Ever since the explosion of cars like the STi, EVO, and all the other affordable performance cars that followed suit, it seems like there are tons of new tuners out there trying to take all the newcomers to the scene under their wing. All of a sudden there are large amounts of kids out there that are finally able to get into aftermarket performance with factory turbocharged, somewhat affordable cars. But there is one problem; they usually "newbies" with no clue where to start. There is a whole market full of individuals with lots of money to burn who have no tuning knowledge or experience, and who would have normally never gotten into tuning if this segment hadn't blown up the way it did.
Chalk it up to the new internet savvy generation, but now we are seeing another huge explosion in the form of internet tuners and forums. Companies like Cobb and Vishnu are enjoying huge success making a killing off this new market, using the forums are their weapon of choice. All of a sudden "Stage 1" to "Stage 4" is in our vocabulary along with an entire language of forum speak. Everyone wants to be teh f4st3r!!1 ftw! Don't worry, I don't get it either.
Forums can be awesome just as long there is valid information, but it seems like anyone who isn't very knowledgeable about aftermarket parts and tuning accepts the forums' word as the gospel. When a "newb" asks a question looking for help, who ever posts first is speaking the undisputable truth. From there, every other new member just regurgitates the opinions of a few people with high post counts and a couple of half-assed tuners looking to make a buck. To see what I mean, visit a Subaru forum and search for blow off valves or cold air intakes.
What ever happened to local shops who know what they're doing? Shops who build cars that actually win races and use that experience to build fast, reliable, customer cars? Race on Sunday, Sell on Monday was the reason behind manufacturers getting involved in racing ever since cars took to the tracks. I'm guessing it's partly a regional issue. Not everyone lives in areas where imports are even accepted, let alone have a reputable shop they can turn to, so they head to the internet. It's just unfortunate that there are shady tuners and bad information available to the new wave of car people.
What does everyone else out there think of internet tuners? Sure, buying an ECU with off-the-shelf maps seems convenient, but in my experience, nothing beats a custom tune since every car is different. Cobb's accessport can be custom tuned, but most people just use off the shelf maps. A custom dyno tune will ALWAYS be better than a pre-programmed, internet ECU map, but like I i said, most people don't have access to a good tuner.
When its time for these other companies to showcase their parts and tuning skills by competing in time attacks and other events, the cars they build always end up lost in the pack. Cobb is on the right track with their all carbon STI in the works, but where is everyone else? Internet tuners may have legions of forum members on their side, but does this make them legit? Does getting "pwn3d" at the track matter? What do you think?