Does anyone know about Mantapart?

[AmIGrand]

OK. I have a 1998 GAGT 2.4 / 5 spd coupe. I have been researching all over the place for mods, and everything is either for the cavy/sunfire and must be modified to fit, or is for the 99+ body's and Getrag tranny's only.

Than I found Mantapart here on the links page. Holy parts batman, they list like EVERYTHING for my car. LSD's, several suspension options, gear sets, clutches, valves & cams, big brake kits, pistons.... I'm in heaven!!!

So here's my question: With all this stuff available, why have I never heard of these guys before, why haven't I heard them discussed here, and why haven't I seen anyone using their stuff?!?!

SpyhunteR said he knew a guy who had a bad experience with their valvesprings, and a search yeilded only a comment regerding the One Lap car using their coilovers. Other than that, I've had no luck learning about these guys.

Any reviews or info would be great, please help, I wanna start on this car!!!!

[iceman]

Lots of info on mantapart @ gmpower.

Apparently they take forever to deliver...

[mfuller]

You won't read much about them because most of their parts are on the expensive side of the spectrum, and once you order parts you typically wait. And wait. And wait. Most people don't want to wait that long, plus they do not have a good reputation for customer service (I've tried to contact them at least 4 times, both by e-mail and phone, and have never gotten a response. Even the race shop that built my suspension is easier to contact.:confused: )......the One Lap car that used their coilovers? It took over 6 months from the order to receipt of product. Conduct business with them at your own risk.

[AmIGrand]

Thanx for the heads-up....

So what does a '98 owner do????? :(

I want to roadcourse her, so top-end power and handling are paramount. I drag on the weekends for fun, and I'd like to see 14's eventually, but that's less important than canyon running and roadcourse performance.

I was VERY intersted in their brake conversions and LSD's especially.

Any idea's?

[GrafxWerks]

Ok, it really depends what you are ordering. The more custom, less-common stuff takes FOREVER, its true. But more common items (brake kits, etc) are typically delivered in reasonable time from what I've heard (I was a J-Body owner before I got the GA, so there was lots of Mantapart talk).

If you want something, find out if they have it in stock (yes, they are hard to get ahold of), and buy COD. All credit cards have protection, so if you used CC and didnt get your order for ages, you have recourse, but its a pain... COD is your best option, worth the extra expense.


- Ryan

[nfsga]

Yeah, they're so unpredictable. I ordered a rear stb for my 96 GA and got it in 3 days. Then I ordered a CAI. Four months later I still didn't have it, so I just told them to credit my paypal acount back.

[AmIGrand]

nfsga - what year and model is your car?

Also, I appreciate the input about shippimg everybody, what about quality? Anyone heard good/bad about any of their stuff?

[GrandAmGT99]

I've heard :

Good Quality
Slow Ass Shipping
**** Poor Customer Service

[nfsga]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by AmIGrand
nfsga - what year and model is your car?

96 Grand AM SE with the 3100

[SpyhunteR]

AmIGrand.... I'll find you strut braces... I know of a place... no worries there.. brake upgrade check out RSMracing.com..
engine stuff come to me i can get ya what ya need there... :)

I'll be the hook up.. damn I need that fuelpump... grrr

[AmIGrand]

You da' man, Rob.... ;)

[John95GA]

Well, after my one experience with them, I wouldn't trust them. I talked to them about their sports shocks and struts and they told me I could get them an inch shorter than stock ones, so after I was reassured of that, I ordered. When they arrived several weeks later and my neighbor started swappng them in, I discovered they looked EXACTLY like the ones I had before, and those were Midas brand!? The ride quality wasn't much better, if at all. If it weren't so cheap to have my neighbor install them, I would've sent them right back. I wasn't about to pay some shop another couple hundred bucks to swap 'em again. My advice: buyer beware!

[homegrown]

I had a throttle body done by them way back when. It didn't take them that long, but I did have to keep after them, they did go a good job though. I think they are in business to support their racing habits, not to make money...they run a bunch of cars in SCCA and stuff like that.

Good luck

[AmIGrand]

Hmmm.

I DO want to race this car....

Thanx again for all the input, everybody!