DIY JOBS / BIG JOBS

Engine Swaps, Transmissions & Clutch Replacement Jobs in the Bay Area

This is what the shop was built for. Engine hoist, transmission jacks, real lifts, and somewhere to park the car while you wait on parts. Stop doing it on your back in a driveway.

Shop floor with two-post car lifts at GaragePass, a DIY auto shop in the Bay Area
TIMEOne long day for a clutch. A few weeks for a full swap.
SKILL LEVELIntermediate to advanced. Plan before you pull.
YOUR CAR CAN STAYMonthly parking for engine-out and waiting-on-parts projects.

The Big Tools, Already Here

No $400 tool for one job. No borrowing a hoist from a guy who wants it back Tuesday.

See the equipment →
Two-post liftsGet under the car standing up, with room to drop a transmission.
Engine hoistEngines out and back in without calling in favors.
Transmission jacksClutch jobs and trans swaps without balancing 100+ lbs on your chest.
Impact guns and breaker barsFor bolts that have been on there since the factory.
Torque wrenchesMounts, flywheel, and bellhousing bolts back to spec.
Smoke machineChase down vacuum leaks after everything’s back together.
Fluid collection and metal recyclingOil, coolant, and trans fluid in our containers. Old parts get recycled.

How It Goes at GaragePass

  1. 01Take a free tour.Walk the shop and talk through your plan with us.
  2. 02Pick the right hours.Big jobs burn hours, and bigger memberships bring the hourly cost way down.
  3. 03Add monthly parking (optional).Your car has a spot while the engine’s out or parts are on the way.
  4. 04Book long blocks.Your booking is your lift, and nobody else can take your slot.
  5. 05Use the big tools.Hoist, trans jacks, and fluid collection are all part of the membership.

Why Do It Yourself?

Real equipmentA lift, a hoist, and trans jacks beat a driveway, a floor jack, and three friends.
Room to stage partsLay it all out, bag your bolts, and leave the project where it is between sessions.
Someone’s done itBetween staff and members, somebody has probably done your swap and knows the trick.
AT A SHOP$600–1,200+ laborA clutch job is often 4–8 hours of labor at $150+ an hour, before parts markup.
AT GARAGEPASS$120–240One long day on a lift at $15–30 an hour, with the engine hoist and transmission jacks included.

Estimates. Bay Area shop labor often runs $150+ an hour and quotes vary. Membership rates shown before the $10/mo processing fee.

FAQ

Can my car stay at the shop while I wait on parts?

Yes. Monthly parking is an add-on for engine-out and long projects, and overflow parking means the car can come off the lift while you wait.

Which membership makes sense for a big build?

Big jobs burn hours fast. Gold (20 hrs/mo) and Platinum (100 hrs/mo) bring the hourly cost way down, and unused hours roll over forever. Compare tiers →

Can I do a clutch job here?

Yep. Clutches and transmissions are exactly what the trans jacks are for.

What happens to the old engine and fluids?

Fluids go in our collection containers, and metal recycling is part of the membership. Ask us about anything big before you pull it.

Ready to Wrench?

Book your lift time and get to work. Never been in? Come see the shop first. Tours are free. Lift time runs $15–30/hr with a membership, or $50/hr with a day pass.

You do the work. GaragePass is a DIY shop, not a repair shop: we provide the lift, tools, and space. 950 77th Ave, Oakland, CA 94621 · Questions? Email info@garagepass.co