VR6 engine rebuilder in Calgary

[Itsamoto]

I'm sure this will bring a lot of response, because there is clearly a lot sponsors to this forum... but just wanted to know if there were any recommendations on engine rebuilders in Calgary. When I google this - I find shops that seem to specialize in hot-rods, where as I am looking for dedicated VW shop that recognizes and has experience with the engines. I recognize not all shops want or are equipped to do this work (not that they aren't skilled or qualified) and then there are those who can do it but don't want to (as I've been told). I get that its just not worth it with the cost to do it right vs all the other services they are kept busy with newer cars and such.

I'm basically looking for a shop that knows their way around 24v-VR6 engines and would like hear from others on what the typical cost and amount of shop and machine time that is needed to rebuild these.

[GingerBeef]

Re: VR6 engine rebuilder in Calgary

George at Tunedub or Calgary Autoworks will probably be the two that come up. Cant go wrong with either of em.

[sabbySC]

Re: VR6 engine rebuilder in Calgary

Do either have the tools to do the machine work, or are they just going to handle assembly? Depending on what you want done you may want to ask.

[BaggedGLI]

Re: VR6 engine rebuilder in Calgary

I can tell you we don't have the machinery to do the machining. We do have a really good shop that takes care of all our machining.

We are in the middle of building/rebuilding an R32T.

[Benjamin]

Re: VR6 engine rebuilder in Calgary

I can't be sure that either have the machine work tools, but I would highly doubt it. To machine an engine you need some expensive tools and to make your money back you have to do a lot of work with it. There is not enough VW work in this city for one of those mechanics to invest there money and time into these engines. The two listed above are passionate about these cars and will know who to farm the work out that will do the proper job. If they don't I doubt they would take on the job as the risk would be high for probably a small reward.

Like I said, the two mechanics above will help you build what you desire, depending on what your goals are though it might not be cheap. They will be honest with you and give you realistic expectations for the outcome of your motor. They may even suggest other alternatives to look at that might suit your goals better.

[stuvy]

Re: VR6 engine rebuilder in Calgary

Extreme engines. Curtis halverson. Can and will rebuild it including assembly.

[All_Euro]

Re: VR6 engine rebuilder in Calgary

I haven't used them but have heard good things about Custom Balancing & Blueprinting...

http://custombalancing.com/home.html

[hooddub]

Re: VR6 engine rebuilder in Calgary

Tunedub is my go to. George is honestly the guy I go to whenever I have any problems with anything.
I don't think they do machining but like Colin and CAW they would send it to a reputable machine shop.

[Joker]

Re: VR6 engine rebuilder in Calgary

+1 for Tunedub. I used to take my S4 to George. He is a stand-up guy.

[kujiwara]

Re: VR6 engine rebuilder in Calgary

Why are you rebuilding the 24v? I don't see the point of building a vr6 unless you are running serious boost or unless your engine is damaged or you just have cash to throw at it. For a damaged vr6 it's just cheaper to replace it than rebuilding it.

[hooddub]

Re: VR6 engine rebuilder in Calgary

I don't see the point of building a vr6 unless you are running serious boost or unless your engine is damaged or you just have cash to throw at it. For a damaged vr6 it's just cheaper to replace it than rebuilding it.

To be fair rebuilding is more expensive but if I had the cash to rebuild a motor versus swap a "new" one in I would.
Having a virtually brand new motor would be worth the extra dough.

[Natty54]

Re: VR6 engine rebuilder in Calgary

Precise

[Itsamoto]

Re: VR6 engine rebuilder in Calgary

Yes - my engine is damaged and I'm going to throw money at it!

Honestly I just want to look at all reasonable options.

I should clarify that this engine is for my T4/Eurovan weekender -- its been sounding rough for the last little bit -- but made it to 400k km before it blew a gasket and dumped oil all over the place. So, obviously this is no big boost or anything like that -- just want to make sure the engine is ready to run and be enjoyed for another 400k km. Its certainly not a car that I will be replacing anytime soon -- so its gotta be fixed right.

Not that it was easy to find or anything -- but I did manage to secure a donor mk4 gli with a paltry 130k km on it. The BDF engine -- is the same longblock as what I have in the van (AXK). It was a great deal -- but I highly suspect the engine has some damage as the pan was ripped off and it sat outside for nearly a year.

Thanks everyone for your input so far. Lots of places here that I haven't looked into.

[Stonewall]

Re: VR6 engine rebuilder in Calgary

Eurovan motors are not easy to come by. They don't use the same block/head than the VR5's you are all thinking of. I know my 12V VR6 eurovan motor has a 15degree head which makes swapping it unattainable. I also know first hand they are a ***** to remove. Might be worth doing that yourself and taking it to George to get cleaned up.

[kujiwara]

Re: VR6 engine rebuilder in Calgary

Eurovan motors are not easy to come by. They don't use the same block/head than the VR5's you are all thinking of. I know my 12V VR6 eurovan motor has a 15degree head which makes swapping it unattainable. I also know first hand they are a ***** to remove. Might be worth doing that yourself and taking it to George to get cleaned up.

Newer 24v vr6 eurovan engines are the same as gli vr6 engines except for a different valve cover and oil pan and a few accessories