I just brought a higher mileage AP1 and want to replace the valve retainers to AP2. Any recommedation on shops in the Bay Area?

 

Where r u located? Blacktrax in Milpitas. Joey in Sf. The Shop in san bruno.

 

I am on the peninsula side, but I am willing to travel all around the bay. Joey won't do ap2 retainer.

How much should this job cost, parts and labor ?

 

Blacktrax!

 

go see Kevin at Auto HQ aka Auto Headquarter in Redwood City. He's an ASE certified master tech for Honda/Acura and Subaru.

 

Another recommendation for Blacktrax. They have done this swap many times.

 

Blacktrax qouted for around $700 parts & labor, is this in the ball park figure? Btw, the shop at San Bruno won't do the work.

 

I can't comment on the pricing, as I've never inquired, but sounds like Blacktrax is the way to go since not all shops do this type of work.

 

I just got a sticker shock when I saw how much this will cost at blacktrax. From what I read here at s2ki, this should be a 2 -3 hr job that cost around $300....

Not sure if I should pay $700 if the car drives fine now. Is it worth it as a preventive maint?

 

How much mileage is on the car? If it's nearing the end of the lifecycle of other parts, it may be better to simply replace everything at once. I would imagine that at north of 100k on a 10year old S2000, the 2nd gear isn't that great, the clutch will need to be changed (if it hasn't been already), piston rings are starting to let oil pass, bearings are somewhat degraded, and the head parts mentioned as well.

I may know a mechanic in SF that you can ask, super nice guy and extremely knowledgeable.