I swear Jon, you will be the death of me and you aren't helping anybody in this case. But allow me to expand, as you did below:
Careful what you wish for: It was CHRYSLER that asked this to be posted and CHRYSLER that said to mention Belanger specifically. Why? See for yourself:
I sure am glad that the people that work so ******* this site gave us smilies for every occasion:
And I spoke with Lou personally and at length earlier this evening. What you fail to realize is that I think the absolute world of Lou and his products. Or did you miss the second post in this thread?
Can't and won't disagree with a single thing here. Indeed, I was thrilled to see Lou's headers on display at NAIAS - and figured it was an "endorsement by default". But lawyer I ain't. The ones that are say that it was not factory tested and tuned - at least by
their factory.
The "weasel" thing is such a nice touch, especially when you look at the ad above. I didn't write the ad, didn't object to it, but did post what we were asked to post. How do you cook the messenger after you shoot them?
I'll do you one better: In ALL of the 2008 Belanger systems installed to date, only ONE is known to have a recurring issue with a check engine light (CEL). But apparently that was enough to make some folks nervous in Auburn Hills. Especially when the ad refers to "factory tested and tuned to be OBD 2 compliant". Lou clarified that and pointed out he is referring to HIS factory and not Chrysler, which we are passing back to them. I will leave the OBD 2 language to the concerned parties.
Feel free to ask the lawyers.
Now you know the source, so drop the rhetoric if you don't mind.
$10.00 says it will be "no comment", as it probably should be - leave it to the lawyers that are concerned with the language.
I suspect this is when the million-candlepower light bulb went off over a few heads.
Clarified that for you and glad we agree on it.
I'm not going to try and interpret this, but it sure doesn't sound promising.
Wow, so you honestly think that the VCA or any of its officers would knowingly name a very respected vendor on a questionable issue simply in order to promote the interests of another vendor? Maybe in your world that's how it works but in ours it most definitely isn't. But it's a pretty well-delivered insult nonetheless.
Hi Doris! Glad we are on the same page - now let's work on Jon.
Okay, in all seriousness and without any of the personal BS that seems to infect many a post, here is the deal as I see it:
- Lou's ad raised some concerns with Chrysler as it may (or may not imply) their testing and tuning, and thus "endorsement"
- There is one car out there which is experiencing an occasional check engine light with the headers and it happens to be in Michigan. Lou states, and I agree, that it is probably a faulty install or some minor issue, as no other 2008 is having that problem.
- Nonetheless, the manufacturer felt that they had a duty to "correct" possible misstatements in that ad. They (legal) never, ever post here nor would they. However they felt the message had to be delivered and asked the VCA to do it.
- Lou is a personal friend to me and I hate this thread only slightly less than Lou does - and more than JonB. However in the interest of the VCA and maintaining that critical relationship with the manufacturer, we passed along the message as requested. Even toned it down a bit.
And my
personal feeling on the issue itself is that it is standard CYA and pretty understandable too - even JonB said it: "The Chrysler Lawyers will NEVER (and HAVE NEVER) let it appear that any endorsement or recommendation is being made of such horrendous devices that are melting glaciers worldwide." Throw in even a rare check engine light (which many an owner might expect to be fixed under warranty), and Chrysler simply wants to cover their bases.
As for me, if I can score one of these 2008's or 2009's (shhh, don't tell Venomiss), Belanger headers will be the FIRST modification I do - then the MGW shift kit. Fuzzy dice come later and I don't care if they throw a "check windshield" light or not.
Over and out,
Chris