Best and Worst tuner shops in Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky

[pcarp]

I've posted this in the Regional Meets section, but figured there wasn't much traffic in that section, so I'm posting here also...

From your experience or from what you've heard, what are the best and worst tuner shops in the Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky region?

Also, has anyone heard of Zerolift or ForcedFab?

Thanks!

[fortwayne240]

Hey, I actually own my own shop here in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Perhaps we might have what you are looking for. My name is Matt. The number here at the shop is 260-483-2007. We have done quite a few SR Swaps for people in the area, and the SR motor is pretty much what we spend most of our time working on. We are a Tomei, Apexi, SARD and a couple other major parts dealer.... so hit us up if you need something. By the way, troubleshooting is something we have become very good at around here on the SR and KA motors...

[pcarp]

Thanks for the reply!

So far, from the inputs I've received, this is the list of tuner shops in our region:

Autolab in Louisville, KY:http://www.autolabonline.com/home.php

Zerolift in Cincinnati, OH:http://www.zerolift.com/

Forced Fab in Dayton, OH:http://www.forcedfab.com/

Matt's Shop in Fort Wayne, IN:260-483-2007

I will be visiting each one of these shops in the next few weeks to assess the shop: - owners/workers (number and experience)- shop facilities- types of work performed and turn-around time- perceived level of expertise- prices- customer service- etc.

I will try to post a review of each shop, listing some pros/cons and a list of what each shop does well and where they can possibly improve.

For those wondering why I'm doing this: I'm trying to decide on which shop I should go with, and post info on what I find out for the benefit of other forum members, new and old.

More to come...

[Jyon9689]

Injected Performance. They are located in KY. I've heard good things and a few bad, but i believe they are known for tunign Supra's

[pcarp]

Thanks! Maybe a place to go for those wanting a 2JZ swap...

Injected Performance in Lexington, KY:http://www.injectedperformance.com/

[Jyon9689]

Here is another. I know a guy who used to work here. StreetSports, its in Nicholasville, KY.

Heres their sitehttp://www.streetsports.com

Examples of some nissans they have built/worked onhttp://www.streetsports.com/ph...t.htm

EDIT: Might as well put some more info up. The showroom/install center is right near the dragstrip haha

Telephone 859/278-STREET(7873)859/881-5277 faxline 866/350-TUNER toll-free Snail Mail (retail showroom and installation center) Street Sports, Inc. 136 MacArthur Court (at the Dragstrip) Nicholasville, Kentucky 40356 Snail Mail (corporate office, billing and admin only!) Street Sports, Inc. 4237 Heathmoor Court Lexington, Kentucky 40514 Electronic Mail General Information: [email protected]: [email protected]: [email protected]

[gumby74]

This is a great idea. In fact, this should be initiated from coast to coast.I wouldnt trust any of the monkeys locally to change my oil let alone do serious mechanical, or electrical work on my car. I find it a little hard to pay a guy ASE wages without the certification. But then, thats just me.

[gtrperformance]

Yes it should be coast to coast. There should definately be a "stay away" list too. I have a shop at the top of the stay away list but I need to get my car back from there first.

[pcarp]

It would be cool to do this coast to coast. Kinda like that chick on the Travel Channel checking out resorts all over the world, or that guy that goes all over the place, eating all sorts of crazy stuff. These have got to be the best jobs in the world...

Anyways, I'll only be able to check out my own little part of the world. If other people are willing to do it for their region, that would be cool.

Nicholasville, KY, is right on the other side of Lexington, so that's definitely visitable (if that's a word).

Can't wait to get on the road this weekend and start checking out shops!

[ZL-Auto]

Zerolift Autolab 3195 Homeward WayFairfield, OH 45014 513-874-2508 10-7 Mon. - Fri.12-5 Saturday

P.S. Expecting a new container of JDM goodies any day now.

Let me know what time you are planning on coming down and I will try to be there. Thanks, Robert

[pcarp]

All right. I'll probably hit up Forced Fab first, and then head down to Zerolift. Probably sometime in the late afternoon.

Thanks for the info!

[gtrperformance]

How bout posting body shops with good paint booths too. Quality molding work and not just bolt stuff on, you know?

[pcarp]

I don't plan on visiting any body shops. But if I come across any, I'll post my findings.

Well, this weekend was a bust. Got too busy at the house. I'll try to make it out there sometime during the week.

Pafferv, just curious, do you know when that container is gonna arrive? Other than engines, what else is expected to be in that container?

[pcarp]

I kinda wish the moderators hadn't moved this post from the 240sx section to the Regional Meets section. I already had a post here...

[s13point5]

pcarp. im from dayton. get a hold of me. ill introduce you to the ForceFab boys. good guys. i can also do some work for you depending on what you need done if i have time. email me [email protected]

[ZL-Auto]

JDM front ends, seats, clusters, hatches, spoilers, suspension, and obviously engines, fresh batch of redtops, blacktops, a few rb25's, honda engines. PS Shipment arrived yesterday.

[pcarp]

Hey, timmylikewhoa, was your car in one of those tuner magazines? I thought I saw a S13 hatch, owned by a guy from Dayton, in an old Super Street magazine...

Do you do your RB swap yourself?

Have you had any work done by Forced Fab?

[pcarp]

Hey pafferv, looks like Zerolift accepts American Express. This is definitely a big plus!! I might come out there shortly...

[s13point5]

Hey, timmylikewhoa, was your car in one of those tuner magazines? I thought I saw a S13 hatch, owned by a guy from Dayton, in an old Super Street magazine...

Do you do your RB swap yourself?

Have you had any work done by Forced Fab?

yea my car was only in the readers rides section of SS. i did do the RB swap myself. and yes i have some stuff done by Forced Fab before. only things i cant do in my garage (mostly welding things). they will be plumbing my intercooler shortly and making my turbo elbow since i do not own a welder so i cant do that at my garage

[ZL-Auto]

We supply most of the shops in the area and alot of shops outside of our area with engines / parts.If any of you made it to Cincinnati Cavalcade Of customs. The black 240 and silver DSM at the Bob Sumerel Tire booth were our cars, fully built at our facility. Picture of the Black 240 below in my sig.
Modified by pafferv at 1:57 PM 5/13/2007

[silentvoice71]

ok im fron northern indiana and the best show ive delt with so far was the one in ft.Wayne sweet sweet prices and damn good coustomer service ftwayne240's shop.The worst one ever was amelings sound and speed outside of laporte i went in there kinda playin the stupid kid and he actually was a complete jerk and told me that JDM motors are throw away motors. He talked down to me like i was handi-cap.Last time i ever go there again.

[pcarp]

silentvoice71, Thanks for the reply! This is good info. Do you have websites for the two shops you went to?

[silentvoice71]

you know what no. i dont sorry lol but im definatly gonna buy alot more from the one in ft wayne.

[OneFastStanza]

Thanks! Maybe a place to go for those wanting a 2JZ swap...

Injected Performance in Lexington, KY:http://www.injectedperformance.com/

Injected is just a parts dealer, they don't actually do any car work at that establishment.

Racing Technology (RTC)is a good shop in Lexington. http://www.racingtechnologyco.com/

[574-240sx]

Almost every story I have heard about MSL(Modern Speed Labs) in Indy has been bad. I have been told several times to stay away, I have not dealt with them because if this.

[574-240sx]

ok im fron northern indiana and the best show ive delt with so far was the one in ft.Wayne sweet sweet prices and damn good coustomer service ftwayne240's shop.The worst one ever was amelings sound and speed outside of laporte i went in there kinda playin the stupid kid and he actually was a complete jerk and told me that JDM motors are throw away motors. He talked down to me like i was handi-cap.Last time i ever go there again.

I'm in Granger/Mishawaka area, if you need any work done let me know. I do some work on the side when I'm not busy.

[pcarp]

Sorry it's been a while. I did manage to visit one shop already. Forced Fab. Here's my little review:

Owners/workers (number and experience):- when I visited, there were 3 workers, including the owner of the shop. - The owner seemed to be knowledgeable, but I didn't ask for certifications.

Shop facilities- Good size shop- Fits approx 4 to 5 cars.- Racks of engines and parts on one wall of shop.- Shop has a lift (of course)- Shop did not have a dyno

Types of work performed and turn-around time- Turbo kits (installs and fabrications) for foreign and domestic cars- Different types of fabrication work- Engine swaps for 240s (have seen 2 SRs and a CA performed by them)- Turn around time is about a week, depending what is required

Perceived level of expertise- Owner seemed to be around the tuning scene a while- Owner was very easy to talk to- Owner owns and drives a CA S13

Prices- Expect approx $3500 for basic SR swap- Expect approx $2000 - 2500 for KA turbo install- Fab work prices seemed very reasonable

Customer service- Seemed to be ok. Does not respond to emails quickly. However, when owner replies, he provides all details and prices. - Warranties all work performed by him. If part was fabbed by him, warranty the part as well. However, no warranty on parts not made by him.

Kudos (the good) and WTFs (the not so good)- GOOD: Quoted prices for the basic engine SR swap into a 240 seemed nice and low. Approximately $3500 for a turn-key solution.- GOOD: Quoted prices for a turbo kit for a KA was really nice and low. Approximately $2000-2500 for an installed kit.- GOOD: They're claimed turn around time for a basic engine swap seemed fast. Approximately 4 day turn around time.- GOOD: This shop seemed to be the place where all the 240 owners hung out on weekends.- GOOD: Owner seems to enjoy drifting.- NOT-SO-GOOD: Some of the customers cars were outside, in front of the shop. There is no fence or barrier to keep "curious" people out and away from the customers cars. I would be kinda scared to let them leave my car outside their shop after hours. They may put all the cars in the shop at the end of the day, but I don't know. Maybe putting up a fence and locking everything up at night would be a good thing.

---

Well, there you have it. My first review. I'd like to hit Zerolift next. Just haven't had the time.

I'll try to find out more info on how many 240s each shop has worked on. For example, XATracing down in Florida claims they have done over 400 SR swaps. That's a ton of experience, if you ask me. That goes a long way in my book...

[ZL-Auto]

Xat and Force fab are customers of mine. Also Enjuku and heavy throttle buy motors from me... just fyi.

[pcarp]

Pafferv, that's some good info. BTW, how many 240sx engine swaps has your shop accomplished?

[silentvoice71]

hey man let me know im gettin ready to put my sr into my s13 here soon and im gonna need some help from some one who has done this before.No one around here knows nissans just a bunch of honda ****s. my email is [email protected]