To make a long story short: I had to remove my downpipe from my car in order to gut the clogged catalytic converter (damn you N2MB WOT Box! but not really.). Upon reinstallation, just like EVERY OTHER TIME I try to mate the downpipe to the header, a leak appears. I had a sheet of fel-pro gasket material at home, and spent hours attempting to fix this (lying on my creeper underneath my car on jack stands in my garage). I tried using one gasket, two gaskets, no gaskets, a gasket and a half, a gasket and 3/4, and PJB, all to no avail.
After becoming agitated and slamming the car back down to the ground in anger, I pondered on what shop I should take it to this time to combat the infamous ZZP header/dp 2 bolt flange leak. Initially I was going to take it to Govel and have him weld the flange shut for good (I have a short fuse when I work on cars), but I knew that would catch up to me in the future. Besides, George is a very busy guy and will most likely need a few days, possibly even a week in advance, before he could attempt to do anything.
Then, a thought occurred to me: Albany Speed Shop. Not 2 minutes up the road from me (convenient), I fired up the Cobalt SS SuperService and headed to New Salem Saab.
As I entered, I wasn’t sure where to go since it was my first time there, so I asked a guy waiting and he pointed me t hrough the correct door. I was greeted by the two gentlemen in their offices, and introduced myself and how I heard about their business through this forum.
Not 10 minutes after explaining my situation, my Cobalt was up in the air and being inspected. I thought I was dreaming because NEVER have I been to a dealership, private shop, or hell even a first come first serve oil/tire shop where I was treated with such swift service and respect.
Another thing I quickly noticed was how friendly and down to earth every employee working there was, especially Darryl (FastTwins on here). I felt like I was talking with an old high school buddy I have known for years. I don’t know how else to describe it, but I felt very welcomed and in good hands at Albany Speed Shop.
Shortly thereafter, we came to the conclusion that the flat gaskets ZZP and I used on the header wasn’t up to the task of sealing a 2 bolt warped flange, so Darryl suggested a donut gasket. Again, quickly and efficiently he was at the parts desk ordering the correct items, which were due to arrive within 15 minutes.
Unfortunately, after Napa being dumpy and failing to deliver the proper gaskets that Darryl had asked for, we were shit out of luck. It was probably around 5PM, and nearing closing time with my car sitting in the air, gasket-less and unhappy.
Any other shop on this planet would have buttoned the car back up with no gasket, told me to come back the next day, and sent me on my way. Not at A.S.S. I had mentioned to Darryl how I should have stopped at Advance and grabbed the gasket before I even came to the shop. Darryl then asks if I want to go for a ride to pick it up. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Of course I obliged (I wanted the leak I have been dealing with for over year fixed, dammit!) and waited for him to put the half-ass gasket back in my car so we could cruise over to Advance.
Little did I know we would not be taking the Ecotec/Saab powered Cobalt SS to the store. Darryl and I headed towards the showroom to grab a car to take out. At this point I was ready to take a ride in a Saab, which would have been cool considering I have only been in one or two and they were nice (until the owners blew them up. cough Raucci)
Ahem. Sorry, I had something in my throat. I mean keyboard.
Anyway, Darryl opens up the door to a… 1967 Camaro, and has one of his employees open up the door to the showroom so we can get out and head to the parts store. This was one of the best trips to Advance I have taken in a long time, and after burning some rubber, passing stupid girls in Tauruses who can’t drive, and simply enjoying the sweet aroma of race gas, we arrived back at the shop with the correct part.
The rest is history. I was speechless when I left. The Cobalt was too, with its leak-free header/DP connection. I will say that the gasket needed to be re-torqued today as it did loosen up a tiny bit after beating the SHIT out of the car, but I just brought the car back and it was up in the air within 5 minutes. We retorqued the gasket, chatted for a bit, and then I was on my way.
My Rating: 5/5 stars. I would never be that generous in rating anything, whether it be girls, beer, ski resorts, or an automotive repair shop, but A.S.S. is simply a diamond in the rough in this industry and truly deserves a 5 star rating.
Conclusion: Staff/employees are simply the best in the area. Friendly, yes, but also knowledgeable in what they are doing! I can’t even come CLOSE to saying the same about anybody working at a GM dealer such as Denooyer, Depaula, etc.
Give Albany Speed Shop a shot the next time you need work performed on your ride. You’ll be glad you did.
:thumbup
For those of you familiar with the Colonie area, Albany Speed is where Denooyer Dodge used to be in those blue buildings. If you’re looking at the two buildings from Getty, it’s the one on the right.