PERFORMANCE
PERFORMANCE SERVICING
PERFORMANCE-ORIENTED SERVICING
Regular servicing on performance vehicles is just as important as regular servicing of normal vehicles; sometimes, even more so, as they often have shorter service intervals (refer to your vehicle's service book for manufacturer recommendations).
The fluids (e.g., transmission, engine, differential(s)) used on performance vehicles are often specifically designed to handle higher temperatures and more aggressive driving. Larger amounts of fluids can be required (dependent on manufacturer specifications and aftermarket modifications) to fill larger capacity sumps and external cooling systems.
Vehicles that use alternative fuels, such as E85, require more frequent oil changes due to the fuel contaminating engine oil.
We have a long history of servicing performance and race vehicles, so we can recommend a servicing schedule and appropriate consumables for your performance vehicle.
PERFORMANCE LOGBOOK SERVICING
Maintain the warranty on, and longevity of, your new performance vehicle by having it serviced at the intervals specified by the manufacturer.
Servicing intervals (usually based on kilometres travelled) and the tasks required at each interval are listed in your vehicle's service log book. We fill out your log book, documenting the work completed when servicing your vehicle as proof that the work has been done. This can be essential when making a warranty claim on your vehicle with the manufacturer.
Speak to us if you're unsure about what servicing your vehicle requires and when.
PERFORMANCE MODIFICATIONS
TURBO AND SUPERCHARGER KITS
More vehicles than ever have turbocharged engines due to the performance and efficiency benefits they provide. Many naturally aspirated (non-forced induction) engines respond well to forced induction, by way of a supercharger or, single or twin turbochargers.
The choice of what type of forced induction is best depends on your engine type and the vehicle's intended application. When you think of forced induction on a V8, such as the Holden/Chevrolet LS family of engines, you may think of supercharging, however, there has been a lot of success with single and twin-turbo kits.
Given Subaru's history with turbocharged boxer engines you may associate GT86s/GR86s and BRZs with turbochargers, however supercharger options are available.
Talk to us about forced induction options, and supporting modifications, for your vehicle.
SUSPENSION AND DRIVELINE UPGRADES
Vehicle suspension systems are burdened with supporting a vehicle's weight, cushioning occupants from road imperfections, and enable vehicles to corner and steer, which they do via springs, shock absorbers, bushes, links and arms.
Depending on the type of vehicle, suspension systems may be designed to be more luxurious, providing a softer and more insulating ride, or performance-oriented, providing a stiffer and more direct ride, steering and handling.
Changes in suspension components, geometry and condition can drastically change the feeling of your vehicle and the confidence you have in it. We can help you find and fit the right suspension components and align everything to improve the way your vehicle drives.
BRAKE KITS
Going fast in a straight line is fun, but what happens when you have to slow down? Are you confident that your brakes are up to the task?
Most vehicles are fitted with brakes that are matched to the vehicle's performance; when increasing engine performance, you also need to consider increasing braking performance. This can be as simple as retaining your factory brake calipers (that clamp your brake pads to your discs) and changing pads, discs and/or fluid or, as is often the case for cars that are driven on tracks, upgrading to a set of larger, multi-piston calipers.
We can provide advice on, and fit, the best braking solution for your vehicle's purpose.
COOLING SYSTEMS
Performance vehicles are more aggressively tuned in order to deliver the level of performance expected by enthusiasts. More aggressive tuning and driving, means more heat is generated.
You may think the additional heat is generated in the engine, alone, which is cooled by the primary cooling system, however performance vehicles also generate heat in their transmissions, differentials, forced induction systems, etc. All of these components/systems need to be kept at their optimal operating temperatures. This can be achieved by using the right fluids, heat insulation and, in some cases, by installing external air-to-air or water-to-air radiators or intercoolers.
We can help you find the right heat management solutions for your vehicle.
ENGINE MANAGEMENT AND WIRING
Whether your vehicle runs on petrol or diesel, uses electronic or mechanical fuel injection, all vehicles have electrical systems, with modern vehicles using complex computers to monitor engine and transmission vitals, and control fuel injection and spark ignition.
Vehicle manufacturers tune their vehicles to meet emissions requirements and promote longevity at the cost of outright performance. Some manufacturers put protection measures in place to stop modification of onboard computers.
Whilst there is a lot of aftermarket support for tuning factory computers, sometimes the best solution is to replace the factory-installed Engine Control Unit (ECU) with an aftermarket item. Modern aftermarket ECUs have many of the same features as their factory counterparts (e.g., traction control), and provide additional features, such as flat shifting, boost by gear and finer fuel and ignition mapping.
We can supply, fit and tune* a range of aftermarket engine and transmission control units.
We outsource ECU tuning to reputable tuners within South Australia who are chosen depending on their experience with specific engine/ECU combinations.
ENGINE MEASUREMENT AND ASSEMBLY
Engines in standard vehicles are designed to support the amount of power and torque that manufacturers decide, balancing performance with longevity, production complexity and cost.
Engines that are put under significant stress, like those that are regularly run at full load, at continuous high RPM (as in racing applications) or run high boost levels can suffer premature failure of internal components, such as connecting rods, pistons, piston rings, or bearings.
Most engine failures can be prevented or rectified by rebuilding them using high-strength and application-specific aftermarket components that are commonly available for many engines.
Rebuilding engines is a delicate procedure that involves:
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disassembly,
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cleaning,
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inspection,
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measurement,
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machining*,
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mor cleaning,
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more measurement, and
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assembly.
We have a dedicated engine assembly room on site that we use to ensure cleanliness of components at assembly time, and experienced staff to deliver the best performing engines possible.
Note that we don't perform machining in-house, but we use reputable machinists to perform work for us.
WHEELS AND TYRES
Tyres, being the only contact your vehicle has with the road, are, arguably, the most important component of any vehicle as they affect steering, braking and cornering performance.
Tyres on street-driven vehicles have to compromise their performance by being able to withstand poor road conditions and perform in adverse weather conditions; that's not to say there aren't great options for street performance tyres from well-known manufacturers, such as Pirelli, Michelin, Bridgestone and Kumho. There are also some very good tyres from lesser-known brands, such as Sailun and Nankang.
Track-driven vehicles can benefit immensely by fitting track-focused tyres that are available in varying compounds, speed ratings, tread patterns and sizes, depending on the desired application.
Track-focused wheels are also an important factor for track driving, as they can reduce un-sprung weight, can be stronger than factory-fitted wheels and come in various sizes, allowing for:
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a wider selection of tyre options,
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fitting of wider tyres for improved traction,
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fitting of larger brake discs and calipers,
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changing the track of your vehicle, to improve cornering stability, and
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fitment to different vehicles through multi-stud patterns.
We stock a large range of performance tyres and we can order in what you need if we don't have it in stock. We can also supply a range of performance wheels from many reputable brands.
FABRICATION
EXHAUST SYSTEMS, PIPING AND BRACKETRY
When choosing parts to modify your vehicle, the best parts to choose are, generally, the ones that are specific to your vehicle, as they should be designed to fit. These parts are often referred to as "bolt on" or "vehicle-specific"; however, not all parts fit as you might expect them to.
If you want to modify a vehicle that doesn't have a large range of aftermarket options, your only option may be to use generic or universal parts and adapt them to work with your vehicle.
We have skilled staff and the tools they need to fabricate bespoke parts, such as piping, bracketry and exhaust systems that are made to fit your vehicle perfectly.
TRACK DAY PREPARATION
SUSPENSION SET UP
When designing a vehicle, engineers will develop suspension (e.g., MacPherson strut, multi-link, trailing arm, etc.) and geometries (relationships between pivot and "pick up" points) that suit the type of vehicle being developed and its intended purpose.
Suspension design and its geometry are fixed from the factory and are a significant indicator of how a vehicle will ride and handle. Additionally, all vehicles have provisions to adjust alignments of suspension components that further affect how a vehicle will handle.
The adjustments that can be made on many vehicles include camber, caster and toe; however the adjustability of these angles is vehicle specific. There are often aftermarket suspension components that can increase suspension adjustability, should it be required.
Track-driven vehicles often use more aggressive alignments that affect:
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grip and stability during cornering, acceleration and high speeds,
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steering turn-in and response, and
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body control.
The benefits that aggressive wheel alignments offer on track have drawbacks when used on the street, including:
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tram-lining (wheels following uneven road surfaces),
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steering that pulls the vehicle with the camber of the road,
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reduced grip, and
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uneven or accelerated tyre wear.
If your vehicle is predominantly driven on the street but you want to take it to a track day, we can perform a suspension alignment before afterward to optimise it for each environment.
Suspension alignments are also often necessary when changing suspension components, such as bushes, springs, shock absorbers, wheels and tyres.
TYRE AND BRAKE PAD SWAP
Track driving puts a lot of stress on all parts of a vehicle, but none more so than tyres and braking components - pads, discs and fluid.
As is the case with suspension alignment, tyres and brakes that are designed for track use may not work well on the street, and vice versa.
Brake pads are available in a wide variety of compounds that affect:
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the amount of noise and dust they produce,
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how quickly they wear themselves and the discs they clamp onto, and
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how well they withstand high temperatures.
Brakes pads designed for street use often produce no noise, little dust, have longer usable lives and aren't aggressive on brake discs, but can't withstand high temperatures without becoming ineffectual (brake fade) or disintegrating. At the extreme opposite end of the scale, pads designed for track use have the opposite characteristics.
Like brake pads, brake discs come in a variety of materials (e.g., steel or carbon ceramic) and designs (e.g., slotted, drilled, single-piece or two-piece). There isn't much of a downside to using track-focused discs on the street, other than cost, although pads and discs should be matched for best performance and longevity.
Replacing brake fluid for a blend with a high boiling point is important for track use as boiling brake fluid can lead to a significant decrease in braking performance. Brake fluid is also hydroscopic (it absorbs water), so it should be replaced regularly.
Like brake pads, track-focused tyres shouldn't be used on the street due to their, often, softer compounds (reducing longevity) stiffer side walls (harsher ride) and more aggressive tread patterns (poorer water dispersion characteristics).
If you are regularly driving your vehicle on track, we recommend having two sets of brake pads and tyres, at minimum - one for the street and one for the track.
We can swap out brake components, tyres (and wheels), and perform a suspension alignment before and after your next track day.
PREVENTATIVE TESTING AND INSPECTION
Properly preparing your vehicle before taking it to a track can ensure optimum performance and reliability.
We can perform a range of track preparation checks, including:
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compression testing,
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leak down testing, and
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oil, transmission and differential fluid checks.
We can also replace common wear items, such as spark plugs and filters.