AVO Turboworld

[Sportsguy83]

Disclaimers:

This is MY OPINION

This only represents my feelings and thoughts, not anyone else's.

I am writing it with the ONLY purpose of INFORMATION, I hold nothing against AVO or employees.

I don't want this to become a hate thread. Anyone please feel free to add any positive or negative review of AVO with RESPECT.

There are GOOD and BAD experiences in the review so please read it completely if you are interested in reading my opinion.

Lastly, the kit has worked without a hiccup for A LOT of owners, I am just writing about my dealings with it.

/Disclaimers.

After countless weeks of agonizing the decision of what FI kit to go with I finally decided to go with AVO. I've said it before, but the reasons to go with it were OEM like look, UEL sound, GREAT power band with a really nice flat torque curve and AWESOME reviews from kits done in other cars. Ordered first week of January and Paul was able to rush out a kit for me in March. I am and will always be grateful for the help getting me a kit that early in March.

Kit received and installed in April. Immediately I noticed there was an exhaust leak and that the Overpipe was hitting the frame. I told Paul about both of the issues, but told him I was going to use the car with the minor exhaust leak unless it got really bad and taking the car to a shop to sort out the OP hitting the frame issue. Only resolution for the OP hitting the frame issue was denting the OP... I also knew about some kits having the Ceramic Coating flaking away in the first few uses (not me, I didn't have coating).

I used the kit with exhaust leak for about 2 months until it got REALLY bad. At that point I needed to remove the manifold, machine it and install it back (all expenses coming out of my pocket done at KAB Autos in Sunrise FL).

After fixing my exhaust leak I asked AVO about any type of compensation for the exhaust leak issue specially since it was there since day one (never asked for compensation for the OP hitting the frame band aid expense). AVO said they would get back to me on it, never received a response until 3 months and 8 days later when I asked what had happened with it and finally got a response. Obviously at this point I don't expect any type of compensation. I also had an issue with the Intercooler brackets, where it seemed my IC brackets were too far front and the IC sat too close to the condenser and bigger radiators would not fit. Also asked about measuring other kits brackets to compare, its been 3 months too and never got a response. I needed to move the IC brackets around in order to make it work with the bigger radiator. (Just learned of another AVO forum member owner who had zero issues with the IC hitting the bigger radiator which was Robispec just like mine, so it does seem my IC brackets where off).

What did I end up doing with my AVO kit? Sold it. I bought this kit because AVO had awesome reviews, OEM like views and reasonable price, AWESOME power delivery curve. What I actually got was what seemed a few quality issues (a number of kits, about 8-10 that I know off, have had issues with manifold flanges leaking and Overpipe not clearing the frame including mine). Could it be that out of 100+ kits we got the 8-10 with issues and all others are GOOD? Maybe, but not likely.

The last straw for me was when i learned of two AVO turbos eating themselves up (in all fairness, it seems one of them ate a bolt and that is why it failed and my turbo did not show any bad signs AT ALL). Now a failure rate of 1 out of 100+ sold is really solid and should not be a concern AT ALL. But for me personally, the quality issues built up to the point where I did not trust the quality of the kit anymore. (I have yet to hear any other turbo from any of the other kits fail).

I want to end this review by saying, I do not believe Paul at AVO tried on purpose to not take care of me as a customer, I believe my issues just got lost in a busy schedule. Still, it is unacceptable for a paying customer to have to wait 3+ months long for a single answer or acknowledgement of their issues with their products.

Finally, I want to add that I take part of the blame for everything because I am sure I should have done a better job of reading reviews of AVO before committing to buy the kit.

[Pitman]

As a fellow, but very happy, AVO turbo owner, I am very sorry you had all those issues. My kit was fitted in August, so a much later one than yours. So far, I have had absolutely no issues as all, and could not be happier. For me, they AVO kit 100% ticked all the boxes for me in my choice of FI.
Having said that, Fensport, the UK / European agents for AVO turbo kits, went to a lot of trouble ensuring that my exhaust manifold flanges were completely flat before fitting, as well as a lot of additional checking to ensure the kit was absolutely perfect before they finally fitted it.

I have had an aftermarket radiator fitted (Mishimoto), so know it does fit with the AVO intercooler. Again, Fensport fitted it, so I am not sure if they had to modify the intercooler brackets or not. I don't think so.

Dave

[s2d4]

Your problem is:
You rushed them to get you one of the first production kits.

Being an early adopter, you are bound to face more issues than guys that ends up picking it up after the product reach its maturity.
As for making judgement based on one questionable turbo failure, after seeing plenty of broken turbos, I suppose I should not have any confidence in Garret, HKS, IHI, Mitsubishi, Trust, precision and BW turbos.

[Sportsguy83]

Originally Posted by s2d4

Your problem is:
You rushed them to get you one of the first production kits.

Being an early adopter, you are bound to face more issues than guys that ends up picking it up after the product reach its maturity.
As for making judgement based on one questionable turbo failure, after seeing plenty of broken turbos, I suppose I should not have any confidence in Garret, HKS, IHI, Mitsubishi, Trust, precision and BW turbos.

One of the issue I had (exhaust leaking) has happened on kits installed in the last month or so, so it was not a matter of early kit.

Secondly, I specifically said the turbo failure is not a problem and should not worry anyone. I said it accumulated to me having no more confidence in the quality of the kit. It added up, not main cause....

Also, when a company releases a product, I don't expect to be a guinea pig for it. I expect it to be tested and verified. Being and "early adopter" does not give a free pass to any company and allow them to have issues on the first few $4K kits because early adopters should deal with them. That's what R&D is for.



If this post has mistakes, blame Autocorrect

[ZionsWrath]

The leak was on the engine side?

[s2d4]

Originally Posted by Sportsguy83

One of the issue I had (exhaust leaking) has happened on kits installed in the last month or so, so it was not a matter of early kit.

Did they send you another header?

[Sportsguy83]

Originally Posted by s2d4

Did they send you another header?

No. I said it on my review, asked for any type of compensation 3+ months passed to get a reply and also said at this point, I don't expect anything.

If this post has mistakes, blame Autocorrect

[Sportsguy83]

Originally Posted by ZionsWrath

The leak was on the engine side?

Yes manifold flanges to engine

If this post has mistakes, blame Autocorrect

[s2d4]

Originally Posted by Sportsguy83

No. I said it on my review, asked for any type of compensation 3+ months passed to get a reply and also said at this point, I don't expect anything.

Well then, my previous post still stands.

I do agree you should get a new header with the ceramic coating like JD86 did.

[ZionsWrath]

Originally Posted by s2d4

Well then, my previous post still stands.

I do agree you should get a new header with the ceramic coating like JD86 did.

He sold his kit I believe

[Dan@AWD]

I recommend to anyone that whatever kit you choose to buy make sure the exhaust mani flanges are completely flat. They will warp during welding slightly. Don't just assume they are perfect. It can affect turbo spool up and your tune. I need to pull mine off because of a leak, but I have been lazy.

[Sportsguy83]

Originally Posted by s2d4

Well then, my previous post still stands.

I do agree you should get a new header with the ceramic coating like JD86 did.

It stands on the point of "early adopters are bound to have more issues than later adopters" because well, its obvious.

That does not mean, early adopters are Expected and Assured to have them and need to live with them, just that they "might" encounter them.

That does not exempt a company from getting products right the first time, standing up and compensating early adopters in their issues and lastly when my issue has been experienced in a kit installed today, meaning the issue might not yet be resolved at the factory.

[Sportsguy83]

Originally Posted by Pitman

As a fellow, but very happy, AVO turbo owner, I am very sorry you had all those issues. My kit was fitted in August, so a much later one than yours. So far, I have had absolutely no issues as all, and could not be happier. For me, they AVO kit 100% ticked all the boxes for me in my choice of FI.
Having said that, Fensport, the UK / European agents for AVO turbo kits, went to a lot of trouble ensuring that my exhaust manifold flanges were completely flat before fitting, as well as a lot of additional checking to ensure the kit was absolutely perfect before they finally fitted it.

I have had an aftermarket radiator fitted (Mishimoto), so know it does fit with the AVO intercooler. Again, Fensport fitted it, so I am not sure if they had to modify the intercooler brackets or not. I don't think so.

Dave

I'm glad you have had an awesome experience and I am the first to say my issues are not the norm. Looking forward to more of your updates and mods.

[s2d4]

Originally Posted by Sportsguy83

No. I said it on my review, asked for any type of compensation 3+ months passed to get a reply and also said at this point, I don't expect anything.

When you pestered them to rush the kit to you, did you only contact them once?

Also, if you really wanted to get the answer, what did you do in those 3 months while you waited for the reply? As an engineer, surely you do follow ups all the time?

This is not having a dig at you or anything. I am just making sure I have the full picture as this forum has too many people posting bs opinions/reviews.