Excellent Major Service by T&R Automotive

[kouroshoo7]

Originally Posted by butcher

Ha ha...I just spit up my coffee.

Butcher.... why are you drinking coffee so late in the night. You won't be able to sleep!

[SKUSA]

We are lucky to live in an area where we have several good people tha do work on our fantastic Ferrari's. After over 8 months in LA my 355 is back at Tony's getting a couple of things fixed. I have gained an appreciattion watching Tony over the couple of weeks of how special and talented he really is. He continually suprises me as to the range of his talents and skills. The best way I can describe it is that he is a Master Craftsman of Ferrari's. I am a perfectionist and picky to the nth degree and this guy repeated has exceeded my expectations. Simply put, I know he has my back and does the work as good or better than I would on my personal Ferrari as a perfectionist. He has earned my respect and I simply want to relate his character and quality of work to those that are in the position of needing work done on their Ferrari's and find these qualities important. While it is just the way he is, part of his DNA, in my expereince it is rare to find.

The air conditioning was not working and needed to be fixed and repaired. He understood what happened and what needed to be done. He found the best and most cost effective way to fix the problem.

When my 355 was delivered to him there were several things done at the previous shop that was sub par work. Some of the electronics were improperly mounted. The entire front bumper would need to be removed to reposition the electronics. The area behind the grill looked horrible (irregular and glossy) ater 8 months at the body shop. i was going to have another body shop fix it, but when I sopke to Tony the next day he had already taken the front bumper off, repositioned the electronics and fixed the horrible body work behind the grill. I am attaching some before and after picks. You can be the judge of the quality of work done. He is doning a whole range of work on different systems on the car, in a way that would be difficult to get from a whole bunch of specialty shops.

He is fixing a lot of other problems on the car. These are just a couple of examples. More info and pics to follow later. A big thanks to Tony and his team.

For now:

3 Before Pics

2 After Pics

[PinoyP]

Amazing work as usual! Glad you got your car back SKUSA. Hope to see you soon

Originally Posted by SKUSA

We are lucky to live in an area where we have several good people tha do work on our fantastic Ferrari's. After over 8 months in LA my 355 is back at Tony's getting a couple of things fixed. I have gained an appreciattion watching Tony over the couple of weeks of how special and talented he really is. He continually suprises me as to the range of his talents and skills. The best way I can describe it is that he is a Master Craftsman of Ferrari's. I am a perfectionist and picky to the nth degree and this guy repeated has exceeded my expectations. Simply put, I know he has my back and does the work as good or better than I would on my personal Ferrari as a perfectionist. He has earned my respect and I simply want to relate his character and quality of work to those that are in the position of needing work done on their Ferrari's and find these qualities important. While it is just the way he is, part of his DNA, in my expereince it is rare to find.

The air conditioning was not working and needed to be fixed and repaired. He understood what happened and what needed to be done. He found the best and most cost effective way to fix the problem.

When my 355 was delivered to him there were several things done at the previous shop that was sub par work. Some of the electronics were improperly mounted. The entire front bumper would need to be removed to reposition the electronics. The area behind the grill looked horrible (irregular and glossy) ater 8 months at the body shop. i was going to have another body shop fix it, but when I sopke to Tony the next day he had already taken the front bumper off, repositioned the electronics and fixed the horrible body work behind the grill. I am attaching some before and after picks. You can be the judge of the quality of work done. He is doning a whole range of work on different systems on the car, in a way that would be difficult to get from a whole bunch of specialty shops.

He is fixing a lot of other problems on the car. These are just a couple of examples. More info and pics to follow later. A big thanks to Tony and his team.

For now:

3 Before Pics

2 After Pics

[ASFJr]

SKUSA: Your 355 sounds amazing. I love your exhaust.

Saphira was whistling louder than a drunken sailor on liberty leave walking the Broadway Strip in San Francisco looking for a 50-cent hoe.

It turned out all that loud whistling noises were her clutch thrust bearing and the idle pulley going out -- throw in a failing thermostat that kept activating my check-engine light, and I was busier than a one-legged man in a butt-kickin' contest.

TAForza did his magic on her; and, in three days she was running better than factory specs. The icing on the cake was that the price was better than reasonable -- I was expecting a bigger bill! Great work, timely response, and a great price -- I can't beat that!

Thanks, TAForza!

[ame262]

I have had a trip planed for some time to go to Tahoe with some Friends.My car develops a hydraulic leak before my trip.I bring my car to tony tell him my predicament.A job that should have taken a week Tony took care of it in 2 days staying late just to complete my repair.I have been going to Tony's for my Ferrari needs and he is the best.Always does what he says and does great work Ferrari's are complex cars but once sorted and maintained a Joy to own.And no one is better than tony at sorting problems and maintaining Ferrari's.

[kouroshoo7]

Ame...
I noticed you had a door ding on your passenger side and wanted to introduce you to Tim from Dent Pro.... he is excellent and a true magician... He is also a big support of FOG AND BPN... His cell # is : 415-531-4807

give him a call and mention Fog for a price savings!

[ame262]

Originally Posted by kouroshoo7

Ame...
I noticed you had a door ding on your passenger side and wanted to introduce you to Tim from Dent Pro.... he is excellent and a true magician... He is also a big support of FOG AND BPN... His cell # is : 415-531-4807

give him a call and mention Fog for a price savings!

Will do Thanks kouroshoo7

[4RE886]

Originally Posted by ame262

I have had a trip planed for some time to go to Tahoe with some Friends.My car develops a hydraulic leak before my trip.I bring my car to tony tell him my predicament.A job that should have taken a week Tony took care of it in 2 days staying late just to complete my repair.I have been going to Tony's for my Ferrari needs and he is the best.Always does what he says and does great work Ferrari's are complex cars but once sorted and maintained a Joy to own.And no one is better than tony at sorting problems and maintaining Ferrari's.

Beautiful car Ame! I am glad Tony took great care of you. We are indeed very fortunate to have Tony. I am dropping off my car on Monday. Hope to see you on the rally in Sept!

[ame262]

Originally Posted by 4RE886

Beautiful car Ame! I am glad Tony took great care of you. We are indeed very fortunate to have Tony. I am dropping off my car on Monday. Hope to see you on the rally in Sept!

Thanks Bob. I am looking foward to the rally.

[ASFJr]

Originally Posted by ame262

I have had a trip planed for some time to go to Tahoe with some Friends.My car develops a hydraulic leak before my trip.I bring my car to tony tell him my predicament.A job that should have taken a week Tony took care of it in 2 days staying late just to complete my repair.I have been going to Tony's for my Ferrari needs and he is the best.Always does what he says and does great work Ferrari's are complex cars but once sorted and maintained a Joy to own.And no one is better than tony at sorting problems and maintaining Ferrari's.

She's pretty, ame262.

[ASFJr]

10-August-2012, I heard an unusual rattling sound at Saphira's rear. TAForza found that the exhaust pipe at the exhaust bracket cracked in half. Per Ferrari's recall, Ferrari replaced the exhaust bracket; so, I'm a bit baffled by this damage.

Anyway, TAForza has a welding machine that he recently purchased this year, 2012; hence, he will weld the pieces together, saving me the cost of having to purchase another exhaust system. Although, this might be an excuse to purchase a Capristo Stage II. ;-)

I viewed the pipes, and the metal that Ferrari used is real cheap looking -- that's the benefit of buying a Capristo -- the metal is higher quality and prettier.

[diSCUDsted]

Originally Posted by ASFJr

I realize I mentioned I would not make anymore modifications to my F430 (Call-sign: Saphira), but I noticed a visual discomfort with Saphira's rear end; so, I asked TAForza to care of it.

Problem: At a distance from Saphira's 6, she apprears to have a big gap between the inner exhaust pipes. The reason is her difusser is painted black by the factory. To me, the visual gap make her 6 looks high and not balanced, and it bugs me whenever I walk behind her.

Solution: TAForza painted my difusser red.

Now, several pilotis told me there's just too much red going on back there. True, but I like it better than the visual illusion of a gap. I love that the red difusser makes her rear end look lower, and eliminates that visual gap.



Also, I decided to upgrade my F-1 Brake Light to the real and actual F-1 rain-light used by the F-1 cars. (In F-1, it's called a rain-light and is only used by the F-1 cars in foul weather, and the light constantly blinks regardless if the F-1 pilotis applies his or her brakes, but since it is an F-1 light, and TAForza wired it to my brakes, I call it an F-1 brake-light.)

TAForza called the Ferrari Factory, Porsche Factory, and a bunch of other F-1 car companies, but no F-1 factory would sell him the F-1 rain light.

Until he contacted the McClaren F-1 team. They sold him the light shown in the pic below. It cost me around $1790 for the light; but, TAForza is working with McClaren to get a cost reduction on the lights, since he is interested in buying a bulk of them.

(I'm impatient and didn't want to sit around during TAForza's price reduction negotiations with McClaren -- so, I authorized TAForza to order me one and pay their price: $1790.)

BTW, you can't see it in the pic, but when I apply my brakes, the F-1 light has a fast blink, and it keeps the civilians off my 6 when I'm ready to stop. The LEDs are extremely intense, and really pops, so the civilian drivers on my 6 get a nice little visual jolt that snaps and alerts them -- at least, that was my experience when I drove behind TAForza, who has the same light as me.


I believe I am done with all my modifications to Saphira.

Check 6.

/s/ Alfonso Faustino

Hello Alfonso,
I really like the F1 brake light mod. Do you know if TAForza was ever able to get these at a discounted price? Also if he has the tow hooks available? Man I really wish I had someone like this guy in my area! Sounds like a class act for sure!

Oh yeah, what does it say on the back of your car under the 3rd brake light b.t.w?

[TAFORZA]

Originally Posted by diSCUDsted

Hello Alfonso,
I really like the F1 brake light mod. Do you know if TAForza was ever able to get these at a discounted price? Also if he has the tow hooks available? Man I really wish I had someone like this guy in my area! Sounds like a class act for sure!

Oh yeah, what does it say on the back of your car under the 3rd brake light b.t.w?

Please check your pm

[diSCUDsted]

Originally Posted by TAFORZA

Please check your pm

Pm replied Tony. Thanks!

[ASFJr]

Originally Posted by diSCUDsted

Hello Alfonso,
I really like the F1 brake light mod. Do you know if TAForza was ever able to get these at a discounted price? Also if he has the tow hooks available? Man I really wish I had someone like this guy in my area! Sounds like a class act for sure!

Oh yeah, what does it say on the back of your car under the 3rd brake light b.t.w?

Hi, diSCUDted.

Nice play on your call-sign.

I just saw that you and TAForza are communicating via PM.

Thanks for the compliments on Saphira and her modifications. I always enjoy all input, favorable and not-so favorable, regarding the modifications I do on her.

Under my third brake like, is a US Navy Aviator term: Check 6.

Actually, its a term for all military aviators, but I come from a US Navy family; hence, my loyalty and affinity is to the US Navy and her aviators.

The 6 o'clock position is the rear of the fighter jet. It is the most vulnerable position of the aircraft in air-to-air combat and ACM (air combat maneuvers). At every mission (sortie), if you get the privilege to listen in on the fighter jock's communication, the term "check 6" will inevitably come up as they conduct their ACMs. It means, check my rear for any SAMs, bogies, or any other threats.

Another term that will come up is 3-9 line, which is the opposite of Check 6.

Check 6 is also used as a form of good-bye. So, a naval aviator might say to another naval aviator at the end of their meeting, "Clear skies and check 6" or "Check 6 Maverick."

I put it on my Ferrari to show that I'm a Naval Aviator enthusiast; I also use it for when I go on Ferrari drives -- that way, the Ferrari behind me will remember to check his or her rear to make sure no threat is behind us on our drive.

Also, I'm a volunteer for the Blue Angels Foundation; so, when I meet a Blue Angel, they see "Check 6" on my Ferrari, it kind a makes for a bonding moment, and it makes me feel like part of their gang.

I hope this answers your question. I am not a naval aviator or fighter jock -- I'm a US Navy Aviation enthusiast.

[diSCUDsted]

Originally Posted by ASFJr

Hi, diSCUDted.

Nice play on your call-sign.

I just saw that you and TAForza are communicating via PM.

Thanks for the compliments on Saphira and her modifications. I always enjoy all input, favorable and not-so favorable, regarding the modifications I do on her.

Under my third brake like, is a US Navy Aviator term: Check 6.

Actually, its a term for all military aviators, but I come from a US Navy family; hence, my loyalty and affinity is to the US Navy and her aviators.

The 6 o'clock position is the rear of the fighter jet. It is the most vulnerable position of the aircraft in air-to-air combat and ACM (air combat maneuvers). At every mission (sortie), if you get the privilege to listen in on the fighter jock's communication, the term "check 6" will inevitably come up as they conduct their ACMs. It means, check my rear for any SAMs, bogies, or any other threats.

Another term that will come up is 3-9 line, which is the opposite of Check 6.

Check 6 is also used as a form of good-bye. So, a naval aviator might say to another naval aviator at the end of their meeting, "Clear skies and check 6" or "Check 6 Maverick."

I put it on my Ferrari to show that I'm a Naval Aviator enthusiast; I also use it for when I go on Ferrari drives -- that way, the Ferrari behind me will remember to check his or her rear to make sure no threat is behind us on our drive.

Also, I'm a volunteer for the Blue Angels Foundation; so, when I meet a Blue Angel, they see "Check 6" on my Ferrari, it kind a makes for a bonding moment, and it makes me feel like part of their gang.

I hope this answers your question. I am not a naval aviator or fighter jock -- I'm a US Navy Aviation enthusiast.

Alfonso,

Thank you for the very detailed and informative information!

I really like the meaning, and actually think it really looks cool too! Do you happen to have a close up picture of it? What did you use for the lettering?
I hope to do this F1 brake light mod. I don't believe anyone local to me has it, and it should be a hit. Along with a great technician like Tony, it looks like you guys have a really fun group out there. Oh yeah, the l.e.d. strips in the headlight housing looks great as well. Hmm, something else I may have to look into! lol

[ASFJr]

Originally Posted by diSCUDsted

Alfonso,

Thank you for the very detailed and informative information!

I really like the meaning, and actually think it really looks cool too! Do you happen to have a close up picture of it? What did you use for the lettering?
I hope to do this F1 brake light mod. I don't believe anyone local to me has it, and it should be a hit. Along with a great technician like Tony, it looks like you guys have a really fun group out there. Oh yeah, the l.e.d. strips in the headlight housing looks great as well. Hmm, something else I may have to look into! lol

You're welcome, diSCUDsted.

I believe I have a photo of it somewhere on this thread. The sticker I use is one that you can find at any art store or hardware store. It comes in an 8.5 x 11 sheet of white letters and numbers. I got mine at FLAX art store in San Francisco. It is low-tac adhesive. I clean the painted surface; then, I apply a nice coat of wax and rub it out. I apply the stickers.

I had to remove it after it being on for one year because TAForza wrapped my engine bay lid with carbon fiber; and, the letters came off very easy -- no tan-lines or residue from the adhesive. If there were, light weight polish would clean it up.

Yes -- I love the LEDs on the headlight track. Also, in this thread is a picture of the LEDs that TAForza put on my engine bay lid to light up the engine bay. Also, he put an LED strip to light up the rear Cavalino Rampante.

Yes -- TAForza can create any modifications you have in mind.

The F-1 brake light is my favorite addition. It looks cool and keeps the civilian vehicles behind me alert and awake. Ferrari put an F-1 brake light on their new Ferrari; I forgot the name of the model, but it's the new front-end 12-cylinder.

You will be the only one in your hood to have the F-1 brake-light.

In the SF Bay Area, I believe only three of us have the F-1 brake-light and LED setup: TAForza, Showtime, and I.

Send me an email if you have additional questions; and, of course, if you ever make it to SF, be sure to let us know. We will take you to some cool dinner spots.

Email (phonetics=letters and numbers -- no spaces): a ess eff jay r zero eight zero two at gee mail dot com.

Clear skies and check 6.

[ASFJr]

Thanks, TAForza, for welding my exhaust pipe break at the exhaust bracket -- the sound of rattling marbles in a glass jar is no longer singing in the Italian choir -- ahh, she sounds great again.

The check engine light has not come on under Cycle Number 2. Hopefully, the light will not show up in Cycle 3 when I drive her tomorrow, 15-August.

[kouroshoo7]

Originally Posted by ASFJr

Hi, diSCUDted.

Nice play on your call-sign.

I just saw that you and TAForza are communicating via PM.

Thanks for the compliments on Saphira and her modifications. I always enjoy all input, favorable and not-so favorable, regarding the modifications I do on her.

Under my third brake like, is a US Navy Aviator term: Check 6.

Actually, its a term for all military aviators, but I come from a US Navy family; hence, my loyalty and affinity is to the US Navy and her aviators.

The 6 o'clock position is the rear of the fighter jet. It is the most vulnerable position of the aircraft in air-to-air combat and ACM (air combat maneuvers). At every mission (sortie), if you get the privilege to listen in on the fighter jock's communication, the term "check 6" will inevitably come up as they conduct their ACMs. It means, check my rear for any SAMs, bogies, or any other threats.

Another term that will come up is 3-9 line, which is the opposite of Check 6.

Check 6 is also used as a form of good-bye. So, a naval aviator might say to another naval aviator at the end of their meeting, "Clear skies and check 6" or "Check 6 Maverick."

I put it on my Ferrari to show that I'm a Naval Aviator enthusiast; I also use it for when I go on Ferrari drives -- that way, the Ferrari behind me will remember to check his or her rear to make sure no threat is behind us on our drive.

Also, I'm a volunteer for the Blue Angels Foundation; so, when I meet a Blue Angel, they see "Check 6" on my Ferrari, it kind a makes for a bonding moment, and it makes me feel like part of their gang.

I hope this answers your question. I am not a naval aviator or fighter jock -- I'm a US Navy Aviation enthusiast.

Thats pretty cool Alfonso

[ASFJr]

Originally Posted by kouroshoo7

Thats pretty cool Alfonso

Thanks, Kourosh007.