How long can I expect to wait?

JonT · 06-11-2002, 06:08 AM

Once my mechanic begins the 3.6 engine swap in my SC, how long can I expect to wait before this job is completed? Any guesstimates? The wait is driving me crazy! How can I cure my anticipatory anxiety? Any ideas? Is it possible to light a fire under my mechanic's posterior without making him angry?

Jack Olsen · 06-11-2002, 11:08 AM

It will probably take 2 to 3 times as long as his original estimate, and you'll end up buying a lot of accessory-type crap for the car while you wait.

At least that was my experience.

Then it'll go back for additional oil cooling and other mods you haven't even thought of, yet.

john walker's workshop · 06-11-2002, 11:39 AM

if you pester him, it can take longer. there's always minor(?) pitfalls on a job like this, so when it's done is when it's done. you gotta be patient. most shops can't stick to one car until it's done. they have to do other scheduled jobs too, to keep the money coming in.

JonT · 06-11-2002, 04:11 PM

Thanks Jack and John--I know you're both right. I haven't been bugging him. Maybe I'll drop off a case of beer for him to enjoy. He's supposed to start work tomorrow. A little innocent gift gesture never hurt. In the meantime I'll work on my garage getting it ready to bring my baby home. This will keep my mind off things for awhile.

pwd72s · 06-11-2002, 04:22 PM

A case of beer??? Cheapskate! I've gifted bottles of Glen Levit! (Or however it's spelled...I can't afford to drink the stuff myself, which is okay, because I don't like scotch... but if it goes towards the well being of the Porsche, the expenditure is worth it!) Bottom line? Let the pros you trust do the job you pay them to do...and don't hassle them! The job will turn out better. Trust me on this.

pbs911 · pbs911's Garage

When I had my car painted I was told 2 - 3 weeks, and anticipated a little longer. After 4 months, I pulled the car out of the shop, in pieces, and continued to finish the work myself. It was ridiculous. Now, 3 years later, the paint on the hood is lifting. I can only conclude that the unprofessional timely service is representative i nthe actual work performed.

From memory, Steve Timmons says a qualified wrench could do the converstion in about 40 hours. That's a week straight through. If the car is in the shop for longer than 2 weeks and the new motor is still on a pallet, personally, I would believe they are taking too long.

I uynderstand that other jobs have to be completed in the process, but are you not paying good money for the service too? Unless you are given a good deal on labor I would expect the same service as anyone else.

JW and other wrenchers such as Steve Alcon seem to really take the take the time to really explain the process of projects. I read where more member had complicated projects explained to them by JW, both in person and over the phone. That is quality service. It is service that is hard to find. If they say not to pester the wrench, they have personal experience to support the opinion. But I seriously doubt they would accept a project only to let it sit on the sidelines for unreasoanble amounts of time.

There is no harm in stopping by to see the progress. If it were me I'd be there every two days. Not to bother the wrench and repeately ask how much longer, but the get information regarding the progress and process. And the beer wouldn't hurt.

Sorry for ranting but my paint job experience really chapped my hide.

john walker's workshop · 06-11-2002, 05:35 PM

yeah, body shops are the worst. a visit every few days without pestering would be expected. you kind of have to pop in occasionally to see what's going on. that makes the shop want to keep the progress up for your next visit. if he doesn't see you for weeks, back burner stuff can happen. i've had people call me 3 times a day, and it kinda pisses me off after awhile, that's what i meant by pestering.

CamB · CamB's Garage

Also, the more custom or extra stuff etc you do - it all adds time. My car has taken FOREVER, it seems. It hasn't really though - I would speak to the guy every few days and I know he was always getting stuff done.

Example of why it can take time: "While it is out of the car, do you want the fan powder coated". I said yes, and it (understandably) it takes 1/2 a week to be done. Add half a week to your time estimate. Ditto oil lines. Ditto front shocks. And that is just powdercoating. Yes it would have been quicker to get them all done at once, no - we didn't think of that.

And lots of little things or waiting for parts REALLY adds up.

It definitely sucks waiting to drive the car again though.

Superman · 06-11-2002, 07:44 PM

I've found beer to be a nice gift for mechanics. I owe John a barrel of Steinlager. If I gave this job to John, I wouldn't expect him to get it done for at least a couple of week, minimum. And I think he'd be pretty uncomfortable if it would up taking months. He wouldn't let that happen. I'd probably visit the shop every couple of days or whatever is feasible. To make decisions and chat. I'm chatty.