My AP Exhaust Problems!

[White64Goat]

Pictures of my SRT cat-back. All welded, beefy clamp between mid-pipe and axle back.












Auto-crossed with no problems. Crap, sorry about the water spots on the cans.

[Zadkiel]

Originally Posted by pcasso87

Sucks i have a Invidia on the way that i paid with my money because of a defective part. Sometimes help arrives a little to late, but we will see what happens......

Q300 or N1? I have the N1 and while it's a bit on the loud side, I've never had any real issues. They made the logical choice and didn't go with the stupid system on the AP and have flanges. Flanges or V-bands are the way to go. A slip joint with a clamp to tighten it just seems error likely.

[Sccabrz192]

Originally Posted by Zadkiel

A slip joint with a clamp to tighten it just seems error likely.

It's not even a slip joint, it looks like a butt joint.

A slip joint with lap clamp would be a lot better, like the connection on white64goat's SRT exhaust (2nd to last picture).

[Zadkiel]

Originally Posted by Sccabrz192

It's not even a slip joint, it looks like a butt joint.

A slip joint with lap clamp would be a lot better, like the connection on white64goat's SRT exhaust (2nd to last picture).

Even so, to use something in an exhaust, which frequently is heated, cooled, banged around, or otherwise is frequently disturbed seems.....an oversight at best.

[track_warrior]

Originally Posted by Zadkiel

Q300 or N1? I have the N1 and while it's a bit on the loud side, I've never had any real issues. They made the logical choice and didn't go with the stupid system on the AP and have flanges. Flanges or V-bands are the way to go. A slip joint with a clamp to tighten it just seems error likely.

I ordered the N1, im glad you are happy with yours.

[Zadkiel]

As soon as I can find out how my local shop does heir emissions inspections, I plan to get either a catted or catless Invidia Front Pipe.

[track_warrior]

Just a quick update:

I spoke to the AP manager and he seemed like a reasonable guy. He pointed out that he asked to see the exhaust in person because he was going to try to repair it and if it could not be repaired he would have issued a new one. Now i think the whole problem was the broken telephone game with vivid. Sean said they were not going to replace it under warranty it could only be repaired, it says so on page 3 in the email transcript. I got pissed because this would mean shipping an exhaust and not having a single clue if they were going to be able to repair it etc and i would loose my shipping fees. I really dont know if this is the case or not but the rep from AP tried to say he wanted to help but there was no way of helping me etc. The ap rep said if he would have talked to me he would have ok'd me welding the exhaust temporarily until he could build me a replacement. I really have absolutely no clue if he is being honest or if this thread made them change their thoughts, all i know is i am left with a exhaust that will be going in the trash next week and a new invidia on the way that i paid for with my money.

I learned my lesson that after 4+ years of being a loyal Vivid customer all i had was squat when the shit hit the fan and i am not happy at all. I never got offered at least a discount on a new system even when vivid denied the replacement warranty. I hope AP and Vivid also take this experience and learn from it, in my all honest opinion i think AP makes a good product the exhaust looks nice and is well built but i think the design in the way it mounts and connects is flawed, i hope they address this for future purchasers. I also would have hoped for a different response in the beginning from vivid considering the good customer i have always been.

Any how, i took the AP exhaust to get it temporarily welded until my Invidia arrives. I have a track event tomorrow at Texas World Speedway and the car is sitting on the trailer ready to hit the track tomorrow . Thanks for your support guys and i hope threads like these help improve future products and vendor customer service. There is a saying my dad always used to say "Its always worse to have one unsatisfied customer than 100 satisfied customers" Bad rep spreads out faster than good rep and that is for sure, this is why in my own business I try to incorporate that way of thinking as much as i can.

Any ways here are some pics:

Temporary welds to pass track inspection:





Loaded on the trailer and ready for tomorrow!!

[Dimman]

^ I am under the impression that Vivid = Agency Power. Is this not correct?

I would have thought that Vivid's say on this would be final, but AP kind of reversing seems like the company is back-tracking because of this thread, but trying to salvage some customer service reputation. But this assumes they are the same company.

Good luck with the Invidia.

[xjohnx]

Originally Posted by Dimman

^ I am under the impression that Vivid = Agency Power. Is this not correct?

I would have thought that Vivid's say on this would be final, but AP kind of reversing seems like the company is back-tracking because of this thread, but trying to salvage some customer service reputation. But this assumes they are the same company.

Good luck with the Invidia.

Dan owns agency-power's domain name, so i'd say that's a fair assumption.

[track_warrior]

Both of you are correct Vivid Owns Agency Power!

[ttknf]

Yup, Vivid = AP. However, they've been trying really hard in the last year or so to act like AP is a completely separate company and that the two don't "cross paths" at all. It's completely bogus though.

[clayrush]

I am sorry you went through this
We are still happy we went with this muffler. I just hope it does not come apart, so I'm gonna have the muffler shop weld it for us.
We still think it is the best sounding exhaust so far.

[Invalid]

Agency Power is Vivid Racing. Leave the exhaust making the exhaust manufacturers

[xjohnx]

Originally Posted by ttknf

Yup, Vivid = AP. However, they've been trying really hard in the last year or so to act like AP is a completely separate company and that the two don't "cross paths" at all. It's completely bogus though.

aka, they don't want agency power's reputation to be as bad as vivid's is. good luck on that one.