Engine Rebuilder In Northern Ca

Don888 · 04-07-2005, 10:28 PM

HI, I am new to this forum. I have a 79 930 that I have restored. I need to have my engine rebuilt. It is burning oil, cylinders 5 and 6 have a severe leak down.

Can any one recommend a few really excellent shops who can rebuild my 930 engine. The engine is modified.

I have had a real hard time trying to find a good mechanic who can work on my car that I can really trust and understands a 930?

I have had a few real bad experiences with people working on this car. The car is running a lot of HP and someone always want to run the hell out of it. I cold write a book on how to get screwed by your alledged Porsche Mechanic.

Recently the last shop must have turned up the boost and detonated cylinders 5 and 6. I can not prove it but the engine was perfect until these guys worked on it. I am located in northern CA near Menlo Park. .

Thanks,

Don

strokher racing · 04-07-2005, 11:12 PM

That is an easy one....Todd at Protomotive

Eric Hood

Groesbeck Hurricane · 04-08-2005, 04:23 AM

john walker's workshop
7613 greenwood ave. n.
seattle, wa, 98103
206.789.6800

Henry Schmidt
SUPERTEC PERFORMANCE
445 Golden Road
Fallbrook, Ca. 92028
Phone (760) 728-3062
Fax (760) 728-3063
email:supertec1@earthlink.net
www.supertecperformance.com

Cory M · 04-08-2005, 02:31 PM

Jerry Woods, in Campbell (by San Jose)

stevepaa · 04-08-2005, 03:35 PM

What shops gave a bad experience?

addictionMS · addictionMS's Garage

I will second Jerry Woods, they are the best motor house in the bay area.

Jim

hcoles · 04-08-2005, 03:50 PM

After talking with a pretty good number of people without exception Jerry Woods is the place. They are very nice people by the way. I just had them "hone" and re ring my nickisil p's and c's. I'm not an expert by any means but JWE came up as the best place where ever I asked. Give Rich Walton a call there if you wish...here is the number 408 369 9607.

Don888 · 04-08-2005, 09:28 PM

GUYS,
Thanks for all your help and recommendations. I know Jerry Woods and he is outstanding, absolutely one of the best. His shop and people are excellent! I took all of his training classes on the Porsche engine and transmission rebuilding process. When Jerry does an engine job it is perfect! I would totally trust any work that Jerry does on a Porsche! He is an extremely talented automotive engineer as well as a master mechanic!

However, I don't want to spend $15K to have my engine rebuilt.

My engine is really in fairly good shape so I don't anticipate major surgery in the rebuild process. I will need some new parts.

I am looking for a shop that will charge around $10K and do a good job.

I think maybe the key is too find a shop 40-50 miles outside the range of where I live, because the labor rates in the bay area up here, seem to be a lot higher then the other parts of CA? The Porsche dealers up here are charging $155/hour for general servicing, -- not that I world ever go to one?

Maybe I am just being naive in regard to the cost to over haul my engine. Can anyone out there give me a feel for the average costs that good shops are charging to rebuild a 930 engine?

I have only seen two extremes so far ---$6000 (motormeister which I would never use) to a high of $15-20K which I feel is too high for standard 930 vanilla rebuild?

Thanks
Don

asphaltgambler · 04-09-2005, 07:33 AM

Couple-O-things here. First is the newest part on that engine is at least 26 years old. The fact that is has 'burned' a piston / rings it is likely that there is other related damage too.

Remember that the rebuild process includes R&R the engine and trans unit and replacing the clutch assembly. PLUS upgrading or replacing all hardware for a trouble-free next life.

Any mechanical damage (like yours) will require a complete flushing and cleaning of all oil cooling lines, holding tank and front cooler. This is very time consuming in itself but absolutely neccesary.There may be oil contaminate damage to your turbo as well. Additional $$

So (being an experienced auto tech) my opinion is $10-12K estimate from a good, reliable shop such as the few listed here is fair market.

Never sweat the $$ as long as you can completely trust the shop.

Don888 · 04-09-2005, 02:27 PM

Asphaltgambler
Thanks this is great input. The clutch (pressure plate, disk,etc. ) and all the linkage and other running gear is all brand new -- 3months old. You are right about the oil lines, etc. I never thought of that. The transmission is a brand new rebuild - 3 months old. So maybe I can get away with $10k. Porsches are a real expensive obsession, but then are worst things to be addicted to

Thanks again for your help,

Don

camgrinder · 04-09-2005, 05:27 PM

Another option is Alan at "The Stable" in San Francisco, he has an excellent reputation.
415-776-2707

stevepaa · 04-09-2005, 09:23 PM

Give Bob at RMG in Sunnyvale a call or stop by. They are very concientious.

KNIGHTRACE · KNIGHTRACE's Garage

Some one not too far from you in Portland is Dick Eleverud and Jeff Gamroth. I sold Dick a New 3.3 0 miles not too long ago and I bet he would do an exchange with you or rebuild yours. My email address is knightrace911@hotmail.com if you are intrested.
Thanks, William

asphaltgambler · 04-10-2005, 08:49 AM

Don888........just a last note and maybe obvious here.........no one including me wants to wake up in the morning and spend $15-20K on a depreciating asset.

Because you have a 'broken' engine, not just tired, plan on the high $$ side. Good shops / techs already know at least the parts and time involved to put your unit back to better than new. The same good shops also know not to under bid the estimate. it should always be slightly higher than one would expect so there are no phone calls starting with......"Well, do you want the good news first?...........

Pick a well respected shop(s), compare estimates and down time..........................then head to your bank knowing that the hard part (for you) is over because your sick Porsche is now in good hands. Rest easy.

KNIGHTRACE · KNIGHTRACE's Garage

As far as the money I think 8K to 9K will get you through it. It is a NEW 3.3 not rebuilt. Thanks, William

strokher racing · 04-12-2005, 12:22 AM

I will say his name once more Todd Knighton at Protomotive. Pretty sure his labor rates are around 70-80 an hour still.

Eric Hood

thethrill · 04-12-2005, 07:05 AM

I think you are missing point. NO shop can give you a fixed cost (unless they replace everything with new parts) until they take your motor apart to access what can be reused and what is trash.

Most motor builders will give you a fixed price for labor plus parts and machine work.

Depending on the shop, the cost of a rebuild (including R&R from your car) LABOR only is $2,500-$4,000 plus parts and machine work.

For instance, if your motor is in good shape, the soft parts will be $1,500-$2,000 plus approx. $1,000 or so in machine shop work. But, if your crank is trashed add $1,500+, but the rods are probably hurt as well....is it time for Carrillo's @ $1,700 or used 3.3 rods at $400 plus ARP bolt as @ $200? If the P and C's are out of spec, new ones are $3K...ouch! There are many variables especially, since your motor is hurt.

Now you can make decisions about performance mods. For a turbo the list is endless as is the cost! But since its apart, there are some cost effective performance mods you should make...I am sure the wrench you go with will make recomendations.

Bottom line, you will not know the real cost until the motor is apart. Therefore you need to have a high level of trust with your mechanic.

Good luck!

Will

drums · 04-12-2005, 06:11 PM

There is a place in the Central Valley that does good work and won't charge Bay Area rates. I have used them on several occasions and have been completely satisfied with their work.
The name is Euro Trends and they are in Ceres, just on the south side of Modesto. [209] 531-9880. Most of the Porsche Club members over here know and use them. I saw a '96 twin turbo in there a couple of weeks ago.
My car is there right now getting a complete suspension rebuild/upgrade and a 3.2 to 3.6 engine swap and I KNOW it is going to come out dialed.
Drums

Vonzipper · 04-12-2005, 08:42 PM

Talk to Kahlers in dublin, denny's a good guy

rockryno · rockryno's Garage

I'm going to do the unthinkable and revive this thread. I have recently moved to Sacramento, and my 81 911 with 209k miles is leaking like a sieve. I am contemplating a rebuild. Are most of the shops listed above still around and reputable? Any new shops pop up that I should contact? I have the list from above that I'm about to contact. Please let me know of any new info!