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NoVA auto mechanic?

Old Mar 18, 2014 | 03:45 PM
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VA NoVA auto mechanic?

OK, so I am getting desperate here...I took my car off the road last year because I am revamping my FD and am hunting for a mechanic in Manassas or Manassas Park (so I do not have to tow it too far) that understands what a rotary-powered car is...I saw a previous post about CW Auto Works in Manassas Park, but I drove by this weekend and it wasn't there anymore. Where do my fellow Manassasites take their RX7 for simple mechanics and is there anyone that they trust it with here?
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Old Mar 19, 2014 | 06:02 AM
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http://www.pfsupercars.com/

Fredrick , MD

I've heard mostly bad feedback to be honest..... I deal with Speed1 (Allentown pa)... be careful man
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Old Mar 19, 2014 | 08:07 AM
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There's a shop run by a few former Mazda techs in sterling. It's called First To Win, one of the guys had a few rotary race cars.
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Old Mar 24, 2014 | 03:11 PM
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Thanks! I checked out their website - seems legit as it had many RX-7 posted there

Originally Posted by Molotovman
There's a shop run by a few former Mazda techs in sterling. It's called First To Win, one of the guys had a few rotary race cars.
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Old Apr 20, 2014 | 09:14 AM
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Pbc automotive in chantilly they do a lot of mazdas. Manager has fd.
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Old May 1, 2014 | 01:25 PM
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PBC Automotive has a RX7 specialist onsite. I haven't brought mine there yet but I called and asked and they do regular work and rebuilds, etc.
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Old Oct 14, 2014 | 03:48 PM
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looking for a fc mechanic near washington dc.... sterling and chantilly are about the same distance from me so seeking advice on recommendations.... i recently purchased a n/a fc and i think the mechanicals are pretty good, and it comes with lots of parts, but need to kinda put the car together, things like adjusting tps, adjusting clutch feel, changing lock cylinders, weather stripping and such.... and then basically looking to make it into a daily drivable car...

any affordable and reliable folks i can go to around dc?? thanks!
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Old Oct 15, 2014 | 10:03 AM
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The closest shop I would TRUST to work on my car would be Speed1 in Lenhartsville, Pa. I used to go to PFS but the negligence he displayed while "fixing" my car, coupled with his high prices and poor business management, have permanently turned me off from that business.

I know, I'm rather well known as being an outspoken "anti-PFS" guy, but I'm that way for a reason. Some people have received great work from the guy but it's too hit or miss for me to gamble on. Plus he won't work on anything pre-FD since, as he put it, there isn't enough money in them.


Speed1 is a hike, but well worth it in my experience
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Old Oct 15, 2014 | 12:54 PM
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thanks. PA is probably a little far for me... i sent messages to pbc automotive and first to win, will probably pick one of the two as they are closer....
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Old Oct 15, 2014 | 01:13 PM
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On this one, I agree with Fendamonky, PFS is not the place for you. Might want to also check Brett De Pedro at Rotary Performance, he is located in Summit Point West VA (if you want to stay "local") otherwise, Speed1 for the win!
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Old Oct 17, 2014 | 05:24 PM
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just reporting back that 'first to win' does not seem to be in business anymore... website not functional and the phone number listed on yelp doesn't work either.
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Old Oct 24, 2014 | 08:33 AM
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Originally Posted by sukeiasa
looking for a fc mechanic near washington dc.... sterling and chantilly are about the same distance from me so seeking advice on recommendations.... i recently purchased a n/a fc and i think the mechanicals are pretty good, and it comes with lots of parts, but need to kinda put the car together, things like adjusting tps, adjusting clutch feel, changing lock cylinders, weather stripping and such.... and then basically looking to make it into a daily drivable car...
I'm a little late here, but none of those things you mentioned are really rotary-specific tasks so you could probably take it anywhere and have them done. Or better yet, DIY. I'm sure those tasks are all well-documented.
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Old Oct 30, 2014 | 08:05 AM
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Originally Posted by ArmitageGVR4
I'm a little late here, but none of those things you mentioned are really rotary-specific tasks so you could probably take it anywhere and have them done. Or better yet, DIY. I'm sure those tasks are all well-documented.
agree...
any all purpose shops y'all would recommend?
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Old Oct 30, 2014 | 01:27 PM
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I had some work done on my FD at First To Win a couple of years ago and they did a decent job. I tried to go back last month but I too had trouble reaching them. So I took it to PBC Automotive. I've had work done before they changed management so this was my first time in six years or so with them. I don't think they can mess up those tasks you're listing. They did good work on my FD for the most part....some slight nicks on my wheels was a little distressing. Seemed like decent fellows.

One big recommendation I'll give is to source your parts from Ray at Malloy. PBC does not mind you sourcing your own parts. Ray will also ship to PBC directly. I had half the parts ordered from PBC before realizing this FUBAR...as they said they were "competitive." There is NO ONE competitive with Ray's prices. The difference is SIGNIFICANT! I still get upset when I think about it...and this is getting me to think about it. lol

Good luck!
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Old Oct 30, 2014 | 03:32 PM
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PBC was sold , not sure who is a tech there but even when Pete was the owner he wouldnt touch a modified FD. Go to Speed1 in Lenhartsville, Pa. or PFS.

And Matt is correct you should be able to find a local shop that can help.
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Old Oct 30, 2014 | 04:02 PM
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Pete actually had a rotary tech there for awhile but once that tech left, yes, he would tell me to seek rotary work elsewhere. The new PBC owner is Christian, who has an FD himself. I was just there for an alignment and was able to watch them do it on their fancy new machine. The guy making the adjustments has owned many FC's. Not saying they are experts but they at least knew some lingo and such.

Anyways, I bought a lifetime alignment at TiresPlus a few years back but now my car is too low for them to try. PBC was able to get it on their lift without a problem.

I've had many recommendations to go to Speed1...I'm sure it's a great outfit. It's just too far to make sense for me.
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Old Mar 28, 2015 | 10:25 AM
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Originally Posted by Zoolander
Pete actually had a rotary tech there for awhile but once that tech left, yes, he would tell me to seek rotary work elsewhere. The new PBC owner is Christian, who has an FD himself. I was just there for an alignment and was able to watch them do it on their fancy new machine. The guy making the adjustments has owned many FC's. Not saying they are experts but they at least knew some lingo and such.

Anyways, I bought a lifetime alignment at TiresPlus a few years back but now my car is too low for them to try. PBC was able to get it on their lift without a problem.

I've had many recommendations to go to Speed1...I'm sure it's a great outfit. It's just too far to make sense for me.
Lifetime alignment? Can you provide the link..I tried searching on tirerack.com for it, but couldnt find anything referencing it. Thanks
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Old Mar 28, 2015 | 01:12 PM
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Originally Posted by RX7Fanatic04
Lifetime alignment? Can you provide the link..I tried searching on tirerack.com for it, but couldnt find anything referencing it. Thanks
tiresPLUS has the lifetime alignment option, not tire rack. Seemed to make sense at the time, but if they continue to dismiss the car because they cannot get it up on the lift, then it was a waste of money. It wasn't that much more though, like $179 for the lifetime option vs $100 for the one and done.

Anyways, here's the link: Wheel Alignment: Wheel Alignment Service | Tires Plus

Good luck.
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