Opening Performance Shop (S. Atlanta)

[Bballjamal]

Hey guys,

Basically wanted to get everyone's insight and interest on a performance shop opening around the Newnan (Coweta County) area. I'm trying to steer clear of selling exterior and interior items and trying to focus more on engine work, turbo kit and accessory sells, nitrous dealings, superchargers and etc.

So if people could post back with info on what they'd want to see, as in product brands and overall presence of the shop it would be helpful. Also want to see if there are any potential employees on these boards as I want people working with me that are in the scene and not just trying to make an easy dollar in a industry they have no idea about.

So far we're close to finishing out our deal on a mid-large 3-bay garage with office in the middle of downtown Newnan. We've contacted about 3 dynometer companies and are trying to get either the fwd/rwd unit or the awd unit in as soon as possible. Also looking at a couple lifts to get brought in for a good deal also. Everything's going well so far and we just want to get everything laid out before having a random opening around summer 06'.

Thanks a lot for reading and please post back!

[Vteckidd]

lots of work, time, patience, and money.

your going in the right direction with getting a dyno. its almost a MANDATORY thing to have a dyno in a shop now a days. you need to figure out what your market is, whether is honda/acura/nissan/mitsu/ etc.

the money is not in race and performance, at least not in the beginning. it takes time to establish your credentials and your quality of work. i suggest budgeting some money to build a car that showcases your ability and waht you have to offer whether its a 600 whp turbo honda, 230whp all motor honda, silvia, supra, etc.

dont bank on stocking alot of parts. parts is a tough business and its hard to move inventory.

good luck.

[Tracy]

lots of work, time, patience, and money.

your going in the right direction with getting a dyno. its almost a MANDATORY thing to have a dyno in a shop now a days. you need to figure out what your market is, whether is honda/acura/nissan/mitsu/ etc.

the money is not in race and performance, at least not in the beginning. it takes time to establish your credentials and your quality of work. i suggest budgeting some money to build a car that showcases your ability and waht you have to offer whether its a 600 whp turbo honda, 230whp all motor honda, silvia, supra, etc.

dont bank on stocking alot of parts. parts is a tough business and its hard to move inventory.

good luck.

I taught him everything he knows!

[Cool Cat GTR]

I agree, parts is a tough business. You're going to have to make most of your money on labor hours. That means some really good techs and they are not easy to recruit when you are first starting out. Be prepared to spend a good bit of money getting started. Equipment isn't cheap. Keep in mind the lead time you might encounter when sourcing harder to find parts too. If you only have enough space for three bays, I sure hope you have a good bit of room outside to move projects that are waiting on parts. It's not uncommon to get into a job and find that something has broken that you can't get right away. Then you have to deal with where you're going to stage the car until the parts come in. That also means your cash flow is going to be tied up until the job is finished. You wouldn't believe me if I told you what it took to get my business self sufficient.

[Vteckidd]

I agree, parts is a tough business. You're going to have to make most of your money on labor hours. That means some really good techs and they are not easy to recruit when you are first starting out. Be prepared to spend a good bit of money getting started. Equipment isn't cheap. Keep in mind the lead time you might encounter when sourcing harder to find parts too. If you only have enough space for three bays, I sure hope you have a good bit of room outside to move projects that are waiting on parts. It's not uncommon to get into a job and find that something has broken that you can't get right away. Then you have to deal with where you're going to stage the car until the parts come in. That also means your cash flow is going to be tied up until the job is finished. You wouldn't believe me if I told you what it took to get my business self sufficient.

good points.

i have anywhere between 3000-8000$ out on parts if its a BIG build and i have multiple BIG projects that are waiting for parts and machine work. the BIG projects bring money and recognition, but they take time. sure you might make $1500-3000 on a job, but itll take 2-3 months to complete.

[Tracy]

good points.

i have anywhere between 3000-8000$ out on parts if its a BIG build and i have multiple BIG projects that are waiting for parts and machine work. the BIG projects bring money and recognition, but they take time. sure you might make $1500-3000 on a job, but itll take 2-3 months to complete.

I have $20-30K out sometimes! I have to pay my employees every week and sometimes the job takes more than a couple of months due to customers taking a while to bring parts that they have....not to mention the costs of the parts that we have in it. We like to say that you have to pay for all of your parts upfrone, but when it comes down to the fittings and hoses and clamps...you don't want to waste the time waiting on the customer to come and pay for them. It sucks and I hate it. I have a ral issue right now with people not comming to pay their bills for weeks and then bitching about the storage agreement that hey signed when they dropped off the car. If you don't have the money...don't start a project. Simple as that. It's not fair to assume that the shop will come out of pocket for a customers car until they save the money to pay off their bill. Then you have to think about the resale value on the car. Sometimes it comes down to a mechanics lien on the car when someone won't come and pay their bill....do you have more in the car as a shop then what it could sell for???? That's a big thing to think about. I can go on and on...ask Mike. We have had hours of conversations about experiences and how to deal with them and how to not get inot the situation again....

[htchking]

pm sent,i think its a great idea.more the better

[i4_garage]

i am currently aiding in running a body shop.....we are in the process of opening up into a full peformance and body shop....I agree that parts selling is very hard....since the majority of the customers tend to buy used parts of boot legger....however...anything that is labor extensive tend to bring in more income...and mechanics are easier to recruit as employees ....and body man are very hard to come around....i myself am looking for a good bodyman too...well goodluck on ur future business....

[Cliff]

lemme know if you need a tire flow cause we are looking for business in newnan peachtree city area now

[98cvcex]

it is a great idea to open one cause need one in the area.

[Bballjamal]

Good to hear from everyone on this. Basically for parts I was going to leave it as a, They want, we order type of deal, because I've also heard the same things everyone has mentioned in here. As for the comment on how people usually buy off of "boot leggers" I was thinking of sourcing around GA,AL, and FL for random "stock" goodies that people mostly go for. Having my own stash of used Honda, Nissan, and Toyota engines laying around. And I do have a nicely sized lot out back for safe storage and hideaway projects. Mainly during the winter months I'm going to get the shop looking and operating how I want it to, i.e- get the dyno in, get the security systems going, and get my "prison" style barbed wire fences up. Then I'm calling in some favors on the machining equip and the two lifts I need. From there I'll start to get in employees and hopefully be able to join the Atlanta tuning market around June/July.

Cliff I may be in contact with you throughout the next couple of months to see what we can have going. Do you guys stock wheels too? Looking to get some nice lightweight rims stocked at the shop since I'm also getting into autocross/roadracing.

Also, a big idea of mine was to turn the old Auction off of the Sharpsburg/MCcollom exit off of I-85s into sort of a track area? Would anyone know what would need to get passed or what type of insurance would need to be bought to get this to happen. If anyone has seen it, it's basically a huge lot just asking to be turned into something great. And we all know GA is starving of recreational spots such as that to go let your car loose. I've talked to a couple people in the county courts and they said I should be looking at no less than 5.7million for the area but I think that's a little absurd. Comments?

Htchking- PM sent

[htchking]

awsome loving the plans....pm sent.

[98cvcex]

You have some great plans looks like you can probably put some comp on Droopy's boot leggin

[Cliff]

we don't stock wheels but i will set you up with a friend of the family Atlanta Wheels and they will do you some killer deals on wheels...lemme know when you're ready and i'll get you name of who to talk to and phone #'s...but yea definately keep us in mind cause we could definately use some business and i'm sure our prices won't hurt you too bad either

[4dmin]

Time + $$$ + good service =

now another major flaw of most tuner shops is location... if you have a hot location and you can stay busy w/ doing tuner work than more power to ya, but many shops need to do general work to pay the bills

[Cool Cat GTR]

Time + $$$ + good service =

now another major flaw of most tuner shops is location... if you have a hot location and you can stay busy w/ doing tuner work than more power to ya, but many shops need to do general work to pay the bills

You are absolutely correct!!! And most of the time it's work you really don't want to do but IT PAYS THE BILLS. Now complicate the equation with locating good technicians and parts availabilty and you have the correct answer to Controlled Chaos. Hahaha. Lot's of tough decisions for sure.

[htchking]

is ccr even open anymore cuz if it is you guys cant return a price qote worth a shit!! ccr

[Cool Cat GTR]

is ccr even open anymore cuz if it is you guys cant return a price qote worth a shit!! ccr

Open everyday. Not exactly sure what you need but post it up and I will handle. Are you at least eighteen? If not, ask your parents to contact me. What is your name and phone number? I noticed you are from the local area. Do you have any money?

[4dmin]

Open everyday. Not exactly sure what you need but post it up and I will handle. Are you at least eighteen? If not, ask your parents to contact me. What is your name and phone number? I noticed you are from the local area. Do you have any money?

bahhhh oh shit... see what happens when you call out a shop OWNED!!! +10

[bumpsteer]

Open everyday. Not exactly sure what you need but post it up and I will handle. Are you at least eighteen? If not, ask your parents to contact me. What is your name and phone number? I noticed you are from the local area. Do you have any money?

Do you have any money??? what kinda question is that???is it because he is from the local area? does that mean everyone in macon is poor?
granted that htchking made a total jackass post that was totally unneccasary, but that is a fucked up question to ask anybody especially someone that wanted to buy parts from you but you just happened to miss the call/email
maybe thats why i hear so many negative things about your shop? :jerkit:
thats some great customer service you guys got there
and i would hardly call you guys a shop, just another rich guy who bought some skylines and now you got a bunch of ricers and kids humpin your leg

[tony]

Good customer service and reliability is a big plus for me, I'm still looking for a shop that I can trust and go to on a consistent basis without having to wait 5 weeks for an oil change. It sounds like you are on the right track and I hope everything going alright for you. vteckid I'm still going to stop by!!! i just need a new transmission right now.

[speedminded]

What lifts are you looking for, i'm assuming just twin post above grounds? I have a decent local contact that can hook you up with any size...

[Bballjamal]

What lifts are you looking for, i'm assuming just twin post above grounds? I have a decent local contact that can hook you up with any size...

Bingo, nothing more than 8000lbs....Cheapest I'm getting so far is 1800-2000(used) which is around the price for new units so I'm still looking. Is it possible to PM that number+name so I can give them a shout? Thanks alot

[speedminded]

pm'd

[Cool Cat Racing]

Interesting that "you hear" so you repeat. Are you not capable of thinking for yourself?

This is supposed to be a thread about business. Your comments would be better served in another topic.

[Speedm0(\)key]

Interesting that "you hear" so you repeat. Are you not capable of thinking for yourself?

This is supposed to be a thread about business. Your comments would be better served in another topic.

exactly

[JDMBeau]

i didnt read all the replies, but most def. an AWD dyno will bring in some cheese, since i think only batlground is the only one with a AWD dyno right now in the area, i could be wrong though

and also if you market in custom turbo kits/exhaust, and have some work on your own car to show the work you can do will help too

look at mainstream, i think they have been opened like a little over a year and a half, or so, and they are doing exceptionally well considering the time the shop has been opened. find someone good with ECU tuning, and offer that service as well. charge just a little cheaper than cometition, and you will bring in some dough


and if you need any help with workers....PM me oooooooh yea lol

[GTScoob]

i didnt read all the replies, but most def. an AWD dyno will bring in some cheese, since i think only batlground is the only one with a AWD dyno right now in the area, i could be wrong though

Subaru of Gwinnett, Knowledge Performance, Dyno4mance, and Topspeed all have AWD dynoes. I agree with a dyno being a necessity nowadays with a shop. An AWD dyno would definately pull business since Allspeed Imports over in Peachtree City only has a 2WD dyno. Only problem is that I dont see too many Subarus or Evos down in that area of GA.

I dont know too much about opening a performance shop in Newnan. Growing up in Peachtree City, all I ever saw was a bunch of tacky ricy Civics, Cavaliers, and Celicas over there, nothing fast at all. I'm sure you'll make a whole lot of money selling bodykits and euro lights to those kids.

Sounds like a good idea though. Good luck with getting it all started.

[Bballjamal]

Again thanks for all the comments. Sad thing is everyone I know that are complete geniuses with ECU work have their own shopps up in Tacoma/Seattle,WA. I've been touring the states for awhile now and spent most of my time up in the NW with the original Batlground crew (from what I know) and HorsepowerFreaks over in Portland. That's a definate must though so I agree. I do think I should get the shop off the ground on a smaller scale until I hire some people who can do that type of work so I can ensure they're paid well

Looking forward to getting this stuff off the ground. Hopefully with my General Motors connections and Import connections throughout the west I can get this stuff done. Soon enough I'll try to get by the other local N. Atlanta shops to develop a relationship so we all know each other well.

Thanks again

[YokotaS13]

its not just subaru or evos, think abotu DSMS too

[dtmcnamara]

MANDRILL PIPE BENDER!!! and some GOOD welders. Dont get some no name welder. I have used good and bad welders before. Spend the extra 1-500$ and get the good one. Also make sure to get at least a stick/tig and a mig, oh ya and a good mask, shitty masks are a pain in the neck go all out on it becasue a shitty mask can make your welds worse because you wont be able to see that great.

[kppk1986]

when you guys opening...

[Bballjamal]

Shooting for summer 06! We have to get out to Cali/Seattle to get some personal dealers on specific items we want in the shop or want access too if need be. I wouldn't be surprised if it takes a good 6mnths after we open for the shop to actually get noticed.

The main thing we're doing is catering to Luxury performance. We've already acquired two repo'ed Z06's and an Audi S4 so we'l be modifying on them pretty hard throughout the winter/spring to get ready for summer promotions. Our house garage will be pretty busy for awhile haha.

[JDMBeau]

i call bullshit

[Dudeman]

i call bullshit

quoted for truth, supposedly happened and has been open for four years, story changes everytime i hear.

[JDMBeau]

any man with a cavi gets no respect from me

[Dudeman]

ROFL

[JDMBeau]

almost 24 hours and no reply....must be in cali making deals with all the "top names"

[Bballjamal]

What are you guys talking about? Hansi I swear you talk the most shit, but do the least amount of anything about it.

[Dudeman]

What are you guys talking about? Hansi I swear you talk the most shit, but do the least amount of anything about it.

and by this you mean what? your rebutle sucks minus 10 points for you. thank you try again.