Need a shop recommendation for engine work in MD area

[Jackcat559]

Well the head gasket on my 530 needs to be replaced. There are quite few indicators it's been comprimised. Including a leakdown test showing the compression 20psi less in two side by side cylinders, than the other four. I going to DIY the gasket, but need someone to check over the cylinder head.



Has anyone had similar work done by RRT, or could recommend them? They seem to have a good reputation. Is there another shop in the area that I should look into?





http://www.roadracetech.com/index.php





Thanks,



Richard

[Neil]

RRT is rebuilding my motor right now. I've been quite involved with it and couldn't be more pleased with their approach and work. I have no reservations recommending them.

Neil

[Jackcat559]

cool thanks for the recommendation.

[JohnnyBgood95]

These guys too:)http://www.benchmarkmotors.com

[tenfifteen]

http://atspeedmotorsports.com/ (Hanover)

[Jackcat559]

Thanks fellas for the alternative shops.

At Speed quoted me $850 to install springs in the e39, so I'm lead to beleive they may be out sight (price wise) to look at the cylinder head. (I later installed the springs myself over a weekend)

I've never heard of Bench Mark. Is there any personal experience with the shop?

[YellowM3Turbo]

Go to

Martin's Auto Service
Dan Martin
8100 H Beechcraft Avenue
Gaithersburg, Maryland 20879
301-926-8977
BMWmaster1960@aol.com

I took my car their for plenty of work and was pleased with the work.

[magnetic1]

My car is also at RRT. Will be getting some cam timing issues fixed as well as clutch. They also did a couple HGs for me...

How will you get the car there on a blown HG though?

[tenfifteen]

Thanks fellas for the alternative shops.

At Speed quoted me $850 to install springs in the e39, so I'm lead to beleive they may be out sight (price wise) to look at the cylinder head. (I later installed the springs myself over a weekend)

I've never heard of Bench Mark. Is there any personal experience with the shop?
Yowza. They've only done tech and a "because-I-was-too-lazy" brake flush for me. Tech was free, brake flush was $75 total. $850 for springs is pretty high though, wow.

[The Man]

I would defiantly recommend RRT they fixed plenty of problems on my car that I would have never figured out.

[nick325xit 5spd]

If you're going to DIY the head gasket replacement, RRT is not a machine shop. (Unless something has changed that I'm not aware of.) Burtonsville Machine Shop did a nice shop when I took an M54 head to them to check over.

[JohnnyBgood95]

Thanks fellas for the alternative shops.

At Speed quoted me $850 to install springs in the e39, so I'm lead to beleive they may be out sight (price wise) to look at the cylinder head. (I later installed the springs myself over a weekend)

I've never heard of Bench Mark. Is there any personal experience with the shop?

Sorry at my attempt at humor... I work at Benchmark, we have several overheated head gasket needing cars. It seems to happen a bunch (including my M3 which I pulled the head off last friday. Call me next week sometime (preferably a few hours after 8 when we open) 410.730.0990 We can discuss it.

John

[mattmartindrift]

MA-motorsports.com

just north of the 95 tunnel.

If you're closer to Annapolis, try Sarli Motorsports in Millersville.

[JamesM3M5]

We send our heads and other machine work to Tyson's Automotive Machine in Sterling, VA, 703-471-1802.

Be careful of an overheated M54 aluminum engine! They don't like being overheated after losing coolant, and the block loses its heat-treat. The threads pull out of the block when you go to torque the head bolts. I do not recommend using Time-serts or other thread repairs, since the block itself is compromised. Others have used them with varying degrees of success.

Why would you replace the valve springs? Any indication that they're weak or broken? Doing the valve springs with the head still on the block will easily cost $800+, otherwise it's about 1.5 hours of labor once you have the head off, ready to go.

[RRT]

James,

I assume he was talking about suspension springs, not valve springs. I could be wrong.

Barry

[Jackcat559]

We send our heads and other machine work to Tyson's Automotive Machine in Sterling, VA, 703-471-1802.

Be careful of an overheated M54 aluminum engine! They don't like being overheated after losing coolant, and the block loses its heat-treat. The threads pull out of the block when you go to torque the head bolts. I do not recommend using Time-serts or other thread repairs, since the block itself is compromised. Others have used them with varying degrees of success.

Why would you replace the valve springs? Any indication that they're weak or broken? Doing the valve springs with the head still on the block will easily cost $800+, otherwise it's about 1.5 hours of labor once you have the head off, ready to go.


The engine has never overheated (thank GOD) . I've had the car since it had 11 miles on it.

As of right now the budget is light, so there woun't be any performance enhancements TO the head. That's unless you can recommend something. In that case I'll have to save for a bit longer.

Is there anything you would recommend to do to an M54 head with a blower? I'd eventually like to bump the boost a couple psi with a tune. As of right now the car also has a full 3" exhaust with headers.