Testimonial for Russ Merrit

[bccan]

Thanks WE4 for posting the transmission "Whos Who". Contacted Russ after a broken driveshaft in the traps @ LV broke the bellhousing of my 200-4r in my 70 Olds. Russ was great to communicate with, fired up to build trans, turned job around in no time flat, went waaay out of his way to help me w/ transport, and most importantly, built me a killer tranny that works great. The beauty is for us guys in the northeast we have Russ, CK, Eric all within reasonable driving distances, or these guys seem to have shipping down pat. Don't know if this thread is considered proper, but sometimes it can help people who may be unsure of whether to trust someone or not. The transmission section on this site not only confirmed the 200-4R was a good way to go w/ my car, but I also have gotten a lot of good tech info from you guys. Unfortunately the trans section is about all I can use! Thanks turbobuick.com!! Brian in Connecticut

 

[chris718]

it appears my manual and bruces training did him some good

 

[Russ Merritt]

it appears my manual and bruces training did him some good

Ahh Chris, your manual is neat reading and I like it but.........I don't follow any of your methods for caliberation.


PTS methods/parts exclusively for me.

 

[chris718]

you should ,they work but thats your choice.and remember you dont become a builder in 6 months .ive been at it for 20 years,youve got alot to learn.be patient and absorb all the good tech that is available here and elsewhere.doing this youll develop your own methods and that is something to be proud of.

 

[Russ Merritt]

you should ,they work but thats your choice.and remember you dont become a builder in 6 months .ive been at it for 20 years,youve got alot to learn.be patient and absorb all the good tech that is available here and elsewhere.doing this youll develop your own methods and that is something to be proud of.

Absolutely, I listen to as much info as I possibly can get, am EXTREMELY patient and absolutely love doing this.........And learning...It's pretty much my life.

You might wanna go live with Bruce for 3 weeks like I did............I bet he could teach you a few things as well..............Before you go crazy......

I have built 14 transmissions this year including the one in Melissa's GN. I will NEVER EVER even after 20 yrs say I know it all..........I def try as hard or harder than anyone out there to do a good job.......

 

[Grumpy]

hmmm I know a little (ummmm very little:redface: ) about these trannys and have had them living in Melissa's old mid 11 set up for years .. Had Bruces front pump and servo along with the stock junk .. ya ya ya I know stock stuff doesn't work well steppin up Melissa's set up, Russ wanted to see how I had the tranny set up ... it was a few years old .. wellll had a few "issue's" and 30 minutes later Russ had the thing apart disecting my "mod's" I laughed at the mods he was doin ... He truely loves these old ****boxes ... He was like a kid in a candy store .. bottom line the trans has about 6-8000k on it now and at least 30 hard runs ! NEVER MIND STREET BEATINGS .. I have watched the boards for a while lookin for guy's that run 200's and have them live in a 10 sec car .. NOT many out there that I could see .. SOOOOO Russ isn't that bad for a "DB" 10.10 @ 132 was her best and the tranny never missed a beat at the track .. Broke a few things on the street that "I" figured we could "take a chance with" Had Bruce get us some billet parts and now lookin forward to feb/march to start beating this tranny to death again at the strip ... Car is an animal on the street .. NOT so good with drag radials in the little snow we had today .. hey it's a DRIVER/BEATER :biggrin: Reading a book is one thing BUT hands on thing is something else.. This tranny is still goin and kickin butt !!! good ol thanks to Russ... stands behind his "stuff" and ya know good parts are in it

 

[DonnieShort]

Russ and I are very good friends, one of the best people I have ever met, just a shame we don't live closer. Russ set up my direct and forward drum back in the spring as well as the center support, front pump and vb. I did the assembly and all I can say is WOW! Everything he did was freakin' MINT! He builds his motor's and tranny's like they were going in his own car, he makes sure it's right. I just can't say enough about him. He does great work and I'm proud to have him as one of my best buddies

 

[WE4]

Lololol

Russ and I are very good friends, one of the best people I have ever met, just a shame we don't live closer. Russ set up my direct and forward drum back in the spring as well as the center support, front pump and vb. I did the assembly and all I can say is WOW! Everything he did was freakin' MINT! He builds his motor's and tranny's like they were going in his own car, he makes sure it's right. I just can't say enough about him. He does great work and I'm proud to have him as one of my best buddies

Yea, yea... I like him too! Russ is learning and coming along GREAT! Look at the responses to his work. THAT , my friends, tells the whole story. The END RESULT!. I am looking forward to Grumpy beatin this stuff up too. Let's see what else I need to develop LOL:tongue:
Russ did just what he should have. He came out here to Ca. stayed for 3 weeks, absorbed, listened and saw the end result. From there, he ran like a marathon runner. Off to the races he goes. I have been contacted by several other shops in the country about doing just what I did with Russ. They come out, stay for two weeks at The Toelle Farm School of 2004r's and they learn. I actually enjoy teaching as much as I do building. I enjoy developing new stuff the most tho. I just hooked up with a MAJOR player in the industry and look for new products and services to come. Even here at Turbobuick.com, Shane and I are going to get a live web cam seminar happening in the future, so stay tuned.

It makes me proud of Russ Merritt for he watched, listened and absorbed, then went out and was not scared to take it on head on and this post is the result.

Proud of ya Russ.... Very proud.:biggrin:

And Chris, lay off the boy... he hasn't had one totally kick his ass yet so.. Once he does, he will humble quickly as we both know... ROFL

But for now, Excellent feedback on a great guy.

Bruce
WE4
Performance Transmission Services

 

[chris718]

although i respect bruce toelle for his achievements ,his methods and idealogy on principles of operation and transmission building dont interest me,much as mine dont interest you in the least.a trip to california to learn from him would provide little or no benefit .if i was in california in his area id go there just to break his balls and crack jokes and play around if anything.that doesnt mean i enjoy poking at people 2 feet shorter than me either.at this stage in the game other peoples methods are not in the cards for me as i have spent too much time developing my own.for someone such as yourself who hasnt hatched out of the egg completely this was useful for you to get basic knowledge on the confines of an automatic that you had not been exposed to previously.that is commendable.keep up the good work and your customer portfolio will continue to expand.its nice to see some of us get customers appreciation,most of the time they only publicly opinionate when they feel they were done wrong.i couldnt run a cnc machine last year at this time let alone program it and now i can.i ran 45 2004r input shafts from start to finish on my cnc turner and cnc lathe today.that makes me proud .and pretty soon this will drive down the price of input shafts and drums lower than they are now so everyone can afford to put one in their units.and as for materials quality we dont need boeings stamp of approval theres over 500 of them in service with no returns.and what does befor i lose my mind mean?i didnt get that .maybe you can email me an explanation if you feel here is the wrong place.

 

[Otto J]

The losing your mind reply,Meaning 2 weeks is all you can take of Bruce before you lose your mind

 

[Russ Merritt]

for someone such as yourself who hasnt hatched out of the egg completely this was useful for you to get basic knowledge on the confines of an automatic that you had not been exposed to previously.that is commendable.keep up the good work and your customer portfolio will continue to expand.its nice to see some of us get customers appreciation

Yes sir, I will and thanks!

I'll let my transmissions do the talkin.


I lasted 3 weeks Otto.........Beat that!!

 

[Grumpy]

And Chris, lay off the boy... he hasn't had one totally kick his ass yet so.. Once he does, he will humble quickly as we both know... ROFL
Bruce
WE4
Performance Transmission Services

well let me tell ya ... My Mazda is goin to be running shortly (Melissa has the Mazda motor in her car now BUT it's coming back to me ) and her new motor is goin back in her GN ... Soooo we will be pounding the pavements with real life 9-10 sec cars that are pounded on day after day to give Russ the beating of his life BUT I have to tell ya ..Russ love's misery I wish I still had the drive he has for these cars ... hmmmmm nah maybe I don't Russ maybe get down an out but the bastard just gets back up and is ready to fight again :biggrin:
Oh I am realistic... stock things do break .. get over it and put in Bruce's billet stuff and see if we can break it :biggrin:

 

[Grumpy]

Chris there is always different ways to skin a cat I liked the old Art Carr shift kits .. Everyone else here has thier own opinions... You do know what they say about "opinion's"

 

[brian]

Russ, I am jealous. I wish that I had three weeks clear to spend time with Bruce, or Chris. But, after speaking with both of them, they have a bit to much energy for me! (said with all do respect)
Bottom line is, you can never know to much. And as Grumpy pointed out, there is more than one way to do things. There is no right or wrong way if it works.
I have been lucky enough to learn from someone who has infinate wisdom, and talent. He is a great mentor and friend. We should all be so blessed.
We should all consider ourselves lucky to have peers to support us. Even though thier opinions are a bit brash at times.
Must be a East coat-West coast thing! I am glad I am in the middle as my skin is not as thick as some others.

Good job Russ!

Brian Hofer

 

[Grumpy]

Russ, I am jealous. I wish that I had three weeks clear to spend time with Bruce, or Chris. But, after speaking with both of them, they have a bit to much energy for me! (said with all do respect)
Bottom line is, you can never know to much. And as Grumpy pointed out, there is more than one way to do things. There is no right or wrong way if it works.
I have been lucky enough to learn from someone who has infinate wisdom, and talent. He is a great mentor and friend. We should all be so blessed.
We should all consider ourselves lucky to have peers to support us. Even though thier opinions are a bit brash at times.
Must be a East coat-West coast thing! I am glad I am in the middle as my skin is not as thick as some others.

Good job Russ!

Brian Hofer

Brian ... life is a learning experiance :biggrin: everyone has to start somewhere !!! I have seen post for both you and Russ and ya both deserve the "attaboy's" award

 

[Russ Merritt]

Russ, I am jealous. I wish that I had three weeks clear to spend time with Bruce, or Chris. But, after speaking with both of them, they have a bit to much energy for me! (said with all do respect)
Bottom line is, you can never know to much. And as Grumpy pointed out, there is more than one way to do things. There is no right or wrong way if it works.
I have been lucky enough to learn from someone who has infinate wisdom, and talent. He is a great mentor and friend. We should all be so blessed.
We should all consider ourselves lucky to have peers to support us. Even though thier opinions are a bit brash at times.
Must be a East coat-West coast thing! I am glad I am in the middle as my skin is not as thick as some others.

Good job Russ!

Brian Hofer

Thanks Brian! You know I've never spoken to you or met you but I have followed your work through all your good feedback/happy customers and without sounding too retarded.....It means a lot to me for you to say that....Thanks man!

The time in Cali was really one of the best things I ever did. I remember telling Bruce on the phone when he was askin me to go, "look dude, I know how to take em apart and put em back together but NOT LIKE YOU"!!! I'm like, I'm not worthy....... He said don't worry bout it........Just get out here...........One of the best things I ever did even though I missed my dogs......3 weeks is a long time!!

I learned so much!! More than I had in the 3 yrs before that struggling with all the other previous transmissions I had various people build for me. It got to the point of having to learn these for myself cause besides the PTS trans I bought, none of the others worked for very long if at all in my low 10 sec car...........

Melissa's car has taught me even more and like Grumpy/you/others said, once it forces you to overcome problems, only then will you start to understand and come up with your own way of doing things........ Her trans is just the way I/Grumpy like em.........Commanding shifts, not now....RIGHT NOW!

I'd like to mension Len from Vegas too. He has help me a few times as well and I am very grateful to have him as a good friend a phone call away!!

 

[gyrhead]

Simple Math

Here's the Russ Merritt math:

Workmanship + pride + quality + integrity + value + humility = All of my future transmission work and all my referrals.

Keep up the good work Russ, you do it well and most importantly you keep it fun with NO attitude.

How refreshing in the automotive business!

Tom

 

[WE4]

Chris....Sheesh.....

although i respect bruce toelle for his achievements ,his methods and idealogy on principles of operation and transmission building dont interest me,much as mine dont interest you in the least.a trip to california to learn from him would provide little or no benefit .if i was in california in his area id go there just to break his balls and crack jokes and play around if anything.that doesnt mean i enjoy poking at people 2 feet shorter than me either.at this stage in the game other peoples methods are not in the cards for me as i have spent too much time developing my own.for someone such as yourself who hasnt hatched out of the egg completely this was useful for you to get basic knowledge on the confines of an automatic that you had not been exposed to previously.that is commendable.keep up the good work and your customer portfolio will continue to expand.its nice to see some of us get customers appreciation,most of the time they only publicly opinionate when they feel they were done wrong.i couldnt run a cnc machine last year at this time let alone program it and now i can.i ran 45 2004r input shafts from start to finish on my cnc turner and cnc lathe today.that makes me proud .and pretty soon this will drive down the price of input shafts and drums lower than they are now so everyone can afford to put one in their units.and as for materials quality we dont need boeings stamp of approval theres over 500 of them in service with no returns.and what does befor i lose my mind mean?i didnt get that .maybe you can email me an explanation if you feel here is the wrong place.

You are taking this wayyyy too personal. Give the guy some credit. He is not saying his level of expertise is any better than yours. He , as well as I, am just proud and impressed with his drive and work. Let him ride the wave, and he does well. Yes, within a week I could easily drive you crazy. I am normal, but define "normal". I want you all to know that I am a NEW YORKER both at heart and in being raised in NY so I am actually an "East Coaster"
If it were up to me, (wife of 25 years says no way) I would be living back there again. So this east coast /west coast thing is irrelevent and garbage. We are BOTH "East Coasters". Always have been, always will be.
I hate the dictatorship of California, and I mean HATE!
Turbo Dave was the smart one... He "got out" ...
There is plenty of work for all of us so start THINKING like a team and not an "I" as there is no I in team.
I will continue to build this "TEAM" up as I think it is good to have more eyes and more info all the time. The fact that they do use some of our parts makes tech easier as I know what they have vs the problem they may be experiancing. I am a little more suddle and have a bit more patience than you do , but that makes me no better. I do KNOW that, and ANYBODY who knows me or has been to the shop, knows how much pride and the quality of workmanship we put out.
That will always remain the same. I do not care if I get 1 unit out or ,6 units out, They will all be to my specs before the unit ever goes into service. I am a dick that way. Poor Adam has pulled more trannies due to me wanting to do some slight change. He gives me that look of , "you are kidding, right?" Nope.
Pull it.
So, in closing, Chris, be cool. We all know you, your mannerisms, and your opinions. That does not make anybody else any less intelligent or smarter. It just shows, taught correctly, and having the desire, anybody's goals can be accomplished and achieved. I am very proud of what I taught Russ, and am even more proud that he took what he learned and applied it. That is the problem with most guys today. They do not apply what they have learned or try to cheat to accomplish it. As Russ and others will tell you, DO NOT cheat, buy the right parts and do it right the first time. Just in preperation for a build, it takes us 8-16 hrs to just prep it for assembly. That is how thorough we are. So like Grumpy said, more than one way to skin a cat.
I do believe tho, that you are making more of this personally than you have to. Russ is NOT going to go away, and will continue to learn , so look out down the road. He just may become the new Bruce or Chris on the block.
Just wait till I get sick of all this crap and give it all to him to run with. Russ is the one I would give it to if I had to get out for any reason. That is just how much faith and pride I have in him.
That should tell you something, SOMETHING HUGE!!!! :biggrin:

Screw them all Russ, I am very PROUD of you! VERY PROUD!!
Keep up the good work.

( And just to bust balls (hehehehehe) :tongue: ... Russ, keep exclusivley using the number one quality parts available for the 2004r from PTS XTREME!! You cannot beat the quality of PTS XTREME components!!! PERIOD!! The owner is a whack but the parts are NUMBER 1!!!!!......All genius' are usually very eccentric. Look at Einstein and others.. ) You listenin' Chris? :wink: AND What is the deal Chris? I do not deserve to have my name capitalized? LOL Hire a typist next at that place! ROFLMAO!

 

[Grumpy]

Screw them all Russ, I am very PROUD of you! VERY PROUD!!
Keep up the good work.

( And just to bust balls (hehehehehe) :tongue: ... Russ, keep exclusivley using the number one quality parts available for the 2004r from PTS XTREME!! You cannot beat the quality of PTS XTREME components!!! PERIOD!! The owner is a whack but the parts are NUMBER 1!!!!!......

I don't see a "normal" person in here . Bruce I did disect all the parts Russ had.. only think I can say is they looked great (awesome machine work BUT don't let that go to your head !! ) and are still alive in Melissa's beater .... ok now everyone doesn't have to slam Russ ... I can do that all by myself !!! Hey I am married.. I know all the tricks

 

[Pronto]

I liked the old Art Carr shift kits

I got one of the California Performance (Real Art Carr) shift kits. Big Al put it in for me while I tried to "helpful". I would never had been able to do it myself but as we went along it was starting to make sense. I'm very pleased on the shift feel and performance. "If" (or when) I ever need a tranny done, it will be with Russ.