About Us

AET Engineering Motorsport
--- A potted history----
As in the case of so many success stories, that of AET Engineering and its association with motorsport, reads like many others - chance meetings of likeminded individuals. In the late '60's, Tony Taylor, the founder of AET engineering was employed as an applications development engineer at Holset turbochargers in Huddersfield Yorkshire and whereas most of his work was in relation to diesel engines, he was also involved in developing the famous turbocharged Mini Cooper "S" which Alec Poole drove to more than some success.

At the same time and quite unknown to Tony Taylor, two other petrol heads - Tony Tait and Jim Evans were working as power station development engineers in the great new era of 500MW turbo-generators.- but always trying to concoct cheap ways to make racing Mini Cooper "S"'s more competitive.The answer was to let Jim develop the chassis and Tony the engines but more importantly, let Jim do the race driving. This partnership grew into the 70's with Jim constructing a demon but cheap Escort chassis but the pair of them looking for an affordable (cheap) power unit to compete with the ubiquitous Cosworth BDG.to beat the likes of Nick Whiting (Whose name is maintained through Charlie Whiting of GP fame - but in those days, he was Nick's brother and mechanic). Tony Tait had left the CEGB and was employed by ICI, in power station management but also on wider utilities of cryogenic air separation where high speed turbo compressors are used to generate the very low temperatures required to liquefy air.With this experience acquired at ICI in Huddersfield it was enough to get him into Holset to discuss applying turbochargers to petrol engines and the association of Jim Evans and Tony Tait (JETT) was born. It was soon apparent that forcing air into a low speed, low cost engine was likely to be much cheaper than buying a high speed Cosworth. The torque curve could be relatively big and thus with no need for high reciprocating speeds to get power. Holset were sufficiently impressed with the duo's pitch that they "lent" them one - suitably sized 3LD
As a power unit they thought they should stick with Ford and since the RS 2000 had just appeared one of these (Pinto) was the way to go.However, the newness of the unit made them relatively scarce, except that they also appeared in the Cortina. A quick ring round the scrap yards found one in Preston Lancs for the princely sum of £200.Little was done apart from take it to bits and put it back together with a rally cam and a tweak on the compression ratio.With a bit of "pipe strangling" to make an exhaust manifold and putting the standard carburettor in a stout box there only remained the issue of charge air cooling. Since proprietary air/air coolers were beyond the budget, the project was looking to be still born until one of Tony's business contacts remarked that he imported air conditioning heat exchangers from the states via Jumbo Jet and some got damaged in transit - so we could have one gratis.Unfotunately, these things were 2ft long and had a section of 1ft x1ft; clearly far too big and only designed to withstand pressures of a few inches of water when he wanted 1.5bar.g plus.However, he noticed that if we took a band saw to the 1ft section and chopped a 6in slab off the 2ft length, the addition of half-round headers (for inlet and outlet) substantially stiffened the whole cooler. Blowing at 22psi this engine produced some 250bhp and a torque curve that a BDG owner would die for! In Jim's hands it immediately started to win the saloon car races in the North and Midlands - much to the chagrin of the owners of expensive and bespoke Escort Cosworths.

Holset, seeing the success suggested we talk with a certain Tony Taylor who had just left them to start up his own company repairing turbochargers and alternators, thinking that he would be interested in our efforts.
So the JETT turbo RS 2000 became the AET Turbo RS 2000. On the track the winning continued with more and more press interest,one wag remarking that AET and Jim Evans had more mentions in Autosport and Motoring News than James Hunt in his Championship-winning year.
As Tony Taylor's business and reputation grew, it wasn't long before he was awarded the UK representation for Khunle- Kopp-Und- Kausch (KKK) and because only Porsche of the major manufacturers were well into turbocharging for road and track and exclusively used KKK in all their twin turbo applications, it wasn't long before the UK based Porches were having their blowers reworked in AET's facility in Wakefield.
A chance remark in the pitlane at the Silverstone 6 Hours got John Fitzpatrick's interest. He was running a brace of 956 Group C Porsches under the "Skoal Bandit" banner but was complaining that his blowers weren't lasting the full distance at Le Mans.After talking with the 2 Tonys he sent 34 blowers to Wakefield for overhaul in an attempt to improve his chances in the 24hr classic.
GTI engineering also running 956 at Le Mans did likewise.

The 24hrs ran without a turbo failure for both teams and resulted in a second? for the Skoal Bandit Team and fourth? for GTI Both teams then routinely had their turbochargers reworked by AET. In the intervening years new cars were constructed by Jim with Tony T and AET doing the engines.Further Escorts and sportscar- based silouhettes were produced with a gradual move to Cosworth derived 4 cylinder 4-valve engines.Cosworth got interested as more and more success was had using their units and to the extent that they provided design support and manufacture of particularly pistons and camshafts.. Whereas Cosworth had much experience with the DFX methanol- fuelled V8 for Indy cars, they had none using petrol.With the success that AET were having in various categories but particularly at the time in GP5 - Tony Tait was invited by Mike Costin to project manage the 1.5 litre turbo V6 GP engine. It was clear that Renault and BMW were getting significant power and to compete, the Cosworth unit would have to deliver over 1000bhp for qualifying. which it did. Sadly, shortly afterwards the FIA retreated from turbocharging confining this exciting project to the Cosworth museum. (Foot note: 20 years later during a visit to discuss pistons for a present project, Tony Tait was offered one of these engines ready to go for no more than the price of a family saloon. What a super coffee table that would make!) Add to this list early work for Janspeed, Mitsubishi (who hadn't turbocharged anything commercially up to this time), Hart 1.5F1(Brian Henton),Audi UK/David Sutton (Hannu Mikola, Michelle Mouton) RED/Terry Hoyle(Roger Clark),....... together with a number of semi-works/ privateer Porsche 935's from across Europe - and AET Motorsport had come of age

Turbo specialists since 1974
We know turbochargers, they have been our sole business since 1974. Our 30+ years of experience have helped us establish a superb reputation for quality remanufacturing and we are a trusted source for delivering solutions to all our customers from our technical and warehouse facility in Normanton, West Yorkshire, UK. AET is undoubtedly a leading turbocharger remanufacturer in Europe today and is internationally recognised as one of the most knowledgeable specialists in the industry. AET's highly trained team of professionals have gained the knowledge, experience and qualifications to guarantee that you're dealing with the very best.
It's this, along with our expert advice and full technical support, that sets us apart from the rest.
Whether your turbocharged engine is an industrial application such as a generator or construction equipment, in a truck or bus, in a car or a boat, the heart of your engine's power is in the turbocharger. If it's not running at its peak, your vehicle isn't either. AET is the solution.

Remanufacturing
AET also supply turbochargers and parts to an increasing number of turbocharger reconditioners. Employing the latest computer technology not only enables effective stock management, but also helps ensure efficient despatch both nationally and internationally. Specyfying and providing only genuine components ensures that all our customers receive a standard of service and guaranteed quality product unsurpassed within the industry.
We use factory parts and specifications and most important, all AET turbos carry the same warranty as factory new or rebuilt turbos. We also provide turbocharger training, and if you need to talk, you can call on us to help solve problems and provide expert advice. The bottom line is having your turbochargers rebuilt by AET gives you the power to keep your costs down. AET has become one of the most trusted remanufacturers in the UK. WHY ? Because we have up-to-date equipment for repairing and remanufacturing all types of turbochargers. Every turbo brought in for remanufacture undergoes our comprehensive remanufacturing process.

Distributor
AET have been an approved distributor for BorgWarner Turbo Systems since 1976, making us the longest serving distributor in the UK. BorgWarner Turbo Systems includes KKK and Schwitzer brands of turbos. For passenger or commercial vehicles, industrial, locomotive or marine engines, whatever the application, BorgWarner Turbo Systems has just the right turbocharging system. AET is your factory authorised source for both OEM and in-house high quality, remanufactured turbochargers that you can rely on to meet your performance needs, fast and efficiently. You can depend on AET for a wide choice of turbochargers including Garrett, Schwitzer, Holset, KKK, Hitachi, IHI, Mitsubishi, Toyota, Rajay and CAV. We maintain a large inventory of factory assemblies and parts to ensure that if you ever require service, we are ready to assist you quickly and cost-effectively.

Performance Products
AET provide performance ball bearing hybrid turbos and accessories suitable for most applications. From fast road cars and racing cars, through to high performance racing trucks, AET can deliver.
We are the European distributor for TURBOSMART performance products. Their product range includes dump valves, boost controllers, fuel pressure regulators, external wastegates and other high quality products, all of which we stock in our warehouse.
We are also the European distributor for Hyperflow Technologies, the leaders in performance intercoolers, specialising in Subarus and Mitsubishis. Other performance products we supply include :- SFS performance silicone hoses - ITG performance air filters - HALTECH engine management systems.

Dynapack
Our new state of the art Dynapack 3000 EVO - capable of 1600hp (800hp per axle) - for 2WD or 4WD vehicles. The most accurate system for testing big horsepower available. Climate controlled sound proofed room with the largest cooling capacity in the country. The cell can be hired on an hourly basis, or 1/2 or full day for development. AET is the official CUSTOM CODE supplier and mapper for Yorkshire