I got bad compression and leak down numbers on my 125k mile Evo 8 and I might be in over my head trying to address all the work myself. I e-tune with a shop in California but I live in Arkansas and it would be nice if I had a shop that was closer that could do the work and re-tune. Can anyone recommend any good shops that can handle an overhaul maybe in Texas or closer to Arkansas.

FWIW...the possible plans
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Goals:
- Daily driver that I plan on keeping forever. I'm the original owner and keep it in impeccable shape and even show the car.
- Mods that bring about some more power, but most important is to keep with the longevity goals and DD.

Vehicle Details:
- 125k mileage Evo8
- E85 flex e-tune, FIC 1200 injectors, stock MAF, stock turbo, GSC S2 cams/spring, 3" turbo back exhaust, 255 walbro (own 450 I haven't installed yet), COP, ARP studs, 3.5" FMIC, Evo 9 crushed BOV
- ACT HDSS clutch has 30k on it
- TC was rebuilt at 96k by Shep
- Transmission is starting to show 5th gear synchro issues

Pondering a shop doing all of this:
1. Since I may be deep into cost just for the head work, maybe having the bottom end rebuilt at the same time with a Stage 1 setup and stronger components. I don't want to be back into the engine in the next 20 years.
2. Have the transmission refreshed and a new ACT HDSS installed
3. Turbo changed to FP Red ball bearing. I am hoping I can just use a 2.5-3.25 reducer and keep with the stock MAF if that is still a good setup. Still targeting power that doesn't eat up the HDSS clutch.
4. Current water pump is bad but I have an entire OEM pump and timing kit, including new bolts for all the pulleys.

 

You should look into Evolution Dynamics in the Dallas area. Good friend of mine in San Antonio had them completely build his IX to around 900 hp and had nothing but great things to say about them. They've been in the Evo business a long time and know their stuff.

 

Personally I would prefer not to leave my car in any shop anymore. I already got a lot of scratches and dents from them. some weird discoloration on the paint and permanent stain on the headlights i was forced to upgrade. several parts break too and they intstall random bolts, that is if they install the bolts at all. problems are just too many to count. I had a guy local to me build my engine and I installed it myself. good time to clean the engine bay and install upgrades too

 

1.I would do everything at once, i also faced this same situation a couple years ago, and i left it in the garage for about 2 years, then decided to have the entire motor done completely. I didnt want to have to open mine again for a while, so i let a well trusted shop do everything. They did a great job for me, and i was happy with the work.
2. I did not do the trans with the motor, it was a after thought, i should have done that as well, because 500 miles after getting my car back, i had it back in for the trans to be rebuilt, and a new clutch to go with it.
3. i have a red style from AGT, and i am very happy with it. i have injen piping and i am able to run this setup so you should not have a issue at all.

 

What hp numbers are you pushing? Just curious, though I would think that would impact whether or not a turbo replacement is necessary.

 

I'm only at maybe 410-430WHP. It is E-tune so only virtual dyno numbers. I'm on flex and 28/29psi. With 125k miles on the turbo and 5 years of the extra HP, I was thinking maybe I should just assume it is going to break on me at some point and swap it out also. I really don't want to be back into the engine any time soon.

 

I hear you on that. The few times I have had my car anywhere, it comes back with things I have to fix. My only issue is that I don't have any shops that know these engines in my area. I have a call with my tuner Bains in SF California to see what he thinks. That is a looong way to bring my car though. If I am bringing it out of my garage, I am removing the headlights, front bumper, rear CF defuser, swapping to old steering wheel, removing my under glow & engine lights, and removing all the carbon fiber parts I can.

I just don't have the tools or talent to pull the engine and do it myself, not to mention I am paranoid I will forget a step and screw it up. I do all the maintenance and work myself including pump/timing change but pulling the engine and trans is new territory.

 

Thanks for the recommendation. I have them on my list to call as well. I'm just hoping there is no conflicts with my current E-tune/flash (flex setup) is currently with a shop in California and if they can also access and tune it.

 

I spent a lot of money just simply showing my support to all these businesses but its just not worth it IMO. best I can do is save the car at least. save the wire loom, welded nuts and bolts on the frame. I'm personally quite lazy to use power tools but subconsciously I know they cause more problems if used to frequently. Shop techs dont care.
Since I'm shipping transmissions, TCs and diffs to TRE I had to get a shop crane and learn to install them. Its all nuts and bolts. I dont even torque them to spec. removing the engine is just a few more nuts and bolts. I was planning to ship it to ER but communication died, but I have a few options locally
I extended my shop crane and made a few more adjustments to make it all work without removing the hood and on my tiny floor space

 

I'm almost in the same boat that you are in. I live in SoCal and my engine has 135K and is low on compression on 1 cylinder. I've been contemplating send it to either English Racing in Washington, Evolution Dynamics in Dallas, or AG in Florida for a head job, built bottom end, rebuilt trans and TC, and new turbo and clutch install. Might as well do it all since you're in there. I agree with ViscousLSD about being careful with shops. I took my car to a local shop that specializes in Evos to have them replace my timing belt at 90K miles and all I got was a runaround of lies and delays and damaged paint and a lost wheel key when I got my car back. After that I started to do a ton of research on reputable shops and narrowed my choices down to the 3 I previously mentioned.

 

its sad that this is what its come to regarding the shops in socal, its either they take on more than they can handle and then panic and try to bust jobs out and end up giving out a sub-optimal product and service, or you have the very few and far between shops here that do a consistent good job, but they stay off social media and arent the ones chasing HP numbers, theyre making healthy cars and happy customers who return time and time again. (at least thats my story, for the last 12 years).
i had my motor rebuilt and havent had a single issue with it in 3 years.

 

Who rebuilt your engine?

 

Thanks everyone for the recommendations and input. I just spoke with Kevin at Evolution Dynamics and I think I will be bringing it to him to completely rebuild. Getting the works...Stage 2 bottom end, head rebuilt, FP Red, transmission rebuilt, new clutch, etc. Kevin is a sharp guy and they appear to be good to work with. Evolution Dynamics is only 5 hours from me so that isn't too bad also.

 

cool, please report back with the point of failure on your engine. I’m sure you’re on top of maintenance so I’m curious what lead to low compression.

 

consider yourself lucky if the job is actually done in a timely manner, even if the job was not perfect. you'll have to spend time to check their work anyway. I've caught and sorted several issues. theres a high chance the guy who disassembled it wont be there anymore, so another random guy who got cut from another shop is going to put it together (probably his initiation lol). theres just too many issues from this situation. then theres situations where they need your car pushed out of the lift/shop to make room. there's also a surcharge now for keeping your car indoors like thats premium service so noone breaks into it or keep it away from leaves and sap etc. its f'd up