Tuner Loyalties
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 598
From: San Diego
Rep Power: 71
I am very happy with my GT660 kit, I would consider it a mid-level power kit. I have put 13K miles on the car and it runs rock solid. I also think that a GT700 kit is safe and very reliable and that is the top end in my opinion. Anything after 700 is just asking for trouble. Since my car is my daily driver, I am more than happy and will not go any further. Actually I don't think my driving skills can handle anymore power.
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 6,453
From: CT
Rep Power: 439
The following if very safe, sound advise from CRAIG;
My advice to the newbe: Purchase a simple, straight-forward, proven bolt on package providing reliable mid-level power, and stop. My happiest moments with my 996TT were when I had a great mid-power set-up. It was reliable and fun. Everything went to sh*t when I pursued more power.
Alot can happen when you go beyond the above ^^^^^.
Think it through carefully!
MK
My advice to the newbe: Purchase a simple, straight-forward, proven bolt on package providing reliable mid-level power, and stop. My happiest moments with my 996TT were when I had a great mid-power set-up. It was reliable and fun. Everything went to sh*t when I pursued more power.
Alot can happen when you go beyond the above ^^^^^.
Think it through carefully!
MK
I absolutely agree and this is great advice. This is where I am and I'm done, except for maybe a race gas tune...but no more bigger, badder hard parts. If I want to build another high HP car, I'll buy another camaro...cheap to build and cheap to fix...
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,238
From: north coast of california
Rep Power: 81
I have bought from many tuner/suppliers; Mostly with good luck
1)I/A; knowledgable but can be high priced and arrogant about it.
2)Sharkey; bends over backwards to make it right, truly a treasure in
our industry
3)EVOMS; good knowledge, innovative marketing, mostly good products,
big personnel changes recently along with new software and it will be interesting to see how/if he continues to prosper.
4)Vivid Racing; I had my issues with Dan and their customer service, but
he rectified it quickly AFTER things got heated on the phone (shouldnt have to go that far before being "taken care of")
5)UMW; Obviously knowledgeable and great products; too much of a perfectionist
perhaps (ultimately conservative) and is always VERY CONCERNED about his minions
saying anything good about anyone else. He has very good customer service habits which also go a long way in this industry.
6) Protomotive; trustworthy, expensive, and also has THE MOST TUNING knowledge
(there are other guys currently "tweaking a few parameters" of a Program and calling themselves programmer/tuners) TODD has forgotten more about tuning than the combined knowledge of these new guys. Some of Protomotive's work could/should
be prettier but regardless, they stand behind there product. He built and tuned VR
Alex's car (212 mph in TX Mile), Markski's Car, Divexxtremes Car, and the recent
1000+ RWHP, RobMD99's car. Some of the cool stuff he has done using GT3RS cams/heads, on 996TT's which requires fabbing new pick-up points etc is way above
most tuners comprehension. (He is also where everyone goes when they are stumped)
You could trust your newborn to Todd and Cynthia and that is rare in thus
industry!
Switzer Performance:
Obviously an innovator with great knowledge, I would have to vote him
tuner of the year for what he accomplished in a SHORT TIME period with
David's 997TT; full weight 9 second 997TT == HOLY **** MAN!!!
If you have seen Switzer's fab work, it is second to NO ONE.
(It may not be known that Protomotive was some of the brains behind this Switzer build)
The above are only my opinions and you know how much opinions are worth
.
Neil Orton: Orton Performance; Has owed me over $5,000 for more than
2 years...so no, I would not currently recommend him
Marty
1)I/A; knowledgable but can be high priced and arrogant about it.
2)Sharkey; bends over backwards to make it right, truly a treasure in
our industry
3)EVOMS; good knowledge, innovative marketing, mostly good products,
big personnel changes recently along with new software and it will be interesting to see how/if he continues to prosper.
4)Vivid Racing; I had my issues with Dan and their customer service, but
he rectified it quickly AFTER things got heated on the phone (shouldnt have to go that far before being "taken care of")
5)UMW; Obviously knowledgeable and great products; too much of a perfectionist
perhaps (ultimately conservative) and is always VERY CONCERNED about his minions
saying anything good about anyone else. He has very good customer service habits which also go a long way in this industry.
6) Protomotive; trustworthy, expensive, and also has THE MOST TUNING knowledge
(there are other guys currently "tweaking a few parameters" of a Program and calling themselves programmer/tuners) TODD has forgotten more about tuning than the combined knowledge of these new guys. Some of Protomotive's work could/should
be prettier but regardless, they stand behind there product. He built and tuned VR
Alex's car (212 mph in TX Mile), Markski's Car, Divexxtremes Car, and the recent
1000+ RWHP, RobMD99's car. Some of the cool stuff he has done using GT3RS cams/heads, on 996TT's which requires fabbing new pick-up points etc is way above
most tuners comprehension. (He is also where everyone goes when they are stumped)
You could trust your newborn to Todd and Cynthia and that is rare in thus
industry!
Switzer Performance:
Obviously an innovator with great knowledge, I would have to vote him
tuner of the year for what he accomplished in a SHORT TIME period with
David's 997TT; full weight 9 second 997TT == HOLY **** MAN!!!
If you have seen Switzer's fab work, it is second to NO ONE.
(It may not be known that Protomotive was some of the brains behind this Switzer build)
The above are only my opinions and you know how much opinions are worth
.Neil Orton: Orton Performance; Has owed me over $5,000 for more than
2 years...so no, I would not currently recommend him
Marty
Marty, great example of a fair and reasonable assessment that is not disrespectful and feels like it was done with care. I think this is the spirit that this thread is trying to accomplish. John
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,238
From: north coast of california
Rep Power: 81
Craig
I hear you and I know of the engine builder and the tuner that held your car for 18 months. I have experienced the same ****! But I was under the impression that you wanted the 6'ers to know who had ****ed you over so why still keep the identity a secrecy?
fellow lawyer
Jag
I hear you and I know of the engine builder and the tuner that held your car for 18 months. I have experienced the same ****! But I was under the impression that you wanted the 6'ers to know who had ****ed you over so why still keep the identity a secrecy?
fellow lawyer
Jag
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,238
From: north coast of california
Rep Power: 81
The following if very safe, sound advise from CRAIG;
My advice to the newbe: Purchase a simple, straight-forward, proven bolt on package providing reliable mid-level power, and stop. My happiest moments with my 996TT were when I had a great mid-power set-up. It was reliable and fun. Everything went to sh*t when I pursued more power.
Alot can happen when you go beyond the above ^^^^^.
Think it through carefully!
MK
My advice to the newbe: Purchase a simple, straight-forward, proven bolt on package providing reliable mid-level power, and stop. My happiest moments with my 996TT were when I had a great mid-power set-up. It was reliable and fun. Everything went to sh*t when I pursued more power.
Alot can happen when you go beyond the above ^^^^^.
Think it through carefully!
MK
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,710
From: MPLS, MN USA
Rep Power: 466
Correct,
packages that have good fueling and stock internals.
There seems to be something about the factory motors being torn apart and
a multitude of potential problems. It may be due to the level of mods and complexity
of mods that typically go along with big motor builds. Head stud problems and general finicky behavior seems to go up with these big builds.
MK
packages that have good fueling and stock internals.
There seems to be something about the factory motors being torn apart and
a multitude of potential problems. It may be due to the level of mods and complexity
of mods that typically go along with big motor builds. Head stud problems and general finicky behavior seems to go up with these big builds.
MK
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,710
From: MPLS, MN USA
Rep Power: 466
Base level power upgrade
consider "mid-level power", you have just accomplished waking
the car our of its factory slumber...
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 6,453
From: CT
Rep Power: 439
I agree. Mufflers, a 16G or 18G turbo upgrade and a REPUTABLE flash should be able to run for a very, very, very long time, or at least until you get bored at which time you are educated and responsible enough to make the next decision. Regardless, 500whp (give or take a few hp) should keep most people happy for a little while...
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 276
From: Los Angeles, SFV
Rep Power: 38
upgrade
true, but the 3a kit is a high horsepower kit (640 + whp) and too many things can go wrong at those hp levels, but not a basic kit, ie. turbos, fpr, dv's, tune, a good porsche mechanic can install without problems. I took my car to my porsche dealer and they did the work with no problems.
