Performance Automotive Machine in Chattanooga: Machine Shop Services for Engine and Transmission Work

Performance Automotive Machine is a specialized machine shop that handles engine block boring, cylinder head porting, crankshaft grinding, and transmission component rebuilding for both street and racing applications. Located in Chattanooga, it serves local enthusiasts, repair shops, and shops across the Southeast who need precision machine work that goes beyond standard bolt-on repairs.

What Performance Automotive Machine Actually Does

This is not a general repair shop. The business focuses exclusively on the internal machining and restoration of engines and transmissions, which means it takes on work that independent shops and dealerships send out when a vehicle needs more than new spark plugs or a fluid flush. Common jobs include boring cylinders to larger sizes for engine rebuilds, resurfacing cylinder heads, grinding and polishing crankshafts, honing transmission drums and sleeves, and balancing rotating assemblies. The shop works on domestic and foreign engines ranging from stock rebuilds to high-performance builds for drag racing and street rods.

Services and Pricing

Performance Automotive Machine charges by the specific job rather than a flat hourly rate. Engine block boring runs approximately $40 to $80 per cylinder depending on the degree of work and oversize needed (verify current rates directly with the shop). Cylinder head porting and polishing typically costs between $300 and $800 per head based on complexity. Crankshaft grinding and polishing ranges from $200 to $500 depending on journal condition and the number of passes required. Transmission drum honing and sleeve work runs $150 to $400 per component. Most jobs require a core deposit, which is returned once the core is returned and inspected.

Turnaround time varies. Simple jobs like crankshaft grinding may take one to two weeks; complex engine builds requiring multiple operations can take four to six weeks. The shop typically requires payment in full before machining begins, though terms can sometimes be negotiated for repeat customers or larger jobs.

How It Compares to Other Chattanooga Machine Shops

Chattanooga has a limited number of dedicated machine shops. Most general auto repair shops either perform no in-house machining or outsource to shops in Nashville or Atlanta, which adds cost and turnaround time. A second option is to ship work to regional shops in Knoxville or Birmingham, which introduces shipping delays and lost-core liability. Performance Automotive Machine's advantage is local turnaround and the ability to discuss work directly with the machinist without a middleman. The trade-off is that Performance Automotive Machine does not handle general automotive repair, meaning if you need both machine work and new gaskets installed, you'll need a separate shop to reassemble the engine.

Who It Suits and Who It Does Not

This shop is essential if you are rebuilding an engine or transmission yourself, running a repair shop that needs occasional specialized machining, or building a performance engine for a vehicle. It works for both budget rebuilds (stock bore sizes, basic resurfacing) and high-end builds (custom porting, balanced assemblies). It does not suit drivers who need quick repairs or shops that prefer integrated service under one roof. It also is not the place for cosmetic work on engine bay components or general diagnostics.

What the First Visit Involves

Contact the shop by phone with details about your core (engine block, cylinder head, transmission case, or crankshaft) and the work needed. The shop will ask about specifications: desired bore size for a block, compression ratio requirements for a head, balancing weight for a crankshaft. You then drop off the core or arrange shipping, and the shop provides a written estimate before any work begins. Once approved, machining starts and the core is ready for pickup or shipment when complete. Bringing the core in person allows the machinist to inspect it and discuss any damage or limitations that might affect the final result.

Hours, Location, and Logistics

Performance Automotive Machine operates Monday through Friday during standard business hours; Saturday hours are limited and should be confirmed before visiting. The shop has on-site parking and a small waiting area. Because turnaround times range from one to six weeks depending on job complexity, most customers drop off cores and return weeks later for pickup. If you are local, bringing your core in person eliminates shipping risk and allows face-to-face discussion of machine tolerances and rebuild goals.

Performance Automotive Machine fills a critical gap for Chattanooga's DIY engine builders and professional shops that need reliable local machining without Nashville-Atlanta shipping costs or delays.