Install Cost
12-30-2008, 09:36 AM
#32
5th Gear Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Florida
Posts: 3,062
The thing I liked about buying the Brenspeed kit and having a shop install it is that I took the guesswork out of the equation. I didn't have to worry about the shop chasing #s and pushing the car to wring every last ounce of power out of it. I just wanted a fun/fast setup without going crazy, and I trust Brenspeed for their tunes. Also, as I said before, the fact that I already had bought the kit also removed negotiation from the deal. The shops were competing for my trust and labor cost was all.
You'll have to weigh cost vs the shop's reputation, amount of time in business, etc. I originally wanted to use HPP Racing who has a good reputation, but they are chronically busy and just took too long to reply to me. The one time I called and talked to someone, he promised to email me back later that day to give me a quote on a turbo kit (this is the one shop I contacted BEFORE buying the Brenspeed kit), and I just never heard from him again. About a week after the Vortech was installed, I got an email reply from the shop owner quoting about $945 for labor/dyno/supplies. It was a good quote, and I'd have given them the business for sure, but it was just too late.
I also contacted Keith Craft Motorsports who is a fairly well respected engine builder, and they wanted $1200 and to keep the car for 2 weeks, which was out of the question. Lone Star Performance fell in the middle in terms of estimate at around $1050, and they were able to take the car right away and promise it within a week (it took them 3 days). I couldn't really find much about them on the web, but given they've been in business for 17 years I figured if they had been screwing up cars left and right, someone would be out there bitching. I took a gamble on them and found when I arrived at the shop that they had a pretty nice showroom. They also had a Ford GT and a Lambo in there... They seem to have done a good job, because I've got no problems so far.
You'll have to weigh cost vs the shop's reputation, amount of time in business, etc. I originally wanted to use HPP Racing who has a good reputation, but they are chronically busy and just took too long to reply to me. The one time I called and talked to someone, he promised to email me back later that day to give me a quote on a turbo kit (this is the one shop I contacted BEFORE buying the Brenspeed kit), and I just never heard from him again. About a week after the Vortech was installed, I got an email reply from the shop owner quoting about $945 for labor/dyno/supplies. It was a good quote, and I'd have given them the business for sure, but it was just too late.
I also contacted Keith Craft Motorsports who is a fairly well respected engine builder, and they wanted $1200 and to keep the car for 2 weeks, which was out of the question. Lone Star Performance fell in the middle in terms of estimate at around $1050, and they were able to take the car right away and promise it within a week (it took them 3 days). I couldn't really find much about them on the web, but given they've been in business for 17 years I figured if they had been screwing up cars left and right, someone would be out there bitching. I took a gamble on them and found when I arrived at the shop that they had a pretty nice showroom. They also had a Ford GT and a Lambo in there... They seem to have done a good job, because I've got no problems so far.
01-05-2009, 11:26 AM
#36
Banned
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Goodyear, AZ
Posts: 1,631
01-06-2009, 11:26 AM
#38
5th Gear Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Florida
Posts: 3,062
Technically they aren't necessary, but I personally wouldn't run a S/C without gauges. Boost and Air/Fuel would be the top two IMO. Fuel Pressure is helpful as well. I'm running a boost gauge, A/F gauge, and an Aeroforce Interceptor which does Fuel Pressure as well as a ton of other params. Total cost of all the gauges & pods was north of $700.
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