Cambelt Replacement (Performance Autoworks)

KissMyJDM · Post by **KissMyJDM** » Tue Apr 19, 2022 3:08 pm

Can anyone reccomend anywhere to carry out the Cambelt change on my H22 5th gen?

Under the impression Performance Autoworks is the place to go? He seems to know his stuff, Just making sure I'm not being overcharged and there is no other Gurus about in the southwest?

Scott560 · Post by **Scott560** » Tue Apr 19, 2022 3:36 pm

I wouldn't say you would be overcharged, but keep in mind that specialist knowledge and care and attention costs money. I was happy to pay for it however as Rich really does know how to look after his customers.

I went there for some advice, next thing I know my car was there a little while and a fair bit of work was done and additional work as well, and ended up spending 2k lol.

Cambelt is not out of the realms of the DIY'er. I haven't done mine yet but will be doing so in the summer. I always say with these cars that the only way to justify keeping them on the road at this age is to do the work yourself.

KissMyJDM · Post by **KissMyJDM** » Tue Apr 19, 2022 4:00 pm

He seems to be very knowledgeable. I'm and ex-mechanic and I would do it myself, but there is one main reason I'm not doing it myself.

I can't be bothered haha

The more I think about it, the more I'm happy that he is the one doing it. I'm just worried ill go in for one thing and come out with more things done and a bigger bill than I expected. My car is far from low mileage and mint condition, I just want to enjoy it for a few more years thats all

You say you went in for one thing and came out with a 2K bill?

Scott560 · Post by **Scott560** » Tue Apr 19, 2022 4:17 pm

I dropped off an accord type R gearbox, and asked if he would split it open and check if its useable. He advised that it wasn't in the best shape, but he suggested he could swap the diff into my lude box if id like (same ratios in the h22a8 later box anyways).

So I dropped the car off for that work - but ended up with some new diff bearings and input shaft bearing in my box, new OE ATR clutch kit, all the gbox seals, the rear crank main seal as well. Then I thought whilst the car is in the air - why not get him to do the fiddly job of fitting the rest of my strongflex bushes, and fix the flexi section of the exhaust and probably a few other jobs as well. He resealed the sump as the down pipe was off. Lots of jobs like that. Alter the coilovers, MOT etc.

Overall, I appreciated his thoroughness and commitment to doing the best by the car - a lot of jobs are easier to do whilst other bits are off, but the hours and parts start to rack up. I was happy to pay this though as the car was a semi-daily back then and I knew the jobs needed doing, and he was the right chap to do it...

He sends detailed emails with pictures of progress and offers good advice and asks what do you want to do about issues X Y and Z. Probably my best garage experience ever.

I'll be doing my cambelt in the summer, along with its yearly 'fix all the things that broke last year', it would be an unjustifiable expense if I didn't fix the issues myself - even when they can be a right ball ache (The flexi went just recently, and that's what made me buy a new car - I too couldn't be bothered to do such mid size jobs under duress, but happy to do them as and when time permits).

KissMyJDM · Post by **KissMyJDM** » Thu Apr 21, 2022 11:07 am

Yeah he seems to be the guy for the job

Its all booked in and I look forward to the peace of mind of having it done

I have owned my 5th gen for about 4 or 5 years now, admittedly I've not had it done. Although I was told it was done when I bought it with a receipt