How We Test

Test What We Can. Research What We Can't. Always Tell the Truth.

I'm Tony Perez. Twenty-five years of wrenching and racing taught me what works, and what doesn't. I've broken parts, fixed parts, and tested setups, and that experience shapes everything Apex Vektor offers.

I don't claim to test every part on every platform. That's not realistic, and pretending otherwise would be dishonest. Instead, I focus on testing components on my in-house development cars, researching everything else thoroughly, and only selling parts I'd trust on my own car. Read more about the story behind Apex Vektor on the About page.

Our Test Vehicles

I currently validate components using two platforms I know inside and out.

2011 BMW E90 M3 (S65) is a proven benchmark for braking, heat management, and chassis balance, and it's ideal for testing high-performance consumables, suspension components, and track-focused upgrades.

2014 Subaru WRX (EJ255) is a real-world example of what grassroots drivers deal with: heat, boost, reliability, and platform quirks. It's well suited for testing cooling, fueling, suspension, and reliability upgrades.

These two cars let me evaluate brands, materials, and performance behaviors under real track conditions: heat cycles, repeated braking zones, long sessions, and actual lap-to-lap stress.

How We Test Components

1. Fitment & Installation

Before anything hits the track, I install it myself. I check hardware quality, fitment accuracy, torque specs, clearance, ease of installation, and any surprises a customer might run into. If it's a pain for me, I assume it'll be a pain for you, and I document it.

2. Track Testing

I run components through real HPDE, NASA, and autocross conditions, evaluating heat cycles, repeated braking zones, long sessions, vibration and NVH, wear patterns, fade resistance, and consistency over time. If something fails, I say so. If something impresses me, I say that too.

3. Post-Session Inspection

After every track day, I tear down and inspect pad wear, rotor condition, fluid behavior, suspension hardware, bushing deformation, fastener retention, and any signs of premature wear. This is where the truth shows up, not in marketing brochures.

How We Select Components for Platforms We Can't Test

I don't guess. I research.

For platforms I don't own, I lean on four things:

  • Proven brands with real motorsports track records. I look for manufacturers known for consistent quality, engineering transparency, strong support, and real-world motorsports use. If a brand is known for cutting corners, I don't touch it.
  • Community-verified performance. I study HPDE driver feedback, NASA/SCCA competitor results, long-term ownership reports, failure patterns, and platform-specific weaknesses. I don't rely on hype, I rely on patterns.
  • Engineering data and technical documentation. I dig into material specs, heat tolerances, friction coefficients, spring rates, flow rates, dyno charts, and manufacturer whitepapers. If the numbers don't make sense, the part doesn't make the cut.
  • 25+ years of racing and wrenching experience. I know which pad compounds survive heat, which fluids boil, which bushings deform, which coilovers fade, and which brands overpromise. I use that experience to protect customers from bad decisions.

Why We Don't Test Everything

Testing every part on every platform would take dozens of cars, hundreds of thousands of dollars, a full-time race team, and unlimited time. That's not realistic, and pretending otherwise would be misleading.

Instead, I focus on testing what I can, researching what I can't, choosing brands with proven motorsports credibility, and staying transparent about the process. This approach keeps the catalog tight, trustworthy, and aligned with the needs of real drivers.

Who We Build For

Apex Vektor is built for grassroots HPDE drivers, weekend warriors, autocross competitors, NASA and SCCA participants, advanced drivers chasing consistency, and enthusiasts who want reliability, not guesswork. This isn't about clout. It's for the drivers who show up early, torque their wheels in the paddock, and chase personal bests.

Shop the Catalog → or check out our FAQs for more on how we choose what we sell.