Tuning Shop Reviews
08-08-2009, 04:45 PM
#1
Senior Member
SL Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 665
Tuning Shop Reviews
I thought it'd be cool to start a Thread on all the Tuning Shops people have gone to..
Post up a Review of where you went, this could help people who are looking around.
Maybe Post the Name, Address, Cost, Dyno Numbers, etc.
After a few, we can separate it by State and overall Reputation?
Mods, feel free to Close it up if you want.
California
Midnight Performance
3282 Luyung Dr
Rancho Cordova, CA 95742
916-852-6887
http://www.midnightperformance.com/
Delaware
Verocious Motorsports
818C S Heald St
Wilmington, DE 19801
302-472-8888
http://www.verociousmotorsports.com/
Florida
Central Florida Turbo
549 N Goldenrod Rd
Orlando, FL 32807
321-235-9959
http://www.tunedbycft.com/
Olympic Motorsport
2202 Mears Parkway
Margate FL 33063
561-721-5456
blitzsti04@yahoo.com
Auto Specialist
8775 S US Highway 17/92
Maitland, FL 32751
321-972-4804
http://www.theautospecialist.net/
Illinois
MPH Motorsport
3601 Jarvis Ave
Skokie, IL 60076
847-677-8455
http://www.mphmotorsports-skokie.com/
Raw 1 Performance
929 McDonough Lake Rd
Collinsville, IL 62234
314-623-8674
http://www.raw1performance.com/
New York
Synapse Motorsport
446 Saratoga Rd
Scotia, NY 12302
518-261-1790
http://www.synapseturbo.com/
Ripp Modifications
148 Lynhurst Ave
Staten Island, NY 10305
718-442-4723
http://www.rippmods.com/
Pennsylvania
ESP Performance
2203 N Charlotte St
Pottstown, PA 19464
610-970-8944
http://www.espperformance.com/
Texas
Turbochargers.com
5410 Burr Oak Dr
Houston, TX 77092
713-681-1111
http://www.turbochargers.com/
SGP Racing
11715 Veterans Memorial Dr
Houston, TX 77067
281-444-9195
http://www.sgpracing.com/
Virginia
PTuning
9432 Center Point Ln
Manassas, VA 20110
703-257-1728
http://www.ptuning.com/
Post up a Review of where you went, this could help people who are looking around.
Maybe Post the Name, Address, Cost, Dyno Numbers, etc.
After a few, we can separate it by State and overall Reputation?
Mods, feel free to Close it up if you want.
California
Midnight Performance
3282 Luyung Dr
Rancho Cordova, CA 95742
916-852-6887
http://www.midnightperformance.com/
Verocious Motorsports
818C S Heald St
Wilmington, DE 19801
302-472-8888
http://www.verociousmotorsports.com/
..Verocious Motorsports should be taken down. They give really bad services. Was there when my friend was suppose to get his car Tuned but they made him sit for three hours. The guy Andy kept making excuses that oh my tuning laptop crashed and then after waiting for like god knows how long he came back with his "Money Maker" Laptop saying it didn't crash later on. Didn't even start the tuning or even put the car on the dyno and tries to charge us.
Central Florida Turbo
549 N Goldenrod Rd
Orlando, FL 32807
321-235-9959
http://www.tunedbycft.com/
2202 Mears Parkway
Margate FL 33063
561-721-5456
blitzsti04@yahoo.com
..Luiggi is a great guy, good at tuning, killer deal, street tune or dyno tune available, dont think hes had a bad tc tune yet, great tuner, will spend hoursss in ur car if needed, Julio is a good mechanic, has been building motors for 20+ years, his driveway is always full of cars at all times, can do simple and difficult things all around good mechanic.
The Bad: They are reading this right now
and sometimes it will take longer than original deadline but they get the job done in the end. Luiggi loves sti's to much haha
The Bad: They are reading this right now
and sometimes it will take longer than original deadline but they get the job done in the end. Luiggi loves sti's to much haha8775 S US Highway 17/92
Maitland, FL 32751
321-972-4804
http://www.theautospecialist.net/
MPH Motorsport
3601 Jarvis Ave
Skokie, IL 60076
847-677-8455
http://www.mphmotorsports-skokie.com/
Raw 1 Performance
929 McDonough Lake Rd
Collinsville, IL 62234
314-623-8674
http://www.raw1performance.com/
I have nothing but good things to say about this shop. They are a very small operation that specialize in Subaru and EVO applications. I went to these guys b/c the tuner (Ron) had experience with the Hydra EMS. In one session he had my car running like stock; my car actually held idle, driveability came back, and my power delivery was actually smooth. Still running off of the 0.8bar wastegate spring: 260whp & 310wtq on a Dyno Dynamics. A/F in the mid 10s.
Also, on the tail-end of my tuning session my clutch gave out. I had Raw 1 Performance change the clutch and I had my car within 2 days of giving them a new clutch kit.
Also, on the tail-end of my tuning session my clutch gave out. I had Raw 1 Performance change the clutch and I had my car within 2 days of giving them a new clutch kit.
Synapse Motorsport
446 Saratoga Rd
Scotia, NY 12302
518-261-1790
http://www.synapseturbo.com/
148 Lynhurst Ave
Staten Island, NY 10305
718-442-4723
http://www.rippmods.com/
Originally Posted by Anonymous
"Rippmods is just an "ok" place if you have been going there for a real long time. I did not feel so welcome when going there. On my tune day I was informed that Peri was not comming in on that day anymore and someone should have called me (turned out I wasnt even on the list for that day). But, in fairness to them, their old guy at the desk is not there anymore and the newer guy is better. Anyway, Rippmods has had their querks in the past. I know people who have gone there for maybe about 7yrs now and have heard some wild stories. If a tuner would open up in central NJ (dezod do us all the favor) ...there would be too much business. There are honda tuners, evo tuners, and subaru tuners ...no real toyo tuners. We already know there is a new hot toyota comming out in a few years so the demand will surely be there (im saying we know for sure so there is no guess work) - and all the current toyota's will be looking for tuning. Could even see a supra crowd. Back to RIPPmods review ... their tuner, Peri, goes on extended leave because he is in the reserves. As of a few weeks ago (right now) he is gone and wont be back for a few more weeks. Guys can't wait for weeks. I would think twice about going to this shop if its the only one in your area (till a new one opens up)."
ESP Performance
2203 N Charlotte St
Pottstown, PA 19464
610-970-8944
http://www.espperformance.com/
Turbochargers.com
5410 Burr Oak Dr
Houston, TX 77092
713-681-1111
http://www.turbochargers.com/
I had these guys put a custom setup on my tC in late 2007.
THE GOOD:
- The setup looks absolutely amazing, has gotten quite the attention at car shows or just opening my hood to whoever.
- Given the duration of my build, a loaner turbo tC was given to me for 2 weeks.
- Hospitality with personal visits is great.
THE BAD:
- Communication is poor between customer and shop when not physically present.
- I asked for a bottom mount turbo mani, they gave me a top mount.
- I asked for a GTK-450 Turbonetics turbo, they gave me a GTK-350.
- I asked for a 3" DP and 3" S-Pipe to mate up to a 3" Exhaust, they gave me 2.5" components.
- Tune on my Hydra EMS was horrid! Wideband sensor was NOT calibrated, WOT A/F at 17:1, and driveability... what's that? Kenny Strickler does NOT know how to tune a Hydra EMS; don't know about other fuel/ignition controllers. *These were findings from the next shop I went to.
- Reported ~260whp & 280wtq on Dynojet at 0.8 bar (11.6psi)
- Car was in their shop for 2.5 months. For what I consider a four-week job.
- Car was returned with coolant leak, oil (or tranny fluid) all over the transmission housing, plastic shavings all over the interior for gauge install, and later find out the passenger side driveshaft was not fastened back to the block... producing excessive wheel-hop. *Transmission was removed for LSD/flywheel/clutch install.
- None of my stock parts were returned even after multiple requests.
THE GOOD:
- The setup looks absolutely amazing, has gotten quite the attention at car shows or just opening my hood to whoever.
- Given the duration of my build, a loaner turbo tC was given to me for 2 weeks.
- Hospitality with personal visits is great.
THE BAD:
- Communication is poor between customer and shop when not physically present.
- I asked for a bottom mount turbo mani, they gave me a top mount.
- I asked for a GTK-450 Turbonetics turbo, they gave me a GTK-350.
- I asked for a 3" DP and 3" S-Pipe to mate up to a 3" Exhaust, they gave me 2.5" components.
- Tune on my Hydra EMS was horrid! Wideband sensor was NOT calibrated, WOT A/F at 17:1, and driveability... what's that? Kenny Strickler does NOT know how to tune a Hydra EMS; don't know about other fuel/ignition controllers. *These were findings from the next shop I went to.
- Reported ~260whp & 280wtq on Dynojet at 0.8 bar (11.6psi)
- Car was in their shop for 2.5 months. For what I consider a four-week job.
- Car was returned with coolant leak, oil (or tranny fluid) all over the transmission housing, plastic shavings all over the interior for gauge install, and later find out the passenger side driveshaft was not fastened back to the block... producing excessive wheel-hop. *Transmission was removed for LSD/flywheel/clutch install.
- None of my stock parts were returned even after multiple requests.
..I have experience with turbochargers.com too, I agree totally with bigal.. The personal visit was good but my hydra tune sucks, absolutely not smooth w/ ignition map not well calibrated.. afrs all over the place.. the only decent about the tune I think is just part throttle and that it was safe but thats it.. He tuned the hydra only 3 hrs which made me wonder how he did a standalone tune that fast. there was some issues with the car back then but still over all the tune was meh.. their store looks good though
I got the Turbonetics kit installed a year ago by them. My tune (AEM F/IC) wasn't the best, but it was o.k. Just F.Y.I., they have a new tuner named Jim, and that dude can tune. I'm doubled-over amazed how much better my car runs now. Fixed a few things I didn't even know were broken. Yesterday, he spent roughly 8 hours tuning and it runs better than it ever has. Solid AFRs all over the RPM/Throttle ranges. He ended up trashing the tune that was on there and starting over. I just can't tell you guys how pleased I am with how my new tuned turned out.
11715 Veterans Memorial Dr
Houston, TX 77067
281-444-9195
http://www.sgpracing.com/
Mark spent 6 hours tuning my car on the AEM Fic so yeah he didnt just do a wam bam thank you maam job on it. He is a great guy to deal with but hard to get on the phone, after visiting them for a few times i realized he just doesnt like answering the phone while he is working (understandable). reasults were 298hp 301tq @ 11psi on a turbo toyotas simple kit.
PTuning
9432 Center Point Ln
Manassas, VA 20110
703-257-1728
http://www.ptuning.com/
Last edited by stillettoDSM; 10-08-2009 at 02:26 AM.
08-08-2009, 05:08 PM
#3
Senior Member
SL Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Orlando, FL
Posts: 4,156
Ive had three tunes on my car..
One in albany NY. Synapse Motorsports. Morgan over there did a great job! I only had him do a simple tune so i could make the trip from NY to FL! Worked GREAT! Amazing job!
Second tune in Orlando FL
Central Florida Turbos. Tuned by OMAR-tech
Can't say much of anything but WOW! Great tune great cust service great follow up!
And Me my Self.
Since i been on built motor ive done the tuning my self untill i can afford to pay..
At 16psi 11.7 afr's through WOT.. Makes great power!
Ive tuned a couple other guys on SL and im sure they can say the same! i try to be very safe.. but get the job DONE :!
One in albany NY. Synapse Motorsports. Morgan over there did a great job! I only had him do a simple tune so i could make the trip from NY to FL! Worked GREAT! Amazing job!
Second tune in Orlando FL
Central Florida Turbos. Tuned by OMAR-tech
Can't say much of anything but WOW! Great tune great cust service great follow up!
And Me my Self.
Since i been on built motor ive done the tuning my self untill i can afford to pay..
At 16psi 11.7 afr's through WOT.. Makes great power!
Ive tuned a couple other guys on SL and im sure they can say the same! i try to be very safe.. but get the job DONE :!
08-08-2009, 05:26 PM
#4
Senior Member
SL Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 665
Ok, awesome.
Well I'm not Turbo, yet.. but I'm slowly inching my way.
I'm in Chicago, IL and have only really seen two great Shops, GRD Performance which I believe is in Villa Park, and of course AMS, which are a bit further North if I'm correct, so I'll add those to the list?
Well I'm not Turbo, yet.. but I'm slowly inching my way.
I'm in Chicago, IL and have only really seen two great Shops, GRD Performance which I believe is in Villa Park, and of course AMS, which are a bit further North if I'm correct, so I'll add those to the list?
08-08-2009, 05:35 PM
#5
Senior Member
SL Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Orlando, FL
Posts: 4,156
Ok, awesome.
Well I'm not Turbo, yet.. but I'm slowly inching my way.
I'm in Chicago, IL and have only really seen two great Shops, GRD Performance which I believe is in Villa Park, and of course AMS, which are a bit further North if I'm correct, so I'll add those to the list?
Well I'm not Turbo, yet.. but I'm slowly inching my way.
I'm in Chicago, IL and have only really seen two great Shops, GRD Performance which I believe is in Villa Park, and of course AMS, which are a bit further North if I'm correct, so I'll add those to the list?
i think it should stay to shops u been tuned at! alot of shops have good reps.. but maybe not for our cars!
08-08-2009, 11:53 PM
#10
Senior Member
SL Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Orlando, FL
Posts: 4,156
Wow..
This is great! Great effort man!
SL needs this!
Can you add this to mine thing about cft!
"14 PSI custom turbo kit aem ems they tuned it and made a amazing 362 whp and 345 wtq! ran 12.4 @ 111 STOCK BLOCK"
Thanks and again!
08-09-2009, 12:37 PM
#14
Senior Member
SL Member
Scinergy
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Fontana, CA
Posts: 651
Midnight Performance is located at:
3282 Luyung Drive
Rancho Cordova, CA 95742
Phone: 916 852-6887
http://www.midnightperformance.com/
They dyno'd my car for me, two different times.
No issues, fair price, quick service
3282 Luyung Drive
Rancho Cordova, CA 95742
Phone: 916 852-6887
http://www.midnightperformance.com/
They dyno'd my car for me, two different times.
No issues, fair price, quick service
08-09-2009, 03:57 PM
#17
I've been to two tuning shops:
________________________________
Turbochargers.com
5410 Burr Oak Drive
Houston, Texas 77092
Local: (713) 681-1111
Toll Free: (800) 749-7111
Facsimile: (713) 939-1111
www.turbochargers.com
I had these guys put a custom setup on my tC in late 2007.
THE GOOD:
- The setup looks absolutely amazing, has gotten quite the attention at car shows or just opening my hood to whoever.
- Given the duration of my build, a loaner turbo tC was given to me for 2 weeks.
- Hospitality with personal visits is great.
THE BAD:
- Communication is poor between customer and shop when not physically present.
- I asked for a bottom mount turbo mani, they gave me a top mount.
- I asked for a GTK-450 Turbonetics turbo, they gave me a GTK-350.
- I asked for a 3" DP and 3" S-Pipe to mate up to a 3" Exhaust, they gave me 2.5" components.
- Tune on my Hydra EMS was horrid! Wideband sensor was NOT calibrated, WOT A/F at 17:1, and driveability... what's that? Kenny Strickler does NOT know how to tune a Hydra EMS; don't know about other fuel/ignition controllers. *These were findings from the next shop I went to.
- Reported ~260whp & 280wtq on Dynojet at 0.8 bar (11.6psi)
- Car was in their shop for 2.5 months. For what I consider a four-week job.
- Car was returned with coolant leak, oil (or tranny fluid) all over the transmission housing, plastic shavings all over the interior for gauge install, and later find out the passenger side driveshaft was not fastened back to the block... producing excessive wheel-hop. *Transmission was removed for LSD/flywheel/clutch install.
- None of my stock parts were returned even after multiple requests.
________________________________
Raw 1 Performance
Ron Williams, Owner
929 McDonough Lake Rd
Collinsville, IL 62234
Phone: 314-623-8674
e-mail: ron@raw1performance.com
http://raw1performance.com/
I have nothing but good things to say about this shop. They are a very small operation that specialize in Subaru and EVO applications. I went to these guys b/c the tuner (Ron) had experience with the Hydra EMS. In one session he had my car running like stock; my car actually held idle, driveability came back, and my power delivery was actually smooth. Still running off of the 0.8bar wastegate spring: 260whp & 310wtq on a Dyno Dynamics. A/F in the mid 10s.
Also, on the tail-end of my tuning session my clutch gave out. I had Raw 1 Performance change the clutch and I had my car within 2 days of giving them a new clutch kit.
________________________________
-Albert
________________________________
Turbochargers.com
5410 Burr Oak Drive
Houston, Texas 77092
Local: (713) 681-1111
Toll Free: (800) 749-7111
Facsimile: (713) 939-1111
www.turbochargers.com
I had these guys put a custom setup on my tC in late 2007.
THE GOOD:
- The setup looks absolutely amazing, has gotten quite the attention at car shows or just opening my hood to whoever.
- Given the duration of my build, a loaner turbo tC was given to me for 2 weeks.
- Hospitality with personal visits is great.
THE BAD:
- Communication is poor between customer and shop when not physically present.
- I asked for a bottom mount turbo mani, they gave me a top mount.
- I asked for a GTK-450 Turbonetics turbo, they gave me a GTK-350.
- I asked for a 3" DP and 3" S-Pipe to mate up to a 3" Exhaust, they gave me 2.5" components.
- Tune on my Hydra EMS was horrid! Wideband sensor was NOT calibrated, WOT A/F at 17:1, and driveability... what's that? Kenny Strickler does NOT know how to tune a Hydra EMS; don't know about other fuel/ignition controllers. *These were findings from the next shop I went to.
- Reported ~260whp & 280wtq on Dynojet at 0.8 bar (11.6psi)
- Car was in their shop for 2.5 months. For what I consider a four-week job.
- Car was returned with coolant leak, oil (or tranny fluid) all over the transmission housing, plastic shavings all over the interior for gauge install, and later find out the passenger side driveshaft was not fastened back to the block... producing excessive wheel-hop. *Transmission was removed for LSD/flywheel/clutch install.
- None of my stock parts were returned even after multiple requests.
________________________________
Raw 1 Performance
Ron Williams, Owner
929 McDonough Lake Rd
Collinsville, IL 62234
Phone: 314-623-8674
e-mail: ron@raw1performance.com
http://raw1performance.com/
I have nothing but good things to say about this shop. They are a very small operation that specialize in Subaru and EVO applications. I went to these guys b/c the tuner (Ron) had experience with the Hydra EMS. In one session he had my car running like stock; my car actually held idle, driveability came back, and my power delivery was actually smooth. Still running off of the 0.8bar wastegate spring: 260whp & 310wtq on a Dyno Dynamics. A/F in the mid 10s.
Also, on the tail-end of my tuning session my clutch gave out. I had Raw 1 Performance change the clutch and I had my car within 2 days of giving them a new clutch kit.
________________________________
-Albert
08-09-2009, 06:09 PM
#18
Olympic Motorsports
Luiggi & Julio
Boca Raton, FL
561-721-5456
blitzsti04@yahoo.com
Luiggi is a great guy, good at tuning, killer deal, street tune or dyno tune available, dont think hes had a bad tc tune yet, great tuner, will spend hoursss in ur car if needed, Julio is a good mechanic, has been building motors for 20+ years, his driveway is always full of cars at all times, can do simple and difficult things all around good mechanic.
The Bad: They are reading this right now and sometimes it will take longer than original deadline but they get the job done in the end. Luiggi loves sti's to much haha
Luiggi & Julio
Boca Raton, FL
561-721-5456
blitzsti04@yahoo.com
Luiggi is a great guy, good at tuning, killer deal, street tune or dyno tune available, dont think hes had a bad tc tune yet, great tuner, will spend hoursss in ur car if needed, Julio is a good mechanic, has been building motors for 20+ years, his driveway is always full of cars at all times, can do simple and difficult things all around good mechanic.
The Bad: They are reading this right now
and sometimes it will take longer than original deadline but they get the job done in the end. Luiggi loves sti's to much haha
08-10-2009, 06:33 AM
#20
great thread.. I have experience with turbochargers.com too, I agree totally with bigal.. The personal visit was good but my hydra tune sucks, absolutely not smooth w/ ignition map not well calibrated.. afrs all over the place.. the only decent about the tune I think is just part throttle and that it was safe but thats it.. He tuned the hydra only 3 hrs which made me wonder how he did a standalone tune that fast. there was some issues with the car back then but still over all the tune was meh.. their store looks good though