We often get Customers writting and emailing us telling us how happy they were with what Jim acheived on the dyno for thier pride and joy, few as ‘touching’ as this happy THR Spec C clients…

When I watched Toy Story 3 towards the end of the movie I broke down in an uncontrollable fit of crying. I don’t cry at funerals and all sorts of other misery leaves me unmoved. Why would I cry over an animated movie about a boy and his toys?  Then I realised that I’m still a boy at 50 years old and I still want to play with my toys. I had to act. My self esteem could not sustain another Toy Story 3 crying fit. So I headed off to Tunehouse and had my Bf F6 typhoon upgraded to C Spec. What a professional outfit Jim, Tony and the lads.  What a great job they have done to put the performance back into my FPV. I unreservedly recommend to any middle aged male driver with a Ford turbo that is overcome with depression, thinking of divorce, or crying when watching kid’s movies.  Jeffrey

PS – I don’t know anything about cars. Is 350 rwkw any good?

We should first thank Jeffrey for being so honest with us – His car benefited from a THR Spec C Performance upgrade Kit which includes;

THR Stainless Steel Exhaust System

THR Fuel Pump Upgrade

THR Wastegate and Actuator Upgrade

THR Fuel Injectors

THR XCAL 3 ECU Interface

Tunehouse Signature Custom Dyno Tune

Call Tunehouse now on (02) 9557 4000 or email us anytime at info@tunehouse.com.au for the very latest pricing and information on the entire range of THR Performance upgrade Kits – Every kit is 100% Custom Dyno Tuned by Jim Ghelis, Tunehouse Business owner & Tuner.

This Tunehouse client approached us with a very clean and mostly standard R32 GTR less than a year ago – He wanted an all rounder that could be driven on the road, but would withstand use and abuse at the track and to wet his apetite for Motorsport.

Good morning Jim and Tony

Car ran great all day in stinking hot conditions yesterday at a Motorkhana event. Mostly first gear all day, 6-7000rpm launches. She was launching beautifully on the 245/50/16 Federal 595 SS tyres, but didn’t turn the tight corners too well haha. Was proud to by flying the Tunehouse flag amidst a host cars prepared by Unigroup Engineering J

Looking at getting the decals sorted asap now. Do you guys have an idea of where you want the THR stickers?!

Tunehouse prepare a number of cars for our clients for the track, strip and strip and we know what is needed to build a car that holds together in the heat of the moment as well as how to advise you to take greater care of it! Call Tunehouse now on (02) 9557 4000 or email info@tunehouse.com.au anytime to discuss your requirements and plans – We look forward to it!

Another special car to come through the Tunehouse doors is this LS7-powered Z06 Corvette. The stance of these cars is simply awe-inspiring.

With LS (these have the same engine family as the LS1/x powered Commodores) in the engine code, it’s not too suprising to see one of these in the Tunehouse carpark. Jim Ghelis, Tunehouse business owner and tuner is no stranger to the workings of the Chevy platform having tuned far too many LS powered Australian built Holden Commodores… With a number of kits for the local variant available through Tunehouse off the back of his development as well as tuning his very own daily driven 500 + KW at the wheels VE, this Corvette was indeed in safe hands!

Check out the image below – Not at all a bad place to spend your day? We think so!

Regardless of how unique your car is, Tunehouse can help! Whether your after the specialty service of Australia’s Most professional workshop to service your pride and joy or your after advise on how to achieve your street, strip or track dreams: Call Tunehouse now on (02) 9557 4000 or email us anytime at info@tunehouse.com.au

It took about 12 months of building, late nights and head scratching but the Tunehouse Dyno Room / Cell was finally finished in  2007. Some of you popped in and seen the works in progress and many of you have seen it in use since and can attest, it was not a simple case of a few stud walls and wheeling in the dyno!

As a result the dyno room should really be called a mini wind tunnel which can now function without the assistance of a separate fan. Wind speeds of up to about 160 km/h can be achieved at altitudes similar to what you would find at Bathurst’s Mount Panorama.

Many tuners will place a fan in front of a car when tuning with the hope that basically, they can keep just the coolant temperatures under control – Basically they are relying on air velocity direct into the radiator itself (nothing more).

The idea behind the Tunehouse room however was a little different. Jim wanted to simulate real world conditions. That is, he wanted a controlled testing environment that simulated genuine wind speeds and separate to the radiator, this included the kind of air flow under and around cars (the kind that impact engine and driveline temperatures, exhaust heat dissipation and under hood radiant heat) like they’re subjected to when out in the real world, driving on real roads at real speeds.

Jim saw little point in tuning a car at full load, wide open throttle 100 km/h speeds using fans that are barely able to replicate 20kp/h winds. Instead he wanted the ability to test, diagnose and tune cars in the environment that they’re actually driven in giving Tunehouse the edge with all R&D!

Jim, being the perfectionist that he is, spent over two years in the research and development of building such an international class facility prior to even starting the project.  Once the enormous suction fan (looks like a Boeing 737 engine) was installed,  the ‘tuning’ of the room began. Unfortunately it is not simply a case of sealing a room and putting a bigger fan in front it. In fact a number of aspect need to be taken into account just in terms of airflow, direction and pressure.

Careful testing and manipulation of both inlet and outlet plenums of the room then began. The way the air is drawn into the dyno (We are talking a massive amount of air here) and the way it is evacuated from the room have a massive impact on the air speeds that can be replicated and the air pressure at which they’re achieved. 

Air flow and environmental characteristics where tested and a number of modifications were made to allow the simulation of a wide range of operating conditions – that problem with air pressure we saw very quickly became an advantage. Understanding it meant we could now replicate the relevant air pressures that cars encounter from sea level to as high as the top of Bathurst’s Mount Panorama!

With so much effort put into getting the airflow right you would think we we’re ready to paint it and start using it wouldn’t you? Instead Jim knew exactly what he wanted and as such put a lot of time and effort into the acoustic design of the room. 2 Acoustic  Engineers were employed to provide input into the design and of the room and the material the walls are in fact made of.

Many rooms testing and tuning rooms around the world use generic building materials and the result is the sound of the car and engine bouncing off the walls back at it – Making it quite an unpleasant place to be, let alone tune! Instead, the Tunehouse room actually suppresses the unwanted resonance and ‘noise’ while amplifying the important frequencies to assist the tuning process. 

The major advantage now of the Tunehouse dyno room is that operating conditions, temperatures and air pressures can be simulated and reproduced to maintain a constant tuning environment. Jim has been a long time supporter of the Dynapack Dyno system for their unparalleled accuracy, repeatability and consistency with the only let down being the environment in which they’re being used – Now with the Tunehouse Dyno room up and running Jim has the ability to control the environment too! We have improved the quality of testing and tuning and can measure and repeat results as little as 1 rear wheel Kilowatt. 

 Example -  Adjusting load on an engine by tuning headlights on and off.  This might sound a bit ridiculous but for those who are after maximizing the return on their investment or when performing research and development, every KW counts.

Call Tunehouse anytime on (02) 9557 4000 or email us at info@tunehouse.com.au for the very latest pricing on virtually any performance upgrade or custom dyno tune!

One of the nicest looking coupes available today? We think it should certainly be in the running! This ‘mostly Carbon fibre’ Aston Martin DBS is a regular at Tunehouse where only the ‘Tunehouse Difference’ is enough for this festideous client!

This client has asked we keep a little tight lipped as to ‘what exactly’ we’re doing with this specific DBS except to say there is no car, regardless how exotic that Jim doesn’t know a way to improve! At Tunehouse, we specialise in making great cars amazing!

Pictured here is Tunehouse owner Jim Ghelis in the Tunehouse dyno attending to the DBS – Jim is still hands on wherever feasible with all levels of the business and especially where his expertise with tuning, diagnistics, prestige and performance cars are concerned!

Call Tunehouse on (02) 9557 4000 or email info@tunehouse.com.au for any advise, info or pricing on upgrades, motorsport and servicing of all maks and models – We specialise in the kind of care you would expect for your Prestige or Performance Car!

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Everyone is excited about the new (shared platform) ’86′ that Toyota has come together with Subaru to release world wide including coming to our shores here in Australia. This car was rumoured to be built as a ‘modifiable’ car to bring some enthusiasm to the new range with a well, but not overpowered 2.0L NA engine, RWD and ‘just enough’ grip this car is sure to get some attention regardless what badge adorns it!

HKS President (Hiroyuki Hasegawa) has said, ‘Motor sports activities are the origin of HKS “challenging sprit”. HKS will keep challenging with high aspiration and we will share our dream and sensation with our fans…

We have chosen TOYOTA 86 as a base car. Taking part in the top tuning category of “D1”with the latest high-profile FR car enables us to feedback the technology obtained throughthis competition for our new product development. HKS will release remarkable and high performance products for TOYOTA 86…’

HKS  resumes its participation in the D1 Grand Prix after a 6 year absence with Mr Nobuteru Tanigushi at the steering wheel. As with all HKs tuning parts, we can no doubt expect some fantastic innovation and products derived from the program that will filter down to the mainstream offering with weeks of the development program in Japan.

Tunehouseare a HKS Pro / F-Con Dealer and are the local technical support for HKS in Sydney, Australia meaning we will have access to AND be giving feedback on the products the minute they’re available for testing. Thinking about purchasing a new toyotas 86 or Subaru BRZ? Call Tunehouse now for the latest info on parts, upgradse and tuning for what is likely to have a massive cult following as they fall into the hands of Australian enthusiasts!

Tunehouse is located at 11 Chalder Street, Marrickville – Can always be contact at info@tunehouse.com.au, called on (02) 9557 4000 or simply drop past and check out Australia’s most professional workshop for yourself and experience the Tunehouse difference!

What shock absorbers are for?

Shock absorbers slow down the vibrations generated by wheels, axles and the chassis. Therefore, the technically correct name is vibration damper.

When driving over an uneven surface, the shock absorbers take up the impact of the shock. The damper then tries to transfer the incoming energy. In a short timespand, these continuing shocks lead to a vibration. These movements are then transferred to the shock absorber by the piston rod. Thereby, the kinetic energy is transformed into heat by hydraulic resistance in the shock absorber valves. Therefore the vibrations are reduced to a minimum and can hardly be sensed.

An intact shock absorber offers driving comfort and safety and prevents:

• Rocking when driving over continuously uneven surfaces

• Pitching or strong dipping during acceleration and braking

• Spinning wheels

• Swerving out of control while breaking

• Sliding when cornering with minimal traction

In automobiles, vibration dampers are usually used as twin tube or mono tube shock absorbers. In both cases, the piston moves in a cylinder filled with oil. The piston forces the oil though orifices of different sizes, slowing the movement of the rod, and controlling the spring.

Functional principle of twin tube shock absorbers

With a Twin-Tube shock absorber, the piston works inside of an inner Tube. The space between the inner tube and the casing is used as an equalization chamber. Changes in volume due position of the piston rod change the oil level in the equalization chamber between the outer casing and inner Tube.

Compression phase:

When the car swings downwards in the direction to the road, the piston rod is moved downwards. The oil displaced by the piston rod is pressed into the equalization chamber between the Tubes via specially designed orifices in the compression valve at the lower end of the inner Tube. The resistance that is created through this valve creates the actual compression forces. Oil underneath the piston also flows upwards through the piston check valve with low resistance which also influences the damper characteristics.

Rebound phase:

When the car swings upwards, away from the road, the shock absorber is extended. The piston rod is extending outward from the housing. The rebound phase valve at the lower Tube resists the oil that flows downwards through the holes in the space above the Tube. Therefore the upward motion is slowed down. When the piston rod is pulled out of the case, its volume is balanced out by the oil that flows from the equalization chamber back into the inner tube through the compression check valve.

 Functional principle of mono tube shock absorbers

With a one-piston shock absorber, the piston works directly in the damping case. Both, traction and also compression phase valve are integrated into the piston at the end of the piston rod. Depending on the velocity with which the shock absorber is compressed or extended, the forces rise. A characteristic is the separating piston that separates the oil from the gas space which is under strong pressure. The gas space balances the oil expansion with temperature differences and volume changes while the piston rod retracts. The separating piston thereby moves upwards and downwards. The gas pressure of 25-30 bar in the separating space is necessary in order to support the damping forces in direction of the pressure direction.

Compression phase:

When the car swings downwards in the direction to the road, the piston rod is moved downwards. The compression phase valve on the top of the valve resists the oil that streams upwards through holes. Therefore, the downward movement is slowed down. The separating piston is thereby lowered by the same degree as the piston retreats downwards. The gas pressure underneath the separating piston thereby prevents the oils from foaming above the piston.

Rebound phase:

When the car swings upwards, away from the road, the shock absorber is extended. Thereby, the piston rod is moving out of the damping case. The rebound phase valve at the lower piston resists the oil that flows downwards through the holes in the space above the piston. Therefore the upward motion is slowed down. The separating piston is thereby lifted upwards by the same degree as the piston extends

Which suits me the best?

Which will best suit your personal requirements often requires specialist analysis of your car, application and ofcourse the kind of driving or motorsport you intend to participate in! At Tunehouse we take the time to find the best solution for our customer and quite often help even where the wrong advise has been given in the past. When upgrading your shock absorbers (or dampers…) it’s more often than not the technology in the damper where your money is going so be sure you know what you’re after and what you intend to do with the car before deciding.

Call Tunehouse anytime on (02) 9557 4000 or email info@tunehouse.com.au for the very best advise, pricing and service now!

What a year! 2011 has been an absolutely amazing year for me and the Tunehouse team and although we’re already booked well into the new year and have plans unravelling for 2012 already we can’t help but reminisce at least just a little.

I mean it was a year of amazing results for Tunehouse, Australian and world Firsts under our banner and the dyno certainly paid its way this year too. Off the top of my head;

• Tunehouse Features in Motor Magazine 
• Awarded Australia’s Most Professional Workshop 
• Celebrate Tunehouse’s 10 Year Anniversary 
• 1st placed 4CYL at Motor Magazines Hot Tuner Challenge
• 1st Placed 5CYL at Motor Magazines Hot Tuner Challenge
• Tunehouse Enters 2 Cars in the 2011 World time Attack – SuperLap
• Brand New Tunehouse Website – No walk in the park 
• Tunehouse features in JDM Style Tuning

I can’t help but be extremely proud of what we as a team have achieved just in the last 12 months – And none of that takes into account all the dyno days we held, the race meets we joined and clients supported at the track – Or the 6 weeks I spent overseas throughout the year working with tuning and motorsport partners worldwide!

Even outside the world of performance upgrades and dyno tuning, we spend an incredible amount of time training to ensure each of the team is up to date with the latest technology and techniques so we can offer the best solutions to our client.

Of the Team here at Tunehouse, there has been at least 2 nights of training every week for the majority of the year. There is even some exciting news which we’ve managed this year that I’m not even allowed to tell you about just yet!

2012 really will be another fantastic year if 2011 has been anything to go by! I do need to thank all you on that note for your support. We do our best each and every day to deliver value to our clients and it’s only you guys coming through the door each day that makes any of this possible, or worthwhile!

From myself and the entire team at Tunehouse we thank each and every one of you as well as wishing you all a fantastic holiday season and safe holidays!

Jim

Tunehouse R8: FIRE IN THE HOLE!

We threw the key to the Tunehouse R8 to Motor Magazine and told them to go have some fun… What did they say? Well you’ll have to grab yourself a copy of the January Motor Mag for the full double page spread, but we can reveal they did have this to say:

“Tunehouse has locked and loaded a monster Clubsport that still minds its manner…”

‘I’d never thought o snapper Thomas Wielecki as a particularly spiritual person, but the first words to come out of his mouth as the THR Spec R burst into life hinted at a biblical combination of immaculate-conception and mortal fear…’

“Twisting the key unleashes a supercar rumble guaranteed to turn heads and warm the the hearts of those who prefer thier cylinders in groups of eight…”

“More power than a V8 Supercar!”

“Feels tied down, seriously fast and composed. It’s guaranteed to raise your heart rate and bring a smile…”

Read the full build story of this car here: HSV R8 Development at Tunehouse

See what we can do for your Holden SS/V or HSV here: THR Performance upgrade Kits

Read what a SSV owner had to say about his Tunehouse experience: Tunehouse Exceeds Expectations

At Tunehousewe pride ourselves on our attention to detail and above all else Quality and Value for our customers! Absolutely every upgrade at Tunehouseis 100% Custom Tuned on the dyno by Jim Ghelis, Tunehouse owner and tuner for the best possible results on each and every car, every time!

Tunehouse is Australia’s Most Professional Workshop – Not just our claim, awarded! Read more about it here.

Tunehouse uses the most advanced Dyno Tuning Cell and wind Tunnel in the Australia and hold and have stolen many National Titles at the track and on the dyno! THR Performance Upgrade Kits are guaranteed to give you maximum value and take the guess wrk out of modifying your car!

Call us now on (02) 9557 4000 for the absolute best pricing and advise or simply shoot us an email at info@tunehouse.com.au. Even better, drop by the shop and have a chat about your project and check us out for yourself!

HKS’s DMR (Direct Multi Recorder) is a serious bit of gear that makes in car footage and video recording so amazingly simple. This is not ‘another’ in car camera – No instead, this system brings together 2 seperate camera’s, audio as well as GPS and G Sensor data. Making life all the more easier is the HKS Software that compiles everything with a simple to use, yet powerful interface! At Tunehouse these are just $569 and in stock now! You can’t beat that price for 2 camera’s and especially the ease of bringing it all together!

Main Features?

1.3 mega pixel CMOS digital sensor unit

142.5° wide-angle camera + supersensitive 2nd camera

Image and sound are recorded simultaneously

Vehicle’s XYZ direction can be recorded using G sensor

Permanent power supply allows continuous recording

16 frame multi capture for continuous recording

 Record your laps at the track for development, analysis or simply get that awesome footage for your Social Media!

Main Unit contains a Camera, GPS and G Sensors to enable recording of video, audio, position time and impact with improved recording performance! DMR is the Incar recorder that makes life easy so you can enjoy your time behind the wheel!

Check out a video for the HKS DMR from Tunehouse now!

Call Tunehouse on (02) 9557 4000 or email info@tunehouse.com.au for the best pricing on HKS Products and all your track side support and data analysis now! Tunehouse is an approved and official HKS Distributor as well as F-Con Dealer and tuner.