1000kw
03-10-2006, 03:11 PM
Sponsor Spotlight: Automotive Performance Specialists.
http://www.ls1.com.au/news_pics/APSSS/mickfrank.JPG
Founders: Frank and Michael Morabito
There is no doubt that the introduction of the LS1 has lead to unparalleled enthusiasm in the Australian muscle car scene not witnessed since the 70’s. In recent years the development of a range of parts and software packages has opened the market to a plethora of people to enter the tuning and performance modification game. But, as owners who you choose to trust with one of the most important purchases of your life can put you in a state of delirium. You would want to know that, not only do they have a first class workshop, but the knowledge, passion and first hand experience needed to surpass your wildest dreams.
Enter Automotive Performance Specialists. Mick and Frank Morabito founders of APS are just that, Automotive Performance Specialists. Starting their business as mobile mechanics Michael and Frank turned the tools to a variety of vehicles along the way to establishing their premises at New Street, Frankston in 1994.
http://www.ls1.com.au/news_pics/APSSS/shop.JPG
This is where it all happens! Horsepower for Melbourne’s Southern Weapons.
Not ones for ball sports.
Their toys at the moment include a ski boat and a pair of 450 Honda dirt bikes. Not ones for footy as kids, Frank says they “never played with something that you can’t put petrol in.” When they were presented with a 1966 MK1 Cortina Lotus Replica the passion was to be matched by skill as they tooled their way to work for a leading Honda dealership. Their involvement in motor sports has seen them race prepare a multitude of sports, GT Class and production cars including the likes of Rusty French’s Porsche.
With the companies good will and customer base built through word of mouth and continued sponsorship of LS1.com.au business has thrived over the last six years. While the success of the brothers and their team of ten, has seen them offered larger premises of other performance shops, yet they express their commitment to their current establishment in offering the right mix of everyday servicing and performance know how for those who crave a package that would wipe the smile off the face of a top line euro sports car driver.
The true meaning of the ‘whole thing’.
The notion of a one-stop performance shop is thrown around a lot these days. Some are primarily exhaust or brake places now offering tuning or bolt on parts package. APS goes way beyond that. Frank tells me that they import lots of part from the US. He goes on to discuss his relationship with Harrop Engineering, used to develop among other things, custom blower parts for the 1000+hp monsters they have been building of late. Seems a certain father-in-law operates a NASCAR team in the states and is also a great resource of tough parts for beefing the LS2 into a 6.6L 408ci stroked motor.
When the boys say we do ‘the whole thing’ its interesting to delve into what this actually means. See, you can drive in and get a bolt on and tune package. But lets face it, with that taste of added power how many stop there? Frank’s ‘BLWN8’ Harrop charged black ute is no slouch running 10.8’s and rolling over 370rwkw on their dyno. Have you seen the drag footage (http://www.apsservicecentre.com.au/content/blwn8.wmv)? But it’s Mick’s car, a VZ SS 408ci engine matched with a 3.3L Whipple supercharger that is on a mission for nine second passes. Life for this car started as a head and cam (http://www.apsservicecentre.com.au/content/vzdyno.wmv) combo that repeatedly ran 11’s. As it was developed and fine-tuned it shot into the 10’s with the aid of twin NOS bottles.
http://www.ls1.com.au/news_pics/APSSS/micknos.jpg
Mick's twins, NOS!!
But for a minute, get to know the other brother, Rob, who is a painter and decorator by trade. His ride, a blue VZ SS, is capable of incredible things. This set up was hand built by the three, with a ceramic ball bearing turbo, 3 inch wrapped dump pipe, intercooler, custom exhaust manifold and exhaust. Currently a 408 is planned for this car to achieve over 1200hp. The thing is, all this is done after hours as the boys regularly spend late nights working on their own projects. They never work on their own cars during normal business hours.
http://www.ls1.com.au/news_pics/APSSS/robsturbo.JPG
Rob’s custom and hand-crafted turbo set-up.
Know that the ‘whole thing’ is not limited to engines, cages, mini tubs, wheel widening, suspension, custom clutches, as the list does not stop when you run out of ideas. You’ll get a better understanding of how wild APS gets when you check out the coming issue of Street Machine featuring another 1100hp HSV. I implore you to read it. The modifications performed on of this custom car are astounding and are extraordinary examples of the lengths the Morabito brothers go to bullet proof their customers cars.
http://www.ls1.com.au/news_pics/APSSS/fuel.jpghttp://www.ls1.com.au/news_pics/APSSS/wheels.jpg
With a hefty thirst for fuel and that much rubber, you know this car is going to frighten the owner at least once.
LPG options.
In recent months there has been many developments in the LPG industry. With unstable and rising fuel costs, Government rebates and various posts on forums discussing the viability of such options for LS series engines, conversion is becoming a more sought after modification that can be both reliable and pleasurable. APS are registered members of the Automotive Alternative Fuels Registration Board (AAFRB) and are at the forefront of this technology having tailored a performance kit for our cars. Unlike gas systems of old APS employ sequential vapour injection system technology from reputable manufacturers such as Impco, OMVL, Landirenzo and BRC. Put simply, gas delivery is directly taped into the base of the manifold. As there is no pre-mixing of air and fuel, there is no chance of backfire or associated power losses. In fact, Frank informs me there are potentially a few more ponies to be had with a properly tuned system.
I’ll have one with the lot thanks!
So you really want a 10 second strip warrior, but don’t have the ten grand to do it properly with everything you want for ultimate street/strip reliability? No sweat. An option is to chat to APS about their financial services. Similar in concept to the advertisements on television for department stores, you can drive away in the ultimate package you want, financed. Frank says it’s a popular option. APS have had customers in at the entry level (intake, exhaust and tune) and those going all out with blower packages take up this offer; and if you are smart paying it out over the interest free period it is a great way to go. The fact is most of us build up a car over a few years adding parts and power as we can afford it. Most of us may have had a few tunes as we bolt up engine parts, fill them with huge cranks and cams and that’s without touching the driveline and suspension components. In the long term, the overall costs in touring back and forth to one or many shops could be far more than doing it right first time around.
http://www.ls1.com.au/news_pics/APSSS/Both%20cars.jpg
Dedication. An after hours company meeting.
‘Automotive Performance Specialists’ Sponsor in the Spotlight was undertaken by 1000kw. I would like to thank Frank Morabito for his invitation and honesty. The content of this article is the responsibility of 1000kw. The views expressed are 1000kw's as are any inaccuracies or errors.
http://www.ls1.com.au/news_pics/APSSS/mickfrank.JPG
Founders: Frank and Michael Morabito
There is no doubt that the introduction of the LS1 has lead to unparalleled enthusiasm in the Australian muscle car scene not witnessed since the 70’s. In recent years the development of a range of parts and software packages has opened the market to a plethora of people to enter the tuning and performance modification game. But, as owners who you choose to trust with one of the most important purchases of your life can put you in a state of delirium. You would want to know that, not only do they have a first class workshop, but the knowledge, passion and first hand experience needed to surpass your wildest dreams.
Enter Automotive Performance Specialists. Mick and Frank Morabito founders of APS are just that, Automotive Performance Specialists. Starting their business as mobile mechanics Michael and Frank turned the tools to a variety of vehicles along the way to establishing their premises at New Street, Frankston in 1994.
http://www.ls1.com.au/news_pics/APSSS/shop.JPG
This is where it all happens! Horsepower for Melbourne’s Southern Weapons.
Not ones for ball sports.
Their toys at the moment include a ski boat and a pair of 450 Honda dirt bikes. Not ones for footy as kids, Frank says they “never played with something that you can’t put petrol in.” When they were presented with a 1966 MK1 Cortina Lotus Replica the passion was to be matched by skill as they tooled their way to work for a leading Honda dealership. Their involvement in motor sports has seen them race prepare a multitude of sports, GT Class and production cars including the likes of Rusty French’s Porsche.
With the companies good will and customer base built through word of mouth and continued sponsorship of LS1.com.au business has thrived over the last six years. While the success of the brothers and their team of ten, has seen them offered larger premises of other performance shops, yet they express their commitment to their current establishment in offering the right mix of everyday servicing and performance know how for those who crave a package that would wipe the smile off the face of a top line euro sports car driver.
The true meaning of the ‘whole thing’.
The notion of a one-stop performance shop is thrown around a lot these days. Some are primarily exhaust or brake places now offering tuning or bolt on parts package. APS goes way beyond that. Frank tells me that they import lots of part from the US. He goes on to discuss his relationship with Harrop Engineering, used to develop among other things, custom blower parts for the 1000+hp monsters they have been building of late. Seems a certain father-in-law operates a NASCAR team in the states and is also a great resource of tough parts for beefing the LS2 into a 6.6L 408ci stroked motor.
When the boys say we do ‘the whole thing’ its interesting to delve into what this actually means. See, you can drive in and get a bolt on and tune package. But lets face it, with that taste of added power how many stop there? Frank’s ‘BLWN8’ Harrop charged black ute is no slouch running 10.8’s and rolling over 370rwkw on their dyno. Have you seen the drag footage (http://www.apsservicecentre.com.au/content/blwn8.wmv)? But it’s Mick’s car, a VZ SS 408ci engine matched with a 3.3L Whipple supercharger that is on a mission for nine second passes. Life for this car started as a head and cam (http://www.apsservicecentre.com.au/content/vzdyno.wmv) combo that repeatedly ran 11’s. As it was developed and fine-tuned it shot into the 10’s with the aid of twin NOS bottles.
http://www.ls1.com.au/news_pics/APSSS/micknos.jpg
Mick's twins, NOS!!
But for a minute, get to know the other brother, Rob, who is a painter and decorator by trade. His ride, a blue VZ SS, is capable of incredible things. This set up was hand built by the three, with a ceramic ball bearing turbo, 3 inch wrapped dump pipe, intercooler, custom exhaust manifold and exhaust. Currently a 408 is planned for this car to achieve over 1200hp. The thing is, all this is done after hours as the boys regularly spend late nights working on their own projects. They never work on their own cars during normal business hours.
http://www.ls1.com.au/news_pics/APSSS/robsturbo.JPG
Rob’s custom and hand-crafted turbo set-up.
Know that the ‘whole thing’ is not limited to engines, cages, mini tubs, wheel widening, suspension, custom clutches, as the list does not stop when you run out of ideas. You’ll get a better understanding of how wild APS gets when you check out the coming issue of Street Machine featuring another 1100hp HSV. I implore you to read it. The modifications performed on of this custom car are astounding and are extraordinary examples of the lengths the Morabito brothers go to bullet proof their customers cars.
http://www.ls1.com.au/news_pics/APSSS/fuel.jpghttp://www.ls1.com.au/news_pics/APSSS/wheels.jpg
With a hefty thirst for fuel and that much rubber, you know this car is going to frighten the owner at least once.
LPG options.
In recent months there has been many developments in the LPG industry. With unstable and rising fuel costs, Government rebates and various posts on forums discussing the viability of such options for LS series engines, conversion is becoming a more sought after modification that can be both reliable and pleasurable. APS are registered members of the Automotive Alternative Fuels Registration Board (AAFRB) and are at the forefront of this technology having tailored a performance kit for our cars. Unlike gas systems of old APS employ sequential vapour injection system technology from reputable manufacturers such as Impco, OMVL, Landirenzo and BRC. Put simply, gas delivery is directly taped into the base of the manifold. As there is no pre-mixing of air and fuel, there is no chance of backfire or associated power losses. In fact, Frank informs me there are potentially a few more ponies to be had with a properly tuned system.
I’ll have one with the lot thanks!
So you really want a 10 second strip warrior, but don’t have the ten grand to do it properly with everything you want for ultimate street/strip reliability? No sweat. An option is to chat to APS about their financial services. Similar in concept to the advertisements on television for department stores, you can drive away in the ultimate package you want, financed. Frank says it’s a popular option. APS have had customers in at the entry level (intake, exhaust and tune) and those going all out with blower packages take up this offer; and if you are smart paying it out over the interest free period it is a great way to go. The fact is most of us build up a car over a few years adding parts and power as we can afford it. Most of us may have had a few tunes as we bolt up engine parts, fill them with huge cranks and cams and that’s without touching the driveline and suspension components. In the long term, the overall costs in touring back and forth to one or many shops could be far more than doing it right first time around.
http://www.ls1.com.au/news_pics/APSSS/Both%20cars.jpg
Dedication. An after hours company meeting.
‘Automotive Performance Specialists’ Sponsor in the Spotlight was undertaken by 1000kw. I would like to thank Frank Morabito for his invitation and honesty. The content of this article is the responsibility of 1000kw. The views expressed are 1000kw's as are any inaccuracies or errors.