To my fellow Buick enthusiasts, I have decided start a new thread to express my views on some recent things that have occured from a previous thread that I started. As you well know I recently posted some info that I felt would be of interest to the Buick community, but for whatever reason, I was attacked as to my integrity and have been accused of trying to start vendor wars and other such nonsense. I had originally hoped this thread would grow into more information, which I was planning on posting about testing done on this engine, but since the thread took the turn it did, I decided to not post anymore info on it. Sorry guys, that's the way it is. I feel I need to take a stand here. It seems like for whatever reason I stir up a hornets nest on many of my posts. I have seriously considered leaving this board, I don't need this kind of drama . After receiving numerous emails and phone calls over the past few days, I have decided to stay on board. Sometimes I am embarressed to associated with Buick people, But I realize that the vast majority of people on this and other boards are actually the kind of People I am very proud to be associated with. It has been stated that there are 2 sides to every story, well apparently some of us are not allowed to present a side. Not long ago , a post was made that was extrememly racial in content and I took great offense at, I responded only to the particular comment made, because I took the comment as a personal insult to myself, due to private conversations with the individual in the past. Now I know on a public forum, things can be said, and misinterpreted, and that's fine, but if a comment is taken by someone and it offends or upsets them, what is so difficult about sending an apology to help smooth things over, I have seen this thing happen on numerous occasions where people started to get really upset with each other, but eventually things usually get smoothed over with a simple apology, Do I not deserve this same respect? Apparently not! Only inuendos that I said things I did not say. I will admit, I was very angry over this incident and I did say some harsh things, but it was all swept under the table as if it never happened. There is nothing wrong with constructiive criticism, but often times this board turns into destructive criticism. I did not open this can of worms , but I'm gonna close it. Iwas accused of almost destroying a set of alum heads for a customer, I will not discuss any of the particulars of this as it would get nowhere, suffice it to say the said customer was taken care of to his complete satisfaction, he even told me he had no hard feelings towards me or my company and he did not want any negative publicity to come out the situation, obviously his wishes were not honored either. There are so many things that go on behind the scenes in our tight knit little Buick world but what's the point of bringing stuff like this up and causing hard feelings and such? This board is supposed to be about sharing information and helping people. This post is not intended to start another war, it is only intended to express some of my concerns. I truly hope this thread does not go into a negative direction and I hope the majority that read understand my heart here. Jim Burek PA.E. ENTERPRISES
Jim, Too many times, thing that happen behind the scenes are dragged out in a public forum where they should never be.....I have seen this happen quite a few times here. i hope that everyone can see that you are not pushing your products, just that you are posting information that might be relevant to those wondering one way it might take to make a certain amount of power. Not every builder is going to use the same methods. I have been building my own engines since the 70's because many of the Buick ricks were shown to me by my father. Does it make em always right?...... not always, but they are my way of doing things. I just hope that everyone can read your post as an adult and take it as a statement, and not have to start day two of the war by challenging that. We all hope you are sticking around.......the information you do pass along is of value to some of us. If there are those out there that the information is of no value to, then they can read a different thread that day and let the rest of us use the info. Thanks Jim...... and everyone else. Mike
Hi Jim, Im glad that you have stayed.... i for one always would like to know what going on in buick performance world....some people just arent happy unless theres conflict....
Fair enough Jim.. Although much water has gone under the bridge between us, I think we should start the new year off right, and move past this. Although I cringe at the accusations of "fan clubs, not being a "big builder" and that nonesense, and that this is board is somehow my own personal vehicle, I can certainly see why some folks post what they do, and why. That's too bad. I bet that most of you don't know that on quite a few of these boards, you cannot attempt to sell anything, unless you pay the owner of the board for that privaledge. I always thought that was kinda stupid, and greedy, and of course we don't practice that here. I too have recieved numerous emails and phone calls about these issues, all of them very supportive, and apprecitative that I did not let this deal go as far as it could have. Other internet boards are ripe with this type of thing. In fact, Brent stopped posting in that thread, because I asked him to, as even though he had some valid questions, the manner in which they were presented lead to the escilation of that post war. I was implicated as "pulling the strings" indirectly, and that is about as far from the truth as you can get. I did not want to be involved at all. But I found myself in the unfortunate position of having to defend myself, and try to offer an explaination as to why Brent may have the views he does, after he has seen what he has. I kept the confidence of your customer on those heads, in fact, I did not even mention that you were the vendor in question, although that could be implied I suppose, considering the subject matter at hand. We certainly do have two different meathods of doing things, and different standards of what we will build, but that's fine, at the end of the day, all that matters is that we honor our word, and provide our customers the best product possible. Feel free to use the board to promote your products and services, indirectly by answering questions based on your experience, as you always have in the past. Or directly thru the vendors or parts for sale forums. JW
Very nice Jim W and Jim B both of you are proffesionals and both commendable for keeping your lids on during this ordeal.
Jim, there are always a few users I search on - on a regular basis - on all of the forums from this board. One of them is "Buick535". The reason I do this is I know I will always get valuable information. I also know I am like many others, your information and view points are very much what makes this board so great!!! Without experts such as yourself - this board would be a waste of time. Jim, I wish you the BEST in 2004. Many of us that use this board do not have racing or Buick business backround. My involvement for the most part is to read and learn, I hope your desire to contribute will continue into the distant future... :grin:
To both Jims here Thanks for all you both do. I will try to also not get jumpy on my replys....... Good job !!!!:TU: Now Lets go race !!!!!!!!
Jim, your presence on this board means alot to people including myself. The people who make unnecessary comments only hurt themselves and the people that associate with them. I hope everyone can understand we don't need this negativity that was displayed in the other thread. I feel we need to respect each other for who we are and our differences, we all deserve that. I understand "Freeedom of Speech", but when a person comes up with a comment that's disrespectful in anyway, then I feel they should be notified of their behavior. All it turns into is a political feud and this isn't Crossfire, so there's no need for it here.
OK, Please, Please lets hear about this motor it sounds like what needs to happen to my street car. :3gears:
Jim B and Jim W, Glad you're working things out. I can attest that communicating on email while convenient (especially across many time zones) can lead to some confusion. My career requires me to communicate globally daily with many different individuals, all with competing priorities, etc. Often we send a short answer to a question that is easily misunderstood or taken out of context (and almost exclusively an innocent act) to save time. I find myself either calling others to ensure I understood what they were trying to communicate or replying with a lengthy, detailed email chock full of questions to figure things out. I know on more than one occassion I've gotten irritated by a reply only to find out that I didn't understand what the other was trying to say. I know I don't have the mastery of written communication I often think I do. Thanks for being adults. If the two of you hadn't helped me directly with questions and indirectly via the hundreds of answers/advice you've given others in this public forum I probably would not have attempted my Buick switch. I do appreciate your DAILY contributions to the many subjects here and I also understand your advice often include things would would otherwise remain within the professional communities as they impact your business. Thanks again and I wish you both the best for the next year.
Jim B. Thanks for sticking around.... When you post something I make sure I read it... Why? Because there is knowledge there! Jim W. Nice response.... Kudos to ya. We have had our differences here on this board but guess what..... Everytime I see a post of yours... I read it... Why? Because there is knowledge there! Both of you guys are very passionate towards these Buicks. Thats why you act as you do. That is why I act as I do at times. I appreciate everything both of you post here. It cost you a great deal of $$$$$ to gain this information and you share it with us for FREE. Thanks Guys and Happy New Year
Ok people, I have removed the hatchet from my back and am willing to bury it, the wounds will heal with time. There really are a tremendous amount of great people on this board and I spend way too much time on this thing because of it. Jim Burek
Jims You guys are two class acts. No need to let those who don't agree with your thoughts and actions get under your skin. I will be the first to tell you that I don't know everything, that's why I depend on guys like you. I'll probably never know the things that you guys do because I don't build Buicks for a living but for a hobby. What do we gain as a community if all the vendors decide not to share info? I guess we'll become Chevys!
Thank You To Everyone, Who read the posts, who will read these posts, we are a community, friends,racers,collectors. We are Buick. This is my opinion. There is loads of help, frindship,good advice and bad. There is critisism and praise. There is greed, There is pay it forward. Unfortunatly we are in an expensive Hobby. We have the power as a community to help or hinder this great Hobby. We are Buick. Thank You/Your Friend John
Very well stated John.. And thanks you guys.. lets look forward to a good year, and leave the past exactly where it is.. behind us.. JW
I would like to focus on the positives of this site. For what it's worth, a few years ago I read a story about a guy putting a 455 Buick in his 1987 Trans-Am. I thought that it was a great idea! Although, I knew nothing of Buicks, I purchased the 455 anyway. Despite being bashed:af: by my friends for this selection, I feel welcomed and proud when I come to this site. It's nice to know you're not in it by yourself. Whenever I say to a machine shop, engine builder, or whomever that I'm building a Buick for my car, you can hear the laughs around the world. Everybody recommends the small block Chevy. While I'm no engine guru nor have I ever built an engine, I have acquire a wealth of knowledge from this site; it has saved me lots of money and have stopped me from making plenty of mistakes. I would like to thank everybody who has contributed to this site (present, past, and future). We are all unique people and were probably laughed at for our choice of engine.
