thinking about buying a lot of mods from ssdiesel after my past experince buying on line would like to know if any one has had a bad experience with them? i have heard alot of good stuff about them. its kinda scarry how do you make every body happy?

Only bad thing, if you live in Canada SS only uses UPS for shipping, and the brokerage fees UPS charge are out of this world high, other than that, as far as I know they sell good products at fair prices.

I have bought a lot of stuff from them. good prices, but if you buy something with a core deposit make sure you get it sent in right away. 30 days is 30 days to them.

Only bad thing, if you live in Canada SS only uses UPS for shipping, and the brokerage fees UPS charge are out of this world high, other than that, as far as I know they sell good products at fair prices.
we bought hot tub pump outta the USA and the seller sent it via fedex. they included the brokerage in the costs 15.00 on a 220.00 item. now if fedex sends me a bill i will send them a copy of the receipt that says i already paid brokerage and you can kiss my butt. and ayup I DON'T ever buy where a shipper sends by UPS. Ed

and ayup I DON'T ever buy where a shipper sends by UPS. Ed

Me either, ever again.

Of course after I learned moi lesson the hard way, bought a new grill for my truck for 60 bucks and paid 80 bucks brokerage fee to the pricks in brown, anyhow, USPS is the best way to go I figure if the seller will accommodate, 5.00 flat brokerage fee regardless of size, weight, value etc. In your case, if you know the cost up front that's a good deal, otherwise, you are at their mercy when the doorbell rings...

ss was good to me, told me the truth about availability at risk of loosing the sale. I think they are a family run business, a nice family.

While I am sure they are a good company, dealing with guys who advertise on this site helps us as members more.
Heath Diesel, Kennedy Diesel are two of the 6.5 supporters I can think of off hand.

I bought ssd 4 inch exhaust kit, nice heavy pipes but had to dent downpipe to clear frame and also had to make all the hangers to fit a 96 truck

only thing you've got to watch for is the PMD relocator. its a bad mounting spot, on the intake, and they tend to fail. one member had one last 4 months. if you read the warranty it says the heatsink has a 5 year warranty but the PMD itself didn't have any until recently(its now a 1 year if the PMDs serial number is within a certain range).

for the PMD relocation i'd go with Heath Diesel's as its 7 years free replacement, no bs, and no record of one failing.

my 2 cents -> bill heath for everything.
no one else ever again.
will not even compare prices anymore and definitely second the opinion about PMD location.

I just ordered a 3" downpipe from SS Diesel on Monday, $75 including shipping. They are changing locations this Friday, I believe and won't be shipping orders again until August 5th. According to their website they use UPS for all shipping, so I can see why someone in Canada would be reluctant to order from them given the exorbitant extra shipping costs. I always shop around for the best deals. I can definitely appreciate loyalty to a single vendor. For certain things, like a reprogrammed ECM, Heath would definitely be where I'd get it from. However with the cost of everything these days, there are things I would definitely shop around for. I'd never buy a CDR valve for $99 (Heath's price not including shipping), no matter how loyal I was, when GM Parts Direct has it for $56 including their "shipping and handling" to my location.

I got all my stuff from them with no problems at all. they answered any questions I came up with. they were very helpful and everything worked great.

I have a few things from them and have had no problems so far. Shipping is usually fairly quick.

I've bought several things from Walt & Co, no problems with any of the items and pretty quick shipping too. I've also bought stuff from Kennedy and Heath, good expereinces with those guys too.
Don

The only thing I can tell you is make sure you don't order something and then cancel it. Their policy is to send you a refund check in 4-6 weeks less and admin fee which I believe is a percentage of what you spent or a minimum of $25. I had a little misunderstanding with them but in the end Walt made good. I have purchased from them previously (had the stuff shipped to friend's place in Michigan as I too am a Canuck who has been burned by UPS) and have no complaints.

Ed is absolutely right about FedEx. They are much more Canuck friendly. Rock Auto uses FedEx and their shipping prices include GST and Duty and are quite reasonable especially if you're ordering multiple items. At least you know what you're dealing with up front instead of the big Brokerage surprise when UPS comes to the door.

Dave

I'm sure SSD is good for some stuff but it seems to me like he tells you "oh you need this" or "oh you need that" when you really dont. I understand that hes (walt) trying to make a sale but couldnt he be a little less obvious that that is all he is trying to do? I mean, one example is injectors. On his site he is like (not exact words) "You must replace your injectors every 100,000 miles or you will blow up your engine!". Biggest load of horsesh*t ive ever heard. 235,000 on my original injectors. Im sure they need replaced but... there is also 235,000 on that same engine that those injectors are in and its never been replaced either :) I've noticed this same behavior other times with him too but i cant think of them right off hand. Heath will be getting all my business.

No personal experience, but over the years I've read between the lines enough and heard enough stories to convince me to take my business elsewhere. Seems to make a lot of bunk hp claims, and there was something about 6.5s not being able to benefit from an intercooler. Can't go wrong with Bill Heath.

No personal experience, but over the years I've read between the lines enough and heard enough stories to convince me to take my business elsewhere. Seems to make a lot of bunk hp claims, and there was something about 6.5s not being able to benefit from an intercooler. Can't go wrong with Bill Heath.

Yeah I forgot about that one. Also In his FAQ's one of the questions asked is "why dont you sell manual boost controllers like your competitors do?" (not a direct quote but you get the idea) and SSD's reply was "They dont work". The idea of the manual boost controller in my eyes is not JUST so you can add more boost, but also so you can do away the the problematic vacuum controlled system, and its constantly fluctuating boost problem. And for that, these manual boost controllers DO work. And also as already mentioned, SSD claims their location for the PMD is the best location and that they have done extensive testing and that it is in a much cooler position on their heatsink mounted on the intake than it is anywhere else. Under the hood maybe.. but its still not a good spot to put it. I think they fail more on the SSD heatsink than they do on the side of the pump. Also their air intake kits tend to break and send pieces off into the compressor of the turbo and cause problems or damage. You dont need an aftermarket air intake there is more harm than benefit to it.

Yeah I forgot about that one. Also In his FAQ's one of the questions asked is "why dont you sell manual boost controllers like your competitors do?" (not a direct quote but you get the idea) and SSD's reply was "They dont work".

Actually, this is the only forum that I have ever been on that has members that actually believe that the spring on the wastegate has any advantage whatsoever over a digitally controlled wastegate, besides cost/longevity.

Also the only forum that allows cheerleaders as mods.

I don't think anyone with all the facts would dispute the factory system is a better system, but, with more failure prone parts. A spring to pop open when the back pressure approaches intolerable, and is bound to never fail, will appeal to some, and with good $$ reason. The spring although proven to be less efficient, will never, ever fail.

Me, I'm sticking with the digitally controlled wastegate, just like yer hero gmctd has on his truck.

Maybe Walt knows something you don't know, eh?

Actually, this is the only forum that I have ever been on that has members that actually believe that the spring on the wastegate has any advantage whatsoever over a digitally controlled wastegate, besides cost/longevity.

Also the only forum that allows cheerleaders as mods.

I don't think anyone with all the facts would dispute the factory system is a better system, but, with more failure prone parts. A spring to pop open when the back pressure approaches intolerable, and is bound to never fail, will appeal to some, and with good $$ reason. The spring although proven to be less efficient, will never, ever fail.

Me, I'm sticking with the digitally controlled wastegate, just like yer hero gmctd has on his truck.

Maybe Walt knows something you don't know, eh?

The mechanical wastegate is more reliable, there is no doubt here. Everyone is welcome to fry their engine when the turbocharger suddenly dies off and causes EGTs to go through the roof. Or when the vac pump locks up and shreds the belt and stops the fan and water pump. That is one less thing on my mind with the mechanical wastegate, and its cheaper and more reliable. And where do you get that its less efficient?

fThe mechanical wastegate is more reliable, there is no doubt here. Everyone is welcome to fry their engine when the turbocharger suddenly dies off and causes EGTs to go through the roof. Or when the vac pump locks up and shreds the belt and stops the fan and water pump. That is one less thing on my mind with the mechanical wastegate, and its cheaper and more reliable. And where do you get that its less efficient?

lol, said anyone with all the facts - leaves u out I guess, lol. Get the facts, come on back, lol.

The *digitally controlled wastegate* (sounds hi tech, eh?) is GMs way to protect you from yourself. No doubt it could be better programmed for performance, but stock that ain't what its there for. OTOH - There's just too much stuff to go wrong with the vac controlled system. If GM had put a spring there in the first place, almost everyone would tighten it till the heads blew off. This is bad for biz.
A manual wastegate and gauges puts you in control. Of course you could always just reprogram the PCM, but then you still have the vacuum system to contend with.

The mechanical wastegate is more reliable, there is no doubt here. Everyone is welcome to fry their engine when the turbocharger suddenly dies off and causes EGTs to go through the roof. Or when the vac pump locks up and shreds the belt and stops the fan and water pump. That is one less thing on my mind with the mechanical wastegate, and its cheaper and more reliable. And where do you get that its less efficient?


I guess you don't have all the facts. I already said without doubt is more reliable, but less precise. Now go away.

I will not "go away" lol. I feel my way is the better way as do many others here. The only reason gm did things the way they did is to save their ass from idiots. In todays world you must treat everyone like they are stupid to keep from getting your ass sued. Hence the reason McDonald's and all over restaurants now tell you that your hot tea and coffee are severed hot. As if that isn't a big DUH!? Besides that how many other flaws has GM and Detroit made with this engine? What about that PMD and the cooling system and the way that the tachometer is driven. I suppose you think that is all just fine and dandy too? For me its not been a problem, but when I have a problem with the said items, as sure as the sun will rise the next morning, you can bet I will solve those little "issues".........and it wont be with the help of SSDiesel Supply.

I will not "go away" lol. I feel my way is the better way as do many others here. The only reason gm did things the way they did is to save their ass from idiots. In todays world you must treat everyone like they are stupid to keep from getting your ass sued. Hence the reason McDonald's and all over restaurants now tell you that your hot tea and coffee are severed hot. As if that isn't a big DUH!? Besides that how many other flaws has GM and Detroit made with this engine? What about that PMD and the cooling system and the way that the tachometer is driven. I suppose you think that is all just fine and dandy too? For me its not been a problem, but when I have a problem with the said items, as sure as the sun will rise the next morning, you can bet I will solve those little "issues".........and it wont be with the help of SSDiesel Supply.

There is far more to it.

I refuse to elaborate any further on a Heath cheerleader site, the turbo-master (bp regulator) is fine, GM used it until '94, then decided there were better ways...

If you feel your way is better, fly at er!!!

There is far more to it.

I refuse to elaborate any further on a Heath cheerleader site, the turbo-master (bp regulator) is fine, GM used it until '94, then decided there were better ways...

If you feel your way is better, fly at er!!!

Been flying that way for 4-5 months now without a problem...:) And GM changed things over probably due to emissions reason, you know... the same time they changed to the electric injection pump and emissions controls and blah blah blah. And here again. Who ever said their way was really better anyways? If you really think about it, the manual "BP regulator" probably helps lower EGTs and ensures a more complete combustion of the fuel by providing all the air you could need, and more. It is up to the installer to get it right and once its right...you leave it alone and its fine. I do NOT, however, agree that a boost fooler should be used, that in my mind should be left alone. The computer defueling at certain levels protects people from their mistakes with the "BP regulator" or a failure of the stock vac wg system. Had there not been the possibility for such incidents with even the stock system, would they have put such a thing in place?

But aside from everything, we agree to disagree. I think my way is better, and you think your way is better so lets just leave it at that and let this thread go back to what it was intended for.