Warning: TVT Design RIP OFF
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,833
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From: Atlanta
Current: AMG GT-C. Sold: 01 CLK55, 00 ML55, 01 ML55, 06 E55
Warning: TVT Design RIP OFF
Anthony at TVT Design sold me a "ported and polished" intake manifold that has caused much trouble on my car w208 CLK55 (hasn't been running properly for months).
He gave me the wrong torque values (via email, documented) when installing and I stripped the threads in my intake manifold. The manifold was sent to a machine shop for repair. This is when Anthony began not answering my calls.
Since, I've installed and reinstalled 3 times and it still has a serious vacuum leak. The leak appears to come from the gasket made to reseal the manifold when TVT_Design took the setup apart. I've called and left who knows how many emails and voicemails and no return. This guy is not a business man and should not be trusted with your expensive vehicles.
Furthermore, I've spoken with some MB performance enthusiasts and employees and the dealership is UNALLOWED to separate these 2 manifold parts, as the runners are designed for maximum torque by RPM. Removing these most likely decreases performance.
If only I'd been told the truth about the "ported and polished" manifold....and if he would ANSWER A PHONE CALL.
Please stay far, far away, as he only responds well until he makes a mistake. Please note that I have never slandered a person or company and their reputation publicly before, but this time I feel that you all need to know.
He gave me the wrong torque values (via email, documented) when installing and I stripped the threads in my intake manifold. The manifold was sent to a machine shop for repair. This is when Anthony began not answering my calls.
Since, I've installed and reinstalled 3 times and it still has a serious vacuum leak. The leak appears to come from the gasket made to reseal the manifold when TVT_Design took the setup apart. I've called and left who knows how many emails and voicemails and no return. This guy is not a business man and should not be trusted with your expensive vehicles.
Furthermore, I've spoken with some MB performance enthusiasts and employees and the dealership is UNALLOWED to separate these 2 manifold parts, as the runners are designed for maximum torque by RPM. Removing these most likely decreases performance.
If only I'd been told the truth about the "ported and polished" manifold....and if he would ANSWER A PHONE CALL.
Please stay far, far away, as he only responds well until he makes a mistake. Please note that I have never slandered a person or company and their reputation publicly before, but this time I feel that you all need to know.
MBworld Guru
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 22,058
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From: Diamond Bar, CA
W206 PHEV AMG
sucks to hear that.
personally I don't see a reason to "port & polish" the intake manifold as they were designed to maximize torque at low rev and power at high rev with the adjustable flap inside the runner
personally I don't see a reason to "port & polish" the intake manifold as they were designed to maximize torque at low rev and power at high rev with the adjustable flap inside the runner
Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: orlando
2002 c240 mercedes benz
TVT Design..
Never had a problem with anthony. He had my car for a week and did a TVT250
and car runs great. But you may not be able to reach him because he is in med school and is no longer in business.
and car runs great. But you may not be able to reach him because he is in med school and is no longer in business.
Banned
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,073
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From: North San diego
C320 2002
Man im sorry to hear about your ride.. But it looks like your paying his medical school =/ How much was the port job? How long ago did this happen? Any pictures of the job done?
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Out Of Control!!
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From: Westwood, NJ
2004 Civic Si. FWD for the Win!
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From: Queens, Ny
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I haven't heard of a "port and polish" service for a intake manifold, rather the head. You can have a I/M ported, but then again you have a OEM AMG piece why would you utilize the aftermarket for such an important part?EDIT: Also was it a core exchange?
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Atlanta
Current: AMG GT-C. Sold: 01 CLK55, 00 ML55, 01 ML55, 06 E55
I know he had some items for the 203, so I wanted to give a heads up. I emailed him back and forth for about 2 or 3 weeks while I had troubles. He gave me the wrong torque values for the throttle body and then never responded after I let him know. Cost me $100 at a machine shop. Then after installing, it had a nasty leak.
BTW, he took out the runner section that controls max torque/rpm range. Can't see that it makes sense...pics are below. I emailed and left him several voicemails (months ago) requesting that he at least get back in touch with me and I wouldn't make any note. But finally (it's been 3+ months now) I decided to raise the flag to fellow members.
It's great that Anthony is in med school, but ripping me off for $600+my time and repair $...and potential damage to my AMG doesn't leave a good taste in my mouth. Lesson learned about half @$$ tuning shops with little/no credibility.
https://mbworld.org/forums/clk55-amg...ook-right.html
BTW, he took out the runner section that controls max torque/rpm range. Can't see that it makes sense...pics are below. I emailed and left him several voicemails (months ago) requesting that he at least get back in touch with me and I wouldn't make any note. But finally (it's been 3+ months now) I decided to raise the flag to fellow members.
It's great that Anthony is in med school, but ripping me off for $600+my time and repair $...and potential damage to my AMG doesn't leave a good taste in my mouth. Lesson learned about half @$$ tuning shops with little/no credibility.
https://mbworld.org/forums/clk55-amg...ook-right.html
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Atlanta
Current: AMG GT-C. Sold: 01 CLK55, 00 ML55, 01 ML55, 06 E55
No core exchange. After reinstalling my stock manifold, the car runs perfectly again. The "ported/polished" manifold they sold me simply had the interior torque runners removed, light dremeling and a bad silicone seal. The missing runners and bad seal caused the engine to not run properly and have a major vacuum leak.
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Joined: Jul 2007
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From: East Bay, Bay Area
2002 C32, 2012 S550
I read a post on the Xfire Forum that said TVT is out of business, maybe that's why no return calls?
http://www.crossfireforum.org/forum/563604-post9.html
http://www.crossfireforum.org/forum/563604-post9.html
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Joined: Feb 2005
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From: North Carolina
98 Black C43 , 12’ ML 350 Blutec
I can't say a bad thing about the guy.I believe he did one of the first port & polish jobs on my car - https://mbworld.org/forums/c36-amg-c....html.I've never had a problem with the car or his work.Maybe this is a isolated case. 
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Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Germany
c200k
If his side of the story is different, then he needs to address it. Medicine is VERY picky about ethics and stuff like this coming up in a search will certainly compromise his future employment, as well as current studies.
Tell him that. I'm not on his side or the other, but telling it how it is from the inside.
Tell him that. I'm not on his side or the other, but telling it how it is from the inside.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,833
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From: Atlanta
Current: AMG GT-C. Sold: 01 CLK55, 00 ML55, 01 ML55, 06 E55
Why don't you fellas send him my way since everyone knows him so well. I can't get in touch with him via his username, cell phone, etc?
I installed it, huge vacuum leak, reinstalled it 5 times, removed and replaced other components, etc. Finally after 4-6 weeks, I reinstalled my stock one and it has ran absolutely fine since then.
There is a vacuum leak in the part and I paid him something like $500 for it. Maybe I should just split it open and reseal it...then try again.
I installed it, huge vacuum leak, reinstalled it 5 times, removed and replaced other components, etc. Finally after 4-6 weeks, I reinstalled my stock one and it has ran absolutely fine since then.
There is a vacuum leak in the part and I paid him something like $500 for it. Maybe I should just split it open and reseal it...then try again.
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From: Orange County, CA
GMC - Miata - Trek - P-Car
TVT Design has moved on. So much so that it's closed up its shop to pursue other interests.
Unfortunately, substandard people and vendors come and go. That's just part of life.
Closed.
Unfortunately, substandard people and vendors come and go. That's just part of life.
Closed.
