Engine Lab

Reviews

Reviews are sorted by relevance, with the most helpful and insightful feedback listed first for easy reference.

  Evan Phillips
5 years ago
I had the worse experience of my entire life thus far.. I said that I wouldn't write a review, but after what has happened, it would be wrong for me to not warn others... this shop is not well suited to fix anything out of the ORDINARY, I drive an AUDI S4 V8 B7 "somewhat of a special vehicle" I will not write the entire story as it would be half of a book, I will just say this, after paying over $5,000.00 I drove away with a leaking, car, that sustained water damage due to being left outside, the electrical system is now damaged due to the computer getting wet, not to mention, MANY things were not done properly and i'm still paying for them, example, the lining was placed over the ecu, "but the ecu was not screwed in" the cowl was left off as the car was placed outside and unlocked, water flooded the inside of the car, CHECK PHOTOS, the shop lost some of the supplies that I brought in $120 worth of oil, the car was there for almost 6 months, the owner does not take responsibility, I believe at one point it was a good shop, but the new owner is more interested in his own hobbies, did not want to fix what his shop was responsible for, I had faith and hope in the company but they just don't have the expertise "employee wise" to handle a real job, maybe in the future they will hire experienced employees, until then please avoid this shop for any MAJOR work, the ac system was also left unhooked, All of my Audi S4 rugs were left outside for months and were completely damaged, the rugs now smell "even though they shampooed them" my Convenience and Control Module is fried due to being wet .. the list goes on and on, I will be taking legal action on Engine Lab. I wish I didn't have to, but I did my best to work with the company. TRUE REVIEW....

  Brendon Edmonds
3 months ago
Amazing shop, the owner is really kind. Don t let the outside fool you they have good technology. I took some fuel injectors to get tested they sent a video of which ones were not working.

  Ryan Yates
2 years ago
I had the team at Engine lab go through the cylinder head of my Euro S50B30. Everyone there was very polite and knowledgeable. I got the head back for less than I was expecting to pay and it looks brand new. I m very happy with the results considering they were willing to work on an engine that wasn t available in the United States.Service: Engine repair

  Mark Taulbee
7 years ago
Rokket and his team are absolutely the best technicians and master mechanics I've ever done business with. We trailered our Porsche 944 Turbo S track car from Orlando because we heard about their expertise with 944s. They exceeded our expectations across the board. Communication was always quick and clear. All repairs were explained up front with options given. The work was done in a timely manner and it always felt like we were a priority. Rokket took time to go over everything when we picked up the car and actually made it fun. Without a doubt, we will be driving from Orlando every time we need service. I wish all businesses were managed this well. Great job guys!

  Joanne Webb
2 years ago
Nick at Engine Lab kept in contact with me so that I knew when to expect with my repair to my Jeep. He explained what the problem appeared to be and promise to keep me updated throughout my repair. He was absolute professional and competent! He repaired my Jeep perfect. Thank you Nick for your great work. 10+ He was very courteous. Answered all my questions. Great mechanic, great person thank you, highly recommended! Will definitely reach out in future if i need help again.Service: Engine repair

  Denzel Pryor
7 years ago
Engine Lab really treated me well. I left my 2006 Infiniti M35 with them to get a new engine since I had blown the original. I started out dealing with Mr. Lee who was a very genuine person. He provided me with in depth explanations about options and pricing. I was told that they were backed up with repairs but somehow they still managed to fix my car within a two week time frame. I did not have all of the funds (5k) and my car sat there for a month and I was not charged any additional fees. I went to pick my car up and Bob had taken Lee's place. Bob had not met me or even spoken to me and when he went to get my car he noticed the power steering was off. His words, "I can not let you leave and your car is not 100%" He offered me a deal that included a part that was 1.5k and labor that would have been a few hundred bucks all for just shy of $450. Let me not forget to mention that he ordered the part and repair at noon and I was driving off of their property by 3:30 that afternoon. All in all, I am beyond satisfied and my car, literally runs better than it did when I first bought it. 5 stars is really not enough to express the quality of this shop. If you need any work done, these guys will take care of you.

  Nelson Rumore
2 years ago
I paid them to install new parts complete timing chain and gear set guides etc, oil pump and water pump.After I've had trouble again with my truck tearing it apart find out the new parts I paid for was never put in very discouraging and sad that someone would take you like this.The date on the parts show that they were never changed ... 1. This will be a final reply to correct a few things that was wrongly taken by the owner. I did not say it was the owner's fault. Although It did take place in his garage . 2. I have my receipt showing before moved to a different location the work was preformed. My truck heads was being resurfaced due to overheating while it was apart I paid to have a complete timing chain set installed along with the oil pump. After some time later my truck jumped timing when a shop went in the they found out it was the original parts by the date on the parts. I am counting this as a loss. I do not give bad reviews I give honest reviews. I could post my receipt showing everything I'm saying but I'm not going to do that. I'm not going back and forth I do not want to waste any more of my time. I am honest I have my receipt and it shows I did not get what I paid for? This will be the end of the storyService: Engine repair

  Al Anthony
a year ago
I was quoted a price, then charged several thousands of dollars more. TERRIBLE customer service, and they didn't tighten the bolts on my transmission. Complete engine rebuild, that leaked oil 1 month later. Biggest mistake EVER! PLEASE AVOID this shop.Service: Auto engine diagnosticService: Auto engine diagnostic

  Jill Schwartz
8 years ago
I have a 2007 Pontiac solstice turbo with 100,000 miles on it. The car is in very good shape and I had regular maintenance done at the dealership. I started having engine problems (surging noises). However the tachometer never indicted any fluctuation. The dealers changed the fuel pump, plugs, etc..., but could never find the problem. Because it had such high mileage, the car is not really worth that much and because of how it was running it was really not worth anything as far as trade in value or selling it outright. Because the car was in such good condition inside and out and because I put a lot of commuting miles on a car, I decided to research engine rebuilding rather than buying a new car. I called several places including Engine Lab. Rick the owner answered the phone, listened to my story around the vehicle, and advised me of my different options. He quoted those options within a couple hours. He was a sincere and a true professional. I chose the rebuild option, he was within a hundred dollars of my other estimate, and due to his sincere caring attitude I made an appointment to get the work done. I couldn't be happier, the car is running like new and his operation is nothing but clean and professional. He came in below his estimate. I have never done business with Rick (engine lab) before, we have only lived in the Tampa area for 2 years. I without question would highly recommend Rick and his company. By the way this is the 1st review I have ever written.

  rich antonucci
7 years ago
I took my Jeep in for a few diagnostic tests and was running rough. The team there ran some tests and found the issue. They broke down the problem and all options to correct the problem. My best option was and engine rebuild. They completed the work in house and with quality parts and labor. I was kept up on all aspects of the job. Rocket worked with my budget and the price I was quoted is what I paid no hidden extras or fees. I picked up my Jeep and everything that was promised was done. They provide me an exceptional service at a fair price. If you are looking for a professional shop with old school service the Engine Lab is it. Thanks again for the great Job

  Angelisse
6 years ago
Kristian was always available and worked with me almost daily to get my son's Suzuki Forenza running again. It had water leaking into the oil and carbon emissions in the cooling system. Freeze plugs were shot, oil leaking everywhere and timing belt was floppy. I requested they lift out the engine to see everything that needed to be fixed and I feel they did a very thorough job. It was a bit more than we originally thought but I believe they didn't charge more than all the work they did and the parts they replaced cost. They have an impressive shop and techs who know every component of the engine inside and out. They build it right there. We were able to see the old parts that were replaced and have a couple more things to do. Just waiting for Kristian to give me the quote to get that work done. There were more problems that we first suspected but when one thing goes it affects several other parts, which then have to be repaired or replaced also. Since most people don't maintain their cars like we used to in the good old days ;) I asked Kristian to buy and fix up some used vehicles (SUV, Kristian, with seat headrests that don't thrust your head forward and with lumbar support for at least driver) so I can buy one from them. Thank you, Engine Lab!

  Daniel Marin
a month ago
Great knowledge and very honest Rocket is one of the few honest mechanics left

  Mike Albanese
7 years ago
I recently purchased a 2003 Porche 911 and brought it in to have Rokket and his team change the IMS bearing. The service and the quality of the work was exceptional. Not only did they take care of the service I brought it in for but they did a thorough check of the car and found some minor repairs that were very cheap to take car of at that time as opposed to having them fail when I'm on the road and costing me a lot more to repair. I left the Engine Lab shop with the peace of mind knowing that my car was solid and had been checked over by experts. I highly recommend them.

  Guilherme Medeiros
2 years ago
I called this place and asked how much it would cost to do an inspection and resurface my car's cylinder head, they asked me for some pictures and told me it would cost around $140. I drove for 45 minutes to get there, when I arrived an employee called the owner and he said the service would cost 600 dollars. I could buy a new part for that price. Don't waste your time taking your car in this place .. The employee also said that they were an expensive place. I ended up taking it to another place that charged me half the amount that this place charged me..DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME HERE!!

  Sean Dailey
4 years ago
Engine lab is great. Had a head resurfaced and pressure tested found a couple issues with valve seats cracked. Rokket from engine lab call me to let me know of the issue I agreed to replace the valve seats. I returned to pick up my head an other gentleman helped me. It looked like my head but brand new. I told the gentleman this cannot be my head he assured me that it was. Was expecting to pay more than I did. If I can t fix it on my own I would only trust Rokket an Engine lab. Thanks

  Alex Kacer
8 years ago
Very detailed and professional. I work in the automotive industry and usually don't allow anyone to touch my vehicle but me. I had no hesitation in letting Rokkett and the guys at Engine Labs help in my restoration. Will be back and will highly recommend anyone looking for quality automotive work here.

  Casey Bean
8 years ago
The Engine Lab did an excellent job rebuilding the busted engine in my truck. I brought it here after receiving poor customer service and an unclear analysis from the Ford dealership. Right away Rokket was able to tell me exactly what was wrong with my motor and what needed to be done to fix it. Everyone at the Engine Lab was friendly and provided great customer service despite the many challenges they encountered with my engine repair.

  Dustin Burton
8 years ago
Professional, experienced and trustworthy. I had the unfortunate luck of experiencing severe rod knock in my Toyota Tundra, and took it to the Engine Lab to get her checked out. Manny handled the case, and from the beginning he was upfront and honest with me on the prognosis, timeline and cost. Over several days, he spent a lot of time on the phone with me discussing various options and the associated pros and cons. He understood the sentimental value the truck had to me, and helped me through the difficult decision making process. I probably called him at least 10 times with new questions, and each time he was courteous and respectful. When it comes to a job like this, the things I look for are honesty and ability. Manny and Rokket made me feel confident I was getting a high degree of both. Can't thank them enough for the assistance these guys gave me, truly the bright spot in an aweful situation. In addition to the handling of the diagnosis/repair, Manny went out of his way to negotiate with the towing company which ended up saving me a good chunk of money. There is no question that I would take future vehicles back here and will recommend them to anyone facing engine repair issues.

  Joey Quigley
7 years ago
Engine Lab has been the absolute best experience I have had with an automotive shop. Engine Lab uses the best equipment for the job and they refuse to cut corners. The shop is very professional and the customer care is above and beyond what they are obligated to do.The work Engine Lab has done on my 4.0L jeep*bore and hone cylinders matching w/ new pistons*deck cylinder head*balance rotating assembly*install new camshaft bearings*R&R wrist pins/pistons on stock connecting rods*Professional cleaning of block and head

  Tony Miller
8 years ago
Rokket at engine lab is the best. Wothout any hesitation he gave me a full tour of the shop lab and equipment. Which made me feel more assured of their work. Very very very very clean shop. I had my Impala towed there with every intention on replacing the engine. But after the car has been sitting at the Engine Lab for two days, I had some financial obligations arise and couldn't afford the repairs anymore. Rokket told me no charge for any storage and to just leave a review. I keep my word; he is an awesome and honest guy and I will make sure I bring him a lot of business and my car when it's ready to be fixed. thanks rokket.Stacy Miller

  Edward Carter
8 years ago
Rick and his staff replaced the head gasket in my 1997 Toyota Land Cruiser. He gave me a tour of the shop, everything was clean and everyone there was very professional. They were honest and did not try and sell me a lot of unnecessary parts and services. My Land Cruiser runs better than new.E. Carlton CarterTampa

  Ray McFolling
6 years ago
I recently took my 2004 Hummer H2 to engine lab for an idea how to update my worn engine with approximately 250,000 miles on it. After tearing the engine down and doing an analysis of my block they gave me several options as to what we could do the engine. They asked a lot of questions as to what and how the vehicle would be used. I ended up with a custom built high-performance everyday driver. Having never done this with an engine before they walk me step by step through the process. I was able see the engine as it was being built and over several weeks I ended up with a btter than truck built to order with great power. All the guys there were very helpful in giving information as to the process. Everything went very smooth they were always very friendly even though at times I walked through the place as if I owned it. They were very receptive to my curiosity. I would highly recommend them for any engine repair or build That was needed.

  Colin Brown
8 years ago
Engine Lab is an Awesome shop. I had to have a full rebuild and they were very helpful and answered all my questions. Rokket is the best guy you could hope for to have your car. I even had a mishap after they built the motor and they took care of me like I was one of their own. I cannot stress how good of a job they did . would give 6 stars if i could

  johao rios
6 years ago
Stupidly broke a bolt in the casing of my engine in a very tough location. After attempting a few things myself and contacting 7 shops they were the only ones willing to even attempt to get it out. All else insisted I needed to remove the engine or would not touch the eng and bolt due to liability. The last shop I spoke with told me to contact Engine Lab. Thankfully.After speaking to Kristian at E.L. and his techs agreed to take a look at it. After towing it over and leaving it there a night they had it out no problem! Very helpful crew over there. Will definitely be back for any issues I may encounter in the future.

  Kathy Woodside
7 years ago
Rokket at the Engine Lab is professional in all aspects of his business. There are no hidden costs, and he is transparent in the expectations of what he can do for the customer, given the costs of the work and what the customer is willing to spend. He performed track oriented work on my 2007 GT3 including coolant line welding, hose replacement, water pump replacement, and a host of other track oriented safety work on the car. The work was factory grade or better, and his depth of knowledge on a great number of brands of vehicles is unmatched. I highly recommend him and his business to anyone. Like every business, communication is the most important thing that an owner and customer can have. Other reviews seem to point to customers not understanding what the outcome of the job will be prior to the job commencing. I have listened to conversations between Rokket and customers, and he is crystal clear in his explanations of outcome and cost. I will always trust his opinion on my vehicle.

  Jim Farmer
7 years ago
Awesome service!!! Had my 2003 Porsche 996 dyno'd and got great results! Also got my car professional aligned with the proper camber and toe... wow what a difference.This is the place to get professional and quality service that one can trust. Talk to Rokket!!!

  Suzann Janvrin
13 years ago
Not having seen these reviews beforehand, we brought our '90 Toyota pick up in to have the engine rebuilt. It had 250,000 miles on it. Overall, our experience was positive, however, this is a stressful process because you get your estimate for the engine work, and then when the engine gets taken apart, there is ALWAYS something else that they see needs replacing. No one wants to hear that, so yes, it was upsetting. We thought we were being taken, especially after noticing these reviews shortly after we got our revised quote!We went in to the shop to see what was going on with our quote. The shop was clean and very organized. Each customer's engine is assigned a rolling rack to keep everyone's parts separate. They went down the list, showed us each part, explained why it was bad, then allowed us to decide if we wanted to replace it. We chose to replace almost everything they recommended as we could clearly see that it needed it and realized then that we were not being ripped off.There was some pressure to have the recommended work done at Engine Lab. This is because the warranty they give won't cover a repair to the engine if it the problem was caused by a part or repair that someone else made. That seemed fair since they can only guarantee their own work.One down side is they only warranty against leaks for 30 days when other shops offer a year. This costed 'em a star.If you are considering getting engine work, your car is probably old and needs other things. Be prepared for that! They cannot see what all it needs until they take the car apart! We ended up paying $1900 MORE than the original quote. If we can put another 250K miles on it, we got a deal. If we have any problems, I will be back to update this review.

  Justin Hackett
9 years ago
I took my 1984 Chevy K5 to Dave last year to have the engine rebuilt. He walked me through the shop and the process for the rebuild. He asked me what I expected out of the build and discussed my options. I was kept well aware of issues that came up throughout the process. I would recommend the Engine Lab of Tampa to anyone needing work done.

  Julianna Hudgins
4 years ago
After being referred to The Engine Lab of Tampa, I couldn't of been any happier with the quality of work and knowledge of my car. I am very careful about where and who I let work on my Porche and would highly recommend The Engine Lab to anyone who feels the same way. I immediately noticed a difference in my cars performance after the work that was done!

  G
6 years ago
Engine Labs was very kind to us, even on a small 4 cylinder, cylinder head rebuild. Their original quote had only increased with adding to the work as our plans for it changed and they were very honest. My son, the programmer had in depth conversations with Rokket and other techs on tuning, they were all very knowledgeable, and accommodating. Thank you Engine Labs.