I researched placed to rebuild an engine for a Chevy Blazer (2001). Thunderbolt quoted $2495 for the rebuild. I asked them lots of questions about hoses, additional parts, labor, lifters, guides, everything. Since I have rebuilt one myself in the past, I knew what to ask. They assured me that $2495 was their "out the door" cost for the whole job.
I gave the go ahead and a $1000 deposit. Once the engine was out, they called and told me the cost would be $1500 more. The itemized list they provided included every single thing I had questioned them about, only with an additional charge for each one. These folks are deceptive.
After all, once the engine is out, you really can't back out of the deal, can you? They lied outright in several conversations prior to beginning the work, and set me up for a bad financial surprise.
I would strongly recommend to others that they NOT use Thunderbolt's services. If you do, you should assume you will pay a great deal more than they quote you.
I brought a 454 chevy suburban 1999 in for an engine rebuild. It was running when I brought it in. I got a $6,000 rebuild new block and an engine that would not run. it took 46 days when I brought it in they said 14 days. i took it back for warranty work and 21 days later I stopped by to check on the progress. Steve told me the truck was at the Mechanic's house. what the ? he was visibly shacken seeing me there in person. I aske how much longer. he said the engine was still in the truck! they had not started. so much for service or trust. now I think I will see what other options I have
The positive - Thunderbolt rebuilt my engine; although it took 11 weeks from the time the vehicle arrived on property till I was notified it was ready for pickup. But the engine is running great.
The cons - less than two weeks after having my vehicle back I had to return to Thunderbolt to have the rear main seal replaced. My vehicle was with Thunderbolt for another two weeks from the time it arrived on property till I was told it was ready for pickup. I understand these type of repairs take time. I would expect a more realistic estimate than "we can have the seal replaced and on your way by the end of the week". I forgot to ask what week.
The second con - I've had my vehicle back and driven roughly 10,000 miles since having the engine rebuilt. I now have to return the vehicle to Thunderbolt a second time, either because the bolt holding the manifold to the engine has either come completely off or has broken off.
Things happen. The bolt is in a part of the vehicle that heats up and cools down on at least a daily basis if not more. In order for me to have the 'bolt' replaced regardless if it is missing or broken, I need to pay for the cost of the labor since it has been past 90 days.
During my conversation with Steve, I found out that bolts are re-used unless specifically noted on the repair order. Steve also informed me that this type of bolt does break because of the location of the bolt on the engine and due to the fact it heats up and cools down numerous times over the life of the engine.
So knowing that the bolt is prone to breaking under such extreme conditions, why would anyone re-use the bolt? I can make hasty generalizations all day long; but here is my guess....The mechanic inserted the bolt, used the torque wrench and accidently over-torqued the bolt. Now the bolt is over-torqued; the integrity of an already used bolt has been diminished, thus expediting a failure. Again, a hasty generalization, but who re-uses equipment that is that sensitive?
Getting off my soapbox.....The engine runs great. If you are able to get past the completely unprofessional office staff and their poor telephone manners then you might enjoy working with Thunderbolt. If you have the time and money to possible deal with poor workmanship and people who talk down to you, then Thunderbolt might be the place for you.
Knowing what I know now, I would have done research on all places that are qualified to rebuild an engine and work on said engine. I do not recommend Thunderbolt and I also don't appreciate the false claim made on their website that 100% customers are satisfied. I am far from satisfied and will recommend that any person wanting work done on their engine or transmission to avoid Thunderbolt.
Don't try and speak with the owner Harry, because he is rarely onsite. Instead you get to work with Tommy, Darrell or Steve who are about as useful as a porn magazine to a blind man.
Thunderbolt Engine Transmission Repair Houston Reviews
I researched placed to rebuild an engine for a Chevy Blazer (2001). Thunderbolt quoted $2495 for the rebuild. I asked them lots of questions about hoses, additional parts, labor, lifters, guides, everything. Since I have rebuilt one myself in the past, I knew what to ask. They assured me that $2495 was their "out the door" cost for the whole job.
I gave the go ahead and a $1000 deposit. Once the engine was out, they called and told me the cost would be $1500 more. The itemized list they provided included every single thing I had questioned them about, only with an additional charge for each one. These folks are deceptive.
After all, once the engine is out, you really can't back out of the deal, can you? They lied outright in several conversations prior to beginning the work, and set me up for a bad financial surprise.
I would strongly recommend to others that they NOT use Thunderbolt's services. If you do, you should assume you will pay a great deal more than they quote you.
I brought a 454 chevy suburban 1999 in for an engine rebuild. It was running when I brought it in. I got a $6,000 rebuild new block and an engine that would not run. it took 46 days when I brought it in they said 14 days. i took it back for warranty work and 21 days later I stopped by to check on the progress. Steve told me the truck was at the Mechanic's house. what the ? he was visibly shacken seeing me there in person. I aske how much longer. he said the engine was still in the truck! they had not started. so much for service or trust. now I think I will see what other options I have
The positive - Thunderbolt rebuilt my engine; although it took 11 weeks from the time the vehicle arrived on property till I was notified it was ready for pickup. But the engine is running great.
The cons - less than two weeks after having my vehicle back I had to return to Thunderbolt to have the rear main seal replaced. My vehicle was with Thunderbolt for another two weeks from the time it arrived on property till I was told it was ready for pickup. I understand these type of repairs take time. I would expect a more realistic estimate than "we can have the seal replaced and on your way by the end of the week". I forgot to ask what week.
The second con - I've had my vehicle back and driven roughly 10,000 miles since having the engine rebuilt. I now have to return the vehicle to Thunderbolt a second time, either because the bolt holding the manifold to the engine has either come completely off or has broken off.
Things happen. The bolt is in a part of the vehicle that heats up and cools down on at least a daily basis if not more. In order for me to have the 'bolt' replaced regardless if it is missing or broken, I need to pay for the cost of the labor since it has been past 90 days.
During my conversation with Steve, I found out that bolts are re-used unless specifically noted on the repair order. Steve also informed me that this type of bolt does break because of the location of the bolt on the engine and due to the fact it heats up and cools down numerous times over the life of the engine.
So knowing that the bolt is prone to breaking under such extreme conditions, why would anyone re-use the bolt? I can make hasty generalizations all day long; but here is my guess....The mechanic inserted the bolt, used the torque wrench and accidently over-torqued the bolt. Now the bolt is over-torqued; the integrity of an already used bolt has been diminished, thus expediting a failure. Again, a hasty generalization, but who re-uses equipment that is that sensitive?
Getting off my soapbox.....The engine runs great. If you are able to get past the completely unprofessional office staff and their poor telephone manners then you might enjoy working with Thunderbolt. If you have the time and money to possible deal with poor workmanship and people who talk down to you, then Thunderbolt might be the place for you.
Knowing what I know now, I would have done research on all places that are qualified to rebuild an engine and work on said engine. I do not recommend Thunderbolt and I also don't appreciate the false claim made on their website that 100% customers are satisfied. I am far from satisfied and will recommend that any person wanting work done on their engine or transmission to avoid Thunderbolt.
Don't try and speak with the owner Harry, because he is rarely onsite. Instead you get to work with Tommy, Darrell or Steve who are about as useful as a porn magazine to a blind man.