Strange Workshop

I ordered some parts from the website and when they arrived there were pieces missing. After a few emails back and forward we worked out they dissapeared during transit. They were very quick to sort the issue and had new parts on the way pronto. A+

Appears professional and comms well initially, but worst experience by far. Plenty of opps given to rectify mistakes and oversight. Be warned.

Amazing work from a shop that cares. He has fixed all the work other "professionals" did previously on engine swapped car. Cannot recommend enough.

I give Jon my nightmares and he takes my problems away:)
I've taken my RX7 to Strange several times for many things both minor and major.
First bit of work was a compression test. He fixed the door handle in the same visit.
Next I had him install some seats and carpet, and fixed the tach which was bouncing all over the place. Jon threw on a driveshaft loop as the goal was to get the car certified and it didn't have one.he somehow managed to fit in a K&N on the turbo as well.
An injector seal burst later that year and caused a rather major engine bay fire. So I had it towed to Strange and had some more work done.
Replaced the exhaust which was too loud. Jon really knows his stuff (or he fluked it) because the db reading afterwards was between. 2 to. 4db under the limit = PERFECT;
Removed an exhaust leak due to a dodgy exhaust flange that had been welded to the manifold;
Actually put gaskets in, where gaskets are meant to go;
Welded up the Power point frame that had a giant crack in it;
Upgraded the injectors (due to damaged wiring from the fire) and the fuel pump;
Had the ECU replaced with a Link. Jon was up till the early hours of the morning installing the ECU so that the car could make it to the dyno the next day.
Called me when the tuner said the car was at it's limit. Relayed to the tuner that I wanted the current HP goal to be hit;
After that, we noticed some of frail air vents had been broken during one of it's visits and Jon hooked me up a with a deal on replacing those. He even stayed later to help me fix up the seats (because certification).
PROS - Probably the best communication of all the places I've taken my cars. Received updates on progress as things got done. I was given a call and provided multiple options whenever we encountered new issues. Has contacts where I can take the car their and know anything can be fixed.
CONS - The tach failed after the first visit, but was quickly fixed the next time I took the car in. Driveshaft hoop wasn't radius'd on the underside.
"I'll be back"

Jon is hands down the best man to contact if you need any work done on your rotary. He is quick and knowledgeable and goes the extra mile

I give Jon my nightmares and he takes my problems away:)
I've taken my RX7 to Strange several times for many things both minor and major.
First bit of work was a compression test. He fixed the door handle in the same visit.
Next I had him install some seats and carpet, and fixed the tach which was bouncing all over the place. Jon threw on a driveshaft loop as the goal was to get the car certified and it didn't have one.he somehow managed to fit in a K&N on the turbo as well.
An injector seal burst later that year and caused a rather major engine bay fire. So I had it towed to Strange and had some more work done.
Replaced the exhaust which was too loud. Jon really knows his stuff (or he fluked it) because the db reading afterwards was between. 2 to. 4db under the limit = PERFECT;
Removed an exhaust leak due to a dodgy exhaust flange that had been welded to the manifold;
Actually put gaskets in, where gaskets are meant to go;
Welded up the Power point frame that had a giant crack in it;
Upgraded the injectors (due to damaged wiring from the fire) and the fuel pump;
Had the ECU replaced with a Link. Jon was up till the early hours of the morning installing the ECU so that the car could make it to the dyno the next day.
Called me when the tuner said the car was at it's limit. Relayed to the tuner that I wanted the current HP goal to be hit;
After that, we noticed some of frail air vents had been broken during one of it's visits and Jon hooked me up a with a deal on replacing those. He even stayed later to help me fix up the seats (because certification).
PROS - Probably the best communication of all the places I've taken my cars. Received updates on progress as things got done. I was given a call and provided multiple options whenever we encountered new issues. Has contacts where I can take the car their and know anything can be fixed.
CONS - The tach failed after the first visit, but was quickly fixed the next time I took the car in. Driveshaft hoop wasn't radius'd on the underside.
"I'll be back"

(PLEASE READ REVIEW BEFORE GOING TO THIS WORKSHOP)
Took my car over to Strange Workshop earlier in January and advised John that my head gasket was cracked I did earlier tests myself, at the time BUT he was certain that the headgasket wasn't cracked. Left the car with him for nearly a month to find out the issue.
1st said the radiator cap was the incorrect one - replaced with a new one and got a call saying that it isn't loosing coolant and the car was ready. I had to advise him that if he actually drove the car for a long period or under boost he said "no" advised him to do this, he then came back and said that it is still losing water. Though I already advised him that I knew the headgasket was blown.
He then charged on his invoice $600.00 of labor at his hourly rate of $110.00 an hour on inappropriate tests (and a drive to Piha) to determine if it was the head gasket or not
Total cost of work was $4,000,
He then told me to bring it back to him to get his tuner to retune the car (luckily I didn't) Took it to my own tuner and was advised on the pictures (below) that I have attached to this review, cambelt was 3/4 out of the cam gears, cambelt was damaged and the timing was incorrect and out by a tooth. Could of done thousands of damage to my engine that was just freshly rebuilt.
Contacted him and let him know of the situation, did say sorry but said this would of been prevented if I went back to his workshop, but the fact of the matter was I paid 4k for head gasket job to be done correctly, him and his mechanic should of thoroughly checked everything and tested. Lack of care and due diligence on his part and wouldn't really accept much of the blame. He works on high performance vehicles but yet failed to check or see if the timing belt was correctly fitted,
Also didn't really want rectify the problem or any sort of reimbursement
Luckily no damage was done to the engine. See photos for proof.
DO NOT TAKE YOUR CAR TO HIM, expensive and poor workmanship.

NOW REQUIRE:
New CAMBELT COVER
CRANK GEAR
CAMBELT
- parts need to be ordered from Japan

Absolutely appalling

Jon's expertise and attention to detail are second to none. I dropped off my FD RX-7 with a standard, blown engine, and left with over 400rwhp.
The level of care and finish is equal to any I've ever seen either in magazines, or in local workshops.
If you own a rotary, or any high performance car for that matter, you don't need to go anywhere else.

Jon is an expert at what he does. Best to book in advance to lock down a timeframe because it's so busy