Adelaide Performance Engineers Anyone Used Them?

[Rolls]

I've done some ringing around of the big tuners in other states and asked them to do some research for me regarding whos the best in SA. Two of them both mentioned Brett at APE, from the website looks like they mainly do highpower XR6 turbos and the like. I'm waiting to hear back from Brett so I can discuss with him cost and how he goes about it but thought I'd ask for any opinions here.

If they are bad to avoid thread being closed due to VV please PM them to me. Cheers

[Madaz]

i think they make turbo kits for commodores too yeah?? i had Brett West put me onto them becuase a mate at work has 10k burning a hole in his pocket

[BensDR30]

I've only used APE (aka Graham West Workshops) to do work on one of my cars. I had the Stagea dynoed to map in my Jaycar IEBC & DFA. IMHO Brett West is an intelligent and easy to speak to person, who will talk technical to you if you want him to, and be frank about your expectations. He runs a very high duty-cycle on his dyno (i.e. it's in use nearly all day, every day) and he works with all kinds of management systems. His current ECU of choice is the Vipec - which appears to be a very capable unit (I may fit one to my Z if I can sell my MoTec M48).

He is professional, and competent - I know for a fact that you could do much worse (I have seen some very ordinary mapping and shoddy workmanship over the years - but thankfully not on my cars!)

What are you looking at doing?

[Rolls]

What are you looking at doing?

rb25det rebuilt with forged pistons, gcg highflow, z32 afm, gtr injectors, rising rate regulator, nistune.

Going to get it tuned with stock afm (basic safe tune) to get through regency, then go the z32 and go all out, looking around 18-20psi and keeping the tune safe.

[Madaz]

why only 18-20 "safe" tune you've built the engine spent the money go 25-30 psi SAFE tune safe only means 11.7 AFR even 12 with low knock can be considered safe but tuners would rather see 11.7

what make a tune unsafe is not enough fuel even a built engine will go bang with no fuel

[Cooper]

I had my turbos on my GTR swapped over and my exhaust changed at Graham West (APE). The work was great i never had a single problem with the work performed. I also had a bunch of free work done by them too before the turbo swap (Its the reason i took it to them to do the swap). My brother in law has his S15 serviced there aswell and has been given great service.

I definately recommend them.

Edited October 13, 2009 by Cooper

[Rolls]

why only 18-20 "safe" tune you've built the engine spent the money go 25-30 psi SAFE tune safe only means 11.7 AFR even 12 with low knock can be considered safe but tuners would rather see 11.7

what make a tune unsafe is not enough fuel even a built engine will go bang with no fuel

I spoke to gcg and they said the turbo wont make any more power after 20psi with the standard internal gate. The tuners I've spoken to think 12-12.5 is safe if you watch the egts and knock.

[Madaz]

Ah that explains it then

[Rolls]

Ah that explains it then

Yep will just cook the air if I go to 25psi from what Ive heard, I think theres oil problems with the turbo atm though so Im looking into that before I start smashing boost out of it. Think the oil seal is leaking into the exhaust housing.

What would I look for, I mean its already going to be black as f**k, are there any obvious signs its leaking oil if I take the dump pipe off?

Edited October 14, 2009 by Rolls

[Madaz]

Not sure, i would personaly take it to Bill at adelaide turbo services

[Rolls]

Not sure, i would personaly take it to Bill at adelaide turbo services

Why is that? I've had lots of recommendations and just about every name has had someone PM me and tell me a horror story. I'm quite confused with who to go to.

[bigmikespec]

Brett West at APE is the only person I would trust tuning my GTR in Adelaide, his attention to detail is brilliant and he is a great guy to work with. First one in SA to install and tune my Vipec V88