feldme

Unless you enjoy receiving the parts you ordered weeks after ordering because they shipped and then recalled the wrong part, cutting your car to pieces to make poorly designed parts fit (wonderbar with dual electric fans), and then footing the bill for return shipping (don't forget I paid to ship it to me already) of the fraudulantly advertised fitment of parts, AVOID SPOHN PERFORMANCE.

I have had nothing but the best experience with Lon from TDS and highly reccomend him as an alternative to the terrible customer service by Meghan and the entire Spohn organization.

Please do not reward their arrogance and poor customer service with future orders.

Justin89Formy

iTrader: (26)

Its a known fact that the wonderbar wont fit dual fans. Its up to YOU to do your research (this forum has all the answers) before making a purchase.

feldme

No I beileve Spohn is responsible for posting accurate figment information. They hide this information and make no mention of the need to modify on their website. I did in fact search and read the posts regarding the part on here. Most purchasers were told their front end was tweaked or some other excuse by Spohn. If it's a well known fact then Spohn needs to fully disclose this before they steal my money.

Regardless this also is no excise for them shipping the wrong part and then having to wait an additional 2 weeks for the correct one. An terrible Chinese quality control on their replacement steering center link and tie rods.

Overall a terrible experience when spending $1800.

AVOID SPOHN AT ALL COSTS

I have also had excellent service from shox.com and thunder racing.

Stephen

iTrader: (12)

Yes, there is info on TGO, posted that Spohn's Wonder Bar does not fit dual fans. Yes the buyer could have found that info. But when a part is advertised as "Tubular Steering Brace (Wonder Bar) - 1983-1992 GM F-Body: Camaro & Firebird", then it is supposed to fit all of them, since it is advertised that way. There is no specifying that it only fits some cars.

And not exactly hard to simply redesign their part (shoulda done it years ago or in the first place) to fit single or dual fans. IIRC, the dual fan one fits single fan cars, and if so...Just build the one type, not both

I'm not "bashing" Spohn. This goes for ANY aftermarket part, made for any car.

Considering the OEM Wonder Bars came on dual fan cars to begin with....Why was an aftermarket one ever patterned to fit only a single fan car? Wouldn't the smart thing to do have been to use an OEM one to pattern it after, then build in whatever upgrades (not downgrades like fitting only single fan cars) have the smart thing to do?

Camaro305SB

Aftermarket parts didn't fit right? Say it ain't so!

KiLLJ0Y

iTrader: (1)

im seriously not sure why people buy aftermarket wonder bars for $50+ when people sell the OEM ones on here for $25-30 all day long... even eBay has them at that price..

anyway... i kind of have to agree with the original poster... because not all thirdgen owners are members of this site... if Spohn knows it wont work with dual fans, he should mention it on his site...

you shouldnt HAVE to become a member of thirdgen.org to find out this info..

Fast 383

iTrader: (2)

C,mooon Man! Your telling me that before a customer goes to spohns website and makes a purchase he must first make his rounds at TGO to find out of it's gonna fit? Thats rediculous! suppose the information isn't posted here but is posted on yellowbullet or something else. How many websites much he search before he feels comfotable buying a part. He's obviously not a message board frequent judging by his 17 posts in 9 years of being a member. and if your information is correct, than Spohn should have a note saying " please check TGO.com to make sure item fits".
This is really taking the responcibility away from the compnay for not letting the customer know there part won't fit a dual fan car.


As to the Poster ( feldme) Your completely over reacting. Your talking like Steve spohn charged you for a $1k for a K member and the welds broke after a week and the engine fell out of the car. Relax man. Sometimes companies send out the wrong parts. That doesn't make them crooks and thieves.


- Now thats devils advocate!!!!

Stephen

iTrader: (12)

While "technically" the aftermarket ones are stronger, assumed therefore better, I don't feel that they are worth double the price of just buying a used OEM one. Who here REALLY pushing their car to the point of NEEDING that extra strength, over the OEM ones. Not many.

And THERE is the kicker! Aftermarket companies sell to the GENERAL PUBLIC, not only to members of one specific website, so not all their potential customers would have access to the "extra info". This, of course, goes for all aftermarket companies, not just Spohn.

mw66nova

iTrader: (13)

i've had great experiences buying parts through spohn and they have all lasted a long time with no reliability issues.

trocustoms

iTrader: (1)

I think the bottom line is, that it should be stated on the website that it wont fit dual fans. Better yet why not change design so it fits both or make one for each!!!!

Gumby

Not even one tiny bit, Its all on Spohn who has know its been a problem for several years but won't put the info on the product page.

Which just makes them look dishonest, even if they are not.

Any other responsible company would post the info and not expect you to find out on your own if it fits.

White'89

iTrader: (8)

Having just seen this thread and having just ordered myself a wonderbar over the weekend from hawks I had called them immediately. Bruce told me that they have never had a problem with a wonderbar hitting a stock dual fan setup.

Mad_IROC-Z

Thats enough for me. Looks like there will be no Spohn in my future.
I liked their design of the SFC (hate the chris alston's that are on the car now).
But when there is a review like this, it gives us an idea, and is up to us to decide if its blown our of proportion and if we want to take that chance.

UnderCover89TBI

iTrader: (25)

Well I've ordered from spohn a plenty and well thier wonderbar hits single fan setup too! had to cut it just a little bit not too bad. I still think they are a good company and would buy from them. I also do a lot of research before I purchase any park. Just because I hate having to deal with wait times, return times, putting money out and waiting for it to get back etc...But I understand the Original poster concerns!

slow84ta

samehere, but every experience can't be perfect....

iroc-z_23

iTrader: (1)

well if shipping takes that long and theres fitment issues with that and they have yet to do anything about it, id be just as happy with the vendors from jegs/summit who gets it to my doorstep in 2 business days and 10 dollar shipping

Mad_IROC-Z

And I know with Summit if its a bad part or they sent the wrong one or it was wrong on their web site they cover the return shipping.

Plus if I order before 3 or 4pm (forget which) since I'm in California and they have it to shipp from Nevada I get it in 1 day!
Thats faster than me putting on my shows and going to the local performance shop!

iroc-z_23

iTrader: (1)

wow cant beat that.. i ordered B&M pro stealth ratchet shifter and they didnt put the gm bracket in with the kit, called them and they sent me a whole nother shifter kit and told me use what i need and send the rest back!

Tobias05

Spohn is going to fix their wonderbar as soon as they're done producing a strut tower brace for 3rd gens.

UnderCover89TBI

iTrader: (25)

I agree. I have no qualms with Spohn. But I started using UMI by purchasing through summit to get parts w/o shipping fees!

Mad_IROC-Z

SWEET! Who is to say you're not able to use both shifter

TraviZ

iTrader: (2)

My whole car is spohn'ed out.. I cant complain, everything fit perfectly together.

J.Prock

I've bought torque arm and transmission cross member, swaybar and lower control arms from Spohn ALL fit fine all are well engineered. I highly recomend Spohn

CamaroIROC88350

iTrader: (1)

17 posts in 9 years?!? Dang....

injdinjn

Try TDS Top Down Solutions his wonder bar fits.

UnderCover89TBI

iTrader: (25)

Well sometimes you can just come here and read and do searches and find everythign you need to know without posting. As well as figure that even if you dont respond to someone as fast as possible someone else always does! A lot of the stuff just gets repeated over and over on this forum anyway. But yeah he is out driving his car dont hate! haha....he is almost at 2 posts a year with 1 more!

watajob

iTrader: (29)

+1

Like a glove. 3 bolt mounts, too.

b4ccamaro

I've done the wonderbar route. DON'T DO IT!!!!!! It doesn't fit dual fans. Spohn Customer service is not good service and thats the big issue.

Yes they should tell you there are fitment issues with dual fans. They don't.

But the killer is the service you get when you have a problem. Theirs is below average.

I have their subframe connectors on my car and really like them. So I ordered the wonderbar had an issue, then found out they weren't very interested in helping.

I won't buy from them again for that very reason. Customer service is everything!

HP52TA

iTrader: (4)

Have the UMI one installed = No issues with dual fans.

LB9Iroc87

Next time order over the phone, alot of the people taking orders over the phone at Spohn are fairly educated about our cars and will let you know if it wont fit and makes suggestions on what part they would prefer. I've always ordered over the phone with them and have never had a single bad expierience with them.

Iroc Adio

iTrader: (3)

Spohn makes great products. My car has gone 1.27 60 ft with their bolt on products. Cant complain here.

TX T/A

iTrader: (1)

Only takes one time for me to get burned, I won't buy from them again.

bradley23150

iTrader: (10)

Spohn is actually the first place I will look to for my suspension needs, considering the excellent shipping time, customer service, and alltogether good experience I had when I ordered a trans crossmember.

Thats just me, though.

White'89

iTrader: (8)

Although they make good products, they ALWAYS profit on the shipping charges.

BlueZee28

iTrader: (30)

+1 I order my stuff over the phone. Every time I have called Spohn the customer service was top notch.


+1 I'm headed in the direction of near-100% spohn suspension with my car. The only things on my car that won't be Spohn after I've replaced the rest of my factory parts will be my customer made adjustable panhard bar and my Alston sfc's. The Spohn kmember and torque I bought are top notch. I'll probably end up swapping out their cross member for the Hawks double hump though and just using the torque arm relocation mount. I'm getting ready to order the double rod ended adjustable lower control arms from Spohn also...actually I'll probably order them through byunspeed.com because they usually sell Spohn parts cheaper than Spohn's website.

DAVECS1

iTrader: (2)

It sounds like you have had a less than stellar purchase. I would contemplate trying to take down the establishment based on your singular experience. THe Forum you decided to air your dirty laundry on was at one time partially or fully funded by the company your bashing, heck maybe it still is. Also when there was NO support for thirdgens, this company was a sole safe source for those who were serious about speed.

These parts unfortunately are not for the casual car enthusiast. Maybe that is what should be stated in more simple language on the front page of the site. Most of the Spohn parts are made for a singular purpose. The geometries and designs tend to lend themselves more towards straight line launches. THough he is making some stuff to help with the twisties now also. One thing I can say is the Spohn stuff is the best material engineering you will find for our cars. The craftsmenship is also second to none. Not many companies are using 4140 plugs for reinforcement. His welds are continuous and have good penetration, they look like something you would find on a 2G certification test.

Today there are many companies catering to Thirdgens. They have hit there second lively hood as cheap racecars and first cars. The aftermarket has embraced this and flooded the market with knock offs of the original speed parts made by guys like Spohn and Lonny.

There is no excuse for bad customer service, but it takes two to tango. How many times have you been patinet with the people who called you out on a mistake? All I ask is think about who your bashing before you pull the trigger. It may not be the best idea to tear down someone who has had a large part in creating your hobby.

By the way the TDS wonderbar is the original and the best. I have had it on my car for 11 years .

UnderCover89TBI

iTrader: (25)

Man, I have never had any problem with SPOHN, UMI, Summit, Jegs. But again I have never had to ship a part back, or anything. I guess it's because I make sure its the right part and that I need it before I get it. But even at that I have had good luck with aftermarket products.

whitedevilTA

iTrader: (8)

Hell I'd spend the $50 on a new one over a used just for the fact that it's fresh and shiny. Having to spend 2 or more hours of my time to wire wheel and paint an old rusty one isn't worth the $25 savings to me.

While they may have been the original producers of parts for these cars when nobody else did, it still doesn't mean we should treat them like a god and forgive them for all thier mistakes. If I bought a part stated to list ALL 83 to 92 cars then it better damn fit ALL of them. I understand where the OP is coming from and it just means that Spohn did not do thier research before hand or they are purposely not posting the info to get more sales.

And to the OP, I never cared for the design of the Spohn stuff even though they are probably one of the better suspension companies out there. I went with BMR's stuff on 100% of my suspension and will never look back. The fit, finish, and overall quality are amazing and I never had one issue on a 25 year old car. Everytime I've needed to call in they are always awesome to talk to and the phone is always answered by a knowledgable salesperson.

iroc-z_23

iTrader: (1)

(no offense to you or spohn) but that defeats the purpose of this forum section if you cant state your opinion on a review. That's like saying you can say anything you want about other companies besides spohn. IF I was treated poorly with customer service with somebody that big of a supporter for 3rd gens, I'd almost have to be disappointed to be that big of a fan of one, which I am It's by far the best, but if you would of had the OP's experience; and many others that have also stated poor customer service and lack of product information, maybe you might think differently, maybe not. But It was obviously bad enough he wanted to start a thread about it

SLEEPER 86

I personally have had no bad experiences wih spohn. All my orders have been shipped quickly, and I have placed orders over the internet and by phone. My phone orders were all handled by Meghan, who was eager to please and always quick to ask the "guys" if there was something she wasn't sure about.
I have not had the misfortune of ordering something that did not fit from them, and if I did I would be disapointed if i had to pay return shipping. Perhaps this is an issue they should address.
I do agree that any company should be on top of posting fitment issues on their website as soon as they find out about about them.
Aftermarket parts don't always fit, it is an unfortunate fact about this hobby we all enjoy. Personally, I find it amazing that we can mix and match parts from hundreds of manufacturers and come up with anything that even runs, not to mention looks remotely like what we started with! The challenge of making something out of a handfull (or several rooms full!) of non related parts is what I find most enjoyable about this hobby (sport). Reseach is definitely the best way to ensure minimum agrivation and that has not changed over the 35 or so years I have been building and working on camaros. The availability of information (remember when hanging out at the local NAPA was the only source of usually dubious info?), and the availability of parts for camaros has increased exponentially over the years. The prices have kept pace as well!
Do your homework! Talk directly with your chosen vendors, and try not to get too agrivated when things don't work out perfectly the first time!
Eric B

dimented24x7

iTrader: (2)

This type of problem is common to all aftermarket parts. Thats why you need to use your brain and think rather than simply clicking the button to buy this or that. With so many different parts and setups, it takes some planning to get it all to work properly.

I have gotten a few parts that didnt work from Spohn, but they where nice and worked with me to modify the part to my specifications so it would fit as intended (my current driveshaft and xmember/t-arm for my TKO). Once the parts where modified, they worked well and provided reliable service over many miles. I think thats the most that can be expected from a company that makes lots of parts for many different applications. Rather than getting in a huff and forcing the part to fit, the best thing to do is call them and work out a solution.

The Project

iTrader: (6)

Or with 4th gen dual fans.

UMI makes one...in RED too.

UnderCover89TBI

iTrader: (25)

hit single fan cut a little tiny bit off then no problem. went to 4th gen fans. cleared no problem. and mine is red also. Made by Spohn.

Also I am sure they are going to be as nice as they can when they are trying to make a sale (money is coming in). But it is what happens when they get that call with a problem that is a true test of customer service.

But as I stated I never really have fitment problems that weren't hard to take care of. So I don't have to call. But I mostly look for UMI stuff now because Summit carries them.

b4ccamaro

Exactly!!! Everyone saying how wonderful they are have never called with problems. They will stick their noses up there as far as they need to to get the sale but after that you are on your own.

fireturd350

iTrader: (8)

Wonderbar cleared my dual permacool fans with the bottom OEM dual fan mount intact just fine. One bolt hole was a little off for my fitment. I blame the car since it had 100k+ miles on it. I enlarged the hole with the die grinder and slapped it one.

I'm running first generation design Spohn torque arm and I had to cut the angle iron bracket a little bit to clear the mufflex y pipe, but it fits barely after I dented the pipe.

If you're having that much trouble I'd recommend calling in and talking to Steve. I've had him on the phone before when a Tech couldn't answer my question. He was very nice.

feldme

Just to clarify the situation:

I am no casual enthusiast. I am a mechanical and biomedical engineer and now a surgeon. I am a former member of SAE and designed and raced formula SAE during undergrad. I have raced wka karts, then shifter karts, midgets and autocrossed since I was 12. I now have the money to pay people to work on my cars but love turning the wrench myself, particularly on my Z, the first fun car I bought and I've had for almost 20 years now. Although not as fast as my CTS-V or as flashy as my other german rides it holds sentimental value, has 34,000 orginal miles and has never seen rain or snow. However after 20 years all the suspension rubber needs refreshing, and TPiS is going to build me a numbers matching stock appearing sleeper 383 so I need to strengthen the whole setup.

It came with a factory wonderbar but a nice new powder coated version when I am replacing everything else was an easy decision.

I have spent north of $1500 with Spohn this order.

When calling for fitment issue not listed on thier website (they do however mention it requires cutting the fan mounts on the install sheet included with the wonderbar after they have your money), delayed receipt of my torque arm and shotty quality on their steering componets, Meghan the customer service manager in no uncertain terms said it fits, and they don't need to mention it requires cutting on their website because it does indeed fit with these modifications.

Although I have plenty of technical capability and tooling to cut the mounts, this was not something I had the desire to do.

All I asked for was a return shipping label. Given I paid $130 ground shipping initially for my order the $12 label didn't seem like too much to ask. Let's do some math folks, for less than 1% of the cost of my order Spohn management would rather insist that this is my fault, their part fits and refuse to pay for return shipping. Not a great business decision.

Being laughed at on the phone, and treated terribly is a direct reflection of the arrogance of at least Meghan or possibly the whole organization.

In the current marketplace (with numerous manufacturers of suspension components) I beileve it is my obligation to share my experience and then everyone can make an educated decision to chose where they spend their hard earned dollars.

Everyone makes mistakes or have aftermarket parts that don't fit. We all recognize it and I can be understanding of these issues with good customer service. However, rather than blaming the customer an upstanding company would apoligize for the issue, email a return shipping label, and I would have been on here posting about the positive experience with their customer service.

I have already ordered a replacement from TDS as well as SFCs and some other parts and Lon has been great. Shox.com has a smoking deal on Koni Sports for $630 for the 4 corner set. Thunder racing has also been quick with my rear end parts and upgrades.

So as the poster above complaining that Spohn was a previous sponsor so I shouldn't say anything bad about them can see I have ordered from many current and previous sponsors rather than the big boys (Jegs and Summit).

I call it like I see it. Good customer service is priceless, and Spohn doesn't have it, end of story.

Stephen

iTrader: (12)

I know a couple of years ago, UMI had gotten a handful of "complaints" that the UMI 2-pt STB they were selling did not fit under certain Firebird hoods, as believed, yet every test they ran it did fit. The only difference they could find was it wasn't fitting under the "GTA" hood. So they refunded people's money & found an independent person to test fit the UMI 2-pt STB under a GTA hood & report back on why.

So they GAVE AWAY (for the customer to keep) a UMI 2-pt STB in return for test fitting & reporting back as to exactly why it wouldn't fit & where.

It turns out that apparently the "GTA" hood has slightly different underhood bracing & that was what was hitting. As a result, the back of the hood would sit up by about 1/2". With some cutting of the bracing, it would fit.

Now THAT is Customer Service. No after the sale & customer complaining "Oh, if you cut stuff away, it'll fit.". No telling customers to pay return shipping.

I've passed up free, brand new, still wrapped Spohn parts, simply because I do not like their business practices. UMI all the way for my GTA!

bradley23150

iTrader: (10)

UMI actually kept giving me the run-around when I bought and paid for SFC's. Kept saying that they would be shipped, but took 3-4 calls for them to finally send them to me and at that point 3-4 weeks had passed. I dont remember exact details, because this was a while back, but Spohn called me when I had a problem with one of the addresses I gave, and cleared it up with me immediately and shipped it the next day. When I finally got the SFC's though, I have to admit they are high quality.

Stephen

iTrader: (12)

Without details, it kinda doesn't work. Just a very general story.

My UMI story was entirely publicly posted on TGO, by UMI.

bradley23150

iTrader: (10)

Thats okay, the fact remains. I think I posted it somewhere on here closer to when it happened but I dunno if I could find it. I am not saying I refuse to order from them again, but they were pretty damn lazy when it came to my order.