Head Gasket: Need Bay Area Mechanics

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Old 01-13-2018, 11:14 PM
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Head Gasket: Need Bay Area Mechanics

Hey, I've been looking around the forums and I saw some mechanic shops that were recommended a while ago. Just wondering if there are any new and old places that does head gaskets. I just want a consolidated list of places that does head gasket, and if possible the prices.

I just got my 02 bugeye few months ago but there has been some leaks coming out so I'm assuming valve and head gasket hasn't been done.

Thank you in advance.
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Old 01-14-2018, 04:30 PM
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No "new" shops so to speak. I'd trust pretty much any of the specialists in the bay area to do a head gasket.
GST Motorsports in Hayward
Auto Headquarters in Mountain View
Edge Motorworks in Mountain View
Mann Engineering in Santa Clara
Speed Element in San Jose

It's just a matter who where you live and how far you want to take the car.
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Old 01-15-2018, 08:41 AM
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Originally Posted by Lowend
No "new" shops so to speak. I'd trust pretty much any of the specialists in the bay area to do a head gasket.
GST Motorsports in Hayward
Auto Headquarters in Mountain View
Edge Motorworks in Mountain View
Mann Engineering in Santa Clara
Speed Element in San Jose

It's just a matter who where you live and how far you want to take the car.
LIC Motorsports in Novato as well.
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Old 01-18-2018, 08:08 AM
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RBMS in hayward
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Old 01-18-2018, 09:43 AM
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I just had my headgaskets done at PM Autoworks in San Jose. Great guys and more affordable than the major shops. Only use OEM parts or aftermarket at the request of the client. https://www.yelp.com/biz/pm-autoworks-san-jose
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Old 01-18-2018, 05:07 PM
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Got my car worked on by Adam at AA Motorworks in Mountain View. A different shop and the SJ dealer said it was headgaskets but Adam proved them both wrong. Saved me from getting work done that wasnt needed.

https://aamotorworks.com/#/home

He basically won all my business now
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Old 01-21-2018, 01:56 AM
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Originally Posted by matthepcat
I just had my headgaskets done at PM Autoworks in San Jose. Great guys and more affordable than the major shops. Only use OEM parts or aftermarket at the request of the client. https://www.yelp.com/biz/pm-autoworks-san-jose
This is the only place I've taken my car. They were a pretty new shop when I got my Subie. Only had one lift. But they've come a long way in the last year+ and it's good to see more people recommending them. Peter and Ricky are cool, honest guys and do good work for a good price.
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Old 01-31-2018, 02:52 PM
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Thank everyone for such an in depth list for head gasket service.

Do any of you know just a very rough range for how much it would run/cost in the bay?
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Old 01-31-2018, 06:22 PM
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+1 for auto headquarters in Mountain View.
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Old 01-31-2018, 07:05 PM
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Figure somewhere between $1500-$1800. Since half the engine is apart anyway, it's a good time to do other stuff like timing belt, water pump etc
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Old 02-03-2018, 01:45 PM
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Originally Posted by Lowend
Figure somewhere between $1500-$1800. Since half the engine is apart anyway, it's a good time to do other stuff like timing belt, water pump etc
Is 1500-1800 with labor and everything? I just got quoted 3000-4000 at auto headquarters
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Old 02-03-2018, 06:29 PM
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I'm guessing AHQ was quoting both head gaskets with all of the ancillary stuff I was talking about. AHQ is an honest shop and Kevin knows his stuff, I'm confident in saying he isn't ripping you off.

Book on both head gaskets is ~ $2500, so $3-4K with timing belt water pump and such isn't too far off.
Thinking of it, at those costs. I might make sense to just do a 2.5 short block and build a hybrid motor. You're already paying for 80% of the labor with both head gaskets.
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Old 02-04-2018, 09:48 PM
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Originally Posted by Lowend
I'm guessing AHQ was quoting both head gaskets with all of the ancillary stuff I was talking about. AHQ is an honest shop and Kevin knows his stuff, I'm confident in saying he isn't ripping you off.

Book on both head gaskets is ~ $2500, so $3-4K with timing belt water pump and such isn't too far off.
Thinking of it, at those costs. I might make sense to just do a 2.5 short block and build a hybrid motor. You're already paying for 80% of the labor with both head gaskets.
Yea I trust all the shops you guys recommend on this forum. Just trying to aline my quote with what you said. Kevin said it not really worth fixing my car since it's old, weak, and under body is rusted. This is my dream car since it came out.

How much would a 2.5 hybrid build run?
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Old 02-05-2018, 05:03 PM
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A Hybrid uses the 2.5 liter short block and your 2.0 liter heads, but it's a bit more complicated than that...

There's a mega-thread here
https://forums.nasioc.com/forums/sho....php?t=2360114

OEM Shortblock is about $2000
https://www.rallysportdirect.com/par...ti-short-block

If you want to go Forged it's ~$3200
https://www.outfrontmotorsports.com/...ged-shortblock

I'd bet you're into this ~ $7000 all said and done if someone else is doing the install.

You're not gonna like this... but if Kevin says the car isn't worth building, it probably isn't. It might be worth your while to find a cleaner car to start with
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Old 02-09-2018, 12:20 PM
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Originally Posted by Lowend
You're not gonna like this... but if Kevin says the car isn't worth building, it probably isn't. It might be worth your while to find a cleaner car to start with
This. I have been taking my car to Kevin since I got it in 08. I take is advice seriously. If you are super attached to your car it is a different story.
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