SUBARU BRZ FIRE

[Dimman]

Originally Posted by Gary in NJ

Even the best aftermarket manufacturers have limited resources when compared to the OEM. Moreover, OEM engineers are tasked with designing components/systems that are reliable, safe & manufacturable. Aftermarket companies (I can't use the term engineer here as many do not employ automotive engineers) are tasked with maximizing performance at the lowest possible CTM. Oh, and a very large dose of marketing...especially where there aren't performance advantages.

In the end we CHOOSE to modify our cars. We risk our warranty to do so. We risk reliability to do so. We never think we are risking safety, but with some products we do. No one makes us part with our money. We do so with the highest of hopes and the best intentions.

Shameless aftermarket manufacturers have been around as long as there has been an aftermarket. They come and go. The road is scattered with their parts and stories.

Companies with great products and strong reputations protect that reputation vehemently. They stand behind their promises and support their products.

Prior to this total loss, there were complaints about fuel leaks from inappropriate parts in the kit. An OEM, or anyone with a sense of ethics, would have aggressively recalled the product. He KNEW there were safety issues. There probably still ARE safety issues out there with other kits. Denying responsibility over a DOCUMENTED SAFETY ISSUE will just make things way worse for him if/when events hit the courtroom. And stupid forum excuses do not hold water in court. This is not a tune that can just cook an engine. This is something that can kill people.

Bottom line, if he had any shred of concern about the safety of users or even his future financial well being he should be pulling his kit voluntarily, ASAP.

[Frs300]

if you want to be real safe get an auto discharge fire extinguisher under the hood can get one for about $280

[xwd]

One thing that sucks about having the header come from under the engine is fluids can easily leak onto it and catch fire. In most instances a fuel leak which is large enough to cause a fire is going to give off a noticeable odor.

As for liability, if you can prove the parts were faulty or shop was negligent, you could always sue them, but I see that being a lengthy and costly process which is probably not worth it if your insurance company is willing to pay out. Your insurance company may try to sue to get their own money back however. I would expect someone to help you pay the deductible at least, but I doubt that will happen. I would find all the data on these forums regarding bad parts, leaks, fixes, etc. it could all be used as evidence to show the parts were faulty.

The dealership/shop is only really responsible if it's a botched install, not if the part is faulty. At least one guy here had his car catch on fire after the HPFP TSB work, and I believe Subaru/Scion ended up covering that one since it was likely their mechanic who screwed it up.

[FRSBRZGT86FAN]

Real sorry for your loss man , hopefully @Visconti has finally learned his lesson as well because he has lost the trust of many many people on this forum. Also multiple similar issues with visconti happened with mazdaspeed owners.

[Sportsguy83]

Originally Posted by Dimman

Prior to this total loss, there were complaints about fuel leaks from inappropriate parts in the kit. An OEM, or anyone with a sense of ethics, would have aggressively recalled the product. He KNEW there were safety issues. There probably still ARE safety issues out there with other kits. Denying responsibility over a DOCUMENTED SAFETY ISSUE will just make things way worse for him if/when events hit the courtroom. And stupid forum excuses do not hold water in court. This is not a tune that can just cook an engine. This is something that can kill people.

Bottom line, if he had any shred of concern about the safety of users or even his future financial well being he should be pulling his kit voluntarily, ASAP.

Oh but no my friend, you are mistaken! You are spewing blasphemy! This is what Rich had to say when I brought up the Major Safety Concern that was a leaky fuel line in the engine bay.....

Originally Posted by Rich@ViscontiTuning

......And that segways me into the next comment and topic I want to address (again): SAFETY.



I would really appreciate it if you would stop characterizing and implying that our FlexFuel kit has a "SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE" that we have the audacity of charging to fix. I have acknowledged every fair point made in this thread (which is not to say that we've fixed every fair point made in this thread yet - I understand that talk is cheap; all that matters are results). There should have been a printed guide included with all kits versus our decision to sponsor the DIY thread that was made available from the day people started receiving the kits. That decision was made so that we could get the kits into people's hands as quickly as we could. The guide will be available soon though, hopefully by the end of today or tomorrow.

What I will not acknowledge is any "serious safety issue" with our kit, because there flatly isn't one. There is inherent risk when you do anything to modify your car. There is inherent risk when working with flammable liquids. There is inherent risk in modifications to the fuel lines. And there is inherent responsibility on the customer's part to take great care when installing anything on their car. Which is precisely why I've acknowledged several times that a printed guide should have been included, and will be included going forward. But that doesn't constitute a "serious safety issue" because there were instructions available from Day 1. And so just like we would expect you to not be smoking a cigarette when you're pumping gas in your car, we would also expect you to be comfortable and knowledgable before attempting to install the kit yourself. Any performance shop worth their salt would have no problem installing this kit correctly. So this other characterization that we're "blaming the customers" for incorrect install when there wasn't guidance, also isn't completely fair. Our position the entire time has been the same; we have not experienced any issues on the cars we've personally had access to (including the cars we didn't personally do the install on). The author of the DIY guide has also chimed in to verify that he too, hasn't had any leaks. Those are the facts, which is why I will ask again that you stop claiming our kit has "serious safety issues."

ZERO sense of responsibility, customer service or regard for customers lifes and/or property.

[Dimman]

Originally Posted by Sportsguy83

Oh but no my friend, this is what Rich had to say when I brought up the Major Safety Concern that was a leaky fuel line in the engine bay.....








ZERO sense of responsibility, customer service or regard for customers lifes and/or property.

That's the difference between living in the real world like the OEMs di, vs forum reputation business.

Lawyers do not give two shits about internet bullshit excuses and are paid a lot of money to basically ruin lives. Hence why OEMs recall at the drop of a hat.

Recall on Visconti's behalf doesn't take OEM level resources. He just has to do the right thing and pull it.

[Frs300]

@Sportsguy83 put that email/msg and this link in his flex fuel thread lol

[Sportsguy83]

Originally Posted by Dimman

That's the difference between living in the real world like the OEMs di, vs forum reputation business.

Lawyers do not give two shits about internet bullshit excuses and are paid a lot of money to basically ruin lives. Hence why OEMs recall at the drop of a hat.

Recall on Visconti's behalf doesn't take OEM level resources. He just has to do the right thing and pull it.

Yes, my first suggestion was recalling ALL kits, you can imagine how that went....

[Sportsguy83]

Originally Posted by Frs300

@Sportsguy83 put that email/msg and this link in his flex fuel thread lol

That message was from their sale thread

I believe someone already liked it.

[DJCarbine]

Originally Posted by Sportsguy83

Oh but no my friend, you are mistaken! You are spewing blasphemy! This is what Rich had to say when I brought up the Major Safety Concern that was a leaky fuel line in the engine bay.....



ZERO sense of responsibility, customer service or regard for customers lifes and/or property.

By simply offering an "upgraded" kit IMO they are acknowledging that there is an issue.

Charging for it is just pee in the cornflakes

[Dimman]

Originally Posted by Sportsguy83

Yes, my first suggestion was recalling ALL kits, you can imagine how that went....

How many kits are out there? Class action level? That'd suck...

[Frs300]

@Sportsguy83 wow he actually said this "Any performance shop worth their salt would have no problem installing this kit correctly." are they not worth their salt then?

[Sportsguy83]

Originally Posted by Dimman

How many kits are out there? Class action level? That'd suck...

John says 40's.

[Calum]

After looking at those pics my first thought was "how would I have gotten my kid out of the back seat?"
@FA20Club.com This might be a good time for a group buy.