Yep, i have seen issues on about a third of the rebuilds. I actually think it is a parts problem in that they arent able to get good replacement parts. A good Spica system runs great and is not terribly hard to install, bad ones will make you go crazy,
SPICA pump rebuild
I have read many favorable posts and have heard over the years about the quality of SPICA pump rebuilds by Ingram Enterprises. I have spoken to Wes on more than one occasion and find him to be a nice person. However, I feel that I must share with the Alfa community that I did not have a good outcome with his company’s rebuild service recently. Perhaps his company is too busy, perhaps whoever is doing the rebuilds today (Wes is not personally involved in the rebuilds any longer) is not as skilled. But the biggest disappointment is that Ingram Enterprises did not stand behind he work and I basically lost $2,000 and over a year in not driving my Spider. The pump rebuild took more than 4 months longer than Wes estimated before I sent it to him. It was one year from the date I sent him my SPICA pump until I received the rebuilt one. He is very difficult to reach; all calls go into voice mail and you may or may not get a return call. Once the rebuild was installed by a very experienced Alfa mechanic, defects were found and a used SPICA pump was instead installed. When I sent the pump back to Ingram Enterprises the defects were blamed on the installation, which was highly improbable because the defects were internal. The car runs perfectly now with the used SPICA pump. I am stuck with the Ingram defective rebuild and am out an extra $2,000. Would like to hear of any similar experiences.
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Sorry to hear you had a bad experience. Getting a SPICA rebuilt is becoming harder everyday. Not many people out there do this type of work.
Larry Jr of APE has gone through a bunch of pumps for me, including ones that subsequently passed smog. So that's a pretty good endorsement. He's busy but not backed up into next year.
Andrew
Andrew
what is the approximate cost of the rebuild from APE?
He doesn't do all-in rebuilds, as such, I don't think, on an assembly line. In my experience he fixes what it needs to make a good working pump. Replacement barrels, fixing linkage, etc. Mine have run $600-900 depending on what was needed. He does have a flow bench, cleans injectors, etc.
Give him a ring. 925-200-1998.
Give him a ring. 925-200-1998.
Great...thanks for the info.
I had some misgivings when I had mine done by Ingram..In my due diligence, the real Alfa techs I know told me the ratio of 1 in 3 did not work as advertised so I was nervous too. My roll of the dice worked in my favor so I played the crap shoot.. I did the standard rebuild and new T/A and injectors. I don't know why the unsuccessful ratios are what they are but it can be a pretty sinking feeling after a time consuming installation($$).. removal .. send back .. and re-installation. I was paying a shop to do the installation ($800) and risked some majora PITA and costly scenario. . I crossed my fingers and pressed on and I guess I lucked out. It worked as advertised. Gary Martin (see Alfa Owner ad) in SD claims to do them and claims to test drive his rebuilds before shipping. I'm sure Larry does a good job too and I wouldn't be afraid to use him. I hate bad press for Wes but if things are slipping in the reliability of the finished product then his enterprise needs to know the airwaves are abuzz. I was also fortunate to do an exchange with him so I was able to cut down on the time table and not lay up the car..I don't know why it worked out that way but I jumped at the opportunity when he called with the proposition. I couldn't care less if my core was used and it all worked out. I never understood how he kept the wheels turning by putting off customers without and exchange program.. It is no wonder why so many SPICA owners throw in the towel and convert to carbs,
Unfortunately, some work I once did as routine, is now given a "pass" because of parts availability. Today no quality component manufacturer in Europe wants to carry an inventory for small lot buyers. So if I want to restore a customers 105 water pump, I must order and carry a 1000 unit inventory of the special Alfa version of the sealed bearing cartridge at about $100 a shot. That's just not going to happen. The same is likely true for SPICA components.
The quality issues with the Ingrahm shop is not a current phenomenon. Terry Meeler, the Alfa and Ferrari guru, who had a shop in Raleigh before he was tragically killed well over a year ago told me he was aware of problems with SPICA rebuilds coming out of the Ingrahm shop which he attributed not to Wes himself but to the people actually doing the work
I haven't had any similar experiences, as I do what APE does for my own use of pumps. However, I am little surprised that this happened.
His website says this:
...."Our pumps include upgrades to correct several original pump design defects. After re-assembly each pump is installed on our test bench and run for more than 8 hours that simulates actual engine operating conditions"......
His website says this:
...."Our pumps include upgrades to correct several original pump design defects. After re-assembly each pump is installed on our test bench and run for more than 8 hours that simulates actual engine operating conditions"......
Did you ask if Wes personally reviews each pump before they go out the door? And when you sent the pump back, who looked at the pump? Did they run it on the bench again and tell you it was working fine? Can you shed more light on what symptoms your mechanic experienced with the running of the engine after he installed IE's rebuilt pump?When I sent the pump back to Ingram Enterprises the defects were blamed on the installation, which was highly improbable because the defects were internal.
I haven't had any similar experiences, as I do what APE does for my own use of pumps. However, I am little surprised that this happened.
His website says this:
...."Our pumps include upgrades to correct several original pump design defects. After re-assembly each pump is installed on our test bench and run for more than 8 hours that simulates actual engine operating conditions"......
Did you ask if Wes personally reviews each pump before they go out the door? And when you sent the pump back, who looked at the pump? Did they run it on the bench again and tell you it was working fine? Can you shed more light on what symptoms your mechanic experienced with the running of the engine after he installed IE's rebuilt pump?
I haven't had any similar experiences, as I do what APE does for my own use of pumps. However, I am little surprised that this happened.
His website says this:
...."Our pumps include upgrades to correct several original pump design defects. After re-assembly each pump is installed on our test bench and run for more than 8 hours that simulates actual engine operating conditions"......
Did you ask if Wes personally reviews each pump before they go out the door? And when you sent the pump back, who looked at the pump? Did they run it on the bench again and tell you it was working fine? Can you shed more light on what symptoms your mechanic experienced with the running of the engine after he installed IE's rebuilt pump?
I was told that the pump was tested on the bench for 24 hours before sending it to me Maybe it was, but the issue was that it failed after a load was put on it. In other words, it would cut off once an acceleration was attempted, from a lack of fuel. That may have not show up on the bench test. A note was attached upon the return saying that something was jammed and blaming it on installation, but I don’t see that possibility. My mechanic said that when looked inside, there were certain parts that were installed improperly. For example, the mouse trap spring was not correct. I probably should compile a list of people who had similar experIences with that company.I haven't had any similar experiences, as I do what APE does for my own use of pumps. However, I am little surprised that this happened.
His website says this:
...."Our pumps include upgrades to correct several original pump design defects. After re-assembly each pump is installed on our test bench and run for more than 8 hours that simulates actual engine operating conditions"......
Did you ask if Wes personally reviews each pump before they go out the door? And when you sent the pump back, who looked at the pump? Did they run it on the bench again and tell you it was working fine? Can you shed more light on what symptoms your mechanic experienced with the running of the engine after he installed IE's rebuilt pump?
GTBQV4 - Not to discount your experience as I have experiences that didn't work out for me at other shops and it is frustrating.
My experience with Wes was differant. This past year I sent my pump to Wes for refurbishment. Communication with me was good. He sent instructions on how to remove the pump and send to him. He had the pump a few weeks and then sent it back. I did the install myself following his instructions and while it was a pain to reinstall - it all worked. Car started on first try and is running very well. I have been driving since with no issues starting or driving.
My experience with Wes was differant. This past year I sent my pump to Wes for refurbishment. Communication with me was good. He sent instructions on how to remove the pump and send to him. He had the pump a few weeks and then sent it back. I did the install myself following his instructions and while it was a pain to reinstall - it all worked. Car started on first try and is running very well. I have been driving since with no issues starting or driving.
Very interesting. A few weeks, how did that happen? Wow, mine was sent to me after 12 months, and it never did work properly. A friend of his was who recommended his company and they spoke together before. I am glad that yours worked out. Nothing like an Alfa that runs well.GTBQV4 - Not to discount your experience as I have experiences that didn't work out for me at other shops and it is frustrating.
My experience with Wes was differant. This past year I sent my pump to Wes for refurbishment. Communication with me was good. He sent instructions on how to remove the pump and send to him. He had the pump a few weeks and then sent it back. I did the install myself following his instructions and while it was a pain to reinstall - it all worked. Car started on first try and is running very well. I have been driving since with no issues starting or driving.
Very interesting. A few weeks, how did that happen? Wow, mine was sent to me after 12 months, and it never did work properly. A friend of his was who recommended his company and they spoke together before. I am glad that yours worked out. Nothing like an Alfa that runs well.
I have 2 done by Gary Martin, both worked perfectly on installation and since. Under 6 weeks for each.Very interesting. A few weeks, how did that happen? Wow, mine was sent to me after 12 months, and it never did work properly. A friend of his was who recommended his company and they spoke together before. I am glad that yours worked out. Nothing like an Alfa that runs well.
Nothing wrong with some fair competition. The support Wes has given the Alfa community is priceless. I really hate it when the trail of unreliability leads to his door. I hope he gets a handle on it and stops blaming his quality control or inefficient testing on installation by the customer. That is a recipe for failed businesses littered over the landscape of time. Moreover, his policy of not swapping cores and having to wait 12 months for something that lays up one's vehicle is totally ridiculous.I have 2 done by Gary Martin, both worked perfectly on installation and since. Under 6 weeks for each.
I have had email conversation with Wes Ingram on this case.
He offered that all you can sent him an email if you are concerned or if you want to hear the rest of the story.
His email you find on his homepage,on top of the page in the middle:
Ingram Enterprises, Inc. || Home Page
Bernhard
He offered that all you can sent him an email if you are concerned or if you want to hear the rest of the story.
His email you find on his homepage,on top of the page in the middle:
Ingram Enterprises, Inc. || Home Page
Bernhard
I do not know who looked at it. I do not believe that they put it back on the bench. It was sent back too quickly to have had any serious evaluation. They seem to be very busy and do not want to be bothred with any problems.I haven't had any similar experiences, as I do what APE does for my own use of pumps. However, I am little surprised that this happened.
His website says this:
...."Our pumps include upgrades to correct several original pump design defects. After re-assembly each pump is installed on our test bench and run for more than 8 hours that simulates actual engine operating conditions"......
Did you ask if Wes personally reviews each pump before they go out the door? And when you sent the pump back, who looked at the pump? Did they run it on the bench again and tell you it was working fine? Can you shed more light on what symptoms your mechanic experienced with the running of the engine after he installed IE's rebuilt pump?
Thank you Bernhard. Wes has not shown a personal interest in this issue. Calls go into voice mail; emails not answered. Certainly it is always advisable to resolve an issue before confrontation. Having dealt with Ingram Enterprises for over 19 months, I do not think they will suddenly stand behind their work. My mechanic took pictures and a video of the internal issues and I forwarded this to IE. They are blaming it on the installation (impossible that it would have relocated the mouse trap spring) and they sent the defective pump right back to me. Perhaps Friends of Wes receive responses and quality work, but not a simple Alfa lover who has had his Spider for 41 years.I have had email conversation with Wes Ingram on this case.
He offered that all you can sent him an email if you are concerned or if you want to hear the rest of the story.
His email you find on his homepage,on top of the page in the middle:
Ingram Enterprises, Inc. || Home Page
Bernhard
By the way, I have sent many emails to Wes, most were unanswered. I have kept them all including the one where he indicated that the initial rebuild would take 8 months -- it was nearly 12 months.Thank you Bernhard. Wes has not shown a personal interest in this issue. Calls go into voice mail; emails not answered. Certainly it is always advisable to resolve an issue before confrontation. Having dealt with Ingram Enterprises for over 19 months, I do not think they will suddenly stand behind their work. My mechanic took pictures and a video of the internal issues and I forwarded this to IE. They are blaming it on the installation (impossible that it would have relocated the mouse trap spring) and they sent the defective pump right back to me. Perhaps Friends of Wes receive responses and quality work, but not a simple Alfa lover who has had his Spider for 41 years.
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