealt with him including Steve. Some may want to contact Steve to see if he is currently having any engines down also. Here is a link to topics that mention survival on the CJ forum. Some you might not see if you are not as member.
https://www.428cobrajet.org/forum/index.php?action=search2
Steve's profile: https://www.428cobrajet.org/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=889
Title: Re: Friendly warning
Post by: Greg on August 04, 2019, 08:45:43 AM
Way too many negative comments through the years about Survivials service for me to ever do business with them.  If you have an FE go to the FE forum and ask for a builder.  There are quite a few, you can also work with your local machine shop owner and tell them what you want to be done with your engine and build it yourself.  It does take time but it is satisfying building your own.
Title: Re: Friendly warning
Post by: Kent on August 05, 2019, 03:39:24 AM
Yes its definetly better to build a own thing and ordering the parts. So you have more control and good engine shop for hone, aligne etc. is normally not so hard to find.
Title: Re: Friendly warning
Post by: shelbydoug on August 05, 2019, 07:02:33 AM
My own personal perspective is that one must do their due diligence in investigating a business or even an individual before doing business with them.

Many county records are now available on line free. You can check for bankruptcies, liens, judgements and convictions with case numbers and current status.

Using that information isn't foolproof but it is helpful in making a decision on how safe it is to do business with someone. "Good guys" get into issues too.

Title: Re: Friendly warning
Post by: 6972boss on August 14, 2019, 06:15:09 PM
Hmmm.... last year i left survival motorsports feedback on google. Looks like Barry just posted a reply. He sent me a set of heads instead of a refund. Didn't think a email change would have caused such confusion :o especially when i provided him my new one  ???