Being the relative noob I am, I've recently discovered the difference between real tuners and installers who have dynos but just use canned tunes. I'm trying to find the closest real dyno tuner who also has a full install shop. Someone who can do it all, and well. I know ST and DPR are great, but having my "local" shop at least 2 hours away, possibly via flatbed, hurts.

Last time I checked there was also Chicane and Swanson in Torrance. Chicane seems to me mainly a fox/sn95 kinda place, although they are getting into 3v now of course. And they are Saleen specialists, and I want a Whipple now. Swanson I have heard mixed, but the gist of it is he is a good tuner if you leave him the hell alone.

Am I leaving anyone out? The closer the better I guess, but I'm the kinda guy if I have to drive 300+ miles for the best, that's what I'll do.

 

You're in Santa Barbara? There isn't a good shop up there?

I had problems with Chicane that I don't wish to air out on the internet. Swanson really knows his ****. But not too friendly, and pricey.

Racers Edge Tuning is the guy I go to. Greg is a great guy, and knows mustangs. He has his own s-197, the 'v6 Shelby'. Easy to get along with and I have never heard a bad thing about him. He'd get my vote if you are looking for someone in the south bay.

 

Hahaha...shops in Santa Barbara. Good one. My beautiful hometown...overrun completely by yuppies at this point. I'll have to move soon. But yeah, there is ZERO muscle car activity here at the shop level.

Racer's Edge isn't a full install shop though, are they?

 

I am not sure if he will rebuild engines, and not sure about rear end work. He can do it, knows how to do it, don't know if he will. I haven't asked. But he does pretty much everything else. He quoted me a price on my UCA, CMCV delete's, and a re-tune that I can't pass up. Give him a call on specifics, or show up to Irwindale on Thursday's. Everytime I go, he's there.

edit: In fact send him an e-mail from his site. He's really good at follwing up.

 

RET is the place for you, give greg a call.

 

It's more distance for you, but alot of people recommend Adam from St Motorsports. It's worth the drive.

 

Here is a place I am using, they are installing my Kenne Bell in about a week.

http://www.socaldiablo.com/

 

I had that guy (Shawn Ellis) tune my car after the shop where he uses the dyno (Superior Automotive) ported & polished my heads and installed gears and headers. Superior did a really nice job. Can't say the same for the tune, and I would not let Shawn Ellis touch my car ever again.

 

Swanson installed my gears and had a dyno pull. He and his mechanic did a great job. What I like most is that they take their time and not rush through things.

I can see where some feel that Danny's not very personable, because he kinda keeps to himself and not too talkative, but he is a nice guy.

On my gear install price, he was on the high side compared to other shops, but the care and time they took on the install was well worth it to me.