DCR VVT Actuator Update
 

I just got off the phone with Darrell and since they can't get the actuators from Mazda right now this is the deal DCR is offering: Darrell Cox Racing - DCR VVT Actuator (Powered by CubeCart)

If you have an extra VVT that has NOT failed yet you can send it to them and they will pay $75.

If you want their upgrade and you have the core to send in they will take an extra $50 off the price listed on their website. (note: if you send in a core you normally get $100 off, so this will get you $150 off)

Not bad at all.... Hmm....

So $239 less $150 when you return an undamaged one?

Yes as long as it is undamaged they can rebuild it. Mazda has the huge recalls on them and DCR has a wait on getting cores.

who do we talk to about sending one in? is there a form to fill out?

Wish I had known about this I would have had my dealer give me back they parts the replaced when they did the job.

If its like any other manufacturer they wouldn't let you do that. Some recalls depending on the scope all the parts get returned. Otherwise they get thrown away so maybe you could search some dumpsters at a dealer.

yeah, a recall like that its unlikely they will get sent back. its mostly when its an out of the blue warranty situation that something gets called back so they can look at it to see what failed.

I bet most dealers have some boxes of them sitting on the shelves just in case of a call back tho ;)

Fuck. For that price I'll put one in, and I don't even have any VVT issues...yet.


Tapadatass

This wasn't a recall.
It was an extended warranty.
If your unit was replaced under the warranty, it's because it was faulty, at which point DCR wouldn't have wanted it.

I would just call the number on the website and say you heard about this on the forum. I just happened to call and get to talk to Darrell and this is the deal he said he would work out while the recall is going on.

And yes if the dealer had replaced yours then it was most likely bad. Either way if you have a VVT sitting around you can send it in and they will take a look at it and tell you if it is good enough to be used for a core.

What fucking recall?

Its not a recall per say, its a tsb.

Sent from my ADR6425LVW using Tapatalk

In which there is a VERY big difference.
It SHOULD be a recall.

After speaking with them about my shifter, they give zero fucks about us.

That said, $90 out of pocket???

How hard is this thing to install for someone that only has hand tools / no specialty tools?

:edit:
and only 1 day to do it in by himself.

holy cow good deal. But how does one go about getting the $150 off? What superskates said about who to talk to?

My work was not under a recall and I paid to have it replaced and it was my part. Not that it matters at this point but like I said had I know they would pay for a core I would have kept it.

I just got two in yesterday? There is a recall on them but you can still get them if you know how (car down, in shop).


Question, what happens if it makes noise after the modifications? With it being used and what not, would he still honor a warranty on used parts?

It isn't a recall.

TSB = Silent Recall

Mazda is trying to avoid it from going to recall status. I was told over the phone the other day that the CX7 is suppose to get a recall notice on this part.

You can do the vvt by just removing the valve cover.
You'll need timing tools.
And the diamond friction washer from Mazda.

What recall?

either way if its a tsb or an ssm they still dont ever call that shit back, unless its a new phenomenon and they still dont know what it is thats causing the problem. However if they have updated the part know and know it works, they say trash them.



like radiators on a powerstroke 6.4, theres alot of value in a 40 lb clean alum radiator in a recycle center. lol


especially when you have like 10 of them :D

So this part is all that is required to prevent failure?
Would my local dealer likely fit it without fucking up?

If the vvt "breaks", all that will happen, is the pin won't seat itself on start up and you'll hear the tick at startup. What will happen is the intake cam will run ant full retardation until there is oil pressure in the oil control valve, at which point the pin is retracted and the cam because variable anyway.
There are two huge walls of metal at full retard and full advance, so it's not as is your chain and sprocket are going to be spinning and your cam is going to stay stationary.

Shit I have but 2 dozen vvt
There on back order until the 15th of this month because all the vvt prog

I have seen a few break the button out of the VVT housing and spit the spring and cup into the bottom of the oil pan. This is very rare, but it does happen.

Yes, there's that, and the obvious metal shavings that result from scoring the pin seat into a slot.

Oh yea not a recall my mistake. I guess I would call it the one more problem with the motor in line with the pcv and turbo. Mine has 96,000 miles had the chain slap so mine needed to be done. Still really enjoy the car and plan on keeping it until atleast its just about worn out. Dropping around $1000 is not bad after 96000 miles and the turbo would be next for me. I would like it to last until next year then should be good to go for another 50,000 atleast. I enjoy my cars the most when they are paid off.

I was also under the impression that when this happens it will cause more tension on the chain causing it to stretch more quickly?

No.

The chain is a piece of shit too and stretches on its own.

son of a bitch. i just threw one in the garbage two days ago when i shipped the cams off to marcus

Lmao damn man.

So I have two VVTs right now, is it free? Lol

Someone should do a DCR VVT vasectomy and see if we can find out the size of pin he is using. I'd buy one of him if he weren't so unresponsive and lacking any kind of customer support.
Tokay canuc machinist should do it.

I also have 2 spare VVTs.

I totally agree. They take over a week to respond in inquiries and even when they do, they don't even answer the questions you ask.
Quite vapid actually.
I have PTP's vvt in my hand right now, and his idea is quite good.
Keeping the pin guided in perfect alignment is definitely going to aid in it seating properly, and not breaking the button off on the exterior with oil pressure pushing against a crooked pin. Sadly, I believe I bought the last one he had.
I'm going to take mine appart when I do the swap. I'm certain it's not even broken.

Darrel coxx racing is One of the worst companies I ever dealt with in my life. I ordered one of their actuators and after 3 weeks of calling and emailing them I never got a response.

I then posted on the companies Facebook wall, how SAD, and I asked them if the company had gone out of business. Granted this was at 1130 at night. I got a response in 30 secs to that because I now blew up their spot in front of all their Facebook friends. After 3 weeks the only response I get is on Facebook and that was to tell me they were on back order and had no idea when I would be able to get one. You think they would of told me this before they took my money, or maybe would of put it on their website so customers would know. I proceeded to get a refund from them. And they deleted our entire conversation off of their Facebook because they have the worst customer service I have ever had.

I would never purchase anything from them, $150 off or not u will probably not get what he tells you. Hell you probably won't ever get the product.

FUCK DCR

They've owed me $700 for a couple years and keep ignoring my emails. I filed a report with the BBB and they ignored that too.

I have a couple spares but there's no way in hell I'm sending one to DCR before they pay me every penny of what they owe me

Post up on their Facebook yo!

Do it man!! Blow up their Facebook. It's the only way they answer because they can't stop u from doing it! And everyone will see it!

hmmm... just got a $700 payment from DCR today

coincidence?

Guys, if you want to send me your used VVT I will upgrade them for you at cost + 10% for handling fee's + shipping. I don't like the idea of upgrading the used units but if you guys want this as an option, I will do it.

Now, before anyone states that we are selling anything... that is not the case. I am offering a service that my machinist does for me. I think we would be looking at $80 each, but if we get enough of them I am sure the costs will come down.

I will need you guys to mark the VVT with your name and I will get these back to those that sent them to me. I am getting ready to run a small batch of new VVT's and I might as well add these to that to help everyone bring costs down.

If you want to send me your VVT's please send me a PM and I will get you all the details to make this happen.

Again, I am not profiting from this... I am simply trying to help out the community.

Thanks,

John

Are you serious?

I have a local that sent his car to DCR over a year ago. All the car needed was the engine installed, tuned and a few minor things done. Its been a year and its still parked in the same spot that it was dropped off at. He didn't have to build an engine, get parts, or a turbo kit (customer sent him "everything") and its still sitting there untouched.

Forgot to mention, this customer has sent $1,000's of dollars for DCR to do the work.

You going BT finally Jayson?

I've had my 3076 for over a year... That was for H&R coilovers

When are you going to have your shit resolved so you are approved here again?
There is common interest to get some of your parts on a GB but some still remember all the shit people were posting about your first HPFP internals and some issues with communication.

Would be good if that crap could get resolved so we can move on.
You want business and some here are willing to give you our dorras but the past issues need to be taken care of so people feel safe to deal with you.

Do it.
If you say the design is good I'll take your canuc word of honor that the shit is solid and get two sets myself.

Its up to the admin, everything on my end has been fixed.

All the past issues have been addressed.

That $700 the next day is some sketchy stuff...DCR lurkers??

Shaddddddy ass company!! They probably didn't want you posting more bad stuff on their Facebook wall lol!

@JMEngineer glad you got your $. Was waiting for your thread to get posted.

I emailed them, as I have the VVT we got back after our replacement.

She emailed me, and asked about this thread. She is not an approved vendor here, so she cannot post (snicker) but I got a little insight to their piece.

—

Wish i would of known this before hand, but I haven't had the problem with the customer service that anyone else has had with DCR. They emailed me right away multiple times asking what they wanted me to do to get them a VVT. Then called and got answers right away. I guess we will see how it goes, the VVT i sent them will be there next week.

I'll keep ya posted.

This seems to be one of the more important things to get upgraded with something consistent because of timing. Mazda seems to have dropped the ball, but glad to see there are people like you that we can look to to get it fixed.

Wait what? They had the balls to single me out and then claim that they are the "pioneer's of this problem and make real horsepower".... WAIT, WHAT? Am I the only one seeing it this way? Where is the DCR proven car making 400 HP? 500 HP? 600HP? 700HP?, do they even have a car running this VVT making any real power? WAIT.... WHAT!

Ok, my turn and I only have one thing to say. Threading a powdered metal part that was never designed to be threaded or is to thin to be threaded... bad idea.

I have a DCR VVT. We will see what it will hold up too when I'm done with it and have to say look pretty solid...

I like how they're trying to extrapolate on ptp's customer service when they're currently have the same issues.

I had no problem getting my vvt from ptp.
All while waiting to hear back from dcr.

LMAO at DCR making real horsepower on this platform.

Until someones DCR or PTP actuator fails, its kind of a moot point anyways as the upgraded VVT actuator isnt a "performance" mod. My DCR is holding up fine. From what i have seen DCR and PTP's VVT's are both great pieces. John always returns my phone calls and is always willing to discuss various things with me on the phone. I havent had any contact with DCR since i got my upgraded VVT from them 1+ yrs ago and reported it was working great.

They are both good parts, I just don't like to weld or cut on powdered metal (personal preference).

JJ, what I think is funny is how DCR singled me out in that comment/email. Then making comments about being pioneers and making real power with zero proof to back up those claims.

Yeah... I wasnt extremely pleased with how they handled the VVT situation in the first place. I had to break and pay for 4+ VVT acuators and then send them a busted one and a working one until they even wanted to look at or think about the possibility that it might be something they did to cause it. (stiffer valve springs). But in the end i got a working solution ($1000 of "RnD" for them later)

I just don't understand why you can't return an email with "I have no idea wtf Mazda is doing so do you want a refund or do you wanna wait?"

We're all fucking adults for fuck's sake.

this thread smacked my face with reality...because I was excited to have my VVT (or what I'm 99% sure is VVT noise on startup) fixed under the "recall"...because in my head I had translated TSB into recall. I know the difference...but overlook such things from time to time.

gdamnit. this went from free to not free. no effing way I'm stocking out to take it in. Nator WI/IL here i come!

If you're still under warranty, it will be free.

also had a relapse on being under 60k so still under warranty. (solidly modded. 07. warranty = no more)

Woot, woot!
DCR must have some back in stock. I received a Shipping notification today. Order them up. I am sure they only have a few.

Fuck dcr.
They take a week to answer an email and still don't even answer the question in the email.

I get emails within few hours and got my new vvt within 2 weeks with no issues!

Must be nice. I bought the ptp vvt while I was waiting to hear back from dcr after they asked me for my vin.
Then I got a steal from ptp on internals and a bnib access port.

I guess it's hit or miss with DCR. They replied to my e-mails within 1 day. They gave me a solid date when the product would be ready, and shipped it out right away.

But also seems like it's hit or miss with PTP too. But I personally have never had any problems with either.

I'm surprised you guys are allowing any of these companies to charge your CC without shipping the item. If you don't get anything by the time your cc bill is due, just dispute it with the cc company. End of story. Any company that charges your card before even knowing if they have the item in stock is sketchy as hell.

FWIW, I called DCR today and had a great conversation with a women on the other end of the line. She mentioned that they had one VVT ready to ship and that I could send my core/stock VVT in at a later date for the refund.

I had her upgrade the shipping to 2nd Day Air and, if everything works out, I'll see the VVT on Friday, so I can work on the motor this weekend.

I've seen that people have had problems with them in the past but, as far as I'm concerned, their customer service was top notch.

Funny you mention this. I just got $75 for my VVT sent into my paypal from Jennifer Cox. I sent it last week, they got it Monday, and gave me $75 today for the POS VVT that we had replaced.

Now to go to the local dealer and get their 50+ piled up, send in, get $ and then get parts! LOL

Are they still doing the cash back thing then?

Just sent them an email about getting one. We'll see where this goes.

I ordered one on Friday, not heard back yet and going to call tomorrow to see if they have one in stock or not.

I am about to send mine in, if you guys need cores I have like 3 of them that I can send in.

I need a core and they responded to my email today. What do want for the core?

I donno, throw me a number and ill throw it in the box and mark it as yours. I know I have two if someone else needs one ill need to check to make sure I havent sold the other already.

Lemme check with my local stash of dead Mazda parts. I may have one and didn't realize it. I'll let you know this afternoon.

2 months ago, I got $75 for my old VVT that all I needed to do was mail to them.

@06Speed6, I've got 2 VVT's for exchange for the two I need. Thanks for looking out.

No problem man

Still waiting to hear back from DCR on my order status. Not sure if they are waiting on me to send in a VVT or what. Just need to get the part asap so I can get it and chain/tensioner swapped.

Im kinda in the same boat. i need to order a new vvt and i want to try the dcr but i cant wait too long. i want my car back!! lol. how long did you have to wait? and did it seem worth it? i havent found any reviews on the unit.

I heard back after my last post that it would ship out by last wednesday. Not heard back or received it yet. Need to follow up again.

I've emailed both Jennifer and Darrell and have yet to receive a response. Tried calling them as well and nobody answered. Seems like DCR is still having customer service issues.


Tapadatass

Sent them an email, I need to pick one up and I have two extra cores if they need them.

I have left numerous messages this last week just asking them to tell me when its going to ship out. No response and I have no idea if its shipped or what. They say their customer service is better, well its not. Its terrible. Just tell me when my product that I ordered and paid for already will ship out! You told me it would ship a week and a half ago, well its not here.

My car is booked in for VVT and timing chain fix on Friday. I don't want to have to put an OEM VVT but I need this fixed as I have been driving on loose chain for weeks.

:(

Well that sucks, lets see if they respond to me at all.

Goddamnit. I really don't want to have to buy the VVT actuator from PTP.


Tapadatass

Is the PTP one really better than OEM? Trying to decide what to do if DCR dont come through this week.

Yes. It's a reworked oem unit.

Plenty of people running it with out a single issue, including me at over 700hp and over 600hp daily driven for extended periods of time. Instead of welding or threading, PTP has double pinned the puck. Why the reluctance to buy the VVT replacement from PTP? DCR's customer service was way worse here then PTP's ever was. How long did they have paying customers waiting on a manifold? If I remember correctly that situation was bordering on becoming like the Medieval situation. And meanwhile they take jabs at PTP while claiming to be the big power pioneers for this platform (all in their product descriptions). I have asked them for links to their high power builds. Hell, can anybody show me an MS DISI that DCR is largely responsible for that has put down 75% of what my car has?

It's not a question of quality, customer service, or innovation Erich; it's a question of price. John's parts are simply overpriced across the board.


Tapadatass

I hadn't checked what the price difference was, but if true that is a fair enough argument.

Edit: Just checked prices and John's is in fact $100 more. Likely because John uses new parts and I am assuming DCR works from the cores that are getting returned. Not saying anything about the merits of using new or used, just pointing out the likely reason for the price difference.

.

I think phailrider was near 900hp...

It is a price thing, I have three VVTs laying here and they are perfectly good parts and John wont use them. To save 300% most of us will suffer the terrible customer service.

That's it exactly. The VVT actuator off my car works fine with no signs of failing yet, so why not save $100 and get it modified instead of getting a whole new one?

Perfectly reasonable position to take. Hope it works out for you.

If somone could post pics of the dcr VVT, i wonder if I could duplicate it...

I just got an email saying its shipping out tomorrow. If/when I receive it I will get a bunch of photos for you.