I am not sure if this is the right place to post this. I have been running the AMS lower intercooler pipe (newer version with bracket) for only a month now. I am very careful with my installs and never bent this thing intentionally or anything. I was in the process of setting boost on my car when I had a serious boost loss issue with it dropping to 15psi. Before had no problem holding at 22psi. After a boost leak test, I find this:



I am not even going to try to attempt a refund or replacement or anything of that nature, because I will probably get the usual (you bent it, the paint voided the warranty, etc.). I just wanted to chime into AMS and let you guys know that you probably want to weld both sides of the bracket and not just the one side. As you can see by the pic (excuse my camera) the unwelded side lifted and broke the aluminum open causing my boost leak. Mind you this pipe didnt even have 500 miles on it. Had both sides been welded this wouldn't have happened. I am going to attempt to purchase an older version to avoid this happening again. I am not sure if it was vibration or engine throw that caused this, but it appears it could have been avoided. Thanks for hearing me out guys! U still have my business.

 

well thats not cool!

 

I'm sure ams will help you out with this....

 

Yeah I'm sure AMS will replace this for you quick. Just give em a PM or Call.

 

PM Sent

 

Andrew, did AMS ever make a stainless 1st version of the licp? I have come across one that looks exactly like the alumium one but stainless and without the bracket.

 

I have the Ams licp version 1 and it is not stainless steel so I'm sure that they did not make it in stainless.

 

We have never made a stainless LICP. It has always been aluminum, even version 1.

 

..............what did the PM say? or is it a secret?

 

Not much of a secret. Andrew was very honest with me, and even though I purchased this pipe new (from another board member who didn't end up using it, and I even had the original box), I did not purchase it directly from AMS. Therefore, they cannot honor replacement. They did offer to repair it for free after I had the coating removed because they obviously cannot weld it with the coating on there. That is understandable. I currently am trying to locate the guy I purchased this from as HE did get it directly from AMS. At this point, I just think its not cost effective for me to pay to get it blasted and then sent to AMS for repair. I will let someone else deal with the headache. I've been on a search for the V1 licp without the bracket so I wouldn't have to worry about this again. I even have the AMS front, drivers, & passenger's side poly engine mounts, so engine throw shouldn't be that much of a factor anyhow. But somehow, the vibration/whatever caused this. Good thing is, I picked up an AMS licp today from a kind fellow board member for $60 flat. So I am in somewhat of a better mood today. The thing that bothers me (and no offense to AMS), is if it were my business, a non-wear item should be covered no matter how many hands it has exchanged. Something like this should be able to be used and reused numerous times unless some shmoe decided to bend it by hammering down on the clamps, or running over it etc. I mean this thing was brand new and didn't even have 500 miles on it yet. you can even look at the coated pipe and tell its still brand new. I know 99% of businesses don't run like that and it is nothing more than wishful thinking. But considering the AMS pipe cost more than most all other licp's out there, you'd think some sort of "extra" warranty would be provided. Anyhow, this is no diss to AMS. fireman asked and I told. Nonetheless, AMS still has my business as I stated before. Now, if I could only convince them to make a stainless version of their pipe, that would be great.

 

Sell it to me for cheap and I'll get it fixed ;-)

 

pm me an offer.

 

I think a free fix is a fair way to do this from AMS' end but you had a good point in the first post about welding both sides to prevent this problem.

 

Yes, it was fair offer. I actually have since changed my mind, and have just gone with an ETS V2 Licp. I'm more comfortable without the bracket on there, plus I can clamp it down nice and tight being its stainless steel. I also figured its a good time to go with their 3.5" black anodized intercooler. For the price I paid for everything, I got a great deal, plus since I purchased new directly from them, I know I will get the support as well. If AMS sold their intercooler in black anodized for their 729 price, I probably would have jumped on that one but I couldn't resist the black ETS one. That leaves me with nothing AMS on my car anymore. Maybe I will scope out their battery kit.

 

So you went from a lightweight aluminum piece with a bracket to a heavier steel piece without one? I would have had ams fix it and slapped it back on, I have been running their licp at 32 lbs of boost on e85 for a while now without any issues.