LowBugget.com - A.J. Simms - [email protected]

[Glenn]

[Budes45]

All I know is long before this issue ever happened (March 2006) I tried to discuss buying a set of heads from AJ and his arrogance and total lack of professionalism turned me off. There are too many other quality people in this industry to have to deal with a person who does not understand how to communicate with potential customers or in this case a paying customer. His actions don’t surprise me at all.

[Droolman]

a friend just ordered a complete turbo kit. AJ said it would take about 6 weeks. I just wonder how long it will really take now.
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1967 blue bug

1965 drag bug

[mark6baja]

I had been looking at AJ's website, considering maybe getting a turbo kit. After reading all this, NOT ANY MORE! I'll take my business somewhere else.

[juki48]

I've ordered heads, p/c's, cam, lifters, and tons of parts everything looks great. I got my heads sooner than I was told. I also like how you pay half up front and half when they are done. that makes it easier to buy. I will buy from him again!

[Enkiel]

over 6 months later.... what happened?

[particlefield]

I decided to buy a turbo kit fall of 07 after having done some research and price comparisons. I wasn't in a hurry but you know the old saying... you can't have Its done fast, well, and cheap. My 1835 ran like crap with the setup I had and so it was time to do something with the mess. Given what I talked to several people about power outputs of naturally aspirated vehicles compared to a draw though system like what AJ sells the choice was easy. In fact I could only find 1 person that actually makes a fricken turbo system that fits under the deck lid. People must think wow he has a nice cam. I think some guys out there advertise custom build efi systems that can fit under the deck lid, but they cost twice as much. What the selling point over the 2 for me was the Holley setup. If you ever tried to jet a carb before, you can see the allure to the setup. Its as easy a tuning a solex carb and thats about as easy as it gets plus when you boost the dang thing gives it more fuel so you don't have to worry about leaning it out and choking it out when you idle. So I was totally sold on the kit.

I called the shop talked to AJ and told him what I had and wanted the kit with a couple extras: evac, bunghole. I already had everything else. There where a couple people in front of me I think it took like 2 months to get to me. I wasn't working really hard on it in the rain and snow. It sat for a little while but thankfully the shop doesn't have a 30 day policy or any of that crap. I had to call em alot on the phone. The first problem I had was omg I'm missing the bunghole and evac. I payed for it but somehow it got missed. I sent it back. The where really good about reimbursement for shipping and handling. I also noticed I was missing even more. I think I was missing a locked out distributor and accelerator cable. I got bummed when I hooked it all up and noticed that the deck lid wouldn't close. I called em up and they told me a couple options to try. going with smaller assembly bolts seemed like the best option so I tried that and shifted the assembly to make it fit and wallah. Then I tried to fit the exhaust pipe on and it hit the firewall. At some point when I called em about the exhaust we realize I was missing part of the evac. They also said I was not the only person who had run into the firewall problem. I sent some pictures to AJ showing him how things looked. Even he was like yikes when he saw the exhaust housing. I told him If I would have it was gonna rust like that I would have coated it. So when I sent it in I told him I wanted the eye soar coated. I gess I really made out cause instead of paying me back for the cost of shipping almost the hole kit back, for an up pipe and and tighter exhaust bending, they didn't charge me the $95 to coat the housing. AJ has been very helpful in helping me to get it tuned even though it was 6 months ago that i had first gotten it. I've only gotten a couple quick drives on it but haven't been able to do the last of the dialing in on the motor cause of all the stinking fires in norcal. I guess my only dissatisfaction is not knowing how I'm going to get a better air filter. The one that comes with it isn't smoke or water friendly. Unfortunately K&N doesn't make a filter to fit. A race shop here seems to think they can get or make one to fit, but they need to see the car obviously. I burned up my starter too so that doesn't help. I can say that even with a couple hundred pounds of luggage 18* advance on 15lbs boost with an 1835 is more insane than my ZZ4 /w powerglide and 2200 stall and 3.73 rear was at least around town. I know AJ changes and makes the kit better all the time. IMO some changes should be weld the bung sensor before the evac so you don't get a false lean, and put high temp silicone return oil line on instead of that super duty hose. Its good but the silicone is way more flexible so it doesn't cockeye the distributor. Also instead of using all those brass fittings on the return plate use 1 barb that sticks strait out and up. This was the only thing that made sense to me. It doesn't get in the way of the wide distributors and it makes it allot easier to get both bolts over each stud.

[Bill271]

Cmon guys i just read 19 pages and no outcome? Whats happening?

[MConstable]

[bajafreaks]

I had my carbs redone and bought some parts from A.J.
When I talked to him on turn around time he said 2-3 weeks, well 7 weeks later and (missing the sacramento bugarama) I got my stuff. Called once a week and got the run around, emailed and got no return emails, once I got my parts had a problem with my fuel gauge, left a message no return call. I will not deal with them in the future, he may be the guru of kadrons but his service sucks!!!

[fathing]

I didn't bother to read all pages in this thread. I am an international customer and I have been treated super fine every time. I bought several heads, a turbo system and other goodies from him. He even organised stuff from other suppliers just to ease my shopping experiance. Granted it may take some time to get his good stuff but at least he never promised anything else. He is very honest when it comes to delivery times. When he tells you you have to wait 6 month then thats how long it is going to take. I got all my parts in the time promised. I get very fair prices and they go put of their way to help. A.J. dislikes Emails but he talks to you on the phone. He is very helpfull with good tips no matter if it is about Turbo, normaly aspirated engines, chassis settings, do's and dont's on the strip etc. Consider that it is a small shop, highly specialized and knowledgable. Not a lot of employees and a Owner/Manager who cares. I regard A.J. as a fine man, an honest supplier. His employee Joe is allways very helpfull and courtious as well. These are my 2 cents. Cheers Dom

[scottsain]

After 6 months of waiting for an engine from AJ I got a refund from my card and called Jason at VW Paradise. I got my engine in a very reasonable time frame and it is amazing. I put it in, fabbed up some oil and fuel lines and started it up. No hitches, leaks, or any other problems. At 7-10 lbs. of boost it is a scream.
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CLICK HERE / BE HERE

www.germanaire.com

November 14, 2015

https://www.facebook.com/groups/germanaire/



1966 Turbo Beetle
1970 Ghia Roadster
1970 Sunroof Sedan
2006 Manx Clone Buggy
1961 Ragtop Beetle
1970 Cal Look Beetle

[Hotrodvw]

You can be sure they/he won't get a red cent out of me.
_________________
'67 Sunroof
Eric

78x94 with IDA's....oober fun

Horsepower is an addiction........Addictions cost
lots of money!

Hose & Fittings

[MTIguy]

Called AJ do do some work on some KADRONS. Spoke a few times prior to sending the work. He told me I would be fifth in line and turn around would take about 6 weeks. Sent the carbs, got the full treatment.

Added an SVDA, muffler and pointless ignition to the bill midway. Got my stuff back week 5 everything was immaculate, packed well no problems.

Kudos to AJ Simms and his team. I recommend him any day.

[RTKings]

Be careful of Low Bugget and their 'hidden cost'. I just ordered a small plastic replacement piece for my Kadron carb. It was $8. When I placed the ordered, I asked if we could place this in an envelope to save on the shipping. They said no problem - $8.42 total. Envelope arrived today, and they charged me $5 to place this in the envelope? Would have been nice if the quoted me this BEFORE they agreed to sell it for $8.42 total. I spent $13 on a part I could have bought elsewhere for less then $10 with shipping.

Very Bad business - will not be back.
_________________
'64 1500 'S' with sunroof
'64 Ghia convertible
'61 Bug
'79 Super Beetle Convertible

[Hotrodvw]

Did you call him, since he obviously over charged you?????
_________________
'67 Sunroof
Eric

78x94 with IDA's....oober fun

Horsepower is an addiction........Addictions cost
lots of money!

Hose & Fittings

[RTKings]

[bugninva]

I bet that makes you feel much better....
_________________

[Hotrodvw]

My ass would be knocking on his door looking to talk to him directly. OR........PM him here muy pronto.
_________________
'67 Sunroof
Eric

78x94 with IDA's....oober fun

Horsepower is an addiction........Addictions cost
lots of money!

Hose & Fittings

[charliew]

I found this thread while searching for feedback on a guy that ripped me on some popout windows. Everett was very helpful and gave me a copy of the add very promptly which was as I said it was.

I have bought some plugs and wires from aj and I think he knows what he is doing but maybe let an employee fool him or relaxed a little too much on looking over the employees shoulder. It's obvious he didn't handle the motor problem like we would like to hear about.

If I lived close to someone who screwed me out of 10k I'm not sure what I would do although a relative has gotten to me for way more than that.

It looks like freak has gotten something from aj or this would be still going.

I think the people that are not honest is part of life and it happens and the only thing that can be done is make others aware of them on this and other sites.

I guess you can say I'm lucky I only wasted 210.00