Engine Shop/Cobra Mechanic in the NJ Area

jjtarnow · #1 (**permalink**) 06-13-2004, 04:39 PM

I figured considering the fact that I am a new Cobra owner in northern NJ I should ask all you local guys who you suggest I go to for my engine needs (514 ci) as well as general Cobra issues for more major technical needs.

Thanks,
Josh

mrmustang · #2 (**permalink**) 06-13-2004, 04:42 PM

Have said it before, will say it again, if you can take direction, and live with "the customer is not always right", you cannot find a better tuner for the Cobras than Bruce's Speed shop in Rockaway, NJ......Book some dyno tuning time (don't miss your appointment unless it's raining), and you won't be sorry. 973-664-0192

Bill S.

jjtarnow · #3 (**permalink**) 06-13-2004, 05:08 PM

Bill S.,
Will he do major engine work?

Josh

luke-44 · #4 (**permalink**) 06-13-2004, 05:26 PM

Bill - what are the dyno hourly rates?

mrmustang · #5 (**permalink**) 06-13-2004, 05:37 PM

Josh,

Yes

Bruce,

http://www.brucesspeed.com/mobiledyno.htm

Bill S.

luke-44 · #6 (**permalink**) 06-13-2004, 05:40 PM

Now I know what to ask for for Father's Day!!

jamvan · #7 (**permalink**) 06-13-2004, 07:05 PM

Josh

I hope you are not having any "major" problems with the car yet. You just got it. I agree with mrmustang, I have only heard good things about Bruce's work. You juast have to put up with his personality and opinions.

jim

Burnd · #8 (**permalink**) 06-13-2004, 10:32 PM

I met with on Saturday for the second time, scheduled an appointment with his shop for some motor & dyno work the Monday after next. However, he's a challenging chap who marches to his own tune. His technical reputation is good but his attitude is "my way, or no way" and don't ask too many questions. To quote him: "If you want it set up "right"; drop it off and we'll take care of it". That doesn't bother me as long as he's competent and I'll give anybody one shot. I reluctantly agreed but I politely let him know, if he screws up I'll be all over him (not that I think he cares whether I am or not). What does bother me is he REFUSES to give ANY approximation of cost. I couldn't even get a high-and-low dollar number. His response is; "we have no idea", so just leave it and we'll let you know when we're done. I asked him twice before he got annoyed, which appears to be easy to do. Frankly, I'm fairly easy to get along with but it got a little under my skin. He's basically telling me that he wants an "open" checkbook, take it or leave it. The only thing I can figure is business must be REALLY good. That or having the only dyno in town makes him think he's the only game in town. I'm not talking just a dyno tune on my engine so I may back out of the original appointment, (have the major work done somewhere else with a ball-park price QUOTE) and then go back to him for some dyno tweeking. He may be good but I'm still the one paying the bill and I like some idea what my total nut is going to be. Mustang has diplomatically dropped enough hints about his temperament in previous posts that I wasn't caught off guard. He's kind of like those hot-shot doctors with no bed side manners. Either way, I'll let you know my results if it's of any interest to anyone.

Bern

USrowboy · #9 (**permalink**) 06-14-2004, 12:59 AM

Richie Gurken of North Jersey Performance in Emerson, NJ built and installed my FE 428 and installed same.
I'm very happy with his work.

jz

mrmustang · #10 (**permalink**) 06-14-2004, 04:19 AM

Bern,

While I do not always agree with Bruce (I do know his quirks well, as I worked for him for two years), I have to agree with his non up front estimate of repair...Since each of these cars is a custom built item, if your not certain what is wrong with the car, or it's tune in the first place, your most certainly not going to be able to estimate what the cost of repair before actually looking everything over to see what the problem is in the first place......

As an analogy, think of your car as the house in the movie "The Money Pit" (Ironic, yes, I know).........You don't really know what's wrong until you start opening up the walls............

Bill S.

bret a ewing · #11 (**permalink**) 06-14-2004, 04:47 AM

Just a suggestion, give him a cost NOT to exceed, try to get a signature, pay with a credit card. If all fails Bureau of Consumer Protection.
Bret.

jjtarnow · #12 (**permalink**) 06-14-2004, 05:04 AM

I am blowing a little smoke and think it's coming from the top end so it looks as though I may need a valve job sometime soon (hey..gives me the option for porting and polishing!).
Regarding the info you guys are providing about Bruce...I have dealt with the top shelf attitudes before and in my opinion there is no way to combat the personal "issues". Clearly, he either has more work then he knows what to do with OR isn't into it for the money and doesn't feel we should be either (let's face it...our hobby doesn't make much economic sense). Either way, I want the best there is (so I don't have to deal with it a second time). Sounds like everyone feels Bruce is the best (or one of the best) there is. Has anyone felt they have been overcharged?

Josh

Chaplin · #13 (**permalink**) 06-14-2004, 01:15 PM

When are you seeing smoke? Is it only when you first start it up? Or is it when you shift? Or is it a continuos puff of smoke when you are cruising? Also, what color is the smoke? Black, blueish/white or white?

Depending on the symptoms, could be very different things.

jjtarnow · #14 (**permalink**) 06-14-2004, 01:19 PM

It's whitish (not losing any coolant and have no froth in the oil). It comes out of the right bank mostly(#1 plug was a mess when I changed them last weekend). What are your thoughts?

Josh

Burnd · #15 (**permalink**) 06-14-2004, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mrmustang

Bern,

Since each of these cars is a custom built item, if your not certain what is wrong with the car, or it's tune in the first place, your most certainly not going to be able to estimate what the cost of repair before actually looking everything over to see what the problem is in the first place......

Bill S.

Bill:
What you are saying is very true, up to a point. However; hardware is a fixed cost and labor is a part of the equation; coupled with the unknowns which become the additional cost. A carb, wires, valves, etc are fixed costs at his price and I was just trying to draw out a rough estimate and then leave myself some margin for the over-runs. He had a game plan in mind after he looked at the motor and blueprint, and he said as much. He just wouldn't elaborate on anything except "the carb has to go". It's simple enough to layout the list of the basics and go from there. I inquired about a dollar ceiling, but that doesn't solve anything with a half finished job and then neither of us are happy. Please don't get me wrong. He's not a bad guy and I didn't mean to give that impression. He can be insulting and he doesn't even know he's doing it, so I know it's not intentional. Your characterizaton of "quirky" is probably well stated. I'm still planning to use the guy, but he just doesn't get an open cash register or clock with me.

Josh: In my opinion; Cobra, Mustang, T-Bird, Vette, etc. doesn't matter on body and general maintenance. The kits aren't that unique. Actually, most are better made than the originals. Brakes are brakes whether they're on a Cobra or a Vette. Motors are different. If YOUR block is Ford then a guy that has 25 years experience in performance Fords obviously has an edge over a guy with 25 years in Chevys working on a Ford. Manufacturer's engines all have issues or nuances related to a particular series or the year manufactured. i.e., Mines a Cleveland not a Windsor and that raises eyebrows cause there aren't a ton of them around. A 351C can have oiling issues with performance modifications but a Chevy guy wouldn't typically know it. It's easily addressed with restrictors.I'll check out this Richy Gurkin guy that USrowboy mentioned too and there is a Performance guy at Lowman Ford, Parsippany that's been around a long time also. Rocky at Rocky's Rod Shop in Highbridge is real good but he's predominently a Chevy motor guy. You have to nose around a little bit and don't be bashful with questions. Your're entitled; it's your wallet. Use the board; there's a ton of information here thats meaningful to us all. BTW: My only demand is a time commitment on the Project. No commitment; no deal. I been that "hurry up and wait" route before. You blink and summers over. Good luck with it.

Chaplin · #16 (**permalink**) 06-14-2004, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jjtarnow

It's whitish (not losing any coolant and have no froth in the oil). It comes out of the right bank mostly(#1 plug was a mess when I changed them last weekend). What are your thoughts?

Josh

Do you only get smoke when you first start it up or does it continue when driving? If only on start up, could be as simple and replacing the valve stem seals, which is relatively cheap and inexpensive. If you get smoke continually while driving could be a problem with piston rings, big $$ to repair. If you get a puff of smoke while shifting could be valve stem seals and/or valve guides, and replacing guides is not cheap either. If the valve guides are worn, depending on what type of heads you have now, it might make sense to just replace the heads with aftermarket aluminum heads rather than doing a valve job. A leak down test and a compression test would be diagnostic tools.

ERA649 · #17 (**permalink**) 06-14-2004, 07:19 PM

Josh,
Call Al Tishchler 908 526-7844, he located in Somerville.
He has a complete machine shop and engine dyno.
What about a head gasket leak?

Mike

Snakebit · #18 (**permalink**) 06-14-2004, 07:58 PM

Try Hoffman Machine located in South Plainfield, NJ

jjtarnow · #19 (**permalink**) 06-15-2004, 05:05 AM

Thanks for the info...have you guys personally dealt with Hoffman and/or Al Tishchler?

Josh

Cracker · #20 (**permalink**) 06-15-2004, 06:02 AM

Jtnarrow - I'm the fella that directed over to this car - I hope your enjoying it? I've been behind Charlie on several outings and have never seen any "smoke" from his car idle or otherwise. However, Charlie rarely revved his car high or hard so I'm wondering have you? I know the engine is broken in and all but he didn't use it like most of us in the ACC club so my guess would be guides that could have been "under-used" giving way due to now normal use? I don't know but either way welcome to Cobra ownership! My 6AL box just took a dump on my two miles from the house yesterday! You know your a Cobra nut when you have a SPARE 6AL in the GARAGE!!!!

Best wishes! YES, I DO REALIZE MY LAST SIX OR SO STATEMENTS END WITH A !!!!!!!