Frequently Asked Questions

Based in Cleveland, Ohio, Torque Collective™ is a specialized supplier of professional-grade automotive shop equipment and high-performance parts. We carry car lifts, tire changers, wheel balancers, wheel alignment machines, paint booths, turbochargers, big brake kits, coilovers, air suspension, exhaust systems, and standalone engine management — serving both individual enthusiasts and professional repair facilities nationwide.

We are headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio. While we operate primarily online to serve the national automotive community, our roots are firmly planted in the Midwest. Our support team is available Monday through Friday, 9AM–5PM EST.

Yes. We offer dedicated pricing for shops, dealerships, fleets, and multi-bay build-outs through our Business & Fleet portal. If you are purchasing multiple lifts or equipping an entire facility, contact our team for a custom quote rather than ordering item by item.

We partner with established manufacturers across equipment and performance, including KATOOL, Titan Lifts, Halo Lifts, MechMaxx, and iDEAL for shop equipment, and Ksport, BC Racing, Wilwood, Flowmaster, Garrett, ATS Diesel, and FuelTech for performance parts. Every product we list is sourced through authorized channels.

Most two-post car lifts require a minimum ceiling height of about 12 feet to raise a standard vehicle to full height. Measure to the lowest obstruction in your garage — not just the ceiling itself — including garage door tracks, opener rails, light fixtures, and ductwork. If your ceiling is lower, ask us about low-ceiling and asymmetric configurations, or consider a four-post lift with a lower overall height.

As a general rule, two-post lifts require a minimum of 4 inches of 3,000 PSI concrete that has fully cured (typically 28 days), and many manufacturers specify more depending on capacity. Always follow the concrete specification in that specific lift's installation manual, and avoid anchoring within a few inches of a seam, crack, or slab edge. If you are unsure about your slab, have it core-tested before installation.

A two-post lift engages the vehicle frame and leaves the wheels hanging free, which makes it the better choice for brake jobs, suspension work, wheel removal, and general service. A four-post lift is a drive-on design that supports the vehicle by its tires — better for storage, parking, quick under-car access, and alignment work. Two-post lifts must be anchored to concrete; most four-post lifts are freestanding and can be moved with an optional caster kit.

A 9,000 lb lift covers the vast majority of passenger cars, crossovers, and half-ton pickups. Step up to a 12,000 lb lift if you regularly service three-quarter-ton and one-ton trucks, duallies, vans, or heavily built vehicles. Always size by the heaviest vehicle you expect to lift, not your daily driver, and leave headroom rather than working near the rated maximum.

Most two-post and four-post lifts sold for garage and shop use run on 220–240V single-phase power on a dedicated circuit, though three-phase motor options are available on some models. Confirm the voltage, phase, and amperage draw on the specific lift's spec sheet before you order, and have a licensed electrician run the circuit — a lift is not something to put on an extension cord or a shared outlet.

Lifts ship as equipment rather than as an installed service, and manufacturers strongly recommend installation by a qualified professional. Proper installation covers slab verification, anchor torque, plumb and level alignment, hydraulic bleeding, and safety-lock testing. We also recommend an annual inspection by an ALI Certified Lift Inspector once the lift is in service.

A functional service bay generally starts with a lift, an air compressor, a tire changer and wheel balancer if you plan to offer tire service, and a wheel alignment machine if you want to capture alignment revenue. Collision and refinish work adds a paint booth and prep station. Tell us your bay count, ceiling height, and the services you intend to offer, and we can help you sequence the build-out so you are not buying equipment out of order.

Paint booths carry the most site requirements of anything we sell. You will typically need adequate ceiling height and floor space, a compressed air supply, appropriate electrical service, exhaust ducting to the exterior, and make-up air. Local building, fire, and environmental permits are almost always required, and requirements vary by jurisdiction. Confirm your local code before ordering, and contact us for the full specification sheet on any booth you are considering.

A 3D imaging alignment system uses cameras and reflective targets rather than physical sensor heads clamped to each wheel. In practice that means faster setup, fewer calibration issues, less hardware to damage or maintain, and quicker throughput per vehicle — which matters when alignment is a volume service in your bay.

High-ticket equipment purchases are common for us, and we would rather talk through options with you than have you guess at checkout. Contact our team before ordering to discuss available payment and financing options for your purchase.

Use the Shop by Vehicle tool to filter parts by year, make, model, and trim, and check the fitment notes listed on each product page. Fitment can also depend on engine, drivetrain, and factory brake or suspension package. If you have a modified vehicle or you are not certain your configuration matches, contact us with your VIN before ordering and we will confirm the fit.

Coilovers give you a fixed, tunable setup with adjustable damping and ride height, and they are the usual pick for track days, autocross, and road course use where consistency matters. Air suspension lets you change ride height on demand, which is the priority for show builds, low-clearance daily driving, and anyone who needs to raise the car for driveways and speed bumps. Choose coilovers for outright handling; choose air for adjustability and comfort.

Not always — larger rotors and multi-piston calipers need clearance that many factory and smaller aftermarket wheels do not provide. Every big brake kit lists a minimum wheel diameter, and some also require a specific wheel offset or a spacer. Check the minimum wheel spec on the product page against your current wheels before ordering, and contact us with your wheel size and offset if you want us to verify.

Yes. A turbocharger kit changes airflow and boost well beyond what the factory calibration expects, and running it untuned risks detonation and engine damage. A standalone ECU such as a FuelTech system always requires professional calibration — the base map is a starting point, not a finished tune. Budget for dyno time with a qualified tuner as part of the build, not as an afterthought.

It depends on the part and on where you live. Many performance components — including certain turbo, exhaust, and engine management products — are sold for off-road, race, or competition use only and are not legal for use on emissions-controlled vehicles on public roads. California and states following CARB standards require an EO number for street use. Check the compliance notes on the product page and confirm your local regulations before purchasing; the buyer is responsible for legal use.

An axle-back system replaces everything from the rear axle back — the smallest change, mostly affecting tone. A cat-back replaces everything from the catalytic converter back, which offers more flow and a bigger sound change. A crossmember-back system, common on classic muscle cars, starts at the chassis crossmember and replaces nearly the entire system behind it. More coverage generally means more flow and a more dramatic tone, at a higher price.

Orders are processed within 1–3 business days, with a 5:00 PM EST cut-off — anything placed after that begins processing the next business day. From there, standard parcel shipments typically arrive in 3–7 business days, and LTL freight shipments for heavy equipment take 5–10 business days. Lead times on made-to-order and special-order equipment can run longer. If you have a hard deadline — a shop opening or a build completion — tell us before ordering and we will confirm the realistic timeline for that item.

Yes. Car lifts, paint booths, alignment machines, and other heavy equipment ship via professional LTL freight carriers on a pallet or in a crate, typically arriving in 5–10 business days. Confirm that your delivery location is accessible to a full-size truck. If you need liftgate service, or the delivery address is residential, select that option at checkout so the carrier is dispatched correctly the first time.

Have a plan for unloading before the truck arrives. If you do not have a loading dock or a forklift, you need liftgate service, and even then you will want help moving a crated lift into position. Make sure the approach can accommodate a large truck, and arrange for someone to be present who can inspect the shipment and sign for it — carriers will not leave freight unattended.

Inspect the shipment before you sign the delivery receipt. If you see damage to the crate, pallet, or product, note it in writing on the delivery receipt or bill of lading before signing, and photograph everything including the packaging. Signing a clean receipt makes a freight damage claim significantly harder to pursue. Contact us right away with photos and the noted paperwork and we will help you work the claim.

Yes. Once your order has been dispatched you will receive a confirmation email with your tracking number and carrier details. Tracking can take up to 24 hours to appear on the carrier's site after dispatch, so do not worry if it is not live immediately. Freight shipments are scheduled by appointment, so the carrier will contact you directly to arrange a delivery window for large equipment.

We currently ship across the contiguous United States. For Alaska, Hawaii, or international destinations — and for oversized freight in particular — contact us before ordering so we can quote shipping accurately. International orders may also be subject to duties, taxes, and customs fees that are the responsibility of the buyer.

Yes. Every product is backed by its original manufacturer warranty, covering defects in materials and workmanship, structural failures, and mechanical or hydraulic malfunctions under normal use. Terms vary by brand, and structural components such as lift columns and frame rails typically carry 3–5 years of coverage. Warranties do not cover physical damage, improper installation, unauthorized modifications, normal wear, or cosmetic damage. Start any claim with us rather than the manufacturer — we review claims within 1–2 business days and coordinate directly with the manufacturer on your behalf.

You have 30 calendar days from the delivery date to request a return. Items must be unused, uninstalled, and in their original packaging with all accessories and documentation, and you will need your receipt or proof of purchase. Contact support@torquecollective.com first to get return authorization — items shipped back without it are not accepted. Unless the return is due to our error or a defective product, return shipping is the customer's responsibility, and a restocking fee applies to large shop equipment such as car lifts and alignment systems. Special orders, custom-configured equipment, and installed electrical components are non-returnable. See our Refund Policy for the full terms.

We back every order with a 30-day satisfaction guarantee — if your product arrives defective, damaged, or not as described, we will arrange a resolution. Contact us right away with your order number, the product SKU, and photos or video of the problem. For defects that surface after delivery, we review warranty claims within 1–2 business days and coordinate the claim with the manufacturer for you rather than leaving you to chase it alone.

Yes — this is what our team does best. Tell us your vehicle or your shop layout, what work you intend to do, your ceiling height and power supply, and your budget, and we will help you spec the right equipment or parts. Reach us by email or phone Monday through Friday, 9AM–5PM EST, and we will respond within 2 business days.