Looking for a credible machinist to overbore a 1.8T block

[Seerlah]

Long story short, dropped a valve head and engine is toast. Going to build another with upped displacement, but can not locate the shop my old machinist works in now (old one burned down, he went to a different shop, does not work there anymore, and I don't know how to find him). I live more North in Newburgh, NY but have no issue driving if the machinist will do the work correctly. If you guys know credible machinists, please list their information so I can contact them?

I will build the engine myself, but will require a machinist for the work I can not perform. That would be short block inspection, hot tank, crankshaft journal polish, proper bore (I will rent a torque plate for the machinist if they don't have one), hone, proper piston to cylinder wall clearance (piston specifications sheet), and balance of rotating assemble (clutch, crankshaft, pistons, rods).

I would prefer someone that has background with VAG engines, if possible. Thanks in advance!

Some carnage pics

[Blk rse]

James ,caste performance in jersey, google it


In garage 2018 Mercedes Benz sprinter, 2020 Toyota Tacoma TRD PRO ,2019 Audi TT RS 2018 Tiguan

[Blk rse]

Pag parts Long Island


In garage 2018 Mercedes Benz sprinter, 2020 Toyota Tacoma TRD PRO ,2019 Audi TT RS 2018 Tiguan

[Seerlah]

You are the second person to recommend Caste Performance and they are not that far of a drive from me. Thanks!

Arnold is a personal friend of mine, but he is a decent drive from me now. It was different when he was in LIC. But if I was to have him touch the short block, I would ask him to build the whole thing (meaning I pay and supply parts, he builds entire long block). I would rather do this myself per se, though I will be buying pistons from him (I run his Brute rods) and will talk with him about the cylinder head situation (this would not require me to drive to his location till day of pick up).

Update:

Removed update. Still wanting more recommendations. The more, the better. Thanks!

[Kai@EliteMS]

Our machine shop we use is very good, drop it off if you'd like. Give us a call to schedule. 631.775.6634

[Militant-Grunt]

Pag parts Long Island


In garage 2018 Mercedes Benz sprinter, 2020 Toyota Tacoma TRD PRO ,2019 Audi TT RS 2018 Tiguan

Second Pag Parts in LI, Arnold's motors are above the rest.

[Seerlah]

Shipped Arnold a cylinder head from a Florida salvage yard (car-part.com). Purchased ST valves, ST springs, then he will cnc (open) port the head and install the ST parts. I already ran Piper Cams and have new lifters at my house, so he will not have to install anything past the valves/springs. Rest of the head will be assembled at my house.

I have not talked to Caste Performance, but I will request them to do the machining of the short block with prepping the rotating assembly (JE 82.5mm stroker pistons also picked up from Arnold) and I will assemble the motor at my house. I like to do things myself and I know not to mix different shop's work (it's just not a smart thing to do, in case things go awry and the blame game starts). Talked to Arnold about this with discussing the more prudent route, and this was reasonable to not have his work mixed with another's if things go awry. Same with Caste Performance, if they do all the machining correct then any issue afterwards should really be on the user's end (me).

I will call Caste Performance once I have everything settled (ie just sent out turbo today for rebuild), but I have not even pulled the engine yet to yank the rods. I chose Caste Performance (didn't call them yet) because they specialize in VAG, maybe a 35-40 minute drive from me (not bad at all), are part of the race community, have their own in-house machine shop (or should), and have the most recommendations.

[Blk rse]

Well all I can see James is very meticulous


In garage 2018 Mercedes Benz sprinter, 2020 Toyota Tacoma TRD PRO ,2019 Audi TT RS 2018 Tiguan

[Blk rse]

*say


In garage 2018 Mercedes Benz sprinter, 2020 Toyota Tacoma TRD PRO ,2019 Audi TT RS 2018 Tiguan

[Seerlah]

Update:

Had James do the machining, piston ring gapping, balance rotating assembly, and these parts were installed at my house and placed in the car. I don't have a cylinder head, but that is in the works (can't do anything without a cylinder head). Car won't be started till Spring time, but it is coming along. Not rushing it and picked up an 09 Acura TSX to replace my daily driver 02 Maxima.

Thanks for the recommendations, and James is a very easy going person to work with. Drop parts off, tell him what you want, let him work on his time, get a call when done, pick up parts (with added information on how to go about things).






Had to shave this counterweight down a bit after shaving the bell housing did not grant full clearance. Had to install the short block a few times to figure this out on why the rotating assembly would get stuck when installed and tested with hand crank rotation. Did not see any other way other than shaving the counterweight down just a tad, after clearing bell housing cast.




Short block fully installed (been this way for a few months now, but using good Amsoil assembly lube so it should be just fine) and WD-40 the surface occasionally to avoid rust. Told Arnold (Pag Parts) I don't plan to start car till Spring time, so told him no rush with the cylinder head.



02 daily driver maxima now has 198k, sold it for $1,200 and picked up this 09 TSX with 104k for $9,250 before taxes. Damn decent deal, and currently spending money to get this car where I want it (trying to keep it below $1,000), replacing missing pieces, fluid change overhaul, Auto RX treatment in motor oil, OEM Honda ATF flush, filters, replacement grill, weather strip seals, etc (I would rather know what is going on with the car). Not a perfect car, but was a one owner vehicle with one accident in the front (fixed years back).

[hawaiian punch]

Those tsx’s are getting really popular by me I see them every where. A lot of people slamming them and throwing on fart cans lol

How’s the engine coming along ?


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[Seerlah]

TSX will remain stock. This is a daily driver. Plan is to give it to my niece in a few years (roughly 5) when she will be able to drive, then look into a different daily driver. Decent first car with roughly 200hp, k24 engine, and 30mpg highway.

Cylinder head wasn't delivered till maybe 2 weeks ago and only started putting that together a few days ago. Arnold did a 3 angle valve job, installed ST springs, and ST valves. Told him to ship the head to me bare (only shipped with caps and valves/springs installed) because I would reuse the parts I have. Put in the lifters, then was about to place the cams and CCT in when I noticed rust spots on some lobes of the cams. Not sure what to do, then just went with an old school trick. Let the cams marinate in penetrating oil to remove/soften the rust. Then I used 3M "fine" emery cloth to very lightly sand the rust spots down. Worked just fine with the lobes still smooth, no scoring (hard to score solid steel with fine emery cloth), sprayed with WD-40 and they are sitting in my garage with next step to have them installed in the cylinder head.

Also noticed one exhaust manifold stud missing to the head, so ordered 2 of those (one extra, just because) and waiting for those to come in. I want to have the head with as much stuff attached (mainly the exhaust manifold) before I bolt it to the short block. Just makes things easier, so taking my time and waiting for the studs to come in the mail. Today I might put the cams and CCT in to get it out of the way. But the cam lobe issue had me wary at first. Thought that was a good $600 down the drain (Piper Street Cams).

How's your car holding up? Staying together?

[hawaiian punch]

Haha word sounds like a perfect first car!

Yeahh sounds like a little bit of a headache atleast it’s all cleaned up and ready to go

I haven’t driven my car in months I took it drag racing last weekend and burnt out an exhaust valve. I actually had a set of ferrera valves kicking around so I brought my head to the machine shop with the valves on Monday morning. They told me everything else Looks fine and they are going to install the new valves I should be back racing again by Sunday lol I also found out that I had stock head bolts that I am going to replace (first time this engine has been opened up I’m not positive what’s in it)


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[Seerlah]

And she runs (again)...

[Seerlah]

Hawaiian Punch, not sure if that was you cruising with a Casa White B5 S4 at a rest area on The Turnpike, but that was me at the pump (Black B5 A4 with Flat Fives) when gentleman with the Casa B5 S4 gave me a honk. I was conversing with him at the meet, and not even sure he knew it was me he was conversing with at Waterfest (I was parked in General Admissions). I cruised in the Car/Truck lanes to try and catch up to you guys if you took those lanes, but never came across you guys again. Just wondering if that was you, because that was me cruising sovereign till I got home (other people I was traveling with took the GSP exist, which I wish I took after being stuck in stupid traffic).