Josh's Car Corner - Ep. 65 - Installing a Maverick Man Carbon Fiber Diffuser

[@JoshsCarCorner]

Since this video was uploaded, Maverick Man has gotten in touch with me. In his response to the video, he said there were a couple of things I got wrong, so in the interest of full disclosure, I told him I would set the record straight on a couple of things. 1) I said that once your piece is done you have 48 hours to pay for it. He says that is wrong and if you cant pay within 2 days, you can let him know if you need more time to do so. To be fair, I did send him a message the day I received word the part was done because I had a question. After a day and a half a I did not get a response, and I didn't want to risk losing my diffuser so I paid in full. Why was I afraid of losing the dffuser? Because this is the exact text from the message I got from him. "thanks for waiting such a long time!! however please either RESPOND BACK OR PAY THE BALANCE DUE WITHIN 48 HOURS or your order will be passed along to the next person in line. keep in mind your deposit is also non-refundable as it states on my website when you placed the order. anyhow sorry for this 48 hour request but you know how long you have been waiting for this spoiler and other want theirs now too. two days turn into one week, one week into two. i have to put my foot down when it comes to these. if you need more time to pay just let me know." He responded 8 days after my initial message to him. Would I have lost my diffuser had I waited for his response before paying? It sure sounds like it. 2) He states that there is no wait list, and he does not do production runs, he makes different parts every weekend. They may be for a GTO, or for some other car. So every weekend he produces something different, and you have to wait to get your piece before everyone else who ordered the same piece, so it may not get done that weekend and you have to wait your turn for the next weekend he makes the piece you ordered to get yours. To me that is the definition of a waiting list and a production run, but he disagrees. 3) He says I neglected to point out that a carbon fiber diffuser is stiffer than the factory insert and will not flex the same way. I assumed this would be obvious to people but he doesn't think so. 4) He says that his instructions state that you may need to use a Dremel to grind down the tabs in order for the diffuser to fit in the bumper (which they do), then proceeds to ask me if one of my requirements for buying the diffuser was that I shouldn't have to modify it, why would I buy it? Well, he didn't send me his instructions until the diffuser was completed, so I didn't know it may be required before I paid the $30 to be on the waiting list. Even after learning that, I still wanted the diffuser. Knowing I may have to massage the tabs didn't bother me. Having to modify my car to make the diffuser fit right does. 5) He says I failed to mention the differences between a hand lay up versus a pre-preg vacuumed auto claved product (???). I also failed to mention how light the diffuser is compared to the factory insert. For those that actually care about such things, the factory insert weighs about 3 pounds, his diffuser may be a pound lighter. Check your time slips to be sure. 6) He said I don't give an example of why carbon fiber is hard to care for, and that I should have compared it to how headlights delaminate. "Nobody ever warns us about it but it is expected to happen." OK. Also, he says expecting a manufacturer to ceramic coat someone's part before they buy it is a tad "out there". Except I didn't ask him that, only suggested it could be offered as an additional service customers could opt for when making their purchase. Other vendors that make body parts offer to paint them in your car's color for an extra fee. What I suggested is no different. So there you go. I incorrectly stated that your only option is to pay for your part within 48 hours of being notified of its completion. I was wrong.

[@RobFRC]

You should see his posts/threads in the facebook GTO/G8 groups. Really makes ya wonder -_-

[@BA-AA-ADGTO]

You need to set the record straight regarding your GTO being a Salvage/Rebuilt Title & the fact that it has been in multiple accidents with prior severe rear end damage Josh! No way would I expect a diffuser to fit properly on a GTO that was rear ended so badly that the crash bar & frame had to be repaired. You are being so dishonest & making it sound like your car is a garage queen that is completely flawless. Which just isn’t the case!!! If you wanted it to fit properly, why didn’t you have the diffuser installed at a professional body shop? You could have brought it to the same body shop that charged 10K to repair your flawless rear end in the past!!! Sorry Josh, but your KZbin mechanics zip-tie degree doesn’t qualify you to discredit Maverick Mans world known quality work!!!! I lost complete respect for you after this last episode & will no longer watch anymore of your videos. You need to point the finger at yourself on this one!

[@RobFRC]

If I didn't know any better, I'd say that was mavman himself LMAO

[@BA-AA-ADGTO]

RobFRC LMAO 🤣. I definitely wish I had Mavmans crazy skills!!! I don’t think people “especially Josh” realize how difficult it is to make carbon fiber parts. You need to read what Josh said to me on here. It just confirms how disrespectful & unappreciative of a person he truly is!!!

[@RobFRC]

I can't wait til C7 Carbon gets into the GTO and G8 came. That'll be the final nail in the coffin for mavman. Lower price, pieces fit and install like factory, and absolutely no wait time.

[@chadeverhart2451]

Another great video! I have thought about one of these and you have helped me out with my decision process.

[@kaspertheghost7198]

He called zip ties a permanent modification. Hahahahahahahah

[@alfonsoValle21]

Odd I bought the fiberglass one and had no issues what so ever I did however removed the whole bumper made it super easy

[@thomasdee3119]

Glad to see you making more videos. Good job. Thanks. Tom

[@marchedy8228]

this makes up my mind to stick with oem parts

[@67judge]

I bought the Carbon fiber without the GTO letters embossed. I’ll install it when I change my rear bumper at the same time. It was tapped in the rear by a hit and run. Let the body shop worry about it. Most of the Carbon pieces from Maverick Man you have to tweak it to fit right. Have fun with the Carbon Fiber Grille insets. I sold mines on Ebay because I didn’t want to mess with! Because the tabs that attach the grille to the housing was a nightmare to line up without grinding. And I was scared to grind too much off to fit. If you get the auto shifter in Carbon Fiber don’t even bother to attach the CF shift button. It’s not going to fit right without a lot of trial and end up with error. Just buy 2 Black button from GTOG8TA. One ☝️ for the shirted and one for the hand brake to match.

[@StrykerWolf92]

Took 10 months to get mine and It doesn't fit as well as I think it should considering the cost.($600). I'm on month 11 for the spoiler and all I know is that the mold is "down " . Does it look beautiful, yes. Is it "worth" it? No.

[@richmcdowell]

Looks good, but shouldn't be a pain in the ass to install or have gaps. I thought about buying one should I ever switch to the 05/6 rear bumper, but I'll keep my 04 factory installed bumper. I have the mav man carbon trunk lip spoiler and I love it.

[@nickmorehead3223]

I have the fiberglass version and the fitment is just as difficult

[@BBob33524]

Dont forget your car was rear ended. I thought you said it was close to totaled. That could be most of your issue. Thanks for the video!

[@JoshsCarCorner]

That was all fixed properly, and that bumper was brand new at the time of the repair. I also have photographic evidence showing that the bumper sat properly with no gap before I took out the original insert.

[@Juicey3887]

Great vid I've been looking to get one for my gto looks good

[@RecklessRegal]

You can see as soon as you flip that piece over that it has fiberglass mat on the backside and a carbon skin on the top. This is a common MO for him, and is normal with most of his products, but that causes issues. Mostly fiberglass is very resin heavy and because of that not only is it brittle (something you don't want on a bumper) but extreme exposure to heat can cause it to deform. I have the carbon fiber diffuser on my car as well, and had the fiberglass diffuser on my old GTO and have similar thoughts as you, I also have the spoiler on my car and it is beginning to discolor and delaminate and my car spends 98% of it's life in a climate controlled shop, it's never been outside for more than a few hours at a time.

[@Djalathawayne]

Should of clear coated it

[@RecklessRegal]

@@Djalathawayne I'd love to hear how clear coat prevents delamination.

[@StelioKontos42069]

thanks for writing this out, this was the last nail in the coffin for me. almost bought from him so you just saved me money im gonna be making horsepower with.

[@ADrones_NewEngland]

Josh i love your videos man keep them coming forget the hater comments!

[@SparkZ1420]

I'm glad I just painted my factory diffuser and added colored letters. This seems like too much of a pain

[@detectivethomas8406]

YES, WE THANK YOU. THIS IS A PIECE OF JUNK. CANNOT THANK YOU ANOTHER

[@ImportDomestic2006]

Josh's Car Corner Sounds like I’ll never end up buying that diffuser and just stick with my OEM Color matched diffuser.

[@thinkmopar]

That piece would be going back for a full refund!!!

[@danielsokol2951]

I’m no expert on carbon fiber work but as a consumer, the amount of work to get it mounted would not be acceptable for me. Seemingly a QC or a mold issue?

[@tracktorque7206]

That’s why I hate working with composites and fibreglass 👍

[@jb6574]

Shame you had a rough time getting that diffuser on..the diffuser looks good on the car. Feel like it should be a direct bolt on. Feel like the fitment should have been better than what it was.

[@636dirtyrick636]

What size tires do you have on the rear? Look really wide. Nice video BTW

[@JoshsCarCorner]

275 on a 9.5 inch wheel

[@ssilvrfoxx]

Hey josh will you sell your stock diffuser?

[@JonnyAbs-0]

so this is strictly for looks and to save a pound of weight?

[@DutchMaxed]

You tore mavman apart, he deserves a lot more credit for the work he's done. Keep in mind no one else makes a quality product for GTO's like that.

[@Bwilson-31]

At least Josh is honest and shows the full install and why he feels the way he does for this item wonder how the sap grills install will go😂

[@markitoss]

Ehh it’ll be fine but its facts the wait isn’t worth it on top of that so he’ll get over it

[@MojoKc2244]

Oh boy, I wish I knew you were thinking about doing this. I would have warned you what a total let down that hole experience was for me as well. When I was finally done its sure pretty. But its overpriced for what you have to do. I do like Mav Man but this piece is total waste of time and over priced. Sorry Josh.

[@JoshsCarCorner]

@@buddyrebel_Garcia I am in no position to say that you shouldn't buy parts from MavMan. My experience was bad, yes. Others aren't. I choose to believe that parts with less complex angles are easier for him to make fit and that spoliers and hoods would have a higher success rate in terms of fitment. I'm glad he makes parts for the GTO community, but I also think he has a rather high opinion of himself based on the other things he has said to me that I will keep between us.

[@91Wildcat700]

Doesn't seem like it's worth the money, time waiting to get the product, or the difficulty installing the part.

[@abeclarkatp2595]

As much trash as Mavman talks about other GTO/G8 product makers you would think his stuff was without fault. I'm sorry you've suffered such a disappointment my friend.

[@BA-AA-ADGTO]

“All this time I thought Josh was a honest, nice person. I have watched every GTO episode he made. But after this last one, I have no care in the world watching any more of his videos!!!” I think it’s totally messed up that he name dropped Maverick Man like he did & blamed him for all his struggles with the carbon diffuser not fitting properly! Do you honestly think that Maveman doesn’t take pride in his work? WTF Josh!!!! How many other people/companies do you know that make carbon fiber diffusers for the GTO? Let’s not forget all the other badass custom parts that he still produces for our cars in 2019. Maverick Man is world famous for his quality craftsmanship!!! That’s why GTO owners like myself are patient & willing to wait as long as it takes for him to do the work! *Now, what upsets me about all of this is Josh’s disregard to inform viewers regarding the history of his car!!! In Episode #2, Josh was actually honest regarding his GTO. He informed viewers that when he purchased his GTO, it came with a rebuilt/salvage title out of New Jersey. So he bought a car that was previously wrecked & repaired. Nothing wrong with that!!! In fact, my 05 GTO has a salvage title too & I saved a ton of money buying it like that. I also like that it’s not perfect like me & constantly needs attention LOL. I enjoy working on it & take pride in owning it!!! Now, unfortunately for Josh, after he purchased his repaired GTO, he then was involved in a accident. It made me sad 😔 watching the video & seeing how badly it got messed up. He said the damages were 10K dollars & the body parts were obviously extremely difficult to find but he got fortunate in finding a dealership that happened to have a new rear bumper that was pulled off a converted SAP. Josh said that his car was rear ended so bad that the crash bar & frame all needed significant repairs. Regardless, he had his GTO rebuilt for the second time. I’m sure every part on his car now fits like a new glove 🥊 LOL straight frame/panels after all that...good luck!!! Like i said, I own a salvage GTO & that doesn’t bother me. I actually take better care of my GTO than many owners that have clean titles!!! But Josh 😎👎 So not cool speaking out like that! Especially when you have a KZbin mechanics degree!!! I definitely lost respect for you! You should have had a body shop install that diffuser!!! You definitely can’t say that was properly installed Zip-ties. Clearly need to point the finger at yourself more often & take responsibility.

[@JoshsCarCorner]

If all I wanted to do was badmouth MavMan, I would have deleted your comment and any others that said I was being too critical. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and people are never going to agree on everything. But I do feel the need to respond to some of your comments. The first being that I'm not an honest person. I was as honest as I could be about my experience installing the diffuser. Even when I got some information about MavMan wrong in the video and he pointed it out to me, I corrected it in the comments. I have never lied about anyone or any vendor to paint them in a bad light. All the information I was provided by MavMan was as exactly you saw it, screenshots from the emails I received from him. Secondly, your implication that I don't know what I'm doing and didn't install the diffuser properly. I did the best I could with the information I was given. You saw for yourself the instructions he provides. They don't provide any detail at all. They don't mention what to do to make the diffuser fit better other than grind the tabs. They do mention the install is can be made easier by removing the bumper, but then provide zero instructions on how to remove the bumper. And as to your suggestion that I should have had a body shop install the diffuser, are you serious? This is an aftermarket piece for a limited production vehicle. While we all love them, they aren't exotic cars. Who in the GTO community is going to pay $600 for a diffuser, then pay a body shop $80 an hour to install something they were told from the beginning they could install themselves? Lastly, you and others seem to have this idea that MavMan is beyond criticism because according to you, he's one of the few people that makes parts for the GTO. Truth be told, he's one of many. Plenty of vendors make parts for the GTO if you know where to look. MavMan's just a guy that makes carbon fiber parts. He makes parts for lots of other cars, too. And he resells a lot of other vendor's parts. He's not a saint. If somebody has issues with a part they received from him, they have a right to share that with others that are interested. If you read my responses to other comments, I told others that I'm not in a position to tell them whether or not to buy Mavman's products, I could only comment on my experience with them. I wish I would have gone better with the diffuser install. I wanted everything to go seamlessly, but I'm not going to lie because it didn't. Why should I set aside my integrity because a couple people are upset that I didn't shower MavMan with praise despite my experience? Sorry you don't think you can watch my show anymore. I don't consider it a loss if you're that easily offended.

[@joelaguilera9157]

Subbed

[@invertedpolarity6890]

Not worth the expense or difficulty.

[@christophermix6845]

This has nothing to do with the video. I sent you a email about GTO parts. Your still helping that guy sell GTO parts right?

[@JonnyAbs-0]

Did you hear anything back? I sent something months ago and crickets

[@christophermix6845]

@@JonnyAbs-0 he did, it took him a few days though. The guy didn't have what I needed unfortunately.

[@detectivethomas8406]

Thank you I will not be buying one we thank you!

[@detectivethomas8406]

THANK YOU I WILL NOT BUY 1

[@dolphin19721000]

you were too critical just as soon as you opened the box....