I do too. It wont go away and it's like a Batman beacon to hail Rob! Sorry Rob, I couldn't resist! LOL Evan is doing a great job trying to defend or explain the company's methods. He may be going above and beyond what is required for his job title. I really wouldn't know. He does have a wonderful presence here and is personally connected to the community of owners via F-Chat. I see a lot of solutions to my fellow owners problems being offered by the guy, via the company's products, so I see no need to attack. Did someone fall through the cracks early on and is that how we got this thread? I need to read the first few pages and freshen up, or not. Depends on how much good content there is in F-Chat today! The debate about how to get a "Made in USA" sticker on parts is a great one that I would love to see in another part of F-Chat. I recall seeing the stickers on Fender guitars in the shop when I know that 99% of the thing was made in Mexico. We vote with our wallets, it's the new world order.
If you and Taz want to believe that, fine. I wouldn't tell you either if I was Stef, because that defeats the purpose. If people knew he would just post under his old name that was more recognizable. He really trolled us on that particular issue and did the old death by cop, by having another id and also telling you and taz that he's just trying to save more face. his "story" would be damaged otherwise.
Taiwan wasn't far behind Japan when it came to top quality manufacturing. China and even India will probably get there too. Made in Taiwan or made in America...which one would I choose?
Gee, thanks! Hadn't thought of that Patronizing and insulting...glad you think "you guys" are so stupid. Who exactly did as you said? (not me...not any/many I would guess).
Hadn't been on here in years but had to post when I saw this thread.I figured fabspeed wasn't made in USA.If you know anything about fabrication then you can figure it out easily by their pictures. If they want to maximize profits that is their business.I just wouldn't label them made in USA. As far as Taiwan,they do make some quality stuff for other markets.They dont carry the "ferrari tax" however.
Red flags would be -Not wearing gloves,you can not weld,especially TIG weld,for longer than a second without gloves. -Flange isn't even bolted all the way.Looks like it has only 1 bolt holding it which isn't good -Runners and collector are already welded and "polished" away.If you were really making these by hand there would be heat marks visible.To me it looks like a very mass produce collector/runner that is later welded manually to the flange. -Assuming he really was gonna weld that flange on with no gloves on,the collector opening is left wide open.Should be covered and a line ran to back purge while welding.Basically running the welding gas within the tubes.This prevents the inside from "sugaring up" , looking like crap and offering a way less quality bond. Im just starting to look at Ferrari again.Originally was more set on a Lambo and that is where my curiosity started with Fabspeed. Their Aventador exhaust looks like its almost all cast pieces to me. Edit: Wont let me link to the picture of it. If this was real world stainless getting fitted it wouldn't be that color.Also the exhaust tip in center is tacked so far apart.Not something a real welder would do.
I spoke to the factory in Taiwan over a year ago to buy a complete set of 360 headers that they have on their website. They informed me that I would have to buy through their agent Fabspeed unless I could start an agency in Australia and then they could supply the complete items to me. It is no secret, everything is on their website as steph had said. I guess most things in life are made in Asia these days and then rebranded by the various companys that sell them ,and then they take on the warranty issues. Its just a shame for those of us who do their homework, we cant just buy directly from the factory as its a third of the cost.
Wow, to think I paid for what I thought were USA produced parts and they are just re-branded Taiwan crap. Wonder if the uber-expensive heat blankets are from JC Whitney?
As a Fabspeed dealer I'm not pleased at the potential misleading they have done around the production of the product, it doesn't change the product itself however. We've installed a lot of different exhaust systems, and most of them are just okay in quality and fit edgy at best. Fabspeed products, regardless of who made them, are put together very well and always fit properly and I have yet to have to any warranty issues with any of it. There is some mention of trying to buy these direct from the Taiwanese company that is allegedly producing them. Of course they're not going to sell to you, you want to order one set, or maybe 5-10 because you've used a forum like this one to organize a "group buy" (keep in mind that forums like this exist because of sponsors like Fabspeed). Why would they do that? And why would you chance an issue if you did need a warranty claim? The ridicule that happens here is sometimes surprising, I would think our community is above some of the words spoken here, let's take the high road, if you believe what's said in this thread to be true and you feel strongly enough about it, just don't buy their product, just know that your missing out on a very well made and competitive piece in the world of exhaust parts for our cars.
My whole story is in parts, some in this subforum, some buried in someone else's thread in Silver. Get a subscription if you want to read it, but I had issues across the board. Some of the parts they put on my car were used, delivered it back with the wrong ECU software damaging my clutch, argued over the bills to repair just their stuff, no redeeming qualities whatsoever IMO. Ironically, the last thing on my mind was where they were made. Though since my new pipes were welded to a stock flange with the air holes welded closed, I do expect this was a hack job here in the good old USA. Wouldn't meet Taiwanese quality control. From my persective, it's more about not letting them touch the car. The parts might not be that bad, for all I know. As for Stefan, my take at the time was that it was a self imposed exile for some reason. He was called out for over-promiting Capristo throwing Fabpeed under the bus in the process. As I recall, it was the fact that he probably was working for one sponsor while trashing another in open forum that was at issue. One thing for a customer like me to call them out, another to have sponsors trashing each other. My memory could be imperfect on that, but that's what I recall. Being called out is not being banned though. As far a I recall, he left of his own accord and Rob and others tried to get him to return. Maybe he still will. He was a terrific resource and all around good fellow it seemed.
If you think their stories about where their stuff is made is troubling, wait until you need customer service from them post sale......easily the worst car part experience I've had.
Soon after we doubled up on Capristo sponsors! We have the parent company and Taurino Racing, so Stefan has been very good for business.
They actually had me on speaker laughing when I called them from FOW to pay their 90 day overdue bill for a measly $240. Made them sound retarded if you ask me.
I think muffler man is right. Fabspeed takes on all of the warranty issues and the product is good.When I last spoke to the factory the minimum order was 25 units for the headers. Just get 25 people together and do an order ( just check if this is still the case ). You can then get them quality checked by a good welder (when I spoke to them over a year ago, if you order they will send 1 set as a sample ) and then have them ceramic coated in the US. You will end up with the headers for around 1k ceramic coated, but NO WARRANTY. In Australia just about everything is imported and then rebranded which allows piece of mind when buying as the companys give Warranty. If we want things cheaper we just go directly to the manufacturers to buy but then the downside is if things go wrong you are on your own. I guess there is always a price for piece of mind for some people !
+1 on this. I am also a Fabspeed dealer, I have installed a good amount of their products. I for one am very pleased with the quality and fit. My bottom line is quality and price for my clients. we use Fabspeed headers on our 355, 360 and 430 challenge cars. we put them through quite a lot of punishment and they have been outstanding. all of our cars put out great numbers on the dyno and have yet to have a header related failure. We just started using the header blankets and found them to be a excellent addition to an already good product. I am also pleased with the technical support I receive from Jay and everyone at fabspeed. If I have a question, I can get it answered with a somewhat local phone call. I will continue to use the fabspeed line and look forward to new products from them. I do also use other companies as well like Capristo and nouvalari, tubi, hyperflow, which are all great products and are competitive in the performance parts market. they all bring new and interesting products to the market and all have a contribution. I have been in the Ferrari realm for a long time and have seen a lot of products through the years. I worked for the Ferrari Factory in the US for 15 years and have total of 29 years doing this. my opinion FWIW, the five above listed companies all have staying power and make a good products that are in demand. they all bring products to the table and we can decide what to buy and what not to buy. The choice is yours, If you think the quality is poor, or price is too high, don't buy it. If you think you can go overseas and get a better price, you should do that. There is no need to trash any company on here. if they make a poor product, they will not last in this market. and from what I have seen, Fabspeed will be around for a good long while. Best Regards, Jim McGee - Pocono Sportscar
Genuine question - I never knew Ferrari had a factory in the USA (I live in the UK). Do you have any more details about the facility?
There are also have quite a few Ferrari Factory personal working in the UK - there is no factory. Sat next to a couple at Goodwood - one lived in Scotland but was employed direct by the Ferrari Factory.
Correct...Ferrari North America. Sorry if that was misleading to you, but unwittingly makes the point of this thread. Regards, Jim
Great points on the careless trashing of a business, in this thread. However the core point of the thread is whether or not the "Made in USA" label is appropriate for the product(s) in question, according to the guidelines for manufacturing set by the USA FTC. That has never really been answered.
Actually I thought the focus was about the potential misleading of claims of where their specific product is produced, the definition of what is allowed to have "Made in USA" as governed by the FTC I think is a more involved discussion. I have an Edelbrock carburetor on one of my cars that says made in USA on it (printed on an aluminum sticker)but in the casting on the side it has the weber logo and "Magnetti Morelli" logo, and in small casting says made in Italy. I don't really care as it works the way it is supposed to, but it's an interesting fact nonetheless.
