Sportsguy's AVO Turbo experience, the Good the Bad and the Ugly

[rupert]

Thank you David for your review! This is the kind of stuff I was hoping for. I've been on the fence for a while with the AVO kit. Now that I can get a UEL header for the FA20 kit, and them being close, my decision has been even more difficult.

[Sportsguy83]

Originally Posted by gdrider77

Not trying to start anything here, but for sake of argument and to clarify. I did the install in my own garage, with jack stands. When i had it tuned, the shop noticed the issue and they were the original ones to point it out to me on the lift. They air hammered it slightly, and even went as far as to remove it completely and reinstall. So technically it was installed on both jack stands and on a lift. And problem is there from both times.

Once again, not trying to start anything, just stating that it was there both in garage and shop under different circumstances. In the shop they tried a different (perrin) pipe that they had to rule out the pipe i had, and same issue. So that led us to believe it was more in the angle of the turbo discharge pipe causing the problem.

Just trying to get information out for others to be informed, not to bash anything or anyone.

I was in the same boat. Just trying to be honest, put information out there and save other people headaches. Heck, I LOVE my turbo kit and once the that issue was resolved, I don't even think about it anymore. I know we are not the only ones, but no one writes about it....

[AVOturboworld]

Hey,

I appreciate the feedback, the good and the bad. It's difficult to say exactly what's going on with the discharge pipes - we assemble the exhaust manifold/turbo/discharge in a jig, and theoretically, they should all be the same. Out of 60 odd kits out there, I've heard of a few fitment issues with the discharge pipe - notably, yes, sportsguy and gdrider. I've also seen about 10 installs where it went off without a hitch. So at this time, I'm unsure if it's at the factory side, if it's installer error, or just part and parcel of exhaust installs.

The problem with the FR-S/BRZ exhaust is that it has quite a few pieces in it - exhaust manifold, crossover, front pipe, mid-pipe, mufflers - and when they are all flanged it can be quite a chore to get them all lined up properly. A little bit off at one end can mean quite a bit off at the other end. When we throw in a turbo system and a larger crossover pipe that has to go through a relatively small hole, minor issues can get magnified quite quick.

Doesn't mean we'll ignore all this, I'll talk to engineering and see if there is any better way we can ease this issue. Because we do give it the ability to bolt up to a stock exhaust system, though, we are somewhat limited in what we can do.

Regards,

Paul Hansen

[Sportsguy83]

Originally Posted by AVOturboworld

Hey,

I appreciate the feedback, the good and the bad. It's difficult to say exactly what's going on with the discharge pipes - we assemble the exhaust manifold/turbo/discharge in a jig, and theoretically, they should all be the same. Out of 60 odd kits out there, I've heard of a few fitment issues with the discharge pipe - notably, yes, sportsguy and gdrider. I've also seen about 10 installs where it went off without a hitch. So at this time, I'm unsure if it's at the factory side, if it's installer error, or just part and parcel of exhaust installs.

The problem with the FR-S/BRZ exhaust is that it has quite a few pieces in it - exhaust manifold, crossover, front pipe, mid-pipe, mufflers - and when they are all flanged it can be quite a chore to get them all lined up properly. A little bit off at one end can mean quite a bit off at the other end. When we throw in a turbo system and a larger crossover pipe that has to go through a relatively small hole, minor issues can get magnified quite quick.

Doesn't mean we'll ignore all this, I'll talk to engineering and see if there is any better way we can ease this issue. Because we do give it the ability to bolt up to a stock exhaust system, though, we are somewhat limited in what we can do.

Regards,

Paul Hansen

Didn't expect less from you Paul. Courteous, calm, collected. Didn't intend AT ALL to bash, just inform and share my experience. Thanks for everything!!

[Calum]

Well, I missed the drama. Can't say I'm disappointed in that, though.

Great thread Sportsguy83. Thanks so much for sharing and being frank.

It's just a shame your torque curve didn't turn out flatter. :P

[jamesm]

So what I'm reading here is that FA20Club is the tuner to go to. Looks like his base map was considerably better performing and safer than a visconti tune with 16 revisions. Could the knock issues with the Visconti tune have something to do with his completely disabling the direct injection? Is this why fa20club seems to be more successful with the tunes?

I don't need a tune, my car runs fine. Ill be making the trip to see tony regardless, just to see what he can do with a rev works kit. Excellent work, and thanks for the detailed review.

[Sportsguy83]

Originally Posted by jamesm

So what I'm reading here is that FA20Club is the tuner to go to. Looks like his base map was considerably better performing and safer than a visconti tune with 16 revisions. Could the knock issues with the Visconti tune have something to do with his completely disabling the direct injection? Is this why fa20club seems to be more successful with the tunes?

I don't need a tune, my car runs fine. Ill be making the trip to see tony regardless, just to see what he can do with a rev works kit. Excellent work, and thanks for the detailed review.

Thanks!! I am almost certain the reports that Visconti does not use the DI are inaccurate. That just just some testing being done trying to pinpoint an issue with a car, so he alternated between using 100% DI and 100% Port.

There are little not talked about details in each of their tunes that make a difference. (All tuners keep those little details to themselves and are things that not normally show on a log).

I honestly have no idea why there was so much knock correction, it was crazy. The worst part was seeing new tunes with the same results......

[Draco_PR23]

@Sportsguy83, Great thread and thanks for sharing your experience!!

I'm still waiting for my AVO kit

[Sportsguy83]

Originally Posted by Draco_PR23

@Sportsguy83, Great thread and thanks for sharing your experience!!

I'm still waiting for my AVO kit

Mine was about a two and a half month delay. Hang in there, it will be worth it!

[King Tut]

Originally Posted by Sportsguy83

Mounts if going 250+ WTQ

O RLY?

[King Tut]

Originally Posted by lexusb3

It was good seeing you again and meeting @kingtut and hope we can all get together with all the frs family minus that dam dog at the dyno :/

I liked the dog, but he definitely liked you, or at least your leg more.

[King Tut]

I just wanted to post and say that the facts are that any of the turbo kits out there can hit these numbers. AVO's kit is using an unequal length manifold and the smallest turbo of any of the kits and still made the numbers. It really all comes down to which turbo kit you prefer. Maybe price point is most important, maybe Boxer rumble is most important, and maybe professionalism is most important.

The thing to really be taken away from this is that getting a proper tune is where the power will be made and the drivability and reliability will come from.

[lexusb3]

Originally Posted by King Tut

I liked the dog, but he definitely liked you, or at least your leg more.

Dam dog lol

[Sportsguy83]

Originally Posted by King Tut

O RLY?

Yeah, was tired trying to come up with numbers. You can give a more educated opinion on the matter