Transmission Shop Recommendation

mike621 · 12-28-2021, 11:14 PM

Hi All,

I will be pulling engine & transmission within the next few months from my 911SC. I will be doing some engine maintenance and wanted to get the transmission fixed at the same time. It is difficult in 1,2,3 and I have done Swepco, coupler, bushings. The car has about 240,000 on it, unknown if trans is original.

I'm located in the Bay Area and am looking for recommendations on shops to take my 915 to be inspected and fixed properly (and maybe add a LSD if the car is not equipped).

My preference is to be able to drive my transmission to its destination, but I will consider all options based on experiences. The closest Porsche transmission shop I found so far is about 600 miles (California Motorsports). Thanks in advance!

Matt Monson · 12-29-2021, 04:40 AM

Rob King at S-Car-Go can do a 915 with his eyes closed. He’s in San Rafael. There’s also Steve Dejung in Cotati.

Both Jerry Woods and Bob Grigby have retired, leaving Tom at Mobileworkswest about the only South Bay option.

East Bay there is a shop in Oakland I’ll need to look up for you. I’m drawing a blank right now.

Cairo94507 · Cairo94507's Garage

There is also John Holleran of Holleran's Performance, in Auburn. He is an air cooled specialist and does transaxles and engines in addition to regular air cooled Porsche work. Depending upon where you are located in the East Bay, it is about 110 miles drive. I give John my highest rating for air cooled knowledge and skills.

Matt Monson · 12-29-2021, 06:51 AM

I remembered... It's Brian at ABP Auto Repair in Oakland. Also, GD Racing in San Bruno. Gary has been doing it since the 70s.

PCA7GGR · 12-29-2021, 07:23 AM

+1 for Gary. Also Kirk @ Deutsche Motorsports in Concord.

Rodsrsr · Rodsrsr's Garage

If you're near Downtown Sacramento I would recommend IPB Motorsports. They just installed a WEVO side cover on my 915 and did an outstanding job.

If your near Santa Rosa I would use Steve at DeJung Motorsports. Steve has been working on my car for years and does an incredible job. He recently rebuilt my 3.2 and years ago rebuilt my 915. Unfortunately, I recently moved and his shop is just too far from my new location.

mike621 · 03-10-2022, 12:12 PM

Thanks for the recommendations. Bringing it by ABP for a look next week.

thetorch · 03-10-2022, 01:09 PM

RMG in Mountain View. Ask for Bob G, who did mine. Great guy, 40 years of experience.

Matt Monson · 03-10-2022, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thetorch

RMG in Mountain View. Ask for Bob G, who did mine. Great guy, 40 years of experience.

Like I said above, Bob retired. His old employee, Dan owns the shop now. Does great work but not gearboxes.

thetorch · 03-10-2022, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt Monson

Like I said above, Bob retired. His old employee, Dan owns the shop now. Does great work but not gearboxes.

In his retirement, Bob still does some transmissions. He rebuilt my 915 last year, and when I asked him a few months ago, he was happy to take a transmission job referral.

Doesn't hurt to ask Dan, or I can put someone in touch with Bob to see if he has time.

He's a terrific guy and has taught me a bunch.

Matt Monson · 03-10-2022, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thetorch

In his retirement, Bob still does some transmissions. He rebuilt my 915 last year, and when I asked him a few months ago, he was happy to take a transmission job referral.

Doesn't hurt to ask Dan, or I can put someone in touch with Bob to see if he has time.

He's a terrific guy and has taught me a bunch.

I sent someone to Dan last fall and they declined the job. They told the customer Bob wasn't doing them any more. I've stopped referring people there as a result. If you're friendly with Bob, you might let him know.

Regards,

Matt Monson
Guard Transmission LLC

thetorch · 03-11-2022, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt Monson

I sent someone to Dan last fall and they declined the job. They told the customer Bob wasn't doing them any more. I've stopped referring people there as a result. If you're friendly with Bob, you might let him know.

Regards,

Matt Monson
Guard Transmission LLC

That makes sense in terms of how we have different info.

Maybe Bob is only doing referrals / work for people he knows. I'll checkin and see.

Dan and Dan were so busy last time I talked to them they were turning away certain more complicated or one-off type work (PPIs, carb tuning, etc.).

Matt Monson · 03-11-2022, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thetorch

That makes sense in terms of how we have different info.

Maybe Bob is only doing referrals / work for people he knows. I'll checkin and see.

Dan and Dan were so busy last time I talked to them they were turning away certain more complicated or one-off type work (PPIs, carb tuning, etc.).

Yeah, no idea if their arrangement changed. Bob called me when he retired, and told me to keep sending gearbox referrals. That’s what I had continued doing. The one they turned down was a $12k 993 build that CMS did instead.

They also turned down a member’s 930 just last week for some other work. They said they didn’t have room for it. So maybe they do have too much work.

Mahler9th · 03-11-2022, 01:11 PM

I know all of the players mentioned-- 20-30 years.

I also have a bunch of my own experience.

Sounds like you are going to start with the shop in Oakland.

Modderman's (Dave) and (Tony) Heyer Performance and Mt. View are friends, friends with each other, expert and experienced.

They both supported the World Championship-winning 935 team run out of Mt. View back in the day.

Sportech In Campbell is also top notch.

Also Don Wise in Campbell.

If you get into subtleties feel free to reach out via PM.

Tony V · 03-11-2022, 01:25 PM

Hey Mike,
Tony Hyer has also retired. One of his mechanics is now working at Daves.

mike621 · 08-09-2022, 02:21 PM

Thanks for all of your input here.

I went to see Chris and Brian at ABP in Oakland. $5k later and I have a rebuilt 915 filled with Swepco and a billet bearing plate.

Now if I could just get the other things done and get this drivetrain back in the car...

Matt Monson · 08-09-2022, 02:27 PM

Thank you for the business. I supplied the plate. I only assume it’s you because Brian bought one two weeks ago.

If Brian didn’t explain to you, we’re the only heat treated one out there (last I checked). It’s why it costs more than the others, but it’s stiffer and built for Motorsports applications. You should basically be good for life.

pgeorgeson · 08-09-2022, 06:05 PM

Looks like you are in good shape here. But just to clean up the record, Jerry at JWE has tried to retire, but has failed. He still spends 2 to 3 days a week in the shop. In addition to Jerry, Steve D. in Cotati is another Porsche whisperer whose work can’t be beat

winders · 08-09-2022, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pgeorgeson

Looks like you are in good shape here. But just to clean up the record, Jerry at JWE has tried to retire, but has failed. He still spends 2 to 3 days a week in the shop. In addition to Jerry, Steve D. in Cotati is another Porsche whisperer whose work can’t be beat

Yep, I had a nice long talk with Jerry Woods a week or so ago and he is still rebuilding Porsche transmissions...

yelcab1 · 08-10-2022, 05:47 AM

Retirement is overrated. A man is lucky he has a hobby that he loves to do with his time off.

As far as the gearbox, it looks like you need to find and buy a different gearbox.