Reputable Machine Shops near NE Ohio

[Darbshaw]

Does anyone have a lead on tried and true machine shops near NE Ohio? I’m potentially going through rebuilding an engine after mine windowed the block.

VAC Motorsport is within a reasonable driving distance, but I’ve heard mixed reviews on their parts.

Partee Racing: I haven’t called them but I’d imagine they’ll stick strictly with fully built engines

The closer the better, having a torque plate on hand is a plus. Most of the shops near me deal with a lot of domestic, so ideally I’d goto one that others have used in the past for our cars

[bigjae46]

It is incredibly difficult to find a good machine shop. I've learned that some machine shops are better at certain things that others. I'd almost say you need two machine shops. One to do the work and the other to double check/verify. You're effed if the motor blows up soon after the rebuild. All you'll get is a lot of finger pointing. I lucked out and lived in Wichita which has a lot of aerospace industry. So I'd maybe look at a shop in an area that has aerospace or some other industry that has high precision requirements. I think you get people who worked in that industry and then branch out.

It will be way cheaper and less riskier to throw in a lower mileage used motor that hasn't been opened up. Rod bearings, vanos, CPV ring, OFH gasket, and valve job. Send it.

Nothing against Partee Racing and only time will tell...but there are quite a few of these BMW engine builders out there and were out there that start strong and then end up as trash. Lang Racing anyone?

[Darbshaw]

It is incredibly difficult to find a good machine shop. I've learned that some machine shops are better at certain things that others. I'd almost say you need two machine shops. One to do the work and the other to double check/verify. You're effed if the motor blows up soon after the rebuild. All you'll get is a lot of finger pointing. I lucked out and lived in Wichita which has a lot of aerospace industry. So I'd maybe look at a shop in an area that has aerospace or some other industry that has high precision requirements. I think you get people who worked in that industry and then branch out.

It will be way cheaper and less riskier to throw in a lower mileage used motor that hasn't been opened up. Rod bearings, vanos, CPV ring, OFH gasket, and valve job. Send it.

Nothing against Partee Racing and only time will tell...but there are quite a few of these BMW engine builders out there and were out there that start strong and then end up as trash. Lang Racing anyone?

I'll give that a shot and see what I can find around here. We have NASA and a few aerospace manufacturers so I may take a crack at that if possible.

I'm still leaning towards refreshing a running engine like we talked about. Although the only difference from what you mentioned is I'd likely do a head gasket as well. This first engine had one blow on me when I made this post I found someone willing to sell me an old engine needing rebuilt for DIRT cheap. Figured I'd atleast see if there were any promising offers out there. At this point I'm actually looking at just buying and parting out a cheap running example to make recoup some expenses.

[bigjae46]

I'll give that a shot and see what I can find around here. We have NASA and a few aerospace manufacturers so I may take a crack at that if possible.

I'm still leaning towards refreshing a running engine like we talked about. Although the only difference from what you mentioned is I'd likely do a head gasket as well. This first engine had one blow on me when I made this post I found someone willing to sell me an old engine needing rebuilt for DIRT cheap. Figured I'd atleast see if there were any promising offers out there. At this point I'm actually looking at just buying and parting out a cheap running example to make recoup some expenses.

I'd maybe do the head gasket if its higher mileage. Then you should also do the timing cover seals and front main. Should also deck the head or at least check it.

Me? I'd send it. It is super easy to yank the front end which makes the job MUCH easier. Takes me about 10 -15 minutes.

[Chrisyphus]

Nothing against Partee Racing and only time will tell...but there are quite a few of these BMW engine builders out there and were out there that start strong and then end up as trash. Lang Racing anyone?

We've built hundreds of S54s lol this is one of our core business functions since inception. We have only ever had one fail and that was because one of the three shops that handled it forgot to torque the harmonic balancer bolts... and even then Peter replaced the crank at no cost because he felt it was our fault because they were out of stock at the time, and the customer wanted the engine nownownow, so we shipped it without the balancer installed.

[bigjae46]

We've built hundreds of S54s lol this is one of our core business functions since inception. We have only ever had one fail and that was because one of the three shops that handled it forgot to torque the harmonic balancer bolts... and even then Peter replaced the crank at no cost because he felt it was our fault because they were out of stock at the time, and the customer wanted the engine nownownow, so we shipped it without the balancer installed.

I've never had any dealings with Partee Racing...this was a general statement. I have seen many, many, many names come and then go since 2003, a lot of BMW experts did not turn out to be good business owners. Lots of promises made with cheap words. Ususally vendors that are easily offended...let's say they usually don't have a good reputation.

So I get why you are offended but this all rings hollow without a loooooong track record. Although I will say you guys seem to be a step up from most.

[Chrisyphus]

I've never had any dealings with Partee Racing...this was a general statement. I have seen many, many, many names come and then go since 2003, a lot of BMW experts did not turn out to be good business owners. Lots of promises made with cheap words. Ususally vendors that are easily offended...let's say they usually don't have a good reputation.

So I get why you are offended but this all rings hollow without a loooooong track record. Although I will say you guys seem to be a step up from most.

I think it is hard to interpret tone. We have never talked before, and I need to be aware that I am new to this forum, so the members here aren't used to my tongue-in-cheek communication style. Let me clarify- I am not offended by your original comment about us lol, I just saw an opportunity to use a meme that cracks me up (it's MJ talking about how he drastically over-reacted to one of his teammates' decisions). You're absolutely right that shops that can't tolerate any negative feedback are typically doomed- How they present to the public is typically a positive version of how they behave internally, so if you're being toxic in the public sphere... yikes.

[bigjae46]

I think it is hard to interpret tone. We have never talked before, and I need to be aware that I am new to this forum, so the members here aren't used to my tongue-in-cheek communication style. Let me clarify- I am not offended by your original comment about us lol, I just saw an opportunity to use a meme that cracks me up (it's MJ talking about how he drastically over-reacted to one of his teammates' decisions). You're absolutely right that shops that can't tolerate any negative feedback are typically doomed- How they present to the public is typically a positive version of how they behave internally, so if you're being toxic in the public sphere... yikes.

Got it...usually I have an excellent sarcasm detector. lol.

I know of Peter from E46Fanatics and social media. It definitely helps that he seems personable and likeable. Just to be clear, Partee Racing is one of the few BMW vendors that I root for.

[bavarian3]

I have seen many, many, many names come and then go since 2003, a lot of BMW experts did not turn out to be good business owners..

This reminds me of HPF 💀