Head Gasket: Need Bay Area Mechanics
#1
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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.
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.
#2
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Location: San Jose, CA
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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.
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.
#3
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Kansas - BAIC 4 LIFE!
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Car Info: 04 Forester XT/96 Brighton Project
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.
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.
#5
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Location: San Jose, CA
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Car Info: 2006 WRX wagon
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
#6
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Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: San Jose/Central Valley, CA
Posts: 670
Car Info: (sold)2004 WRB STi, MY05 WRX Wagon
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
https://aamotorworks.com/#/home
He basically won all my business now
#7
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Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: San Jose-ish
Posts: 76
Car Info: '06 OBS Special Edition
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
#11
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#12
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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.
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.
#13
Registered User
Thread Starter
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.
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.
How much would a 2.5 hybrid build run?
#14
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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
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
#15
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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.