SE Michigan, looking for machinist/machine shop recommendations, SE Michigan

[MongoMcG]

SE Michigan (Ann Arbor area) EA888 Gen II (2011), K04 1070X, WPT Tune
Pulling the motor for new rods, pistons, rings, valves and more. Might have spun a bearing - too much time over 6K rpms for a 140,000 mile car, I suppose, so no surprise. I'll do the tear down and reassembly, but I'm looking for recommends for SE Michigan machinists/machine shops who might be familiar with the 2.0 TFSI. Thanks.

[MongoMcG]

Nevermind. I found my Huckleberry in Ann Arbor: Auto Parts Machine Shop and Service. They do the work for an Ann Arbor based indy German shop.

[Allowencer]

I personally wouldn't use them.

THE 2 best shops is Dowker Engines in Charlotte and Automotive Machine in Clinton Twp.

Automotive Machine has a deck plate and does all of my engines.

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[MongoMcG]

Thanks for the heads up and the info, because you're right - he wasn't my Huckleberry. Underwhelming, and he did not seem familiar with the 2.0T. So I called Steve's European in Waterford, actually talked to Steve, and he gave me the name of a cat on the west side of the state that does his son's performane builds, mostly VW. I made initial contact with him already, gave him a laundry list, and left a couple of decisions open to suggestion. We'll see what he comes up with.

Dowker is probably closest to me. It'd be a cool story if a well-known sprint car engine builder builds my four-banger (i assumed they only did sprint car and SBC street rods [facepalm]). Sadly, Butch Dowker passed away a few years ago. His engines dominated, and he was inducted into the Michigan Motorsports Hall of Fame about 20 years ago.

[WHT13AR]

Ok, so who is the West side cat? I'm in Milford and with 2 of these cars, will eventually be rebuilding an engine. TIA

Been to Steve's, they did the stage 1 on my '13. Expensive shop prices though. Went elsewhere for my trans service.

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[MongoMcG]

$teve'$ work is good and they take pride in it. I knew a couple of enthusiasts that went there pretty exclusively.
re: west side guy, I didn't want to put his name on the forum until I ask him if I can, which I forgot to do on the first phone call. I'll update when I know.

[Allowencer]

I've worked with Dowker for years... many years. A few different platforms. It is sad Butch passed. Terry, his son, runs the place and is the primary machinest; he's just as good. Trust me.

The head I have on my car, Terry did it. Been running this head setup since 2016. He refreshed it for me when I smacked valves due to my intake cam breaking in 2020. Still runs amazing.

Steve is solid too. Top notch work and I'd recommend him to anyone that wants turn-key solutions. If you're more hands on and what to do things a bit your own way, Steve may not be the best fit for you. Nothing wrong with it at all, but you do pay for what you get with Steve. And that includes customer service.



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[MongoMcG]

Okay, here's the shop on the west side of Michigan
https://www.facebook.com/people/Advantage-European-Auto-Parts-inc/61556187877285/?mibextid=LQQJ4d&rdid=Hyq1RC3mufUAcvNL

[Allowencer]

If Steve recommends them, then they are solid.

Another great shop in SE MI is VAST performance. Zach there has been in the biz for years. The lead tech there has a B5 he drives daily with over 1000HP. Nasty car lol. They don't do any machine work, they outsource it, but they do everything else. Zach is a great guy to work with.

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[MongoMcG]

I've worked with Dowker for years... many years. A few different platforms. It is sad Butch passed. Terry, his son, runs the place and is the primary machinest; he's just as good. Trust me.

The head I have on my car, Terry did it. Been running this head setup since 2016. He refreshed it for me when I smacked valves due to my intake cam breaking in 2020. Still runs amazing.

Steve is solid too. Top notch work and I'd recommend him to anyone that wants turn-key solutions. If you're more hands on and what to do things a bit your own way, Steve may not be the best fit for you. Nothing wrong with it at all, but you do pay for what you get with Steve. And that includes customer service.

Love this info.

[Allowencer]

This reminded me, I have a block at Dowker. I need to call him tomorrow lol

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