Sam AlvarezHearing a heavy knock under your hood makes your stomach drop, but a blown motor isn’t an automatic death sentence. Finding the best engine rebuilders in Nashville is the key to getting your car back on the road.
Whether you’re working with a heavy-duty diesel truck or a European model, this kind of repair is a major investment that requires real technical skill and clear, upfront pricing.
To save you the stress of endless searching, we tracked down local shops handling complex internal repairs. These teams tackle exact in-house machining and certified remanufactured engine swaps to get your vehicle running smoothly again.
How much does an engine rebuild cost in Nashville?
An engine rebuild in Nashville typically costs $2,500 to over $6,000, depending on the vehicle’s make, model, and the extent of internal damage.
| Vehicle Type | Estimated Cost Range |
| Compact Cars (4-cyl) | $2,500 – $4,000 |
| Midsize Sedans (V6) | $3,000 – $4,500 |
| Trucks & SUVs (V6/V8) | $3,500 – $6,000 |
| Luxury Vehicles | $4,500 – $7,000+ |
1. USA Motor & Machine
Website: https://usa-motor-machine.jany.io/
Address: 51 Cleveland Avenue
Contact: (615) 726-3725
Schedule: Mon-Fri 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
USA Motor & Machine tackles complete custom engine rebuilding, which makes them a major asset for the local racing crowd.
They operate their own machine shop, handling critical tasks like block boring and head surfacing directly on-site. General auto shops usually lack the specialized equipment necessary for this deep technical focus.
We actually visited their facility last month, and observing the exact measurements they apply to custom performance blocks was absolutely fascinating.
That said, they skip basic maintenance like oil changes, so you’ll have to go to general auto shops for those. Custom rebuilds also naturally take longer than standard dealer swaps.
Still, if you need an experienced engine rebuilder in Nashville, they deliver incredibly thorough internal restoration.
Customer Reviews
Great job guys
Sent my ka24de to them and in a couple days it was done the engine had 360,000 miles on it. And now it has new parts and looks great. Wow, great job guys. Thanks
- Jeffery Tome | Google Review
For all your engine build needs
Guys there are amazing. I dropped a block , cylinder head and crankshaft to get it cleaned and resurfaced and all and they were done by the end of the day! Very fast and reasonable price! I would highly recommend this shop for all your engine build needs
- Robbie Katsaros | Google Review
2. Kwik Kar Lube & Tune
Website: https://www.kwikkaroftn.com/Nashville-engine-overhaul-replacement.html
Address: 7000 Charlotte Pike
Contact: (615) 353-1475
Schedule: Mon-Fri 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Kwik Kar Lube & Tune operates as an authorized Jasper Engines dealer, supplying high-quality remanufactured gas and diesel motors.
With a presence in the Nashville community since 1907, the shop has built an exceptionally long and visible track record of keeping local drivers on the road.
Instead of just swapping parts, they offer specialized reconditioning for cylinder heads and blocks while letting you buy your own replacement parts to keep costs down.
What we really love about this place is how honest the mechanics are. They explicitly tell you if a component has life left rather than pushing an unnecessary, expensive rebuild.
However, because full overhauls require significant time and precision, same-day turnaround shouldn’t be expected for more complex internal engine issues.
You’ll also need to plan your visits around their weekday-only schedule since they close completely on weekends.
Customer Reviews
For all my car mechanic needs and have never been disappointed
Kwik Kar mechanics tell you what’s wrong , what’s the cheapest way to fix it then do what they say they are going to. I go to Kwik Kar for all my car mechanic needs and have never been disappointed.
- Mitch Johnson | Google Review
I trust them completely with my vehicle
I can’t say enough good things about Kwik Kar and Thomas! Finding an honest and reliable mechanic is rare, but they go above and beyond every time. They provide clear explanations, fair pricing, and never try to upsell unnecessary repairs. The work is always top-notch, and I trust them completely with my vehicle. If you’re looking for a mechanic you can rely on, this is the place to go. Highly recommend!
- Alex Mayes | Google Review
3. Ewing Bass Garage & Transmission
Website: https://www.ewingbassgarage.com/
Address: 3211 Charlotte Avenue
Contact: (615) 385-4168
Schedule: Mon-Fri 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Ewing Bass Garage & Transmission has earned serious local trust by operating as a second-generation family shop since 1948. As a certified Jasper dealer, they provide remanufactured units that frequently exceed original factory specifications.
You definitely won’t get a surface-level fix here. They handle precision component machining for both gas and diesel setups, making them an excellent option for specialized trucks.
We pointed a coworker to this garage for a major engine overhaul last spring, and he walked away extremely happy with the straightforward advice.
But because the mechanics focus on these complex precision jobs, your wait time will naturally stretch longer than at a standard shop.
You must also work around their strict weekday hours, which might be tricky if you work nine to five.
Customer Reviews
Look no further
Ewing Bass Garage is an honest, reliable, and friendly mechanic. I have been a customer for many years, and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend to anyone. If you are looking for your forever mechanic in Nashville, look no further.
- Sally Peay | Google Review
All my experiences with them have been A+
They have been doing great work for many, many years. All my experiences with them have been A+, whether it was getting major engine and transmission work done or getting an expert opinion on something smaller. Couldn’t recommend any higher.
- austin chamberlain | Google Review
4. Rennstahl
Website: https://rennstahl.com/
Address: 1128 4th Avenue South
Contact: (615) 777-7100
Schedule:
- Mon-Fri 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Sat By Appointment Only
Rennstahl limits its focus exclusively to European brands, meaning their factory-trained technicians know exactly how to properly fix your BMW or Audi.
They utilize the exact same dealer-level diagnostic scanners as the big franchises but charge significantly less for the actual labor.
Trying to schedule full-scale engine rebuilding for imports can honestly be as frustrating as booking an emergency water heater repair on a busy holiday weekend.
Fortunately, the team backs their complex internal repairs with a massive three-year nationwide warranty. They even use genuine factory parts during the rebuild process to maintain original, off-the-lot performance standards.
The only downside is their rigid brand exclusivity. Drivers of Asian or domestic vehicles must find another engine rebuilder in Nashville to fix their cars.
Customer Reviews
Customer for life!
Rennstahl seriously goes above and beyond. We are so so happy to have found them. They identified multiple issues with our car, even offer multiple payment options, worked with our warrantee company, and were SO communicative and helpful! They have a customer for life!
- Helen Newell | Google Review
Rennstahl is a team you can trust
Rennstahl has taken care of my BMW X4 and Lexus ES350, and I couldn’t be happier with the service. They’re reliable, cost-competitive, and always make the process smooth. From the clean and comfortable lounge to their shuttle service if you don’t want to wait, they really put clients first. You can tell they take pride in their shop; it’s spotless, professional, and welcoming. Locally owned with factory-trained techs, Rennstahl is a team you can trust. Highly recommend!
- Micah J | Google Review
5. Import Specialty Service
Website: https://www.importspecialty.com/
Address: 375 Glenrose Avenue
Contact: (615) 834-6464
Schedule: Mon-Fri 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Import Specialty Service focuses heavily on cost-effective rejuvenation overhauls to creatively solve the highly complex engine problems that other local shops flat-out reject.
Their master-level, Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certified technicians tackle difficult rebuilds seamlessly. This professional certification means these mechanics passed rigorous national exams to formally prove their hands-on industry expertise.
Finding reliable service for imported cars feels almost as tough as finding a good technician for complicated appliance repair, but their extensive two-year nationwide warranty gives you solid peace of mind.
When your car is completely out of commission for days, they provide free Uber rides to keep your life moving forward without interruption.
Just remember that they don’t service domestic brands whatsoever and keep a strict Monday through Friday operational schedule.
Customer Reviews
Performed a detailed diagnostic
Doug and the service team gave us a 2nd opinion on significant engine work. They performed a detailed diagnostic and gave us 2 detailed options with pricing. They took the time to explain the the options and the risks associated with each. They also allowed us to speak directly with the senior service technician to get even more specifics. Compared to the Brentwood Audi dealer they by far seemed more knowledgeable and trustworthy.
- Michael W | Google Review
Had it fixed and back to me within 2 days
These are just good people! Brought my subaru in for engine problems, they had it fixed and back to me within 2 days. Incredible communication and honesty, they told me what the car needed and what they recommended without ever pushing me to buy something I didn’t want. I couldn’t tell you what was wrong with the car, but they did a great job explaining it to me. Mostly worked with Doug and he seems like a genuinely kind person. Very thankful!
- Katie | Google Review
