Screwed Over, Need Advice

I recently swapped from a D15B to the B16A. I had a local shop do the swap (45 minute drive) - I was promised the parts from the integra clip, as well as the parts from my old engine (engine had 80-100k, tranny, engine, si ECU bought on ebay, etc.). The owner told me I could leave the engine at the shop until I found a buyer. I figured I could recoup some of the cost of the swap by selling my old engine and the JDM parts from the integra.

After I picked up my car, I asked about the parts. Oh, they were taken to the local junk yard, but we can get them back. A week passed. Did you get my parts? Yeah, they're here. So I go back to get the springs installed, thinking I'm going to get my parts too. However, the parts were nowhere to be found. I asked the owner, they never got the parts back from the junkyard. They were lying all this time. Either they sold my stuff, or they really did throw it away. I'm guessing since they run a swap shop they would have sold it and not told me.

I also made it clear that I wanted to keep the AC. That's gone too, and now I'm fighting with them to at least get that reinstalled.

I'M FUCKING PISSED.

I'm thinking I should take the bastards to small claims court. Is it worth the time and effort? How much could I have gotten for the old engine/tranny/ECU and JDM goodies? I was thinking at least $500, I just saw a D15B go on ebay for over $500....

On a positive note, I've put 3000 miles on the engine without any problems. I give Honda all the credit.

Sorry for the long rant. If anything this has motivated me even more to learn how to work on my own car. It amazes me that companies like this stay in business....

dont let them get away with that shit. did you talk to the owner or just some shop guys, try and talk to the owner.

dont let them get away with that

Yeah talk to the owner..... If they don't give you some sort of compensation or a big deal on their parts and services take em to court. Get a couple thousand then spend that on your car...! :devil:

Don't waste your time. They gonna win in court and you gonna lose alot more than 500 when go to the court with all them fees and money that u have to pay for a lawyer. The reason is that you left it on there property and they can do whatever they want with it. You should've made a contract proving there word that they'll give it back to you. Without any proof you got nothing man. I mean you might win and u might not win. Are you willing to take a risk to lose more money? TO everybody always make your own contract to the shop or to your own friends if you have to. DONT TRUST ANYBODY. A contract does help and its a good weapon. I mean it probably sounds stupid but hey it works for me. Sorry about your lost man. I know they're bullshitting about your stuff.Why would they take it to the junkyard in the first place?

patience and persistance. SERIOUSLY! i paid to have a rebuilt head and what not put on my car. they screwed something because the head gasket blew in like 2 weeks. we went rounds with these people. so we had the gasket sent off to be inspected. before the report came back they told my man he could swing by the Si and they'd take a look. he drove right down there and they said he neded an apt! WTF? so he went off on them.

we get the gasket back and it says faulty installation. take that report to the guy and he says "you know, i could make you take me to court becuase you were such an ass last time you came in. but just so we can end this all now...here's your money back"

moral of the story? be persistant, let him know his business did something shady...and it's not right. just try to keep your cool or you just might end up in court :eek:

what shop did you go too,,whats the name and what city,,and how much did the swap cost?

pay for a lawyer
My uncle is a lawyer, so I would at least seek his advice on how to present the case to a small claims court. I think I have a few emails explaining my wishes to keep the old engine/parts. That's dated material. I also have pics of the old engine (verifying that it was indeed a D15B).

just try to keep your cool or you just might end up in court
Seriously, if I can avoid going to court I will. I work and go to school - no time for this crap. I'd be happy if they gave me/installed the exhaust and AC.

what shop did you go too,,whats the name and what city,,and how much did the swap cost?
The swap ran just over $3k, which included everything from an integra XSI clip (engine, tranny, ecu, linkage, front brakes/axles) and HASport mounts. They did nice work (except the missing AC system). I'm not going to post the name of the shop until this is resolved. They're in the LA area.

Originally posted by CRX586
They're in the LA area.

figures it happened in LA. we know of a guy who just took his car all the way down there for a swap. he told jer "i only paid $1800 for a b16 installed". jer just had to go out and look. it was a ZC! they told him they were installing a b16 :mad:

i recently had a friend tell me b16 prices had fallen down there. like $750 for all the parts for a b16 swap. wonder if it isn't the price of the b16 that is falling but in fact they are installing ZC if the owner doesn't know the diff. :confused: i sure hope not.

just incase...people in So. CA should be aware of the scammers making a buck off the import scene. thought i'd pass the word...

Ami... Im going b16a.. The other place who could swap in my area gave me an offer as follows.
Low mileage B16A with cable tranny, axles, ecu + shipping = $1900
--> They will let me order one from somewhere else.. I can get one with
Place Racing Mount kit = $450
Labor for swap = $750
Subtotal $3100

JDM 1st Gen B16A Complete Swap Includes: 1595cc (1.6L) DOHC VTEC 160hp/112tr 10.2 Compression Ratio Cable Transmission, ECU, Axles, Harness, Mounts,Clutch & Transmission and All accessories. For $1399 + tax and shipping.. Save about $300...

Auto -> Manual conversion parts = $700
Labor for conversion = $500
Subtotal $1200

Grand Total $4300 (+ tax)

I could get it to around $4300 after taxes :)

QuickSilverEF9:

My advice - get it in writing. I'm learning that the hard way, even from people you think you can trust.