Air cooled performance shop in Bay Area?

[oliver.r]

I have a 78sc with ITBs, haltech ecu and MSD ignition. Doesn't seem like any of the traditional aircooled shops in the Bay Area want to touch it and the "tuning" shops all seem to specialize in water cooled 911s.
I need help diagnosing issues I'm having, any leads would be appreciated.
Thanks

[mschulz]

Don Wise at Wisewerks in Campbell gets my business.

[Mahler9th]

We have quite a few cars that use Haltech, MSD and have, or have had, ITB's. Lots of possible resources. I can make some suggestions if I know more about what you need.

More details on the engine and the nature of the problem(s) would be helpful as well as some indication about your geography preferences as the SF Bay area covers a pretty large territory.

Who built the engine and tuned the Haltech?

[winders]

Don is great. But isn't the business name "Don’s AutoWerks"? Here is the contact info:

Don’s AutoWerks
1320 Dell Ave, Suite E
Campbell, CA 95008
Phone: (408) 871-9108
http://www.donsautowerks.com

Does Don tune Haltech injection systems?

[Synchro Joe]

Tom Amon
Mobile Works West
(408) 429-0545
Mobile Porsche Repair - Mobile Works West brings the Porsche Repair SHOP to YOU

[oliver.r]

Originally Posted by mschulz

Don Wise at Wisewerks in Campbell gets my business.

Originally Posted by winders

Don is great. But isn't the business name "Don’s AutoWerks"? Here is the contact info:

Don’s AutoWerks
1320 Dell Ave, Suite E
Campbell, CA 95008
Phone: (408) 871-9108
Don Wise's AutoWorks

Does Don tune Haltech injection systems?

Originally Posted by Synchro Joe

Tom Amon
Mobile Works West
(408) 429-0545
Mobile Porsche Repair - Mobile Works West brings the Porsche Repair SHOP to YOU

thanks for the replies. these guys seem to focus more on stock-ish rebuilds and diagnosing issues on factory spec engines. i need someone with more experience with modified 911s

[oliver.r]

Originally Posted by Mahler9th

We have quite a few cars that use Haltech, MSD and have, or have had, ITB's. Lots of possible resources. I can make some suggestions if I know more about what you need.

More details on the engine and the nature of the problem(s) would be helpful as well as some indication about your geography preferences as the SF Bay area covers a pretty large territory.

Who built the engine and tuned the Haltech?

i am located in sunnyvale (south bay)
its a 3.0 w/ 10:3 compression built by power haus and assembled by mike zoch there.
i have a 6al msd on it and a older haltech. i cant find what model it is.

it was having a lot of backfire issues and overall running odd. fuel seems to be dumping into the right side of the engine a lot. since sunday the car wont start.

[bike2ride95]

Modified 911???...You don't know?
Retro-sport(.com) @ Berkeley, CA..
website speaks in volume there are Porsche mechanics and there are
"real" Porsche specialists
My RS clone is very very happy

[winders]

Jerry Woods Enterprises (JWE) in Campbell might be able to help you. They use MoTec for their builds and have an engine dyno but no chassis dyno.

[WideRide 86]

Wow, never heard of retro-sport, but they seem like the "real" porsche specialist as noted. You could just trade in your SC for the 962 they currently have for sale at their shop!

Bezerkeley is not that convenient from the South Bay, maybe jerry woods enterprises in Campbell would work for you. I understand they build quite a few of the spec 911s around here.

I've had great service from both Don Wise and Tom Amon, two of the most honest shops I've ever felt with. But I fall into that "mostly stock" category.

Good luck!

Edit: opps, simul post with "winders" for JWE info above.

[oliver.r]

Originally Posted by bike2ride95

Modified 911???...You don't know?
Retro-sport(.com) @ Berkeley, CA..
website speaks in volume there are Porsche mechanics and there are
"real" Porsche specialists
My RS clone is very very happy

JEEZE!
one word; Impressive.
Berkeley is way out there for me and honestly it looks like the might be way out of my price range. thanks for sharing!

[oliver.r]

Originally Posted by winders

Jerry Woods Enterprises (JWE) in Campbell might be able to help you. They use MoTec for their builds and have an engine dyno but no chassis dyno.

Thanks!
ill give jwe a call

[wes_r]

Did you call Sharkwerks in Fremont to see if they can assist or recommend an air-cooled tuner? Never hurts to ask.

[Mahler9th]

I have lived in this area for a long time and been active with Porsches since 1987. We have excellent resources in this area.

Thanks for the additional info. Do you think the issue(s) are basic or is tuning necessary? Has the engine ever run right since you have had it? If so, what do you think has changed?

Many of the shops with air-cooled performance experience have had some exposure to things like Haltech EFI, ITB's and aftermarket ignition systems. However as a matter of everyday business, this has not been their focus.

JWE most certainly have the kind of experience you want/need. As Scott has stated, they work pretty exclusively with Motec for EFI, as sticking to one main system creates a bit of an economy of scale. Their engine dyno is set up for Motec in terms of wiring and sensors and so on. But I know they have experience tuning with other EFI systems as well.

Another shop that I know has some experience tuning EFI with air-cooled cars is PBR restorations in Crockett. Pete has a chassis dyno, and my understanding is that he has experience with several different EFI manufacturers.

All that being said, the number 1 Haltech/MSD expert that active racers are using in the SF Bay Area is Mat Lowrance, formerly of Sportech and currently at Reno Rennsport. He has quite a few customers in the Porsche Racing Club running Haltech with MSD or similar aftermarket ignition systems. Myself and Scott are included in this group. I can give you a long list of others.

I know he has tuned early Haltech systems and currently-available Haltech systems. He maintains older PC's that run the Haltech software that cannot run on today's PC operating systems. He has been active with Haltech for a really long time. There are good reasons why he has so many customers willing to go to Reno, myself included.

If your issue(s) require tuning, and you want someone with air-cooled experience, these are all excellent choices.

Usually the Haltech systems have labeling with model numbers. Be aware that some of the systems still in use are so old that experts will tell you that you might be better off upgrading.

For what it's worth, my Haltech is an F10... over a decade old. And my ignition is twin MSD's (just converted from single MSD).

Please feel free to PM if I can help any further.

Edit:

Please note that key folks from JWE and Mat from Reno Rennsport will be up at Sears Point for the upcoming PRC races at the end of this month. Perhaps a convenient way to meet these potential resources. And the racing promises to be entertaining.

[911SauCy]

Originally Posted by bike2ride95

Modified 911???...You don't know?
Retro-sport(.com) @ Berkeley, CA..
website speaks in volume there are Porsche mechanics and there are
"real" Porsche specialists

And apparently there are Porsche prices...and there are "real" Porsche prices.

I LOL'd at $4,439 for a set of rocker arms...I mean, really laughed, guttural laughing.

[bike2ride95]

Originally Posted by 911SauCy

And apparently there are Porsche prices...and there are "real" Porsche prices.

I LOL'd at $4,439 for a set of rocker arms...I mean, really laughed, guttural laughing.

What do you know about it?? If its way out of the price range you're accustomed to,
maybe you need to inquire with them why they want $4,439.00 for it. My guess,
its not your typical rocker arms

[911SauCy]

Originally Posted by bike2ride95

What do you know about it?? If its way out of the price range you're accustomed to,
maybe you need to inquire with them why they want $4,439.00 for it. My guess,
its not your typical rocker arms

You're guess is the same as mine...

(I do get it, they're all Porsche Original Unobtanium parts...the prices they command are something out of a storybook for a DIY'er like me.)

[AdamFritsch]

Originally Posted by 911SauCy

You're guess is the same as mine...

(I do get it, they're all Porsche Original Unobtanium parts...the prices they command are something out of a storybook for a DIY'er like me.)

The rocker arms you are talking about: They are not at all like the street car rocker arms. The street car rocker is a cast piece of cheep metal, after the late 70's where all made in china and they are extremely heavy as far as valve train components go. Also they snap in half at high RPM for any extended amount of time. The racing rocker is forged to start- it is extremely lighter and stronger, and made in Germany. The street rocker adjusts with a threaded ball and swivel and a lock nut- witch in it self has many flaws and draw backs but is fine for a street driven engine. The Forged rocker is adjusted with lash caps on the valve stem making is much stronger and the valve lash stays right where it is set for a Very long time. Every Porsche Racing Engine such as RSR 2.8L and 3.0L, 935s, air cooled 962's 2.0L 910s and even later race cars all have the forged solid rocker because of is ability to stay at 8000RPM with out fail.
So any way- If you called up Porsche motor sport USA in the 80's and 90's they cost 370$ per rocker. x12 rockers = $4400 not to mention that now they are harder and harder to come by.

If you want any more info feel free to ask!