How To Find A Good, Local ZR-1 Mechanic - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

Erik · 11-27-2020

When I went hunting for a local mechanic for 996, I thought I did my homework reasonably well. Got some tips from local Corvette club members. Owner was long time Corvette owners, with multiple examples over a number of series. 30 years experience as a mechanic. I asked if he had a Tech 1 or equivalent, and he said he did. Seemed ok.

Well, that didn?t work out well. Tech 1 was borrowed From a buddy and didn?t work right. What seemed at first to be thoughts on issues turned out to be wild guesses. Seems the approach was let?s keep changing parts until it starts running.

The shop that got my car running is 2 hours away, so I?d still like to have someone closer to home to deal with. My thought now is looking at Porsche mechanics in the area. Porsche guys usually look after their cars pretty well. The LT5 is closer to a Porsche engine, at least in approach, then a small block Chevy. Plus, a Porsche mechanic is likely more used to troubleshooting issues then just parts swapping. And yes, I mean a Porsche independent, not a dealer.

Any thoughts on this? Should I make up an interview for them? Questionnaire ? An exam they have to pass?

Anything else to look for?

ghlkal · 11-28-2020

That's an interesting thought. Do you have an independent "european" shop around. I was thinking a Mercedes might be closer than a Porsche. Anyway, it couldn't hurt to ask

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erik

An exam they have to pass?

Yeah

Erik · 11-28-2020

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghlkal

That's an interesting thought. Do you have an independent "european" shop around. I was thinking a Mercedes might be closer than a Porsche. Anyway, it couldn't hurt to ask

Yeah

The reason I went Porsche, other then what I listed above, was because they have an independent listing of what appears to be recommended shops across the country. That became a starting point for me.

A good Mercedes tech would likely be good too, but I find a lot of older Mercedes seem to fall heavier into the hands of unloving owners then Porsches do.

ghlkal · 11-28-2020

Makes sense.

I'd be interested in hearing how this works out.

secondchance · 11-28-2020

I found the best ZR-1 mechanics right around Westminster, MD, Fairfax and Alexandria, VA - Wazoo guys.

Ccmano · 11-28-2020

Your situation is not uncommon. Even the best corvette shops will likely never see an LT5 engine let alone know how to work on it. From my perspective this is the one major issue that keeps the value of these cars down. The average non-technical owner simply can't find a reliable local shop to work on this engine.

The issue of the shop throwing parts at it is also not uncommon. As a matter of fact it's universal. The undisciplined technician wants to shortcut the process, make his money and move on to the next car.... and down the rabbit hole they (and your money) go. If you think about it this is not just a rare car, it's a rare engine. The average shop doesn't see one often enough to invest in the tools and learning to make it worth their while. That's why there are only a handful of shops around the country considered competent.

Your idea of going to a European specialist is not bad. Frankly and 80's 90's vintage Mercedes or Audi will share more similarities with an LT5 than a Porsche. I worked on them back in the day. That doesn't preclude the fact that a bad technician may try to throw parts at it. Try asking around who is the best diagnostician, talk to them, ask if they follow the factory diagnostics. Consider gifting them an FSM. They will certainly be more comfortable working on this engine than the local Vette shop that sees mostly SBC's.

Good luck,
H

WARP TEN · 11-28-2020

First, I would suggest you find a competent mechanic, maybe the Porsche or Mercedes shops like you are currently planning to do, but ask them if they would be willing to contact the true experts in LT5s for any techniques for certain servicing, diagnostic and other issues they might run across, like Marc Haibeck, Pete, Steve or any of the others well known on this forum. Second, get a copy of a factory service manual for your year car if you don't already have one. When you take the car in, always provide it to the mechanic. If you can develop a good relationship with someone who would be willing to ask questions of the experts when he doesn't truly know the answer, you will likely be in good shape. --Bob

secondchance · 11-28-2020

A good mechanic is near impossible to find these days. Most, all they know is to hook up to OBD port and look for the computer to tell them which component to replace. Fundamental understanding and correlating symptoms to cause seems to have been all but forgotten. We now have white frock wearing factory certified ?technicians? rather than oil and dirt stained mechanics.

Erik · 11-28-2020

Quote:

Originally Posted by secondchance

A good mechanic is near impossible to find these days. Most, all they know is to hook up to OBD port and look for the computer to tell them which component to replace. Fundamental understanding and correlating symptoms to cause seems to have been all but forgotten. We now have white frock wearing factory certified ?technicians? rather than oil and dirt stained mechanics.

Sad, but true.

tgonyaw · 11-28-2020

I feel your pain.
I am set up to send mine to Marc the first week of March 2021. Hope to find a cure and then look forward 5 years on a preventative maintenance schedule. There is a local Porsche shop who does track day cars that is willing to be trained on my dime.
I had to go to the local GMC dealer to get my Ignition key read and ordered for a second key! Chevy dealer was not ever ZR-1 certified??

11-27-2020	#1
Erik Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: New Brunswick Posts: 961	How To Find A Good, Local ZR-1 Mechanic When I went hunting for a local mechanic for 996, I thought I did my homework reasonably well. Got some tips from local Corvette club members. Owner was long time Corvette owners, with multiple examples over a number of series. 30 years experience as a mechanic. I asked if he had a Tech 1 or equivalent, and he said he did. Seemed ok. Well, that didn?t work out well. Tech 1 was borrowed From a buddy and didn?t work right. What seemed at first to be thoughts on issues turned out to be wild guesses. Seems the approach was let?s keep changing parts until it starts running. The shop that got my car running is 2 hours away, so I?d still like to have someone closer to home to deal with. My thought now is looking at Porsche mechanics in the area. Porsche guys usually look after their cars pretty well. The LT5 is closer to a Porsche engine, at least in approach, then a small block Chevy. Plus, a Porsche mechanic is likely more used to troubleshooting issues then just parts swapping. And yes, I mean a Porsche independent, not a dealer. Any thoughts on this? Should I make up an interview for them? Questionnaire ? An exam they have to pass? Anything else to look for? __________________ [B]1990 ZR-1 # 996[/B] "All Corvettes are red. The rest are mistakes." - John Heinricy

11-28-2020	#4
ghlkal Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 886	Re: How To Find A Good, Local ZR-1 Mechanic Makes sense. I'd be interested in hearing how this works out. __________________ 1990 ZR-1 #2180 Red/Black Many of the usual mods for 460HP, tuned by Marc Haibeck ZR-1 Net Registry Member #1548

11-28-2020	#5
secondchance Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: McLean, VA Posts: 3,726	Re: How To Find A Good, Local ZR-1 Mechanic I found the best ZR-1 mechanics right around Westminster, MD, Fairfax and Alexandria, VA - Wazoo guys.

11-28-2020	#6
Ccmano Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Sparks, NV Posts: 2,843	Re: How To Find A Good, Local ZR-1 Mechanic Your situation is not uncommon. Even the best corvette shops will likely never see an LT5 engine let alone know how to work on it. From my perspective this is the one major issue that keeps the value of these cars down. The average non-technical owner simply can't find a reliable local shop to work on this engine. The issue of the shop throwing parts at it is also not uncommon. As a matter of fact it's universal. The undisciplined technician wants to shortcut the process, make his money and move on to the next car.... and down the rabbit hole they (and your money) go. If you think about it this is not just a rare car, it's a rare engine. The average shop doesn't see one often enough to invest in the tools and learning to make it worth their while. That's why there are only a handful of shops around the country considered competent. Your idea of going to a European specialist is not bad. Frankly and 80's 90's vintage Mercedes or Audi will share more similarities with an LT5 than a Porsche. I worked on them back in the day. That doesn't preclude the fact that a bad technician may try to throw parts at it. Try asking around who is the best diagnostician, talk to them, ask if they follow the factory diagnostics. Consider gifting them an FSM. They will certainly be more comfortable working on this engine than the local Vette shop that sees mostly SBC's. Good luck, H __________________ [B]90'ZR-1[/B] #1461 Red/Black Ported Intake, Degreed Cams, OBX Headers & Exhaust, Fidanza FW, Secondary Delete, Custom tune, C6 GS Wheels. Sold [B]08 C6 Z51[/B] Crystal Red Metallic Sold Vararam Intake, Tune, Sold [B]05 C6 Z51[/B] Red/Black Sold [B]90'ZR-1[/B] #1723 Black/Gray Sold but not forgotten [B]91' Z51 L98[/B] White Vert. My First, you always remember your first. Sold.

11-28-2020	#7
WARP TEN Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Lake Bluff, IL Posts: 2,120	Re: How To Find A Good, Local ZR-1 Mechanic First, I would suggest you find a competent mechanic, maybe the Porsche or Mercedes shops like you are currently planning to do, but ask them if they would be willing to contact the true experts in LT5s for any techniques for certain servicing, diagnostic and other issues they might run across, like Marc Haibeck, Pete, Steve or any of the others well known on this forum. Second, get a copy of a factory service manual for your year car if you don't already have one. When you take the car in, always provide it to the mechanic. If you can develop a good relationship with someone who would be willing to ask questions of the experts when he doesn't truly know the answer, you will likely be in good shape. --Bob __________________ 2016 Long Beach Red Z06 #10281 "POPS Z" 1995 Polo Green #409 "WARP TEN"--Haibeck 350/510 package, 4.10s, Hurst, Stock Exhaust with QTP Cutouts --Sold but still running strong 1993 Quasar Blue #161 "HIL KING" --Sold but still running strong, now with more than 120,000 miles 1967 Marlboro Maroon/Saddle Corvette Coupe 300 hp/4-spd --Sold a long time ago ZR-1 Net Registry Founding Member #95 NCM Lifetime Member Favorite Quote--Attributed to Mickey Thompson: "Too Much Horsepower is Almost Enough"

11-28-2020	#10
tgonyaw Join Date: May 2018 Location: VA Posts: 204	Re: How To Find A Good, Local ZR-1 Mechanic I feel your pain. I am set up to send mine to Marc the first week of March 2021. Hope to find a cure and then look forward 5 years on a preventative maintenance schedule. There is a local Porsche shop who does track day cars that is willing to be trained on my dime. I had to go to the local GMC dealer to get my Ignition key read and ordered for a second key! Chevy dealer was not ever ZR-1 certified??