TESTIMONIALS

CUSTOMER AND INDUSTRY TESTIMONIALS

Mike’s technical writing, specifically for Precision Engine magazine, is always clear, concise, and accurate. His technical articles are very informative and easy to read. He’s one of the best technical writers in the industry. His photographic, engine and vehicle building skills are also on a top-tier pro level. I always look forward to seeing what he does next.
Dave Bowman
Lutz, FL

The quality of work and attention to detail I see from Mike Mavrigian and Birchwood Automotive never ceases to amaze me! In addition to his technical writing and fabrication skills, his research capabilities are top-notch too. Everything is always planned in advance with thought given to how the overall project will look when completed. If you want it done and done right, Mike is the guy to do it!
Bill McKnight
MAHLE Clevite
Ann Arbor, MI

I always enjoy Mike’s articles. His technical writing is always accurate, and he presents the material in a way that’s enjoyable to read. I’ve also worked with him on several engine projects (performing some of his machining and running his engines on our dyno). His engine assembly is always meticulous and first-class. Every engine he has built that has run on our dyno has run flawlessly and produced amazing horsepower. In my opinion, he’s one of the true stars of this industry.
Scott Gressman
Gressman Powersports
Fremont, OH

I’ve known and worked with Mike Mavrigian for more than 30 years, and during that time I’ve come to know that he has an extraordinary understanding of automotive understanding of automotive technology in general, and engine building in particular. I also find his writing to be concise, technically accurate, and well-targeted to specific audiences. He’s also a pretty darned good photographer as well. Mike’s an all-around good guy with a positive attitude.
Dick Moritz
President, Target Communications Inc.

I just wanted to tell you how much many of us at Banks enjoys each issue of Precision Engine. Your interesting story topics and clean, understandable photography never fail to make reading an article in your book not only informative but quite pleasurable as well.
I know that you don't have to hear it from me to keep up the great work back there.
Engine building always has been and always will be meticulous, tedious work; your book seems somehow to be able to make all the hard work feel noble as well.
My desk here at Banks just happens to be on the shortest route between a couple of office machines and the race shop floor ... Whenever I receive a new copy of "Precision" I have to keep it under a stack of papers deep in a desk drawer or risk it growing legs and strolling away. Suffice it to say, "Precision" is a popular book here among some very professional people.
Doug Stokes
Corporate Publicist
Banks Power / Gale Banks Engineering
Azusa, CA

I was wondering if you have any hi res pictures of that beautiful “Street Rod Theme” engine that you built and published in Precision Engine magazine online anywhere? I wanted to show my guys at the shop the detail you put into it. If you don’t have them online, would you be willing to send me some pictures of the motor?
Thanks for inspiring me to be better at what we do.
Tim Baillie
Owner
HzEmall Customs
Surrey, BC, Canada

Mike and his Birchwood team has prepared about a dozen vehicles for me over the years, including a 1964 Ford Thunderbolt clone, a 1964 Comet AFX clone, a 1973 Duster customized with a 472CID Hemi engine, an historically-accurate 427 AC Cobra replica, and has fully restored a number of my vintage muscle cars. In each case, the vehicles were finished to perfection, and the attention to detail has been absolutely incredible. This is my favorite custom and restoration shop, and I’d recommend Birchwood to anyone….private individual or manufacturer… who wants things done right. These guys don’t sleep until the job is perfect.
Don Hall
Akron, OH

Birchwood Automotive is capable of restoring, modifying or building almost anything, no matter how unusual. Among the several projects they’ve executed for me (corporate projects during my time at Porsche Cars North America and for my personal vehicles as well), their workmanship and dedication was always outstanding and extremely professional. To cite but one example, they did their homework and acquired original parts and precisely fabricated reproduction parts to make my 1964 Trabant, an iconic East German car, look and run like new. Attention to detail is amazing. Birchwood honors the spirit of the car, whatever the car may be. Results are always beyond my wildest expectations. They always go above and beyond the call of duty.
Martin Peters
Atlanta, GA
Yamaha Marine Group
& formerly of Porsche Cars North America

I just finished reading Mike’s article on -AN Performance Plumbing and have to commend him on a job very well done! As someone who has been around drag racing and fabrication for over 30 years, I have to say that this is the most thorough article on automotive performance plumbing that I have ever read. This article will be passed around to all of my employees and customers as a “must read.”
Mark Spencer
President, Spencer’s Speed Shop
Belleville, NJ

Mike has produced GREAT photos over the years to help promote Spiral Turbo Specialties’ products. Fantastic quality and always on time. His magazine cover photos are of incredible quality as well. I’ve framed a few for my office. Mike also builds extremely “neat” hot rods.
JCL
Spiral Turbo Specialties
Seville, OH

Mike built a custom Chevy LS2 engine for me that I plan to install into a street rod. Everyone else I spoke with told me that the most I could expect, without adding nitrous injection, was about 500HP. Mike’s all-gas engine recorded a whopping 625.4HP on the engine dyno and ran flawlessly, and on pump gas. In addition, he detailed the exterior of the engine to a high level of detail that will perfectly suit my needs. Color me happy.
Larry Ritz
Wadsworth, OH

Mike’s team has prepared both street and race cars for me. His attention to detail simply can’t be disputed. Everything he and his shop does is first class. This shop has the magic touch. During one of my visits, I saw a small fleet of Porsches that they customized for a special project program that Porsche was planning. The design and workmanship, or should I say craftsmanship, was as close to perfection as you’ll ever see. Birchwood works closely with each customer to make sure that they get exactly what they want. These guys are true professionals, and they always make sure that the customer’s needs come first. The personification of dedication. I don’t have enough words to express my admiration for their work and their work ethic.
Mike Glassburner
St. Louis, MO

Mike’s technical/engine-build book on the Gen V/VI Bigblock Chevy engine is the best ever published on the subject.
Mike Caruso
Automotive Engine Rebuilders Association
Buffalo Grove, IL

I am unquestionably one of the most eccentric guys in the world when it comes to having my cars worked on. I am always concerned that they will get cosmetically damaged or not repaired properly. I have been taking my collector type cars to Birchwood Automotive for over 10 years and cannot recommend their services any more highly. Whether it is a wiring issue that no other shop in town will touch, shoe-horning a supercharger into the engine bay of a Fox body Mustang, or a complete high performance engine overhaul, Mike and Brian will get it done and more importantly get it done correctly. Their attention to detail and ability to complete build or repair projects that other shops would run and hide from, is second to none.
Gregg Burgy
Tallmadge, Ohio