Auto Accessories & Upgrades Shops in Thunder Bay, ON

“Absolutely INCREDIBLY SKILLED workmanship.

My Suzuki SX4 2.0L car's engine had a timing chain failure in 2025 due to a component breaking unexpectedly. The bill having a mechanic do FULL repairs was going to cost between $5000-6000. As I'm very mechanically inclined backyarding mechanics/engines for my entire life, I decided to attempt this job DIY.

I painstakingly was able to remove the entire engine cylinder head myself after a lot of time spent doing reading and research of the standard process, and finally got the cylinder head off after a few weeks. The engine bay is a nightmare to work in on this car, you have to remove an entire mount and drop half the engine with another jack to be able to remove timing set. I got the timing cover + whole timing gear/chainset removed and finally got the cylinder head off. Upon removal the head gasket looked OK but we observed the valves had definitely impacted the pistons as there were small indentations in my engine's piston top surfaces, thankfully only very minor nicks nothing major to compromise the piston under compression. A family member of mine inspected the head together and ALL E+I valves were visibly all bent and not sealing at all, even with an air compressor we couldn't get anything to seal using water soap and air. SO I called rebuilders around the city and the most reliable shop I found willing to take on my rebuild was Import Auto.

I paid 2000 KM on the engine rebuild now in 2026 - the engine starts/runs PURRING beautifully like a kitten. She heats up WAY better too with the fresh coolant I did, so in the end we got a new engine out of this catastrophe, sort-of. With a brand new timing set (gears, chains, tensioner timing cover). Hoping to get 100,000+ KM out of this engine rebuild.

Their shop engine rebuilder is a TRUE CHAMPION. If you are reading this review, THANK YOU!!! You did an incredible job, and this HUGE engine surgery job was a massive learning experience for me. I'd call myself a pretty competent DIY backyard mechanic now after this job. Not many DIY people will take on a timing chain, head gasket replacement & full cylinder head rebuild job.

When we believe in ourselves we can do anything. ANYTHING. Thanks IMPORT AUTO, A MASSIVE 5-STARS ON AN INCREDIBLE ENGINE HEAD REBUILD JOB WELL DONE!!! Been going here occasionally over the years for various parts needs. Customer for life now. Thank you.”

“These guys are the best. I don’t waste my time in town anymore, just go straight to import!”

“I had a great experience with my car starter install and am super happy with the friendly customer service I received ! I’d go here again and recommend it to others”

“Store is great.
WEBSITE IS UTTER VOMITOUS TRASH !!!”