The Situation:

You might all remember that I started an L67 Fiero swap a couple of months ago for Dizmon. The link is here: http://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum2/HTML/055969.html Anyway, since Dizmon supplied a 4T65-E transmission for this swap we had no choice but to use an OBDII computer. At the time, I did not have the ability to reprogram the OBDII PCM so I started shopping around for someone to do it for us. Well I am on the 3800 e-mailing lists as well as the Grand Prix and other 3800 message boards where I have been seeing this gentleman out of Texas named Loyde who runs FastFieros. In several different posts and mailings by him in addition to what he has listed on his website, he makes himself out to be the "guru" of tuning OBDII 3800 PCMs for the Fiero engine swaps. He claims that he has vast experience in both the swaps and the PCM programming. So I took all of this to mean that this person would probably know what he was doing when it came to doing the PCM for my swap. For the record the engine and transmission we used in our swap were BONE STOCK so tuning should have been a breeze, just removing trouble codes and VATS amoung a few other simple things.

I emailed Loyde asking him if he could do all of these things for our swap using our 2002 PCM that came with the engine. His email response was this:

So, therefore I decided to to have Loyde do the PCM programming since it was going to be "no problem". Notice no where in this email does he make mention of there being an issue with reprogramming the 2002 PCM with 2000/1999 code. I will come back to this later.

Well I got the PCM from Loyde and installed it into the car and on the first test drive the alternator failed so I had to replace it. However, in addition to that there were some emissions trouble codes set. These trouble codes were SUPPOSED TO BE REMOVED since I told Loyde this swap was going into a Fiero and not using any of the OBDII specific sensors and emissions devices. His response email was this:

This is the very first email where Loyde explained to me the problems with the software he was using to tune the OBDII computers. Loyde did cross-ship me a PCM with the emissions codes removed and I had to send him the one I had back once I got the new one. This cost me and my customer $20 in total shipping to this point on top of the $125 we paid for the custom tuning in the first place. At this point I was not upset because I was tidying up a few other things on the car so it was no big deal. However, I did notice that the transmission was not shifting that great, actually it was shifting lazy, sometimes it even felt like it was slipping. The shifts were lazy enough that eventually a code P1811 was set which means Maximum Adapt Long Shift, in other words, the PCM was "thinking" it was adding the maximum amount of pressure to the trans but the shifts were still taking too long to complete. Unfortuneately this trans code and issue did not show up until Loyde had already shipped off the new PCM so there was nothing I could do about the trans code.

At this point, I consulted my transmission builder about the issue because after all, this was a transmission code. It just so happens that my trans builder has done a swap exactly like this into his 96 Cutlass only he was using a 98 GTP PCM and used HP Tuners to program it. He gave me some tests to run by hooking up a pressure gauge to the trans and running the tests by using a scan tool to command a certain % of trans pressure everything checked out well within spec. However, when I terminated the diagnostic test the pressure dropped 25psi below spec at idle. Driving around without the scan tool yeilded similar, less than spec pressures. I consulted my trans builder with this data and he began to ask me questions about who reprogrammed the PCM and what software they were using. I told him I was having Loyde do it and he was using HP Tuners. My trans builder immediately told me to tell Loyde there was an error in the programming that could be related to the Torque Management tables in the programming.

I emailed Loyde with this information I got from my tranny guy and here was his response:

Loyde admits in this email that the problem could be in the code. But notice this is the first instance where Loyde recommends that we should have started out with using a 1999 PCM. Unfortuneately Loyde had already sent the PCM so I decided to just try it out and see if it affected anything. The emissions codes were gone but the trans issues were still there.

I also reported my testing data to Loyde and here was his response:

At this point I was very pleased that Loyde was working with me to resolve this issue and it started to sound like we had this problem nailed down. However, the next couple of emails I got from Loyde began to make me doubt this.

In that thread "Brian's Problem" ended up being a blown input clutch. Not very reassuring news.

Yet another thread that turned out to be a mechanical problem. The owner of the car and I both knew the transmission we had came out of a 2002 GTP and had an overall gear ratio of 2.93:1 so I knew this wasn't the problem. I forwarded some tuning suggestions that my trans builder emailed me to Loyde. The next day I got this email from Loyde:

This is the FIRST time Loyde said he had never done this and tested it before. Glad to find out now that my swap is the guinne pig for Loyde's learning experience. Would have been nice to know before we paid the $125 for the FIRST PCM.

Anyway, that aside, at this point PCM # 3 is on its way and I paid Loyde the $20 in shipping (2 PCM's) from him to us. To this point, total shipping costs me and my customer have paid is $40. Got the new PCM and installed it in the customer's car and walla, the transmission shifted like a dream. No P1811, no slipping. We were both happy...at least until: When my customer was getting ready to leave the check engine light came on and some codes were set. I quickly threw the scan tool on the vehicle and got 3 emissions related trouble codes. OBDII STUFF THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE DISABLED BECAUSE OF THE FIERO SWAP.

At this point both I and my customer were furious. $40 out of our pockets for shipping not to mention the time to swap out the PCMs and diagnose the problems. I wrote this email to Loyde:

Loyde responded:

Woh... Hold up the train. I have a problem calling Loyde? First time I have heard about it. I hadn't called Loyde up until this point because we were communicating effectively thru email channels, or so I thought. Well anyway, I emailed Loyde with my finance's cell phone number because I was working on my website online and the cell phone time was free.

Approx 15 min later Loyde called. Right off the bat I detected a poor attitude on the phone followed by insults about how I have an "attitude" problem with talking to people on the phone. I calmly explained to Loyde that this was the first time that he had ever told me that he PREFERRED to talk on the phone because we were having trouble communicating thru emails. Well I don't know about anyone else, but sometimes it is a lot easier for me to communicate thru emails because I save all my messages and can go back and review them in case I forget anything. Appearantly some people just don't like to do this but anyway. To sum up our phone conversation, Loyde was playing a blame game with his HP Tuners software, its short commings, and the 2002 OBDII program. I questioned Loyde WHY DID YOU NEVER TELL ME ABOUT THIS FROM THE BEGINNING IF IT WAS GOING TO BE SUCH A BIG ISSUE. Thats all he had to tell me. I would have still probably utilized his services. I also explained to him that his website does not speak of any kind of issue at all with his programming. According to one of his own emails he admits he had proven there to be a problem with his tuning software on a message forum OVER 3 WEEKS AGO! When was I going to be told about it? Now me and my customer were $40 in the hole for shipping on top of the original $125 for the programming and we don't want to pay any more money for someone's learning experience. If it was $10, not $40 shipping up until this point we would not be as upset, but $40 and on top of that Loyde still wanted ME to pay to ship the remaining PCMs back to him. Also, Loyde wanted me to explain to my customer that this is a "hybrid" swap for a Fiero and it was "unrealistic" for my customer to expect it to be perfect. Thats funny, of the 9 cars I own, 7 have engine swaps and I don't have any trans issues or false check engine lights. Why is it so hard to figure out what codes each year/make/model OBDII vehicle use and turn off the ones that pertain only to sensors and subsystems not used in a Fiero swap? I am sure Loyde has access to the same info I have which gives me this complete list of enabled DTC's per vehicle make/model/year platform.

Anyway after about an hour of conversation, Loyde said he would pay for all the shipping charges here on out and send us PCM #4 with the 3 OBDII codes removed. However he admitted that he forgot to write down the numbers off PCM #3 that was in the car now so I told him I would be able to get them the following Monday after thanksgiving weekend since I was going to be out of town on a family function. After all, I don't want the cars that leave my shop to have a half-a$$ tuning job done where the check engine light is stuck on because of non-existing emissions equipment. If the check engine light comes on I want it to only be for a legitimate problem with an existing sensor or subsystem. Is that asking too much?

Anyway, while I was sitting down to a thanksgiving day get-together with family, Loyde tried to pull a sneak-attack in my L67/4T65-E swap thread in the hopes of shifting blame from himself to his tuning software and me for using a 2002 PCM in the first place. However, his post did not include the WHOLE truth. He also attempted to contact my customer directly without my knowledge, appearantly to find out the PCM numbers, or so he says. At this point I don't know what I can believe any more, I thought we had things ironed out in the phone call but I was wrong. I told him I would get him the numbers he needed on Monday, he could have waited.

In response to this I wrote Loyde a rather "unfavorable" email that contained much of the information I have told all of you in this post. I explained to him that the problem I have with him was not primarily about the programming, rather it was the fact that Loyde had omitted to use certain problems he was having with his software in programming OBDII PCMs. Furthermore, I explained to Loyde that I did not appreciate this whole "blame game" of his since he has been all over the internet forums and mailing lists telling everyone how good OBDII was and how he was trying to make himself out to be this OBDII tuning guru for engine swaps. I also told him that at this point I was content with keeping this whole matter quiet (publically) if he would drop the issue. Well he couldn't.

In response to this email he had to call my fiance's cell phone and leave a nasty message on her voicemail. My fiance was enraged by this and posted a relpy to my build thread where she was very unhappy to get this kind of message on HER cell phone. Concequently I was out of town picking up some Fiero parts in Omaha, Nebraska all day so I wasn't here to witness what happened. Soon after my fiance posted to my thread, Loyde called her on her cell phone. He proceeded to apologize because he did not know it was her phone but then started to ask her PERSONAL QUESTIONS about OUR RELATIONSHIP. After she told him that was rude he appearantly tried changing the subject and she hung up on him.

After I got back tonight from my trip, I emailed Loyde once again about his actions. I told him it was NONE OF HIS F___ING BUSINESS what my relationship was with my wife-to-be. I consider his actions to be grossly unprofessional and upsurd. I also told him in that email that he needed to cool his jets and if he just dropped the matter, I would never speak of this whole debacle publically. Well, obviously he could not resist the temptation to "save face" and had to try to pull another sneak attack in my swap thread, appearantly in an attempt to try to turn people against me for "cursing" him out in an email. Well the only cursing that happened was about his prying in me and my fiance's private lives.

After I sent that email, I got this reply:

If I am such a theif then why have I provided PFF with so much free information and more, detailed swap threads than most anyone else? Why do I only charge $35 to do a chip or approx $2000 labor to do a turn-key swap? Why do I provide lots of FREE technical info and wiring diagrams, again FREE OF CHARGE on my website? I am a theif who hordes money? WTF??? Let this be a warning to anyone doing business with Loyde and Fast Fieros. On his website and in his message board posts he claims himself to have vast experience and knowledge in swaps and PCM programming, but this whole debacle I have experienced has made me question some of those claims. I think he needs to change his website so it reflects the limitations of his tuning software and ability, at least until he gets it right.

Again I apologize for posting such a negative topic to our PFF community forum, but I just can't tolerate these kind of actions from someone who claims to be the foremost authority on Fiero engine swaps...

-ryan

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power corrupts. absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Custom Chip Burning | Fiero Engine Conversions | Turbocharging | www.gmtuners.com

I can't even describe my reaction to that. But questioning you and your fiance's relationship? That's just freaky.

Hope everything gets sorted out, and thanks for the heads up.

And yes, I will be shipping the remaining PCMs back to Loyde as soon as I install and test the new one in Dizmon's car, so long as Loyde pays for the shipping as he agreed to on the phone.

On another note, you do transmission swaps i'm guessing right?? Do you mind if we chat about that subject cuz my Fiero is not driveable right now cuz of clutch problems. Hit me up on a PM, email or AIM(masterjosh8608) if you don't care.

O yeah---And dont beleive everything you read, it just may not be true.

Obvisouly you didn't read the parts where Loyde was insulting my character and questioning my wife-to-be about her (and my) personal life. You are entitled to your opinion however I think you should get the facts straight. I am sure there are going to be all kinds of people who have had good dealings with Loyde. But I don't think those good dealings outweigh his prying into my personal life nor this statement:

I am not a established member here at all. But I did make the attempt to read EVERYTHING to understand everything before I posted something so that I didn't look like a fool just cause I read bits & pieces. This isn't a flame, but you need to re-read every little thing man. I don't think it was quiet right what you posted & I think you should probably edit it & so will I once you do so.

I personally am glad that this board is here to warn us of shady practices. I haven't been on this board long but I haven't seen that many bashings.

This thread is told from one side, and does a good job of explaining both sides, but emails from Loyde tell quite a bit on there own about what he either didn't know or didn't disclose when he took the job.

I'll tell you what, you wouldn't be able to post here what I would reply to someone who started asking questions about my relationship to my wife. And I am pretty reserved in what I say.