staska911

Hello all. I'm a new member to the site and a relatively new Porsche owner. Recently acquired a 1986 911 Cabriolet. Engine needs rebuilt (may upsize) plus would like some other restorations and maybe paint. Can anyone recommend a shop in the SoCal area? I've done some searching and have noticed some of the bad shops, but who are the good guys? If not in SoCal how, about western US?

MUSSBERGER

Need to narrow it down a bit.

Oh............ and welcome.

staska911

OK. Let's say engine rebuild/upgrade. 3.2 to 3.? Southern California area. Thanks.

rusnak

In So Cal, you have a universe of options to go with. What are your hp goals, type of driving, budget, etc etc.

These guys look very competent in the So Cal area.
http://redlinetechnik.com/

But honestly, you have so many choices you need to be a lot more specific.

ofishbein

Foreign Sport Technician in Santa Monica - very good at all things Porsche, Ferrari, and Lamborghini, and very reasonable too.

TRE Motorsports in Van Nuys are air-cooled specialists in the valley.

I guess it depends on where you are and how far you want to drive. I've dealt with them both quite a bit and have never had a bad experience.

misterbeverlyhills

+1 for Redline, had 2 engines built with them a long time ago. Stay away from TRE, if you are in the valley the best is TLG Auto, Tony and Marco Gerace handle anything 911 and build the best most reliable factory spec motors.
www.tlgauto.com

recordmanv

my recommends for socal:

Carreras 6 in Pasadena for body work, paint, restorations, anything really. Expensive, but honest professionals that will not disapoint. Scott is the owner, he gets his hands dirty and lives and breathes vintage Porsches. There always seems to be real RS 911 engine rebuilds or 911 rs restores going on there...great shop just to "have a look around"


On the westside, German Car Service for maintenance and rebuilds. Jeff Buckley is your guy and 911 expert. I have had a complete rebuild on engine and trans and they know there stuff. They have maintained my car for nine years and over 120k miles. I think the owner Bruno has been there since the early seventies. Air cooled 911s are there specialty.

Good luck!

recordmanv

I should mention GCS is located in santa Monica. Also I would avoid Otto's in Venice, I have heard horror stories about them and also had bad personal experince with them. They are arrogant, rude, expensive, and have the dirtiest shop.
If it hasn't already been mentioned, under no circumstances take your car to motor meister!

Ed Hughes

you may say stay awY from TRE, but there are a number of Socal enthusiasts that would say they are great.

misterbeverlyhills

I realize that and I think the world of Dave and Jeremy personally. Experience of repair work itself there has led me to take my car elsewhere. I cannot speak for the herd.

On a side note, if you are ever lucky enough to get paired with John Stevenson of Otto's as a driving instructor you will be much quicker at the end of that day. I have no experience with their repair work.

RevMax

" You mean John Williamson, or years ago that was Steve Williamson or is it Otto Matic today, knowing him back 30 years he's sure changed his name a few times. That said he is damn fast on the track, probably more laps at Willow Springs then anyone."

misterbeverlyhills

He like Otto these days and holds the track record at Streets of Willow. I had him for a day and we (he) took 3 seconds off my previous best. He is quick, driving my car I was impressed with his car handling but frankly he has a totally different line which seemed all wrong to me until I gave up and tried it.
Going into the bowl we gained 5 car lengths on faster cars that had just been waved by on the straight. Same going into the skid pad.

Sboxin

Call Jeff at AASE Motors in Fullerton.

AASE Motors
1104 E. Elm St.
Fullerton, Ca 92831
Jeff Erickson (714) 992-2283

We have a 3.2 in a 78 911 track car built by them.

You know that an engine rebuild is expensive, right??

Also, look up the Porsche Owners Club web sight for their forum discussions.

Good luck,
Roy