2002_Viper_GTS_ACR
Enthusiast
My battle with Paxton Automotive's poorly designed super charger offering for the Gen II Viper, has been a long road. I have finally recovered some of my money back, from the products obvious inability to perform as advertised. The following is a note I sent to my bank to recover the funds spent on Paxton Automotive's Super Charger kit for Gen II Viper:
"I purchased a Paxton Super Charger Kit for my 2002 Dodge Viper (Car) on December 16, 2003 after discussing with Sales associate Kelly Herring from Paxton Automotive Corporation my cars configuration and Paxton's Super Charger offering for my vehicle type. The merchandise arrived on the December 26, 2003. I installed said merchandise per the instruction manual December 26-28, 2003 on my 2002 Dodge Viper. On December 29, 2003 I took the vehicle and newly installed Super Charger kit to Dynometer Testing Facility to accurately and scientifically check my Vehicles operation with said kit installed. The readings done on my vehicle by the test machine indicated that Paxton delivered on the increase in power, but failed to deliver "safe, reliable operation" solution they promised in their advertisement. The engine was being run with dangerously low amounts of fuel (poor Air to Fuel ratio) given the amount of power it was producing. I contacted Paxton regarding this situation, and was assured that a simple fix was in order. Kelly Herring directed me to change the recalibration of my fuel management system, with their supplied recalibration kit. I followed the directions that came with the kit and made the necessary recalibration. Then on 1/17/2004, I once again had my car retested to make sure this recalibration was the solution to the problem. Upon the first test, it was readily apparent the recalibration did little to rectify the situation. I contacted Paxton Automotive Corporation on January 20, 2003 and once again spoke to Kelly Herring regarding my issue. This time Kelly was far less helpful then his previously lacking support had been. I was told that everything was fine and if I needed further insight into this products use and safety that I should contact Mike Adams, a reseller of Paxton Supercharging Kits. Due to the lack of support from Paxton Automotive regarding my concerns, inability to resolve my issue, poor reliability of said product, and eventual damage of my engine from their Super Charger kit, I spoke to Jamie Rabago, Paxton Automotive Corporations Service Manager, in an attempt to receive restitution for defective product. After two weeks of discussions I was told that Paxton Automotive could not assist me, and was not liable for the failure of their product.
In summary, I was promised a "Paxton's new Dodge Viper system is the ultimate for the street in a smog legal bolt-on package" and "Complete fuel system upgrade includes dual high-flow fuel pumps, fuel control unit, fuel lines and wiring harness for safe, reliable operation" Paxton Failed to deliver on the "safe, reliable operation." Due to the Paxton Automotive Super Charger kit's damage to my engine, I have been forced to obtain alternate means of transportation as my engine is being rebuilt/car is getting fixed. All of which Paxton is forcing me to carry the complete burden of the cost and inconvenience."
My bank researched this issue, which lasted almost 4 months, but eventually the decision was found to be in my favor, my bank charged back to Paxton for the product and I returned it to Paxton Automotive. While I have fully recovered the cost of the products purchase, no restitution was made for the damage sustained to my engine or the loss of use of my vehicle directly related to this product. I expect none at this point, but I think it’s critical that I finally come forward as to the details of the situation, so that others can make an informed purchase. I might get flamed here, or beat up by the Paxton reps on here, or even Paxton directly, but in the end if I save 1 person from making an uninformed decision about buying their Viper product, then it will have been worth it.
Jon
"I purchased a Paxton Super Charger Kit for my 2002 Dodge Viper (Car) on December 16, 2003 after discussing with Sales associate Kelly Herring from Paxton Automotive Corporation my cars configuration and Paxton's Super Charger offering for my vehicle type. The merchandise arrived on the December 26, 2003. I installed said merchandise per the instruction manual December 26-28, 2003 on my 2002 Dodge Viper. On December 29, 2003 I took the vehicle and newly installed Super Charger kit to Dynometer Testing Facility to accurately and scientifically check my Vehicles operation with said kit installed. The readings done on my vehicle by the test machine indicated that Paxton delivered on the increase in power, but failed to deliver "safe, reliable operation" solution they promised in their advertisement. The engine was being run with dangerously low amounts of fuel (poor Air to Fuel ratio) given the amount of power it was producing. I contacted Paxton regarding this situation, and was assured that a simple fix was in order. Kelly Herring directed me to change the recalibration of my fuel management system, with their supplied recalibration kit. I followed the directions that came with the kit and made the necessary recalibration. Then on 1/17/2004, I once again had my car retested to make sure this recalibration was the solution to the problem. Upon the first test, it was readily apparent the recalibration did little to rectify the situation. I contacted Paxton Automotive Corporation on January 20, 2003 and once again spoke to Kelly Herring regarding my issue. This time Kelly was far less helpful then his previously lacking support had been. I was told that everything was fine and if I needed further insight into this products use and safety that I should contact Mike Adams, a reseller of Paxton Supercharging Kits. Due to the lack of support from Paxton Automotive regarding my concerns, inability to resolve my issue, poor reliability of said product, and eventual damage of my engine from their Super Charger kit, I spoke to Jamie Rabago, Paxton Automotive Corporations Service Manager, in an attempt to receive restitution for defective product. After two weeks of discussions I was told that Paxton Automotive could not assist me, and was not liable for the failure of their product.
In summary, I was promised a "Paxton's new Dodge Viper system is the ultimate for the street in a smog legal bolt-on package" and "Complete fuel system upgrade includes dual high-flow fuel pumps, fuel control unit, fuel lines and wiring harness for safe, reliable operation" Paxton Failed to deliver on the "safe, reliable operation." Due to the Paxton Automotive Super Charger kit's damage to my engine, I have been forced to obtain alternate means of transportation as my engine is being rebuilt/car is getting fixed. All of which Paxton is forcing me to carry the complete burden of the cost and inconvenience."
My bank researched this issue, which lasted almost 4 months, but eventually the decision was found to be in my favor, my bank charged back to Paxton for the product and I returned it to Paxton Automotive. While I have fully recovered the cost of the products purchase, no restitution was made for the damage sustained to my engine or the loss of use of my vehicle directly related to this product. I expect none at this point, but I think it’s critical that I finally come forward as to the details of the situation, so that others can make an informed purchase. I might get flamed here, or beat up by the Paxton reps on here, or even Paxton directly, but in the end if I save 1 person from making an uninformed decision about buying their Viper product, then it will have been worth it.
Jon
