at Drift Office, what I learned.

[BRZPDX]

So stopping by Drift Office for my short Valentines trip to Victoria Canada, I learned a few things from Bob.

1. Luckily when I visited, AVO was there with a blown FA20 motor (bent rod?) that was on display, and was able to look at the internals up close and personal. According to Bob, the internals were much more well build than he expected out of a econo box, and we noticed the bent rod from the previous owner, which was FI and 19 psi I believe. He thinks 350whp should be do able with stock internals.

2. Top mount vs bottom mount turbo - Heat soak issues with top mounts, and he has seen other custom kits with a local shop that was top mount. Its really meant for show, and if tracking/auto-x, bottom mount seems to be much better regarding heat soak.

3. Dyno runs on my car - This was a different dyno, different day, different fuel etc., but my car ran significantly lower TQ levels than what was shown at PRE. Now this has so many factors, so I am not blaming anyone here. The AFR's looked good, so that is a good relief. On the 3rd pull, it pulled timing at the top, with no surprise with the increased IAT's, the engine probably didn't like that too much. It was the significant lower TQ levels compared to the AVO kits, and that a retune or some sort of IC is needed, badly.

He believes that the ECU has re-learned since I received the car from PRE, and with the increased IAT, it may have impacted the TQ level of my car. The car was tuned at PRE end of Dec through Jan, when it was really really cold.

4. Bob is a really good guy, loves what he does, and seemed very honest with realistic goals/risks/answers. He is very knowledgeable on this platform (about 70 86's he's tuned with various set ups?).

My thoughts is that, I chose the path of the unknown by going with a local custom kit (sucker for "custom") that has not been R&D'd at the track nor testings done like AVO or Vortech. I believe people are paying the price of the testings, rather than the kit it self (I've heard the kit itself is not top of the line what so ever) but the reliability and proven results.

I think the bolt-on and go, worry free kit is the AVO. I don't mind the work in progress, project type kits but it is not for everyone. More supporting mods needed for these type of FI options compared to the bolt-ons.

Driving Dion's AVO stage 1.5? kit was fun. It is very smooth, and truly a OEM type feeling to the car. My car on the other hand feels very "raw". Which I don't mind. If I lived closer to Bob, I would go there in a heart beat.

Those of you that are interested in FI, but not sure of reliability/risks, if you go with the AVO and a right tuner, your motor will do just fine. I'm thinking the original AVO kit guys should be hitting around 20k miles by now.

As for the PRE kit, its a learn as you go type right now, so this will be more of a hands on, process/project type route. My car made it to Seattle/back no problem, started under freezing level, driving through a rain storm, idle's smooth, and my oil temps has not broken 220 w/o a oil cooler yet.

I think with proper cooling/venting, a top mount should work if running insane amounts of track time isn't your goal. Of course time will tell, but those that are waiting, that is time lost having fun.

[stockysnail]

I think I may suck it up and go up there to have them tune my car and put on the 70mm pulley. I'll try to put the intercooler on myself if I can get Jason to sell me his at Nameless and after I can get Jason to tell me when I can pick up a couple other things.

[thehapaone]

You may have just inadvertently convinced me to save up for an AVO turbo and tune at Drift Office

[Jmonty]

I ran an AVO Turbo on my WRX and was very happy with it, went through several different tuners, and ended up with a Bobby tune at PRE and had him retune it as the build changed.

With Bobby moving on and Eric now at the helm as tuner at PRE only time will tell.
I would have Bobby tune me anytime, not knock on Drift Office but I like to have the local support if something is not quite right or needs to be changed

[Thatruth2001]

Come to drift office tomorrow. Bob is completing my 3" exhaust project with the nameless header being the highlight tomorrow at 2:00 PM. Once this is all done I have to mate The ESC with the innovate kit... I think.


After going up there a couple of times I would not let any other tuner touch the car.

[deucethemoose]

AVO is going to be there a lot... Paul works out of the same building now

[m.box.design]

Originally Posted by Thatruth2001

I have to mate The ESC with the innovate kit...

This I like! Can't wait to see the results.

[BRZPDX]

internal shots. Should have taken more pics, just got caught blabbering away.. I always forget to take pictures..

[Jmonty]

Yes keep us posted on the results

[stockysnail]

Originally Posted by Thatruth2001

Come to drift office tomorrow. Bob is completing my 3" exhaust project with the nameless header being the highlight tomorrow at 2:00 PM. Once this is all done I have to mate The ESC with the innovate kit... I think.


After going up there a couple of times I would not let any other tuner touch the car.

I look forward to seeing your car at a track day with those goodies.

[fukamoto]

I had an AVO on my RS-T and it ran like OEM. The piggyback was tuned pig rich but nothing a tuner can fix. Good parts, simple installation, good customer service. I'll be going AVO on my BRZ later this summer.

[Chen]

I luh that place.

[digital_assassin]

Bob and Bill are a great team of tuners and I'm extremely pleased with my dealings with them and ultimately their tune on my Kraftwerks S/C'd 86. Bob is a no BS guy and isn't focused on pedaling parts but more about educating and letting you make your own choices. Drift Office is a very valuable resource for our community.

[Jmonty]

Good to know, wonder if they can tune around the TQ curve I have?