Street Smarts
Eric Hsu
A’PEXi / XS / COSWORTH / COBB Tuning
Long-time industry icon Eric Hsu is a walking paradox. Equal parts humble team player and outspoken independent tuner, Hsu helped to elevate the quality of import performance builds by looking to the originators (Japanese tuners) for inspiration. It was with this inspiration that Hsu created XS Engineering in 1996, a venture that helped prove Hsu’s tuning knowledge as much as he claims he learned from it.
“When I was younger, my uncles used to street race Mustangs and BMWs so I saw a lot of gnarly shit in their dad’s garage,” Hsu explains. “In the mid-Eighties, my uncle opened a shop that serviced and modified Benzes, BMWs and Porsches. I got my real start with cars washing and polishing those cars and then painstakingly waxing every square millimeter of each one. I was always scolded if I missed any spot, interior or exterior, and I tried to do better each time afterward. I never did any cool stuff there, but it was a lifelong lesson on the importance of the attention to detail in everything that I’m glad I learned.”
From there, Hsu’s learning curve grew exponentially as he built and destroyed a number of engines in his garage. After a series of stints as a mechanic at several small performance shops, Hsu started XS Engineering. “We mainly focused on building cars. Designing shelf products and kits, manufacturing and sales always came in second. I wish we concentrated more on sales and marketing; I’d be a baller now if we did. But, the past is the past and closing XS allowed me to move on and work with even more talented people.” Still, the company produced a number of memorable builds that set records for power or performance and appeared in many print publications around the world.
Hsu was also instrumental in helping Japanese tuner A’PEXi bring quality- performance products, especially engine-tuning electronics, to the United States. “A’PEXi was legitimately engineering hardcore performance and motorsports products to make cars go fast, not just copying parts and selling them on eBay.” From there, Hsu transitioned into the role of Product Development Manager at Cosworth. “I don’t think I have specific accomplishments that I would call impressive, but I’m glad I was fortunate enough to work with some of the most talented people in the world (at Cosworth).”
Recently Hsu transitioned to another role working with COBB Tuning, offering technical support to the company’s international customers. “COBB is developing products for the new Ford Focus, the BRZ/FR-S, multiple Imprezas and the Nissan GT-R. [pullquote]I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO WORK WITH THE MOST TALENTED PEOPLE IN THE WORLD[/pullquote]I’m glad to join a team that places the utmost importance on engine management and tuning at a time when new platforms are making their way into consumer’s hands.” Still, Hsu expresses concern on the state of vehicle tuning in the near future, especially at the consumer level. “Nerd hackers might figure out the ROM data on newer direct-injection cars, but having a true understanding of the cycles of the internal combustion engine, component strengths, machining/assembly clearances and materials will be necessary to succeed in tuning direct-injected engines. It will separate the true tuners from the armchair and internet-forum tuners.”
