Review of Cambra Speed Shop

1. Not getting a written estimate and a timeline of repairs. One mistake I made with Cambra Speed Shop (CSS) was NOT getting a written estimate and a documented timeline of repairs along with giving them a blank check (with a limit). Those mistakes cost me over $40,000.

2. Sending engine and transmission to third party. All of the work performed by the third party had to be redone and was a major cause of delays. I was initially informed that the engine issues would have been handled in house. That changed after the car arrived and AS (Cambra Speed Shop Manager) stated it was going to be at least 2 months before he could get to it. The third party just happened to be present, and it was decided to let them handle the engine issues. That was a mistake.

   EL Note: Why would you commit to helping me prior to my arrival only to tell me that it was going to take Cambra Speed Shop 2 months before touching the car? In retrospect, you should have passed on this engagement.

3. Not removing heads to inspect internals. RC initially informed me that we didn’t need to do that, the engine only had a claimed 3,500 miles from the dealer (Volo Auto Sales) and it was “assumed” that everything was fine. It’s unfortunate as that assumption is what led us to where we are today, Saturday, December 21, 2024. Of course that is going to be “my fault” for not FORCING the issue. I thought Cambra Speed Shop were “the professionals” at this.

   Original C8DENCE Task List

   Engine – Overall visual inspection, test drive, etc. I’d like to know what I have under the hood (460 Ford Crate, 2x4 Holley 650s). There are no dyno sheets. The HP has been claimed to be 515, 560, and during this sale at 540. I’m guessing the engine would need to be disassembled to know exactly what’s going on.

4. Not performing an engine borescope as originally requested. It’s unfortunate as this request and the compression check were verbal requests during multiple visits to the shop to discuss the project. I asked AS a couple of times during my visits “Have you done the compression check yet?” AS replied, “Not yet”. I also reached out to Ryno (Previous Cambra Speed Shop Employee) to confirm these verbal requests just to make sure my age wasn’t catching up with me. He recalls the multiple requests.
5. Not performing a compression check after numerous reminders. Had we performed the compression check, we would have discovered there was a valve sticking which appears to have plagued us from the very beginning. Apparently that valve sticking was due to a flattened cam lobe. I don’t understand how this vehicle was tuned (twice) with a valve sticking and a flattened cam lobe. Had we discovered that valve sticking and other engine issues in the very beginning, we would not be in the situation we are today. After researching this type of build process and the steps that are suggested, Cambra Speed Shop did things backwards. CSS slapped lipstick on a pig as they say. During this time, we had continual engine issues, all of which were signs of the eventual damage discovered.
6. Numerous incorrect guesses at what was wrong with the engine. We ended up wrapping headers, ordering a new starter, installing a starter shield, and installing a second battery. All of these were thought to be a solution to the issues related to engine challenges. This cost me a considerable amount of time, money, and more extended delays.
7. Constant delays due to misdiagnosed engine issues. If Cambra Speed Shop had performed the services I initially requested in writing and verbally, we could have avoided the delays and the $40,000+ in costs associated with those delays along with the final outcome of this engagement.
8. The new clutch had to be replaced after multiple test drives where the clutch was slipping while I was driving, but could not be detected/replicated by Cambra Speed Shop during their test drives.
9. Incorrect air cleaner ordered. While I am okay with what was done, it IS NOT what I wanted to do. Cambra Speed Shop did all the work first and then “sprung” it on me. I couldn’t have asked RC/AS to order the correct air cleaner after all of that. I settled.
10. Shifter ball not ordered, it was forgotten. Had the correct shifter ball been ordered when the Gear Vendors unit was ordered, I would have had what I originally requested. But no, CSS forgot to order it. And, when it came time to order it, they were out of stock, so I had to settle. I would have preferred the white ball as originally requested. We ordered the black one and painted it mandarin copper. It’s okay.
11. Aldan American Coilovers installed upside down. It was discovered while I was viewing images that I took, that the coilovers were installed upside down. I called Aldan American to confirm this. Cambra Speed Shop “assumed” you could install them either way. That was incorrect. I do hope there was no damage done to those coilovers for the time they were upside down. There were multiple test drives and just “sitting” in the shop for extended periods of time. The upside down Aldan American logo should have been a hint that they were upside down?

12. Wrong tires ordered and installed after a very specific request. This really surprised me. It was difficult for me to fathom how the wrong tires were ordered when this was an issue I was VERY SPECIFIC about. Not only that, but CSS also installed them back on the car with the new wheels which were “clearly” damaged from the tire changing. Who does that? That was kind of ghetto if you ask me.

    I’ve invested a little bit of money in those wheels and tires only to have them damaged in some way. The hubcaps have been on and off too many times, I would imagine the wheels are pretty beat up from all that activity. Recent images taken reveal that they are rife with scratches front and back.

13. Improper offset for custom wheels from Wheelsmith. Rear whitewalls are now damaged, not repairable. Cambra Speed Shop should have taken into consideration the tire width and sidewall flex differences between the original Coker tires and the new BF Goodrich tires. CSS had the rear wheel offset adjusted. Due to the changed offset of the rear wheels, I cannot rotate wheels and tires. Valve stem extenders forgotten, there is no way to get to existing valve stems unless you remove the hubcaps. Will install at new shop.
14. Incorrect size for emergency spare, does not fit in designated area. Do not force fit either. Ordered and measured by Cambra Speed Shop. It was claimed by RC that I ordered this and CSS was not involved and that I worked with Ryno (Previous Cambra Speed Shop Assembler), and that he and I specked it out. That is not true. I believe the measurements for this were taken by AS.
15. All of the engine and undercarriage detailing needs to be redone due to various fluid leaks during test drives e.g. valve cover, cut radiator hose. All of that was spotless and then the leaks started. The radiator hose leak sprayed quite a bit of fluid under the car and into quite a few nooks and crannies. Sprayed all over the newly polished components throughout the entire engine compartment. What a mess that created.

Breaking News: Cambra Speed Shop named 2024 GNRS Builder of the Year!