Detroit/Ann Arbor Area

[Bowling]

Any recommended performance shops in the area that are good with engine rebuild and suspension work.
Thanks,

[wcc]

We live in "Made in America" towns. We aren't really in Porsche Country up here. There maybe something around there but I'm not sure. I live in Lansing and I take my cars to University Foreign or East Side Foreign. They both have done good work for me. At East Side the owner has raced bugs, owned P-cars so he is good with air cooled cars. I would trust him with the engine rebuild. Just to let you know they both aren't in the greatest part of town. You'll get the feeling that you wouldn't want to leave you car there, but I don't like leaving my car anywhere!

If I were you, I would look in my local phone book for a foreign car repair shop. Then just stop in and ask them. Sort of like a mini interview. That way you can see the place and get a feel from them on how well they know P-cars. Ask them if they ever worked on one or which ones they are familiar with. Ask specific questions to see how they are familiar with the car. If you do it in person you'll get a better feel if they are being honest or not in their answers.

BTW let me know what you find out. I'm curious about this one too.

Good Luck!

EDIT: Just to let you know that these are repair shops not race prep type shops.

[tab tanner]

Autobahn Garage in Findlay ohio, about 1 hour south of Toledo 419-957-7210. Porsche repair custom welding and race car prep

[Daveinclarkston]

Try Auto Europe in Birmingham or Munks Motors in the Pontiac/Waterford area. Both do a lot of Porsche work. I use Auto Eruope for my 911 work and am very happy with them.

[Kurt peterson]

Bowling,
I am looking at our Rally Sport Region newsletter, the Bahn Stormer, and see the following ads:
Munk's 248-681-8081
Automotive Techniques 248-615-8964
Auto Doctor 248-355-1505
There's also a place in Keego Harbor but I can't remember their name.

I do my own work work so I have no experience with any of them, but the first 2 have been long time advertisers in our newsletter.

[Oh Haha]

Kurt, welcome aboard!
I figured you would use your license plate for your user name.
Nikolas Motorsport is in Keego Harbor. They advertise in the SE MI PCA newsletter. I , too do my own work but have heard good things about Munk's in Waterford. They do a lot of tech sessions and support the local PCA guys.

[Kurt peterson]

Hey Wayne,
I actually got the idea for my plate from an old post so I can't claim ownership. I was suprised it was still available, I guess we don't have many creative people in MI.

There are several "European" repair shops in Ann Arbor but I have no idea if they are experienced in Porsche repairs. I've also heard good things about Munk's.

[carmad]

I would recommend Munks, they rebuilt my engine 2 years ago still going strong, no issues. They will let you be involved in the process if you want to learn. I spent a great deal of time there and learned a lot. Now I do all my own work. Good guys. The main Porsche guy is Dave Laing.

[304065]

Call Eurotec in Ann Arbor. Reasonable price.

[kach22i]

No ET, ET go home.

I live in Ann Arbor, have not tried P.A.T. in Ann Arbor, have heard good and bad.

Could be worth the trip to Automotive Techiques (Farmington Hills), heard nothing but good things about them.

[Bowling]

Thanks for the recommendations, much appreciated.

[SCHNELE]

You really should contact Neil Goldberg, I have experience with Munk's, Dave is a good tech, my neighbor Randy Rendenok (sp) uses Auto Europe seems to like them Kern from Fred Lavery has been a gold mine for me PM me for more details I drive a well developed 930 that both Dave Laing and Kern have done work on, in terms of diagnosis of a problem Kern is far superior.

[diverdan]

Don't know about full service shops, but Mike at Williams Porsche in Lansing is very patient and meticulous. For machine work, Kyle Bradley in Saint Johns is very good with block and head machining. I still like the Califonia guys for tricky crankshaft repair. Good luck.

Diverdan

[911nut]

I highly recommend Jeff Jones at Automotive Techniques. He specializes in the older 911' s and his prices are reasonable (unlike Munks).
FYI, I have an acquaintance who had Munks mess up MFI on his 911 S and someone here on the board had lots of trouble with Nkolas.

[JCR]

I do NOT recommend Munks! Especially if you have an early car. Although I will say Dave Laing knows his stuff and I did get a great alignment done by him.
Otherwise, they have a way of squeezing you HARD for every last piece of change in your pocket (re: above alignment, they actually called me and said they needed to charge an extra hour for "research" on how to remove the factory rocker trim - UNBELIEVABLE!!) I have had significant problems with their work - as have friends of mine. I like that they support the local PCA group events - but I will not go back there for service.

Jeff Jones (Automotive Techniques) is good to deal with, reasonable prices, cares about his work. He can get busy, so things sometimes take longer than they should, can also be a bit forgetful.

Unfortunately, I have found nobody that REALLY understands early 911s around here. I would like someone to reinstall my MFI - but I would not trust anyone around here with that job! They have a hard enough time with carbs!!

[SCHNELE]

SECOND, ABOVE

[KS120196]

Originally posted by JCR
I do NOT recommend Munks! Especially if you have an early car. Although I will say Dave Laing knows his stuff and I did get a great alignment done by him. Otherwise, they have a way of squeezing you HARD for every last piece of change in your pocket ...

Couldn't agree more. If you don't INSIST on Dave Laing, you're gonna get some bonehead former HVAC tech performing disassembly tasks, damaging parts in the process, and missing crucial inspection steps that will shorten the job and save you money in the end.

Consider leaving Michigan, the Cradle of American Mediocrity, if you want to drive a Porsche.

[cegerer]

The best 911 shop in Michigan is Reliable Carriers in Canton. They can ship your car anywhere in the country.

[mkimber]

I concur with JCR, Schnele, and KS12096 re Munk's. Couldn't said it better myself.

[vesnyder]

Have worked with Autobahn Garage in Findlay and they do good work and is a good guy. I also know some MI guys that take their 911's to Autobahn Extremist in the Cleveland area - local wrench who is passionate about the marque and will spend the time to assess what you need. Good luck. A dependable 911 wrench is tough to find.