Check with Texas Track Works, at MSR-C this weekend they recommended a shop, but I'm old have forgotten the name already.
Is there a reputable shop in the ftw area to do an NB 1.8 build? 40 over, crank balance, head work etc. Fellow i used on the 1.6 has moved from austin area to Conroe so i am looking for something closer.
Steve E
Check with Texas Track Works, at MSR-C this weekend they recommended a shop, but I'm old have forgotten the name already.
'99 Emerald Green - 2015 NASA Texas TTE Season Champion (showing up is really 100% of it)
Thanks. Spoke with them but not much help. Will see what pans out. Likely will go back to Gilfus or Prather.
Check with Andy Cost. He's rebuilt a few engines.
Granbury is a long, long way from my house, 3 hrs round trip.
'99 Emerald Green - 2015 NASA Texas TTE Season Champion (showing up is really 100% of it)
Automotive machine! Great shop, I have had nothing but great service there.
I had the opposite experience with AMS. Took them 2 motors:
1. 1.8. They left grit in the head from blasting. This ruined a '99 head and 2 camshafts. The head also had extreme intake valve wear (would wear out to the point of missing in 15 track hours). Pulled the head twice . . . once for a rebuild by AMS under warranty -- intake valves wore out again . . . second time went to my local guy in Granbury -- has been going strong ever since. Short block wasn't much better -- uses oil and smokes.
2. 1.6. They had this engine for more than a year! Every week . . . "it'll be ready in a couple of weeks . . . ." I just put this engine into service and am near 300 miles on the break-in. So far, so good, but I'm concerned about the valves. I hope they hold up since the seats were done on the same machine as the 1.8.
Eric is a good machinist but was overwhelmed with work and had employee churn during this time period (early '14 to mid '15). Any shop can have its issues, but I sure bore the brunt. I won't go back.
Last edited by hornetball; 09-17-2015 at 08:10 AM.
AMS did my head work last time around. No problems. He even gave me a tour of the shop and explained to me what each of the machine tools did! I never saw anybody actually working any of the machines. I imagine it is hard to find and keep good machinists these days.
I would not hesitate use them again, although I do prefer to assemble the engine components myself.
What's left of a '96 Miata with stock clutch.
My car exceeds my driving ability. That's the only possible explanation.