How To Find A Good, Local ZR-1 Mechanic

[Erik]

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]

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

Originally Posted by Erik

An exam they have to pass?

Yeah

[Erik]

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]

Makes sense.


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

[secondchance]

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

[Ccmano]

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]

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

[Erik]

Thats the bugger of it with the mechanic I dealt with. I gave him the FSM. I got him expert support. And it still didn't work.

In case I wasn't clear, the reason I lean towards the Porsche guys over Mercedes or Audi is more because the average Porsche owner, new or vintage, seems more likely to spend money going to a competent mechanic, then the average Mercedes or Audi guy. Not will they be willing to put up with crap work. From all I have learned, the LT5 is not that weird or complex. It just takes someone who is fastidious and is willing to put the time in to fix things properly. The FSM gives all the info they actually need. They just need to take the time to do it right. And yes, I learned long ago its much cheaper spending more per hour on a competent mechanic, then trying to teach a cheap one.

[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.

[Erik]

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.