Tuning Shops in Northern Ireland

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Mark_C

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Before you do anything, sleeve the block - or you're completely wasting your time.
 

big_pete

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SSI are top blokes, sorted out my mates skyline a few times after ECc wrecked it, also worked on my supra and they really know what they are talking about (y)

Also I have never ever heard a bad word said about AI, never used them myself but their reputation alone speaks for itself
 

bazza2541

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I think what bothers me the most is that these companies all seem to be untrustworthy.
In my limited experience, I have yet to see or hear of any of them meeting either a budget or deadline that they themselves set.

I don't know if I could do it myself but it seems that for peace of mind I am going to have to take it on.
 

PeteMoore

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I recently did a B16B and full DC2 underpinnings into an EG, and from a business perspective, it just flat out wasnt worth doing.

We basically reshelled the car, and with the sheer volume of small niggly bits that were either hard to obtain or expensive and beyond the budget meant that hours just got eaten up and dissappear.

If i had to spend 5 hours sourcing parts for your car instead of working on it, I would feel bad about charging you those 5 hours, but we would have to do it, otherwise you simply wont be in business very long.

Unfortunately people over here dont want to spend thousands putting something of little value into a car of little value. It's not econimically viable to do so, hence people take it on themselves as there is nothing cheaper than your own free time.
 

bazza2541

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I recently did a B16B and full DC2 underpinnings into an EG, and from a business perspective, it just flat out wasnt worth doing.

We basically reshelled the car, and with the sheer volume of small niggly bits that were either hard to obtain or expensive and beyond the budget meant that hours just got eaten up and dissappear.

If i had to spend 5 hours sourcing parts for your car instead of working on it, I would feel bad about charging you those 5 hours, but we would have to do it, otherwise you simply wont be in business very long.

Unfortunately people over here dont want to spend thousands putting something of little value into a car of little value. It's not econimically viable to do so, hence people take it on themselves as there is nothing cheaper than your own free time.

Sorry Hoss, I don't know you or who you work for, but in my line of business, the price agreed is the price agreed. If I mess up by not knowing what I am getting into, I pay the price for that not my customer.I don't see why tuners should be any different, after all they all seem to be 'experts' or 'specialists' in their chosen marques. I know that maybe sounds harsh, but it is what it is.
 

PeteMoore

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I work for myself building classic cars for competition use.

The Civic was done for a mate during a quiet period. We came in under budget, but at a loss to ourselves. Hence I stated it wasnt worthwhile doing from a business perspective.

So many people think it is just a case of slinging an engine into a bay and plugging in a few wires, unfortunately the truth is fr from that even for a relatively easy conversion like the one we carried out.

I do totally agree that the price stated is that that should be charged, but in our line of work, deadlines stay the same whilst the customers requirments constantly change, as such the overall cost to the customer does too.

We do not quote, but rather estimate and the agreement is that we will do our upmost to remain within budget, should it go over we will contact the customer first and figure out the preferred method of moving forward with the project.

Suppliers costs change so much and every car will provide you with a huge variety of problems which is where being a "specialist" counts, as these problems should already be accounted for. Hence we stick to what we know with the classics and not out advertising we can do hondas and subarus too. We are enthusiasts when it comes to the Hondas and Subarus, but specialists when it comes to the classics.
 

bazza2541

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I suppose I have a different view.
My car was made in 1988, the model was launched in 1986. The 3sgte engine was then utilised in the 185, 205 and 2nd Generation MR2 models until approx 1997. So it was produced for 11 years approx. and the last new car sold with one was about 13 years ago. Thats 24 years of development and experience that has gone into these engines, there is nothing that can be done to them that hasn't already been doen and there are well defined and documented paths to all levels of horsepower.
The conversion I am proposing has been done many times and does not require any bespoke parts apart from some splicing of the engine loom.
I have researched it very well and TBH, I am astounded by the level of incompetence I have discovered in the established tuners here in NI.
I will go back to my inital post and say if I could find a trustworthy tuning shop, they'd have a customer for life.
 

big_pete

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Most trades though offer estimates rather than fixed prices, so whats the problem? I know from a detailing perspective customers will agree on something and I quote a price for it, then when you get the car in they ask could you do this and this etc when you have it, yet expect that to be included in the price.

I'm not meaning to be cheeky here, but there has been several good reccommendations for respectable tuners in this thread, yet you appear to be brushing over it as if you know best? If you have so much knowledge and understanding why can't you do it yourself?
 

STE_vie

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SSI are top blokes, sorted out my mates skyline a few times after ECc wrecked it, also worked on my supra and they really know what they are talking about (y)

Also I have never ever heard a bad word said about AI, never used them myself but their reputation alone speaks for itself


know someone who had a complete nitemare with ssi
 

bazza2541

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Most trades though offer estimates rather than fixed prices, so whats the problem? I know from a detailing perspective customers will agree on something and I quote a price for it, then when you get the car in they ask could you do this and this etc when you have it, yet expect that to be included in the price.

I'm not meaning to be cheeky here, but there has been several good reccommendations for respectable tuners in this thread, yet you appear to be brushing over it as if you know best? If you have so much knowledge and understanding why can't you do it yourself?

There has only been one recommendation that I haven't seen or heard bad reports about. I will be calling them monday and asking for testomonials.
As for the rest, I have not mentioned them as I am not into slinging mud. I know exactly what I want done and exactly how I want it to turn out, I do not have the skills or the facilities to do it myself else I would never have posted this.
 

worky

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Steven Gault would be another man but he will probably be too busy with rally cars but always worth a call.
 

STE_vie

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Most trades though offer estimates rather than fixed prices, so whats the problem? I know from a detailing perspective customers will agree on something and I quote a price for it, then when you get the car in they ask could you do this and this etc when you have it, yet expect that to be included in the price.

I'm not meaning to be cheeky here, but there has been several good reccommendations for respectable tuners in this thread, yet you appear to be brushing over it as if you know best? If you have so much knowledge and understanding why can't you do it yourself?


Agreed 100% was gonna write something similar but couldnt be bothered with getting into an argument lol.

Any engine conversion nomatter how well researched or documented can throw up niggles and problems due to model types, faulty parts etc etc etc Not so clear cut and simple as itll cost this and be done then. Too many varibales to quarantee that kinda thing.

if it was something like paying someone to cut my lawn then yeah, be done on x and cost x. hardly same thing.
 

stevieturbo

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Sorry Hoss, I don't know you or who you work for, but in my line of business, the price agreed is the price agreed. If I mess up by not knowing what I am getting into, I pay the price for that not my customer.I don't see why tuners should be any different, after all they all seem to be 'experts' or 'specialists' in their chosen marques. I know that maybe sounds harsh, but it is what it is.

If such places were to offer a quote to cover all such matters, then its unlikely anyone would be prepared to actually pay for the job in the first place.

Ive said it before, because I know first hand. The owners might see it as a simple job to price and undertake timewise. They NEVER are. Ask anyone who has carried out such work....and £5k gets eaten up in no time. £10k dissappears just as fast.

So what do you feel is a reasonable price for the work ? Would you be prepared to pay say £10-20k ?
There are people who can do the work ok, but dont expect them to do it for nothing, especially if you are 100% insisting on a solid price up front. But asking that, will result in a massive quote to cover unforeseen aspects.

All conversions are time consuming jobs. And time really does = money.
 

bazza2541

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If such places were to offer a quote to cover all such matters, then its unlikely anyone would be prepared to actually pay for the job in the first place.

Ive said it before, because I know first hand. The owners might see it as a simple job to price and undertake timewise. They NEVER are. Ask anyone who has carried out such work....and £5k gets eaten up in no time. £10k dissappears just as fast.

So what do you feel is a reasonable price for the work ? Would you be prepared to pay say £10-20k ?
There are people who can do the work ok, but dont expect them to do it for nothing, especially if you are 100% insisting on a solid price up front. But asking that, will result in a massive quote to cover unforeseen aspects.

All conversions are time consuming jobs. And time really does = money.


The price really isn't the issue. It is what it is. My issues are with the fact that the tuners seem to issue cheap prices to get the work that have no correlation with the actual price and that deadlines seem to be an arbitary date pulled at random. Also that the parts and labour billed are not always on the car. In short these guys are not trustworthy. It's hard to have faith in a mans work if he can't be trusted.
 

Darragh

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Why not try it yourself? Failing that I would highly recomend ssi as they are the only people to get my supra and they rebuild my engine with good parts at a real good rate infact that good they do all the work that I can't do on my girlfriends Mercedes and my work horse polo

I'm sure a few people haven't seen eye to eye with ssi but then again how many businesses haven't had run ins with people ? It's how the world goes round
 

bazza2541

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Why not try it yourself? Failing that I would highly recomend ssi as they are the only people to get my supra and they rebuild my engine with good parts at a real good rate infact that good they do all the work that I can't do on my girlfriends Mercedes and my work horse polo

I'm sure a few people haven't seen eye to eye with ssi but then again how many businesses haven't had run ins with people ? It's how the world goes round


I think I will end up doing it myself. I currently lack the skills and facilities to do it, but if I rented a shed for a bit and bought a few wee bits to complete my toolbox I think I could learn the rest as I go.
 

big_pete

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^^^ and then your going to end up with a crap conversion IMO. There is a massive difference in reading something on the net and the wealth of someones experience.

It's like detailing, the amount of how to's etc on the net, reviews of products etc it's 90% bollocks because there is to many people with little experience handing out advice.

If you want something done properly, it's best trusted to people that really know the in's and out's of it. You will normally in life get what you pay for?

Also, remember the rumor mill is a terrible thing, when there is a misunderstanding between a business and a customer, most people believe the customers story. I'd say half the time the blame could actually be laid with the customer

**edit** I didnt realise Eager had replied before me, it wasn't directed at his post
 

Conor

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^^^ and then your going to end up with a crap conversion IMO. There is a massive difference in reading something on the net and the wealth of someones experience.

It's like detailing, the amount of how to's etc on the net, reviews of products etc it's 90% bollocks because there is to many people with little experience handing out advice.

If you want something done properly, it's best trusted to people that really know the in's and out's of it. You will normally in life get what you pay for?

Also, remember the rumor mill is a terrible thing, when there is a misunderstanding between a business and a customer, most people believe the customers story. I'd say half the time the blame could actually be laid with the customer

**edit** I didnt realise Eager had replied before me, it wasn't directed at his post

Totally agree tbh. I learnt the hard way with the fabia! Far better to get someone who knows what they're at with stuff like that. For every 20 satisfied customers, one bad report will always be what ends up on a forum.

Tbh, with a big engine conversion like that, if you have to ask how much, you can't afford it.lol
 

bazza2541

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Totally agree tbh. I learnt the hard way with the fabia! Far better to get someone who knows what they're at with stuff like that. For every 20 satisfied customers, one bad report will always be what ends up on a forum.

Tbh, with a big engine conversion like that, if you have to ask how much, you can't afford it.lol

Thats the problem. Momentum were supposed to be the 3sgte people, but the work I seen was disgraceful and the big brand named parts billed for were not on the car.
And you are totally correct, I cannot afford to waste the money I have on dodgy work or dodgy dealers.
 

Darragh

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U can't beat doing it yourself lol I'm not a mechanic and I put a front mounted intercooler onto my st 185 ok it took a few goes to yet it right but I had fun doing it lol

if you get a big shed and proper ramp and tools and time why not try it yourself it's like a building Lego lol only joking

Howeve if you want proper work my recomendation is deffo ssi there is alot of happy campers about this country after there work me being there biggest one considering the work I got done they never once dug there arm in and the car has done exactly what they said it would and any time I had any crazy ideas they talked me out of it lol
 

stevieturbo

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The price really isn't the issue. It is what it is. My issues are with the fact that the tuners seem to issue cheap prices to get the work that have no correlation with the actual price and that deadlines seem to be an arbitary date pulled at random. Also that the parts and labour billed are not always on the car. In short these guys are not trustworthy. It's hard to have faith in a mans work if he can't be trusted.


Deadlines though are incredibly hard to meet on big builds. Simply because nothing ever goes smoothly. Although a lot of that too is price related. To stop everything and work on one single project from start to finish, would be mega expensive. Often other work must be done in parallel simply to keep funds coming in because big builds arent quoted for what they should cost.
 
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