Where for a custom tune in Houston?

[wspeck77]

I sent emails to
Houston performance
PSI motorsports
Fastlane
Strictly performance
and Dyno Joe

Dyno Joe called me within 3 hours and had a good chat and run down on options and estimate on price. I am impressed with the quick response.

I am planning to see what responses I get back from the others and then maybe do a quick visit to top 2 or 3 and decide.

Anymore info keep it coming....

Thanks everyone!

 

[US-1]

Oh shit.

 

[FnSweet06]

i dont think i'll ever be going back to Strickly. Gave me alot of run arounds.

 

[bigastrk]

Take it to el paso to THR.....

 

[2005redgt]

Take Houston Performance off your list. The only reason you would want to use them, is if you want to throw money in the toilet. Because, after they are done, you will have to go somewhere else for another shop to fix their tunes and mechanical work.

I have dealt with PSI Motorosports on numerous tunes and mechanical fixes (originally performed by Houston Performance) and he was able to fix both. PSI is my choice.

I have heard too many stories about Joe, be careful with him. As for the others ... no opinion.

-Bryan

 

[Black Tooth Grin]

I sent emails to
Houston performance
PSI motorsports
Fastlane
Strictly performance
and Dyno Joe

Dyno Joe called me within 3 hours and had a good chat and run down on options and estimate on price. I am impressed with the quick response.

That's because all the other places were busy working instead of just hanging out on the computer.He was probably trolling for a new victim.

Go ahead and go there, but it won't take you long to figure out that he doesn't have any repeat customers. That's because they either finally figured out what he is, or can't afford it once they take the car somewhere else and have it "un-Joed". Hummm.. wonder if he is still using a pry bar as a transmission line installation tool. Or if silicone is still his substitute for welding. Did he ever actually GET a dyno? Or is he still toasting transmissions on someone elses dyno? Or better yet, not using a dyno at all to do his tuning.

Oh, and while you're there, be sure and ask him about that "stock motor" he is supposedly running 10s on that is like the 3rd motor he has had in that car. Stock my ass. Just more typical BS from the piehole of Dyno Joe. He still running a Saleen? Man, to hear him tell it, those are the shittiest blowers in the world.. that is, right up until he started sucking up to JDM in the hopes of them laying out money to him. I will still never understand why Jim Sr. gets along with him so well. Maybe it is like having a pet, I don't know. But for whatever reason he does.

You're right though. He is the nicest guy in the world while he is trying to sucker you in to giving him money. He has that game down like a champ. Will treat you like a king until you catch on to some bullshit he has pulled. Then suddenly all he is worried about is talking shit about you on what ever forum board will still let him around and worrying about whether or not you are going to reverse your credit card charges. It's the old you're my best friend as long as you haven't realized I am screwing you syndrome.

So he's calling the place Dyno Joe Performance now instaed of Omni Performance? Is he still a one man shop? Always thought it was odd that someone wanted to purchase a one man shop.

 

[bigray327]

Jesus, who do you gotta blow to get a good tune AND good customer service in Houston? And this is a rhetorical question, don't say Mr. Roper.

 

[Fullboogie]

Black Tooth - I have nothing to gain or lose by suggesting DJ to the OP. You, on the other hand, sound like a competitor of his. You don't know where his shop is, don't know that he owns a Mustang dyno, and don't know about his staff. So upon what do you base your opinions?

I based my opinion of Joe on what I observed. And having done this for 25 years and knowing more than most of the punks (generally speaking, not anyone in particular) on any given internet forum combined, my opinion is based on fact and experience.

Based on MY experience with Joe so far, here is what I have observed first hand:

The shop is very clean and professional looking;

The dyno, dyno electronics, and dyno computer are well maintained;

I arrived on time and, despite other cars needing attention, Joe had my car on the dyno on time;

Joe invited questions and comments about what I wanted, and allowed me to observe the dyno runs;

Joe sat down with me and looked at the readouts, including a/f readings, asked for my input, and explained what he was shooting for and what remained to be done;

I watched Joe methodically chase down an a/f ratio problem using sound reasoning and methods, which ultimately fixed the issue;

Joe spent extra time and worked late with my car because I (not he) decided to tweak a few more things on the a/f ratio.

All I can say is that based on MY EXPERIENCE with Dyno Joe, I am pleased with the customer service and the tuning results. I can understand that not everyone will have the same opinion. In fact, there's not a tuner in this city who doesn't have a ton of former, pissed off customers. MTI, Slaters, Strictly, PSI - I've heard horror stories about all of them. It's part of the game and we all know that. I went to Joe because the shop I'd been using for 5 years doesn't know how to return calls or install gears without gear whine. But I'm not going to talk trash about them on the internet all day because I'm mad.

If you don't like Joe because of your first hand experience, fine. My experience is otherwise as stated above. And I'm very happy with Joe unless my experience changes. I know much more than the average person about hotrodding, and I am very critical of how most people handle my cars. I've not seen anything with Joe that set off any alarms in my head. Perhaps things have changed since you knew him.

 

[US-1]

Jesus, who do you gotta blow to get a good tune AND good customer service in Houston? And this is a rhetorical question, don't say Mr. Roper.

Seriously......go to Strictly or Fastlane.

 

[bigray327]

Seriously......go to Strictly or Fastlane.

Thanks. I'm in Clear Lake, so Fastlane is a hike, but they had (note: HAD) some good communication when I talked to them. Now that I want to schedule an appointment, I can't get them to call me back. WTF?

I didn't start the thread, but thanks to everyone for their opinions anyway, since I'm looking for a new shop right now.

 

[Black Tooth Grin]

Black Tooth - I have nothing to gain or lose by suggesting DJ to the OP. You, on the other hand, sound like a competitor of his. You don't know where his shop is, don't know that he owns a Mustang dyno, and don't know about his staff. So upon what do you base your opinions?

Trust me, I am not a competetor of Joes. I don't know where his shop is because the last time I was at his shop it was in the back of some hole in the wall warehouse area off of 17th street. Red building. Could barely fit 2 cars in it. A single lift, no dyno, and only one employee....Joe.

My experience is based off of first hand experience of mine, first hand experience of friends, and first hand knowledge of experiences of friends (not just internet friends) from other boards, and first hand knowledge from people at other shops. I know about how he has completely trashed installs, screwed up transmissions, caused blown motors, takes parts orders and says they will ship out the same day and it takes 4 weeks to receive the parts, uses people until they run out of money and finally want their car back, and the list goes on and on. I know how he has been a vendor on various boards until they finally get tired of his attitude of thinking he is gods gift to them, or until they get tired of covering for him. Hell, he used to be a vendor here until he got his feelings hurt because he thought the board was getting too many vendors. And he even tried to screw people here out of money on a banner he took donations for and didn't pay Chevykiller for for probably 6 months or so until it was brought up in a thread that donations were given but the payment never made. I have quite a bit of experience with Joe. So for you to insinuate that I am not speaking from (as you put it) first hand experience is a little bit insulting.

But hey, if you are happy, I am happy. I certainly hope he has changed and is treating people right. And I wish him all the luck in the world. But he will never see another dime of mine. And I am pretty sure I am not the only one with that opinion.

 

[don_w]

Come on BTG... lighen up!!

DJ clearly has at least one friend now in Fullboogie. And the fact that he treated Fullboogie right (so far) is more than enough to make up for all the fuck ups and people he has screwed before... doesn't it?











Nevermind... I call on myself...

 

[Charlie Sheen]

...who do you gotta blow to get a good tune AND good customer service in Houston? And this is a rhetorical question, don't say Mr. Roper.

I'm still standin'...




lol

 

[jsawyer]

I know 2 things about Dyno Joe.

1. He took a gt500 added a 3.4 Whipple and propelled it into the high 11'sThis was in a mag a few months back, either 5.0 or MM&FF.
2. He was offering to gap HTO's that he sold so I ordered a set gapped at .32. They came in a bubble mailer gapped at .28 I did not use them and his responce was what do you want me to do. Dyno Joe

 

[Fullboogie]

BTG-

I hear what you're saying, and believe it or not, I do appreciate your comments. For now, we will simply have to disagree based on our personal experience with DJ. I've got a good tune, which I participated in and observed every step of the way. My car is just starting the mod process, and Joe has done me right so far.

As has been mentioned, I know every shop in the Houston area. And if I made a "I'm happy with X" post about every one of them, I'd get all kinds of people piling on about how crappy X is. What's a guy to do? I'm trying someone new, and so far it's good. Believe me, the radar is on full ping, based on shitty service at so many other places - I've lost count how many times I've been screwed over in the Houston area for my two Fox Mustangs and my Lightning.

Different people, different cars, different time periods. Hopefully I will have a different experience than you. All is well, and I apologize for my response. I tend to stick up for those who've treated me right.

 

[don_w]

I tend to stick up for those who've treated me right.

What do you think of RPM Outlet? And Granatelli?

 

[Fullboogie]

Ok Don, you are the best. You know everything, and my perspective means nothing. Thanks for the lucid contributions to this thread.

 

[jsawyer]

 

[Hufen]

All I can say is that based on MY EXPERIENCE with Dyno Joe, I am pleased with the customer service and the tuning results. I can understand that not everyone will have the same opinion. In fact, there's not a tuner in this city who doesn't have a ton of former, pissed off customers. MTI, Slaters, Strictly, PSI - I've heard horror stories about all of them. It's part of the game and we all know that. I went to Joe because the shop I'd been using for 5 years doesn't know how to return calls or install gears without gear whine. But I'm not going to talk trash about them on the internet all day because I'm mad.

Oh god, i went to Slaters when i first got my car back in January of 05 when i didnt know where any of the good shops where in the area... worst mistake ever.

 

[Rypper1]

Come on BTG... lighen up!!

DJ clearly has at least one friend now in Fullboogie. And the fact that he treated Fullboogie right (so far) is more than enough to make up for all the fuck ups and people he has screwed before... doesn't it?
Nevermind... I call on myself...

You crack me up Don!!

Oh, and I haven't been able to get a call back or email response from Fastlane after a tune either. Gotta hate long distance tuners.