A855 - 5 Speed

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A Tale of 2 Shippings

The one on the left:
  • 6 grand
  • Particle board, bottom, top, sides
  • Wood is 1/2 by, 1 by, and a few 2 by 4s
  • 1" screws, a few 2" screws thru sides into 2x4s
  • Packed and shipped 250 miles for $130
  • Arrived with trans completely loose, though never secured, with multiple marks
  • Arrived second time, crate completely destroyed, trans shift studs damaged, input shaft stuck, trans and shifter mount went thru crate in multiple areas, as well as damage from outside thru crate
  • Sent by well known aftermarket Mopar company

The one on the right:
  • 1/5 the cost
  • Plywood, high grade, all
  • Wood is 1x and 2x, one 2x4 removed in pic
  • Tailshaft fully supported with 2x4s all the way to the bottom
  • 2" screws throughout
  • Packed and shipped 990 miles for $200
  • Trans is bolted, lock nuts, and strapped with padding
  • Padding throughout crate, some removed for pic
  • Brought directly to a FedEx hub, goes directly on plane, avoids trucking one way
  • Received in 2 days
  • Arrived completely intact, undamaged, crate undamaged
  • Sent by fabo member

20200720_215204.jpg
 
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No, you're not the only one, but you're in the minority. That's not a good thing. It speaks volumes about the lack of quality in this JUNK they are passin off.
Boy am I glad I did not pull that trigger. I was really close. I want to say something to the people who are standing up for the 855. First, I am truly glad you are having good luck with your trannies. However, let's say 10% of the trannies were junk, but PASSON did an excellent job of taking care of the problem to the customer's satisfaction in a timely manner. We would be OK with that, right? Specially if Passon said they knew about the problem and were working hard to fix it. However, if 10% were junk and the owners received POOR, SLOW service with repair, replacement or refund, then the company deserves the bad press and having their product called JUNK. It's all about how a company takes care of problems, and PASSON is NOT taking care of problems. If he is going to screw people over like this, he deserves any bad press he gets, even if 90% are good.
 
7/20/20 Monday - I leave at 7:30 am to make the 2hr 5min drive and be there for 10am.
I arrive at 9:52.
He calls at 9:54, traffic, be there 10-15 minutes late, arrives at 10:15.
Checks over shifter, rods, trans.
Sends me paypal payment.
I receive an email from paypal stating an eCheck payment in progress.
Should be Money is Waiting for You, wtf.
So, I have to research because I have never heard of it and neither has he.

I discover, according to paypal, there are two scenarios for a paypal eCheck:
1) Payment sent as refund - did you send it as a refund?
No.
2) Paypal account has no credit card attached to the account - do you have a credit card attached to your paypal account?
No.

That's great, it takes 3-5 business days for it to clear, basically it is the same as a check, it is a check.
Paypal will not send the money instantly, no matter how much you have in your account, because they have nothing to hit if your account has insufficient funds.

I stated many times, paypal instant transfer or cash, it has to be immediate before I hand over the trans, due to the baloney to date. I didn't even think for a minute that you could get a paypal account without a credit card, and I certainly didn't think a business, an incorporated business, and it is, I checked, would have a lame paypal account that couldn't send money instantly to customers, suppliers, anyone.

Luckily, I covered all the scenarios I could think of for this exchange and what I should do. If he showed up with a check, or a business check, or anything else. Cashier's check or a check drawn from the business were the only acceptable scenarios.
Cashier's because the funds are immediately deducted from their account by their bank, their bank holds the funds in escrow, and the funds behind the cashier's check are directly from the bank.
Business check, although not as iron clad, demonstrates a debt acknowledged and owed by the business.

So, I had to make a decision that I thought I did everything possible to avoid. I had a witness with me, snapped a few pics, and handed over the transmission and shifter.

Not ideal, however, I believe the reality is there was not going to be any other alternative, and probably no other opportunity.
Based on all the time he spent on this already, I would have to drive the entire way next time, I do not foresee a credit card being added to the paypal account, and I can certainly see everyone pushing that they did everything and I declined, therefore I'm sol.

An additional 3-5 business days before this is 100% done.

So let me see if I got this up to this point. You bought yet ANOTHER transmission from a FABO member and as of NOW, TODAY, you are out of pocket for TWO transmissions, because of some stupidness that's "THEIR FAULT". Have I got that right? Damn. Just DAMN.
 
The reality is I am out pocket well north of the refund amount. 18 spline clutch and shifter handle for the A855, as well as the cost of a replacement 23 spline trans, and I still need a 23 spline clutch and shifter.

Are you referring to the above statement?

Whether it is that exactly or something similar I've stated, let me clarify.

Jamie has been crying about not having the money to provide a refund, that he didn't have 6 grand, (yet he told me he had over 18k in his account when we met), that he's waiting on Christine, he has nothing to refund because he didn't get the money, etc.

All of which is irrelevant to the customer, just own it.

Whether I called Passon, GFI, or John, it was always about their problems, never mine, they're out of pocket for this or that, they immediately list all their problems and never stop, they don't have time and can't say when they will, they've come up with a solution then decide not to honor it, etc, etc.

Even last week, when I said I could meet Friday or Monday, I stressed that I needed to sort out my schedule, work, childcare, etc, as well, and he needed to recognize that. It didn't matter, not even in one ear so couldn't make it out the other.

He couldn't make time Friday, and he was so inconvenienced on Monday because he had to push a client to later in the day, so it was Monday morning or nothing because he spent enough time on it and wasn't spending anymore.

This is how all 3 operate, Passon, GFI, John Huff. And to make it better, they all blame each other, talk **** about each other, to me.

Heck, if I had an A855 with no issues, I would think they're all the best because they came together to make something great and fill a void. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Yes, I'm out of pocket for 2 trans now, because this pos 5 speed was out and never going back in, so I needed to move forward, which means getting another trans.

I knew for a fact that by the time the fabo trans was ready to ship, I would have the 5 speed out, need a new trans, and either have a refund or heading to civil court.

And I just want to note, the fabo member needed a few weeks to crate/ship, knew my situation, and I told him upfront I didn't need the refund to pay him.

Brewer's didn't have one, and I was able to find a member on here who is well known, refreshes, sells, and ships trans regularly.
He sent pics, I spoke to him on a number of occasions, and he just texted me about sending me a shifter mount because mine is shot.

Everything done to the trans was explained to me before purchase, pics were sent of the crate before it went out, as that was a big concern, and he called me the day I got it and educated me some more and answered questions.

I needed another trans, car, need, go.
It was either coming from a respectable company, like Brewer's, or on this forum.

And the reality is, before this debacle, Passon was at the top of the list of respectable companies, so I'm not overly concerned on an inexpensive, tried and tested design, A833 trans from a fabo member who is in fact a better part-time businessman, no contest, with a day job than Passon on every level.

I wasn't blaming anyone for having 2 trans at once, only trying to get across that it's not about them, I'm tired of listening to their problems, I'm the customer and I am suffering the consequences of your dysfunctional business arrangement and total lack of ownership - and I asked that he put himself in my shoes.

He couldn't.

Did you finish your popcorn?
 
Passon should have just refunded me the money I paid him, way back when John asked him to.

Why the f#@$ do I have to wait for him to get the money from I don't give a f#@$ who before he can pay me back the check from me that he cashed?

If he wants to get the money he pays me back from liar, then he can do it on his own time and leave me out of it.

He couldn't understand that at all, and it's quite simple - I paid you, you did whatever with it, I don't care, you give it back!

If he gave it to his grandma would I have to wait for the reading of the will?

I'm out 6k, he agreed to a refund, and I have to listen to whining about how he doesn't have that amount of money, it's a lot of money to be out, and liar didn't want to send me a refund before I shipped it because it's a lot of money to be out.

Yeah, no kidding, it's a lot to be out, you don't get that I realize that, I'm living it, and you'd be out for what, a few weeks while you argue with liar.
Try a year.

Then he tells me don't worry about paypal, he's got over 18k in there.

Stupid squared shouldn't pile on the lies if unable to keep track of them.
 
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You story pisses me off, not only for your own sake but because it is one that has been told a thousand times. I take some solace in the belief that these are the same people who for no apparent reason get stomach cancer or hit by a bus.

It's a classic mechanism....give excuses, deflect blame, and other rat-like behavior. I love the part where you tell him your schedule and need for some notice and it gets ignored. That's passive-aggressive behavior if there ever was such a thing.
 
Damn man. All of this sucks from get to go. ......but don't call it junk? Yeah, right. I sure am sorry. I'm glad though, that you have courage enough to come forward with your story. If that stops at least one person from going through this, you've done your job.
 
I just want to truly thank everyone.
This was close to the worst experience ever for us, and for so very long.

A number of you pushed me in the right direction, and called out my stupidity for still believing in giving people a chance to make it right when they had exhausted all opportunities, or calling me out for self pity, or inaction, or whatever.
Thank you.

A number of you provided great insight and motivation to keep going.
Thank you.

A number of you are a pain in the ***.
Thank you.

A member on fbbo helped me out immensely as well.
Thank you.

You people are the best.
 
Hey, fabo, word is there's a blue 5 speed trans, and another a-body trans in stock.
Who's next on the list?
 
Yes, that's what came out of it so I have almost everything.
My shifter mount is wrong, for earlier years and only has 2 holes - correct one on the way.
Got the shifter rebuild kit, need to do that, steel bushings and clips on the way, got the new clutch and bearing.
I need to sort out 1 shifter rod, 3834, adjuster is stuck, tried penetrating stuff, heat, it's soaking in evaporust now.

Hopefully be back together soon.

I mean, why would anyone swap out an A833? They'd have to be crazy stupid.
 
Yes, that's what came out of it so I have almost everything.
My shifter mount is wrong, for earlier years and only has 2 holes - correct one on the way.
Got the shifter rebuild kit, need to do that, steel bushings and clips on the way, got the new clutch and bearing.
I need to sort out 1 shifter rod, 3834, adjuster is stuck, tried penetrating stuff, heat, it's soaking in evaporust now.

Hopefully be back together soon.

I mean, why would anyone swap out an A833? They'd have to be crazy stupid.

Just askin.......have you considered the A833OD transmission?
 
Yes, I seriously did consider the OD.
In fact, jtkaaa07 had one, or was it two, with the shifter, and they were both cast iron.

It had the bellhousing on it, but it was for a small block. He had a friend with a big block bell for it that wasn't ready to let it go, iirc the bb bells actually came in trucks. I'm not sure how readily available the bb bells are, but I couldn't find another one.

I found 2 trans locally, within 4 hrs drive, both with shifters, one cast, one aluminum, both with sb bells, $500 and $900.

An OD and the associated parts, probable rebuild or at a minimum refresh, was beginning to balloon in $ and time.

I've also found concerns about the amount of power, hp or torque, both were referred to, that an OD can take. I didn't take this part very far, so I'm not convinced either way, but it's a 383 that's up there and the plan is to go a little more.

There is a company that sells the gear set to convert an A833 to OD, or a complete OD, however it's sold by you know who and made by you know the other who. In addition, there was the fbbo member who just got one, questioned a 2nd gear noise, and was told nothing to see here. I'm no expert, but that doesn't sound correct.
 
For the record, I also looked into the tremec 5 and 6 speed.
Spoke to a number of companies that sell kits.
The 6 speed was out, too big, I didn't want to modify the floor pan to that degree, and couldn't with the bench.
The 5 speed was out as well. Not as much modification to the floor, but I got measurements from a few companies, and the shifter ended up extremely close to my bench seat. It would fit, but the boot would be under the seat, and I wasn't convinced the bench would fit back in, or it would go into gear against the seat, even though the throw is much shorter.
Plus it moved the shifter over to the right, centered, and I didn't like that.

For both, I also didn't have the funds to start that project, even if I sourced a trans from somewhere else, or used.
 
Got mine in Sept. 2017. Behind a 417 stroker with W2 heads. Once i replace the GL-5 for GL-4 lube, work quite nicely. The more i use it, the better it works. Proud owner of that transmission. Not a pile a crap here.
 
Not that this is anybody's business, but since you've thrown all this out here, has that check cleared yet?
 
Mine was marked 'Tested 10/31/17'
John said that was right before they went to cheap parts as they were losing money.
He said something like, that should have been one of the good ones.

He invested in 2015, tested my trans in 2017, which popped out on the first drive, and claimed he was the one who came up with the 'better' particle board crate idea.

I don't even know what to say anymore, in retrospect none of that makes sense.

Some have a good trans, and will probably enjoy it for a long time. It appears they screwed up a good thing, somehow, and no one is capable of figuring out what or how.

I just can't stress it enough, it's not about the trans anymore.

And, imo, it is everyone's business if the check cleared. I would tell you if it didn't, so I'd be an *** if I didn't tell you it did.

I check paypal everyday, twice a day.

Paypal states 3-5 business days, but up to 6 days in their legal jargon.

Friday was technically day 4. I expect it Monday and will follow up.
 
Mine was marked 'Tested 10/31/17'
John said that was right before they went to cheap parts as they were losing money.
He said something like, that should have been one of the good ones.

He invested in 2015, tested my trans in 2017, which popped out on the first drive, and claimed he was the one who came up with the 'better' particle board crate idea.

I don't even know what to say anymore, in retrospect none of that makes sense.

Some have a good trans, and will probably enjoy it for a long time. It appears they screwed up a good thing, somehow, and no one is capable of figuring out what or how.

I just can't stress it enough, it's not about the trans anymore.

And, imo, it is everyone's business if the check cleared. I would tell you if it didn't, so I'd be an *** if I didn't tell you it did.

I check paypal everyday, twice a day.

Paypal states 3-5 business days, but up to 6 days in their legal jargon.

Friday was technically day 4. I expect it Monday and will follow up.

Ok....I was just checkin out of concern for this "whole mess". Good luck man. I hope you do get your money back. I would send them a bill for removal of theirs and installation of the A833.
 
I would send them a bill for removal of theirs and installation of the A833.

And installation of the 855, and removal of the 855, and the installation of the 855.

Cleared to paypal, transferring to my bank today, should get it tomorrow.

From the day 1 of the issue, the day of my first test drive, to the end of this nightmare, tomorrow, that will be a total of 12 days shy of a year. Period.
 
And installation of the 855, and removal of the 855, and the installation of the 855.

Cleared to paypal, transferring to my bank today, should get it tomorrow.

From the day 1 of the issue, the day of my first test drive, to the end of this nightmare, tomorrow, that will be a total of 12 days shy of a year. Period.

Well at least THAT part of it will be over. Damn! What a nightmare.
 
after seeing this crap i'm not so sure now.. he needs to publicly separate himself from this garbage..

I've been following the 855 project since day one. Talked to Jamie and his father every year st the Nats until fiinally, there it was, ready for orders several years ago. I never imagined I'd spend that much for s trans but recently did, a new Tremec. This thread was partially the reason.

I attended Carlisle a few weeks ago but did not speak to Jamie or buy any parts this time. I did cruise through his display though.
Not a single 855 in sight.
 
I never imagined I'd spend that much for s trans but recently did, a new Tremec. This thread was partially the reason.

yea this thread sure would make most go that route. plus in 5 years you know you'll still be able to get tremec parts if ya need them.
 
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