Getting into Engine Tuning

[sam93]

Hi guys,

Just set to finish my BTEC First Diploma in Motorsport Engineering (Yes I know not great, but I messed about in school so now going from the bottom) I live away from home to do this course and wont be returning next year due to finance reasons. What I'm trying to find is would the course and such like I'm currently on now get me into engine tuning or is it a long winded way?

I plan on moving back to my home town and progressing from there... Currently planning on doing a 4yr apprenticeship with Princess Yachts in Mechanical Engineering (need the money currently and with such a company would look great on my CV from working for a world wide known company) and then progressing onto doing a Mechanical Engineering degree. This would take me about 8 yrs to achieve due to the fact the degree course wont be 3 yrs as will have to do a 1 yr foundation yr onto of the course.

Is there anyway I could get there quicker? Goal is to tune jap cars for a living with hopefully one day my own company. Dream is to work in F1.

I have tried to find apprenticeships in Engine tuning in Plymouth which is my home town, Alan Jeffery (owner of Engine tuner; subaru specialist) wont touch me due to the fact he wont take on apprentices. Only other garage I seem to have on offer is AP Motors. Does anyone know if Engine Tuning apprenticeships come up much? I've searched the internet high and low and as of yet have had no luck.

Am I right in thinking mechanical engineering path is the only way forward in doing this?

[sam93]

What I'm thinking though is when it comes to machining heads etc... Porting and polishing. And a lot more high level jobs.

[sam93]

Thanks for the replies, all taken into account! I am planning on hopefulky having a trainee place with a garage who are a TVR specialist who also carry out restorations. engine conversions, rolling roads, engine rebuilds, looms, kit car building and race car prepping! Whilst also going to College to do A levels as just finished a BTEC First in Motorsport Eng Then further onto Uni to do Aeronautical or Mechanical Engineering. I know they are the same with Aero more put towards knowing about Aerodynamics. Although would rather finish uni and go work for someone like Cosworth to get some serious experience working on engines before getting right into engine tuning

[sam93]

Thanks for the replies, all taken into account! I am planning on hopefulky having a trainee place with a garage who are a TVR specialist who also carry out restorations. engine conversions, rolling roads, engine rebuilds, looms, kit car building and race car prepping! Whilst also going to College to do A levels as just finished a BTEC First in Motorsport Eng Then further onto Uni to do Aeronautical or Mechanical Engineering. I know they are the same with Aero more put towards knowing about Aerodynamics. Although would rather finish uni and go work for someone like Cosworth to get some serious experience working on engines before getting right into engine tuning

[sam93]

Mr Whippy said:

Engine tuning is a rather big field, but hopefully you'll find the bit in there you want to be in

I doubt there are many good jobs in 'engine tuning' that will give you a strong career path unless you really focus down on a single bit... I think the real money/fun if they are the key motivations, will be in having your own business.

Setting up and running a good business, well, that's a topic for another thread

Dave

Indeed real money is in own business as it is anywhere really. I'm extremely business like and have a lot of motivation to work for myself.

I do play with own cars and do work on others as I'm in the modifying scene heavily. Built 2 Vdubs so far and all handled very well in the twistys. Now got a car to build into a track day road legal car which is my civic, planning on building a B16B up for it, with just head work and breathing work. Then if I ever can get the money together a k20 build will be coming to it. Obviously a lot more work on suspension etc.. will get done. But I'm doing it to gain more knowledge and for the fun

Just working out the best path really as I have to go from the bottom as I messed about in school and got told I would pay for it. Now I am lol!