+1. FWIW, Turbonetics has "chimed in" to clarify the date of the price increase (blk180sx is a Turbonetics rep), but they don't owe anyone an explanation for their business decisions. I would hate to be in the aftermarket business. People seem to think that businesses have some sort of "community obligation" to justify their operations.

 

I hate to open old wounds, but this is exactly what killed the Dreamworks kit. I dealt personnally with Nick Vitucci of the Hot Wheelz in Bronx, NY, used to be the office for dreamworks racing as well. He himself seemed to be very straightforward, gave me good prices on all I got from him (which is everything except for the wheels in my sig), did an good job on install. He is actually educated as a jet engine engineer, so he should know some stuff about forced induction. The kit was a good concept, but I overheard him and his partner on several ocasions while in the shop discussing the manufacture logistics issues. The kit was simply too expensive to produce, yet still price competitavely, not too mention that it was too ellaborate and would not have achieved much more power then any other FI kit done right. That's what killed it, or at least as far as I know. His partner, Goran, did seem a bit less trustworthy BTW. So why am I telling this? Everyone is in the buisness to make money. Yes. But we are feeding this buisness to get the most power for least $, am I not correct? At the old price the TN kit was the best. At the current one, the APS ST is a better value. All the issues about about production costs and currency rates are all valid arguments, but as a consumer, my money would go to where it achieves the most effect. I honestly belive, BTW, that in terms of performance the kits are equal. A poorly installed either one will not perform well and possibly blow up your motor, while a properly done one will be a great thrill for years to come. The question is, which is less taxing on the pocket?

 

Whatever credibility you might have had just flew out the window.
Are you seriously going to compare Turbonetics to ... Dreamworks? LMAO.
Hope you enjoy whatever you get.

 

Considering that the price is still pretty lopsided: APS=$5890 Turbonetics after price increase $4700-4800 thats a $1000 difference. I don't see the APS kit being better in any respect other then the oil pan it includes (a $380 value) I'm not going to get into the differences in kits again as I think we have beat that to death but I don't see how you can say the APS kit is SIGNIFICANTLY better then the Turbonetics kit. They produce similar numbers when installed right at similar pressure ratios. Both have been pretty damn reliable albeit each with their own quirks. I think the Turbonetics kit even at $4700-4800 is still a TREMENDOUS value and still IMHO gives the best bang for the buck. But you have a right to your opinion and if you are now set on the APS kit well so be it. Good luck..

 

Dave, friend, like I said, I have dealt with the company in person and I do believe that I may have a bit more to say about it then you with this almost Pavlovian responce: Dreamworks=LMAO. So read the post before you get worked up by a single word.
I have not compared the kit to kit, I just gave an example of how production costs and being able to deliver a cost effective product would make or break a project.
I bet that you have just seen one word and started to type away, moron...

 

I think everyone here understands production costs and pricing (what the market will bear). Many of us have been around long enough to remember the Dreamworks dream too. In the end it really doesn't matter what happened with it just that it never did. Furthermore, TNEtics has been around. They are a real company not some basement boys trying their luck. The kit has been successful for them already and I am sure at this point they have analyzed the market, their costs, competition etc. before deciding to adjust the price just as they did before they decided to enter the market. Maybe Dreamworks should have done that.
In any case, they do not need you to tell them how to run their business.
IMO, It is still a great value.
So 'friend' in the future if your going to call me a moron at least have something logical to say.

 

Well when a Big Mac goes up $400-$500, You would hope they would.

 

OK, I take back the "moron". I had ro right to use that word, I admit. Apparently, I have also completely overlooked the fact that the TN was a real company since the beginning of time. BTW, I am in no mood to watch my spelling or puntuation, nor do I feel like rereading my post ten times over before submission for any run-on sentences. You may use that to put up a smart comeback at this post.

As per the "basement boys" part. For every successful "real company" there are at least 10 basement boys have haven't made it. In fact, about 30-35 years ago 2 basement boys in Japan have started a small shop by mt. Fuji and created the first aftermarket turbo kit. They are known as HKS now. The only difference between them 35 years ago and Dreamworkes now is that HKS had a vision which proved true and turned itself into an international giant. The Dreamworkes have wasted god know how much money (not all of which was theirs) on an overly elaborate kit which had no niche to fill whatsoever. Oh, I just mentioned HKS and Dreamworkes in same post. Here is another one for you to impress us with your cunning wit and your sharp oratorial skills.

Now getting to the issue at hand. Either way you go with TN or APS kit, you cannot lose. Garret or TN turbo? Spearco or APS IC? Win-win in both scenarios. Both kits have excellent track records with no blown motors. It also seems that any issues that were encountered in both cases were due to bad tuning or install. I have a shopping list for either kit I choose, and whichever package costs less will be the one bought. Now, the 1000$ difference between TN and APS will not be enough to cover the oil issue (oilpan or spacer w/a cooler), catalytic converter (which I think APS allows you to keep, but do correct me if I'm wrong) and a vented hood (including bodywork). I do not feel comfortable having that hot turbo inside the cramped engine bay with nowhere for the heat to escape.

This is my last post in this conversation. I think I have covered all the basics.
Bye.

 

Its funny how you think a business doesnt raise prices to profit from it. Its like you think they are doing it because they have too? You're sticking up for Turbonetics as if you work there and know their every day operation. (Get off of their nutts already) Its very naive of you to think that they arent in business to make their pockets fatter. They support this board (thats right u guessed it) to make "MONEY". They had an open house in hopes to make more MONEY. This is to funny.

 

I guess you don't have the ability to think in terms of proportion. such as a Big Mac going from .99 to $1.75 compared to a kit MSRP going from $5595 to 5995. Furthermore its clear you have no idea what production costs and material entail when it comes to making turbo kits. I do happen to know most of the management over there and I'm saying basically what I know as a result of speaking with them. You honestly think the open house was all about adding to profit? If so can you tell me how you picture that the $10K+ they spent on that is going to become a good return on investment. I'd love to hear how your apparentely superior business mind can justify that. Especially considering that several of the Zs/Gs there already had someone ELSEs kit installed but were welcome anyways. Was it in part to get people to look at the kit? Of course. Was that the only reason...ABSOLUTELY NOT. I think anyone who went can attest to the fact they they did not force their product down anyones throat while they were there and in fact billed it more as a giant car show/gathering for Zs and Gs. And that is EXACTLY what it was. Since you obviously have limited to zero knowledge of the way a large company works in regards to production, labor and tooling costs and are pretty much resorting to bad mouthing just to justify a point that is both irrelevant and compltely inaccurate why dont you just move along. You clearly have nothing constructive to add.

 

In regards to covering what you stated. With $1000

Oil pan: $390
Cat converter: APS ST does not allow you to keep this but TT does. However I was refrencing the price difference in ST and TT so I will stick with that. The Turbonetics kit has a cat option for $300

Vented hood: $500

So for $1100 you get everything you are looking for with the Turbonetics kit

 

You ever heard of advertising buddy. So Turbonetics should become a non-profit organization and should just help car enthusiasts? Give me a break. They held the open house so they can let people know what they are about and their products. In other words they were doing it, in hopes of drawing more business for the future. Whats 10gs to A "big" company. You swear companies dont advertise. There is no gaurantees that the advertising will work, but they do it anyways to get their company out there.

Mia: I guess you don't have the ability to think in terms of proportion. such as a Big Mac going from .99 to $1.75 compared to a kit MSRP going from $5595 to 5995.

I guess you dont have the ability to think in terms of two different things....Your comparing apples to oranges. The cost between the two is enormous. If Mcdonalds raises their big mac from $1 to $1.50, theres no big deal here because its 50 cents. Compare that to $500, now tell me what is so similar about the two? your example was very poor.

All you do is rely on what Turbonetics says to you, cause ur their little puppet on the 350 forum trying to justify the price raise with nothing but assumptions. You cant give us hard facts. They tell you something and you swear by it. You have no basis on your argument. You dont even know if their cost of production actually went up. You're basing your assumptions on nothing more than hear say (from the owners of all people). Why the hell would they tell you their operations costs anyway. You think your something special or something. Again get off Turbonetics NUTTS. We all know that you've been on them since you decided to get the kit.

 

Well theres nothing like personal attacks to make you look like an even bigger @sshat then you obviously are. Since you have basically ZERO clue what my relationship is with them nor do you have even an inkling as to what they do and don't tell me you are again showing your @ss. You obviously also have ZERO idea of their intentions when they do things so who are you tell anyone what Turbonetics had in mind when they held the open house. You call my opinoin one of assumptions when the fact is you have ZERO info or ANY kind of idea what goes on there and are in fact posting on nothing but your pure speculation on everything. If you think I am a puppet you are SORELY mistaken. You clearly don't know me personally so where do you get off telling me what I am and what I do. Its clear you are here to bash Turbonetics simply because you don't agree with the price increase and you think you know it all. Stop being such a chump. You don't have the slightest clue what you are talking about. Pack it up and move on. People like you are the reason companies decide not to post here.

 

Since when is it wrong for a company to make a profit?

Ever heard the term "leaving money on the table" ? Pricing is all about what the market will bear. Its all about supply and demand.
Apparently the market has room for both kits however, and TNetics thinks they can get a little more. Maybe they need to get more to be whole on it? I don't know but time will tell if a market will exist for the product after a price increase. TNetics is betting it will. I would guess it will too.

As for the burger arguement, you are all wet man, might as well drop it. Why all the hostility in this thread through? Are you that pissed that you are going to have to pay a few hundred more for the kit?

 

WARNING SHOT: Stop the personal attacks people, or this whole thread will magically disappear so you'll all go back to your corners.

 

I never said that there was anything wrong with them making money. Mia seems to think that Turbonetics is out to better the world by throwing 10k open houses and that they are not in it for the profits. They are just here to help enthusiasts like us boost our cars. I just think its all BS. I never once said anything bad about Turbonetics. Just that they raised the price for profits. MIA seems to think other wise. Just stating my opinion. Thats all.

On a side note: That puppet song is in my head now. (Im your puppet........)

 

A vented hood for $500
That's with painting and labor? I am not being sarcastic at all, if you know of a dealer that has that offer please post the link.
So much for me butting out....

 

i just like to think that if somebody is going to up there price's 400-500 bucks i would like to know what have they added to there kit? or what did they do to improve it if they have not changed anything in the kit then why up the price other then making there pockets fatter.

Not attacking you MIAPLAYA just would like a reason why. trust me if you were in the market for the kit and then the price went up on you you would be like WTF so lets say they call you tomorrow and was like hey send us 500 bucks because you have are kit wouldnt you ask why?

 

Actually the price dropped and it is now going back up. When the kit first came out it was priced a little higher. There was a price drop (a fe hundred or so) and now it is going back up. Again they don't have to justify raising the price. Nobody complained when they dropped the price.

Of course they are not going to ask for $500 from people that already own it. ????

Again it goes back to supply and demand and what the market will bear.

 

Amen.