Shop check Ft. Lauderdale *newb post*

[Jims5543]

Has anyone heard of a shop called Prototech in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida?

Please excuse me if this really a newb question.

I have lusted after 911's since I was 19 and my cousin let me take his '73 911T for a day. It was a track ready 3.0 litre monster that I have wanted to be my own to this day.

I settled 3 years ago for a 87 RX-7 Turbo and over the last 3 years have sank close to 40K in custom work into it. I have declared it "finished" (are hobby cars ever done?) and have decided to sell my John Cooper Works Mini CooperS and buy a 911/930.

I have found a very nice '89 Carrera that has had close to $25K in engine mods by this shop called Prototech. It has 400HP and sounds like its right up my alley.

I did a google search on Prototech and came up with very little. I am not too concerned by that as I have found over the years that shops without an Internet presence are not necessarily bad. Some of the most impressive work I have ever seen has been by unknowns to the Internet world.

But, I would like that warm fuzzy feeling that this shop is legit and not a hack shop. I kind of doubt it since what little I did find seems to indicate they are a top notch shop. I just thought I would check further. A fellow auto-crosser pointed me to this site.


I have been trolling for a couple of weeks now and as I get closer to a purchase decided to log in and ask some questions. I printed out the "what to look for" write up from the f.a.q. section it was very informative. I own a couple of books, and have followed these cars (or should I say lusted after) for many many years.

I am finally going to realize my dream.

[armandodiaz]

If this is going to be a track car have it PPI at Foreign Affairs in Pompano. Talk to Bob and let him know Armando sent you. He is all about racing and he'll let you know what is really going on with that car.

[imcarthur]

Welcome Jim.

Sorry I can't help further, but try a search here on Pelican & you will also find some favorable comments. Make sure you get a PPI from a wrench that knows what he's looking at before you slap down your cash.

Ian

[Jims5543]

It will be a somewhat daily driver. I put 13K miles on my Mini over 2 years because I could not leave my RX-7 in the garage. The RX-7 is the primary AutoX / Track car. I also have a Dakota Quad Cab that I drive on rainy days. (actual rainy days not occasional days)

The 911 will see an Autocross or open track day from time to time but it is not the primary reason for the purchase. I want it for daily driving duties mainly.

Now for NewB questions.

1. What is a PPI? I have seen it here but do not know what the letters mean. I am guessing a full check up on the car including compression and leak down.

2. Speaking of Leak down being a test of the fuel system? To make sure the injectors are not crapping out?

My cousin is friends with the owners of Black Forest Racing and suggested I give them a call to inspect the car. He has not spoken to them in years. (He lives in Jersey now) I will give Foreign affairs a call.

Thanks everyone!!

[armandodiaz]

I agree give Foreign Affairs a call anyway.

Your correct on the PPI. However a leakdown test fills you combustion camber with air and notes if there are any leaks in the rings, valves, guides...

Trust me once you take your 911 on the track, you'll put your RX7 for sale. If you don't plan on selling your RX7, maybe you shouldn't track your car.

I had a car for 20yrs and swore by it. Once I bought my 911 and tracked it that car has been up for sale.

[Jims5543]

Originally posted by armandodiaz
I had a car for 20yrs and swore by it. Once I bought my 911 and tracked it that car has been up for sale.

The RX-7 is a monster so much so that is not much of a street car anymore. 500# springs, swaybars the size of you're forearm, etc.. My wife will not ride in it anymore.

She is already excited about the 911 and suggested a babysitter and trip up northwest of orlando where the roads are more fun.

Enthusiasts always think their particular car is the best. I am sure that a 911 equally modified would be just as much as a delight to drive, but, when Autocrossing the RX-7, this car sets Fastest Times of the day consistantly, and trust me, the Vette boys get really mad.

Here is where the Porsche stands apart from the RX-7. The RX-7 blue books for $3500. That little fact alone is reason enough for me to never sell it. I have too much in it. I plan on enjoying it for years to come.

There is room in the garage for both of them.

If you have an open mind and like different kinds of cars take a look:
http://www.jims5543.com/gallery/13B-REW-powered-FC
Here is an in car vid - 1st time at this venue and scared to death 1 mistake and you're int he water or mangroves so I was not pushing too hard. This was with my temporary tranny and its not to friendly. You'll understand.
Car in Action at Bay Bottom Crawl - Right Click and Save

Cannot wait to do this with the 911 too.

[donstevens]

I think that Mazda is pretty cool.

I agree with the posts that Bob Varela at Foreign Affairs and John Forbes at Black Forrest are well respected guys in the Porsche business in SF. If you want a shop closer to Jensen Beach though The best shop in your area is the 901 Shop. Brady Reffining is a second generation Porsche racer who learned form his dad Jack. They are arguably on of the best if not the best Porsche shop in all of South Florida. Their cars are consistent front runners at HSR vintage races. http://www.901shop.com/

Other options, Roger Martinez at Karerra Motorsports at 561-723-3816. He is in West Palm. Roger bought my last Porsche, a 71T Targa a year ago and I have been bummed ever since. You can also try Ernie Bello at Bello Tire in WPB. He is not a Porsche shop per se but he knows everyone in the business.

Good Luck

Don

[Jims5543]

Thanks Don,

Once I make a purchase I will look up the guys at 901.

I have 5 different cars lined up to look at right now. 2 of them are in the Ft. Lauderdale area. so I will probably use either Foreign Affairs or Black Forest for a PPI.

The good news for me is that there are a ton of 911's and 930's for sale in South Florida so I get to be picky, plus I am waiting for my MINI to sell. Although if I stumble upon "the car" I will probably move on it before the MINI is gone.

I leave in 1 hour to look at a pristine 930 in Vero Beach. This is my first car on the list. Its a little more money than I want to spend but it seems to be super clean and a new motor with 8K miles on it. Hurricane damage to this guys house is forcing sale. Man, can I relate my MINI was supposed to be gone to afford a new office. Luckily, it was the end of the year and all my clients payed thier bills in full for tax reasons. That is the only reason I still have the MINI.

[armandodiaz]

Jim I'm also in the market for a daily driver let me know what cars you didn't get so I can also look.

[Jims5543]

I looked a 2 today.

The first was a 1987 930 with a fresh engine (10K miles on rebuild) and in decent condition cosmetically.

My big concerns with the car:

The Turbo crapped the bed this weekend when he was out for his weekly ride in it. This concerned me because I got to thinking.

Why would you spend allt his money rebuilding the engine at 100K miles and NOT do anything with the turbo. It seems the coupling on the outlet side was ripped and leaking boost. The turbo was trying its darndest to get the MAP to where it was spinning like crazy and eating itself.

Why would a shop do all that work to a engine and re-use an old coupling? I am still trying to get past the fact that it had a 100K mile turbo on a fresh engine. Asking price was 35K.

I will pass on this one... for now. I need to see reciepts before I would consider this car along with an extensive PPI.

The second car was o.k. it was a 1985 911SC. 2nd owner. It was dark green with checkered patterned cloth seats. 65K original miles. The paint was a 20 foot paint job. A few door dings and scratches. but decent for original. Asking 15K. I am under the impression that the SC is a good find? No?

I am off to south Florida later in the week. I am looking at 2 more cars.

armando what are you're criteria's for a car. I have dozens bookmarked at work. Good thing I own the place or else I would be fired.

[armandodiaz]

Originally posted by Jims5543


Good thing I own the place or else I would be fired.

I don't own a place but in the same ballpark; I work for the government

Ideally, I'm looking for an 84-86 3.2 Carrera (buy the way the SC were pre 84). Decent enough condition for an daily driver (kind of the 20ft standard). Here's the kicker I'm looking for a $10-$12 car. Basically looking for someone deperate to unload. Usally I'm patient enough to wait (I can't believe I lost out on the C2 earlier today.) But by mid March I myself will start getting deperate as I'm planning a mega upgrade to my track car that will take it off the streets.