Testrun

It won't happen. Knowing Cam a bit and their set up there they aren't really on here. Not sure if they are on any "social media" at all really. Bit old school. Unfortunately, they may never even know this exists.
I know he is having some issome. I also k kw that he is trying to resolve the issues and make things right for people bothering them, bit you would have to email or call directly. Or maybe better atop in to see them.

TeamRX8

iTrader: (2)

yeah, that’s naive to believe they have to canvas the intrawebz and antisocial media platforms to counter every negative retort; because in addition to never getting any other real work done chasing that fool’s folly, frankly some; not all -some- people don’t have their facts straight or even a few are outright liars or children throwing tantrums trying to get their way. There seem to be legitimate claims here though. So please don’t go into full defensive mode thinking that I’m specifically referring to anything this thread. I’m just sayin’ is all …

because I see that kind of full tard crap all the time now with managers and owners replying in public to every review and comment liked a trained, virtue-signaling seal. It’s really sad when you think about it and I even feel sadder for the younger people who are sucked into thinking this is just the *normal* way of life. No, your entire conscious existence is a lie and just like in the Matrix movie, you’re completely ignorant of being in a pod and used for another purpose; somebody else's greed, power, and wealth.

And all this squabbling and carrying on in the ever more fubar by the day world we’ve made for ourself is intentional to keep you distracted and away from the truth. Because there’s nothing your pod handlers fear more than this;

you becoming aware of and enlightened by the truth.

but have a good laugh at grandpa and take your blue pill instead.

.

CREEPENJEEPEN

iTrader: (7)

Damn,

I was looking to make an appointment with Pettit Racing but never mind. All I need is a tune since I install all of my parts myself, especially after experiencing horror stories.

Reading this thread about bad shops reminded me of the first day I bought my FD in 2017. I brought my car into a Rotary Shop where I lived at the time so they could look over the car for me since I was very new to these engines. I wanted to get a good idea of the car's health after buying it.

Long story short, the shop owner tried to buy the car from me. After I laughed and said no, I explained that I only wanted an inspection of the vehicle to see if anything needed to be addressed since the car was overheating in traffic. He concluded that my water seals were blown and I needed a complete engine rebuild. I asked if I could get my car back after that. I then proceeded to verify this myself. I purchased my own compression tester from rotarycompressiontester.com and rented out a coolant pressure tester from Advance Auto. Then lo and behold, my FD had perfect compression, and after fixing 3 leaks in the coolant system, the car ran like a top. I don't know how you mistakenly misdiagnose a coolant seal; I wish I could give him the benefit of the doubt but water under the bridge.

Fast forward to today, and that shop is out of business. It seems rotary shops are running out of demand, and they need to keep their head above water by upselling everyone. It's the harsh truth, like what quichedem said...

Manny_Apex

iTrader: (1)

Hey guys and gals, Manny here.

I met with Cam Sr and Avery at Pettit yesterday, even having lunch with Cam Sr and it was easily one of the best days of my life. His knowledge and passion for these cars still burns as hot as it always has. The details from all those years ago about his race car helped pave the way for the innovation we know and love today, but unfortunately his desire now exceeds his abilities. Surprisingly, nobody has taken any interest in picking up the ball at any of these dying rotary shops. No kids after school hanging out trying to learn, no college interns at the front desk, nobody. As you guys are well aware, they've been doing this for a very, very long time. Everyone who works in that shop are ready to retire...all of them. I have all the respect in the world for Cam and his rotary history, and I be damned if I let that name ride off into the sunset with him.

I am proud to say I will be joining the team at Pettit Racing to help usher them into the next generation. It wasn't a situation I even thought about during my drive to West Palm; I ended up there because a friend needed help with his RENISIS. Located in different areas of Florida, the goal was to find a reputable rotary shop within reasonable driving distance for the both of us, the opportunity presented itself to visit Pettit. On the drive down, I could feel the rotors turning in my head. Thinking of the questions I was going to ask Cam, daydreaming about some of the cars that have passed through that shop over the years, I just felt like a child. Well Cam must've seen me coming because I was greeted with the warmest smile I've ever gotten from someone who's only known me for 10 seconds. The shop was covered in history, I couldn't stop talking when they asked about my rotary background, and my enthusiasm must've been on full display because the atmosphere was electric! Cam started with the stories and I just knew that I was going to be helping them shutdown the shop last night. What I didn't know was that my friend and I would be asked to come back next weekend. Cam could physically feel my enthusiasm; he said, "that's rare".

Lil about me. 13 years of 3rd generation fighter aircraft maintenance on the F-15C/D/E and F-16 block 40 Aircraft Armament Systems in various NATO countries, I know a little bit about working with consequences. Lemme explain...if someone fucked up while doing my job, people lost their lives and livelihoods....there are no refunds. My grandfather told me if I was going to be a ditch digger, I was going to be the best damn ditch digger there ever was, so I take my jobs and my responsibilities seriously. My outlook on how important cars are to everyday people helps me carry that attitude from the defense sector to Pettit Racing, and my passion for rotary powered EVERYTHING makes this opportunity golden. In 2018 I bought my FD and had NO idea what I was getting into. I found this forum and its impact was immediate! All of your experience, your triumphs, your heartache...all of it, is documented right here at the tips of my fingertips. Seriously, I can rattle off Dale Clark threads like they were written in the bible, but Rotary verison. "In the beginning, God created the Heavens and the Earth. Then he created Dale Clark, and that was good. He looked at Dale, and he seemed incomplete. He made an RX7 from his rib, and that was good." In all seriousness, I never looked back. I was willing to take more risk than my peers for the sake of experience, and with the proper guidance, relationships (shoutout to Brian Skotch), and this forum I feel as though I am a well-equipped technician with the burning desire to learn and perfect my craft.

I say all that to say this. I am well aware of all of the issues that has passed through Pettit, and one thing about me is I'm not afraid of uncomfortable conversations that result in resolutions. As soon as I started reading your problem, I called Avery directly for an explanation because this is unacceptable. That is not the way Pettit Racing will be represented from this day forward, you guys have my word. You work too damn hard for your money to not get exactly what you asked for! Pettit Racing is under new leadership and new management. Our goal isn't only to renew the Pettit name; I find that to be a selfish endeavor. Our goal is to provide products, services, and performance you can depend on for years to come, just as Cam intended. I don't want to get too ahead of myself, but there's been a lot of innovation in the rotary world since Pettit first opened the doors, and the new leadership has the vision to continue providing solutions just as Cam has done for all these years! In the meantime, I'll be working to get Cam's race car running to prove myself a valuable asset to the team, and a valuable asset to you all.

To clarify, this not new ownership. Cam Sr has worked his *** off to establish Pettit, and all I wish to do is to see his wishes fulfilled. His input is the final word, and his knowledge will live forever through our name, Pettit Racing.

TeamRX8

iTrader: (2)

glad to hear this and congrats

I only ever spoke to Cam Sr. once on the phone, but was impressed by his openness to discuss and share technical details, and depth of his knowledge. Looking forward to your future there and wishing you all the best.
.

Gear2078

I look forward to future discussions! If I weren't so far from Florida, I would be down there helping myself. Thank You!

Howard Coleman

iTrader: (6)

as the years speed by and our RX7s become further and further removed from Mother Mazda ($750 for a front iron!) rotary specific vendors become increasingly important to our community. while no business is perfect, Pettit has been a valuable asset and i wish Cam Sr and Jr all the best going forward.

Mazda hard parts pricing continues an almost exponential upward path. Because of this i have no doubt that we will eventually see every 13BREW component being offered ex-Mazda. eventually Mazda will price itself out of the market and good old capitalism will do its thing. Eventually.

looking into 2024 i don't think the community has fully discounted the triple whammy of Mazda hard parts pricing, the explosion in FD valuation and the greatly decreased number of trustworthy and competent shops.

the FD equation looks very different than it did a short time ago, and as a result the car will move into stronger hands. i see larger budget significantly better engineered solutions being available as the valuation trend widens.

and a bright future for Mazda's potential Supercar.

bajaman

It's refreshing to see the post by Manny Apex and I hope that future work done at Pettit meets the expectations of the customers. I have quite a few Pettit parts on my car (well, the car I gave my son). God knows it is getting harder and harder to find ANYONE who will work on a rotary engine car, even many Mazda dealerships. About 5 years or so I was talking to the parts manager who I've known for years and done a lot of business with at a local Mazda dealership, he was planning on retiring at the end of the year, and we got to talking in general terms about working on FDs in general, and at one point in the conversation he said, "Look behind you...", and I see most of the dealership's salesmen and mechanics outside, clustered around my car.
Bob said, "Most of them have never even seen a 3rd generation RX-7, some have probably not even HEARD about them. I don't think we would work on one here, as we don't have anyone trained to do so."
I foresee a time when, though it is unlikely they will ever have "supercar status", a FD will be kind of like how we see a De Tomaso Pantera now...an oddly unique high-performance car that is rarely seen in public.