XAT vs Driven Concepts in Tampa - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

rmounier · 08-20-2007, 06:59 AM

I went to both shops for work on my s14 sr engine. Here is my findings, I am not trying to hurt or help anyone, but here is my honest opinion, because i have heard good and bad from both places.

I did my swap myself s14 sr engine into an s14 chassis, but it was not running completely right, the engine is bone stock, paid over 1k at Driven Concepts for them to put 2 gauges, fix my lower harness, a used alternator and finish my ac which i had already done the weldings on the ac lines. Still had a problem with car and took it back because my car was running up to 4k rpm then dying and it was burning real rich. their mechanic took 3 hours to check the car out and found nothing on it, he wanted me to bring the car back another day, to try and figure out what was wrong with it.

I was going to bring it back, but on my way home i stopped at XAT and spoke to Cassie, explained to him the problems, and as soon as i popped my hood open he knew the issue (s13 maf on an s14 engine) i should have cought that, but i am not the pro here.

My car was fixed with a Super afc neo, by XAT they did a great job (Martin and Taylor).

OH, almost forgot, Driven Concepts hooked up my actuator line to the cylinder that comes attached to the igniter bracket, which i found, that it is not used at all, therefore my car could have ran up to 30psi or even more, its crazy how Driven Concepts handled my car, they even had a new guy taking care of me, who messed up all the paperwork, gave me prices and then changed them because he did not know, told me the alternator install would be free (not) just a whole list of problems with him.

I am sure Ian will respond with his own side of the story, that is fine, this is just my own experience with both shops. As a honest person, i just want you guys to be carefull when chossing a shop. I have dealt with Doug at Z-fever and he is pretty cool, but i have not done a lot with him, however, my uncle is taking him a z32 to do some work, we will see.

FinalDrive · 08-26-2007, 03:49 PM

I've heard good things about XAT as well. I haven't had dealt with them in person, but I've ordered a few things from them and never had a problem.

jrmiller84 · 08-27-2007, 07:16 AM

I've read reviews of people finding electrical tape in their intake manifold after they decide to use it to cover a boost leak. Also read a few other negative reviews of peoples cars overheating after getting swaps done. But what do I know. Just hearing those kind of rumors was enough to rule them out for me.

This is why I decided to buy my parts through Enjuku and do the swap myself.

ripnbst · 08-27-2007, 08:43 AM

Electrical tape in the intake mani to fix boost leak Jesus Christ.

nissan ka · 09-01-2007, 10:58 PM

i got my allignment done at xat.... baaaaaalllllerrrrrrrr!

Antihero983 · 09-02-2007, 08:23 AM

isnt XAT the place that did that god awful s13 wit hte trans am front end?

nissan ka · 09-02-2007, 10:38 AM

yes, and i feel exactly the same about it as you do. now it has a sil front though

Devil Man · 09-02-2007, 11:32 AM

not by choice though

roel03 · 09-02-2007, 11:45 AM

I have delt with both.
Xat is the fucking shit. They will get it right the first time.
Driven concepts has no clue what they are doing and sucks ass.
When I went the the board with "todays to do list" said find missing mustang bolts.

Devil Man · 09-02-2007, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nissan ka

yes, and i feel exactly the same about it as you do. now it has a sil front though

Quote:

Originally Posted by roel03

When I went the the board with "todays to do list" said find missing mustang bolts.

but hey that stuff does happen. still funny and not reasuring.

Antihero983 · 09-02-2007, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nissan ka

yes, and i feel exactly the same about it as you do. now it has a sil front though

THANK FUCKING GOD.

Hotcakes0007 · 01-15-2008, 09:04 PM

Matrin and Taylor ARE GODS!!!!

Jodan · 02-11-2008, 07:28 PM

DC is lametown US-Fuckin-A

DanDriftS13 · 02-12-2008, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hotcakes0007

Matrin and Taylor ARE GODS!!!!

Haha yes they are indeed. Martin will be doing a Rom tune on my car in a week on the 20th... That man is a genius when it comes to tuning.

MADSilvia · 02-17-2008, 11:03 AM

I love XAT.. I got my swap done there over three years ago, and never had any problems with it. In the last two years I've put over 40,000 miles on the engine going to work and school everyday. All I've changed are little $10-20 gaskets here and there, but thats normal were-n-tear.. AC blows cold and all.. Everyone there is Awsome..

Thank You XAT!!!

SlideWell · 03-04-2008, 04:46 AM

XAT the place to bring your S-Chassis in the area? it looks like im moving back to the Clearwater/Tampa area soon.

08-20-2007, 06:59 AM	#1
rmounier Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Winter Haven Florida Posts: 12 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	XAT vs Driven Concepts in Tampa I went to both shops for work on my s14 sr engine. Here is my findings, I am not trying to hurt or help anyone, but here is my honest opinion, because i have heard good and bad from both places. I did my swap myself s14 sr engine into an s14 chassis, but it was not running completely right, the engine is bone stock, paid over 1k at Driven Concepts for them to put 2 gauges, fix my lower harness, a used alternator and finish my ac which i had already done the weldings on the ac lines. Still had a problem with car and took it back because my car was running up to 4k rpm then dying and it was burning real rich. their mechanic took 3 hours to check the car out and found nothing on it, he wanted me to bring the car back another day, to try and figure out what was wrong with it. I was going to bring it back, but on my way home i stopped at XAT and spoke to Cassie, explained to him the problems, and as soon as i popped my hood open he knew the issue (s13 maf on an s14 engine) i should have cought that, but i am not the pro here. My car was fixed with a Super afc neo, by XAT they did a great job (Martin and Taylor). OH, almost forgot, Driven Concepts hooked up my actuator line to the cylinder that comes attached to the igniter bracket, which i found, that it is not used at all, therefore my car could have ran up to 30psi or even more, its crazy how Driven Concepts handled my car, they even had a new guy taking care of me, who messed up all the paperwork, gave me prices and then changed them because he did not know, told me the alternator install would be free (not) just a whole list of problems with him. I am sure Ian will respond with his own side of the story, that is fine, this is just my own experience with both shops. As a honest person, i just want you guys to be carefull when chossing a shop. I have dealt with Doug at Z-fever and he is pretty cool, but i have not done a lot with him, however, my uncle is taking him a z32 to do some work, we will see.

08-27-2007, 07:16 AM	#3
jrmiller84 Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Gainesville, FL Age: 39 Posts: 1,021 Trader Rating: (2) Rides Gallery: jrmiller84 Feedback Score: 2 reviews	I've read reviews of people finding electrical tape in their intake manifold after they decide to use it to cover a boost leak. Also read a few other negative reviews of peoples cars overheating after getting swaps done. But what do I know. Just hearing those kind of rumors was enough to rule them out for me. This is why I decided to buy my parts through Enjuku and do the swap myself. __________________ BitDestroyer.com

08-27-2007, 08:43 AM	#4
ripnbst Zilvia Addict Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Tulsa, OK Age: 37 Posts: 814 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Electrical tape in the intake mani to fix boost leak Jesus Christ. __________________ In the market for a Clean Coupe

09-02-2007, 08:23 AM	#6
Antihero983 Post Whore! Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Gilmanton, NH Age: 39 Posts: 4,409 Trader Rating: (2) Rides Gallery: Antihero983 Feedback Score: 2 reviews	isnt XAT the place that did that god awful s13 wit hte trans am front end? __________________ "So here I am, right back at it again, just like I've always been"

02-11-2008, 07:28 PM	#13
Jodan Zilvia Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Eastern west side Posts: 161 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	DC is lametown US-Fuckin-A __________________

08-26-2007, 03:49 PM	#2
FinalDrive Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: GA Posts: 494 Trader Rating: (2) Feedback Score: 2 reviews	I've heard good things about XAT as well. I haven't had dealt with them in person, but I've ordered a few things from them and never had a problem.

09-01-2007, 10:58 PM	#5
nissan ka Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: new port richey/ tallahassee, fl Age: 34 Posts: 7 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	i got my allignment done at xat.... baaaaaalllllerrrrrrrr!

09-02-2007, 10:38 AM	#7
nissan ka Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: new port richey/ tallahassee, fl Age: 34 Posts: 7 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	yes, and i feel exactly the same about it as you do. now it has a sil front though

09-02-2007, 11:32 AM	#8
Devil Man Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: hell Posts: 357 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	not by choice though

09-02-2007, 11:45 AM	#9
roel03 Zilvia Addict Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: florida Age: 36 Posts: 807 Trader Rating: (23) Feedback Score: 23 reviews	I have delt with both. Xat is the fucking shit. They will get it right the first time. Driven concepts has no clue what they are doing and sucks ass. When I went the the board with "todays to do list" said find missing mustang bolts.

01-15-2008, 09:04 PM	#12
Hotcakes0007 Join Date: May 2005 Location: Tampa Posts: 39 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Matrin and Taylor ARE GODS!!!!

02-17-2008, 11:03 AM	#15
MADSilvia Zilvia Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Orange City, Fl Age: 40 Posts: 244 Trader Rating: (3) Feedback Score: 3 reviews	I love XAT.. I got my swap done there over three years ago, and never had any problems with it. In the last two years I've put over 40,000 miles on the engine going to work and school everyday. All I've changed are little $10-20 gaskets here and there, but thats normal were-n-tear.. AC blows cold and all.. Everyone there is Awsome.. Thank You XAT!!! __________________ S14 Kouki

03-04-2008, 04:46 AM	#16
SlideWell Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Seattle, WA Age: 40 Posts: 1,591 Trader Rating: (1) Feedback Score: 1 reviews	XAT the place to bring your S-Chassis in the area? it looks like im moving back to the Clearwater/Tampa area soon.