Performance Machine Shops

What to look for in a Performance Machine Shop 
There are many companies that will offer to enhance performance in your car, truck, motorcycle, or whatever machine you have that needs modification.  However, it is a difficult decision to leave your high performance machine in the hands of someone you do not know.  When looking to send your parts to a Performance Machine Shop, do not be afraid to ask for proof of performance.  Performance machine shops are different than most machine shops because their purpose is to do a better job than the manufacturer.  While this is not impossible, it is very common for beginners to make changes that do not increase performance, or even changes that hurt performance.  

Ask for Proof

If a performance machine shop is suggesting that you make certain changes, ask them for a previous dyno to show the increase in performance.  Most good performance machine shops will have a dyno or have tested their concepts on a dyno machine.  Do they carry their own line of performance products?  This question can reveal if they are actively looking for better designs and doing their own research, also if they have a specific type of vehicle that they are more familiar with.

Look For a Specialist

Look for a performance machine shop that specializes in the type of modification you are looking to have done.  The majority will be focused on horsepower or torque gains, while some will have knowledge of brakes, steering, or aerodynamics that can be a valuable asset to your project.

Be Cautious of Surface Finishes and Hardening Processes

While hopefully the performance machine shop you are going to work with is aware of the different types of treating necessary to make your part perform correctly or withstand the needed forces, it does not hurt to check and see if the part you are modifying has had any surface treatments applied or has been heat treated.  For example, a camshaft will have been heat treated prior to production.  Due to the stress they must endure for thousands of miles, they are surface hardened to prevent wear.  Modifying a camshaft without treating afterward would affect the quality of the shaft and could have catastrophic results.