i-Club - The Ultimate Subaru Resource - EQ Tuning: it's over 9000!

Warning: Incoming wall of text. Cliff notes version is bolded.

I've put off writing a review for EQTuning for a long time. The thought has always been, "I'll save it all for after xxx install." Unfortunately one thing leads to another and it never gets done. That much hasn't changed but if I put things off any longer I fear it'll never get posted. I'm already gushing with praise as it is. This will likely get lost in the avalanche of positive feed back directed at EQTuning but the crew deserves it.

My experience with Ed began in early September when I took my first dive into the Impreza community. At that time I knew next to nothing about anything automotive let alone Subarus or WRXs beyond AWD and I own one (not a lot has changed). I didn't even know how a turbo worked. Ed was exceedingly helpful in answering all my questions, my follow up questions, and my follow ups to the follow ups. He was patient and courteous and described things in lay man's terms with no hint or promise of business from me. I could let him know that I had been talking to other people and he would remain objective and open. It also never felt like he was trying to sell me anything and that my satisfaction and understanding were more important than my business. True or not, it felt nice.

After months of question and answer sessions I settled in on a date for a tune as well as an up pipe install. On appointment day the shop was little more then an empty, half constructed looking room with a tool chest and a few jacks. There was no office, no waiting area, or seating. Knowing that up pipe installs take a while I was prepared to spread my text books out and get some studying done. Ever the customer friendly man, Ed ran next door to ask if they could borrow a chair to make me more comfortable. My tuning experience was an amazing surprise. Up to that point I had never put the pedal to the floor or gone wide open throttle. I didn't know what a 'x' gear pull was. Ed explained and was plenty patient the whole way. He never surrounded derogatory or made any indication that he might be getting annoyed with this super newb driver.

I headed down to Anaheim after the tune and I threw a check engine light. I gave Ed a call when I got in at around 11am and left a voicemail. He called me back 10 hours later and asked for the error codes. After doing some poking around under the hood and some AccessPort button pressing under his instruction we were able to narrow things down. A temporary map was emailed to me to be used as a band aid fix until I could bring my bug eye back. The problem ended up being a loose/disconnected hose. The entire customer/technical support blew me away. Ten hour response time to a reported problem blows my mind. It may not be live 24/7 but the quality of the support and effectiveness of the answer kicks Dell, Comcast, and any other call center in the face.

The months pass and I go for brakes, clutch, and turbo swap. All the while I talk with other shops to get rates, suggestions, and quotes. Ed was one of the few that didn't **** bricks when I bring up talking with other shops. He even acknowledges a lot of their suggestions rather than dismissing them. He also took into account my driving style, needs, and preferences when recommending certain brakes and clutches. Ed's been a great help but there is plenty more to the crew that makes EQ ah-mazing.

Adam's work and efficiency is only exceeded by his work ethic. He's finished my installs more quickly and pops engines out of cars like that one octuplet lady pops out babies. It's said that he has the optimal dainty hands of a mechanic that allow him to get into those small spaces. I have had few problems with his work and any issues are quickly resolved with a short return trip. No shortcuts are taken. No corners are clipped. The work is quality.

Everything was good, there was no bad, but then came the ugly. During the installation of an oil temperature gauge my engine block of 124,xxx miles gave in. One turn of a bolt/plug thing and a good sized chunk of metal broke. It was an unfortunate incident. Old engine was in the wrong place at the wrong time. I was pretty distraught but I think Adam felt worse about it than I did. He would have done anything to make the situation right. I don't doubt that he would have mined, smelted, cast, forged, and assembled a new engine with his bare hands if I asked him to. A solution was developed that accommodated my financial status. I was able to get a new engine without sacrificing my tuition or rent money.

While work didn't reach completion as quickly as expected the folks at EQTuning were very good at communicating with me. They gave me frequent updates as to how work was coming along. I don't think EQ is to blame for any of the delays on my bugeye. Most of the time was spent waiting for things to return from the machine shop. To EQ's Machine shop: I want to punch you in the face and you need to pick less crappy times to recalibrate your CNC machine. The work order would have likely been completed weeks earlier had I not added things half way. Roughly 10 weeks after the initial incident my bugeye is out of the shop and I couldn't be happier. Yeah, that silver bugeye that's been sitting in that back corner since New Years is mine.

I'm sorry I don't know the entire crew and I don't mean to short change any one here. Sonya is ever friendly in the front of the house work and I'll always remember the time she included me in the lunch order. The gyro was top notch. It also came at no cost to me. I appreciate that. The guy who installed my FMIC, I think your name is Chris, did a great job. It fits nice and snug and you managed to keep the stock fog lights. It was a pleasant surprise after several people had said it wasn't possible.

[B]My total experience with EQTuning has been nothing short of extraordinary and I believe that only the words of Hollywood writers can do them justice. So, in summary:

"...I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship."

"I'll be your huckleberry."

"The stuff that dreams are made of."

"The Force is strong with this one."[/B]