Working On Own Car?

[daveb91]

Who does it? I for one have never had my car in the garage the only time its in there is for inspection. Just wondering how many shadetree mech there are out there. I couldnt stand to have my car in a garage not knowing if its fixed the right way. Easy way to learn about cars rebuilt my honda motor about 2 years ago and it was definatly a learnig experience. So how many do their own work?

[superchargedgsr]

i installed my chrome oil cap the other day

[jchouse]

I'm learning as I go I guess, right before the beretta died I put rotors and pads on it, that was the first time I did that so I was kinda proud of myself. Well anyway I try to do what I can by myself but I'm allways scared I'm going to mess something up and then be screwed.

[C_Note]

Depends on what I'm doing, honestly. I've been working on cars (mechanically and autobody) for nearly 20 years now, and some stuff has become tedious. Take, for instance, an oil change. 5qts, filter, and air filter costs what, $15? These days, I just as much prefer to go to Wal-Mart, spend an extra $3, and let them do it while I do my grocery shopping. 2 birds, 1 stone. Then I also don't have to worry about forgetting to write down when the last change was.

Most other stuff, I'll do myself. I just spent $275 on a whole new brake system for the Buick a few months ago, versus the $1300 Sears wanted. Took 9 hours to do, but $$ > time.

And these days, it depends on whether I need a garage, or not. Since I'm currently renting (hopefully to change at the end of this month, watching a house in Vincent), I don't have a garage to work in. So I have to get ahold of my old man and find out if he's got an empty spot in his for me to squeeze in.

But, in general, yes, I do my own work.

[Racerx300zx]

Started working on cars with my dad when I was about 6, and have continued the trend, used to be cause I was poor, but now it's turned into a hobby, just gotta watch out for those crippling injuries

[Feedman]

Started working on cars with my dad when I was about 6, and have continued the trend, used to be cause I was poor, but now it's turned into a hobby, just gotta watch out for those crippling injuries


I can appreaciate that. My dad introduced me to vehicles when I was younger. He always told me, it didn't matter if I took my car somewhere to have the oil changed, but I should know how to do it myself. Then it sorta snowballed from there. Brakes/oil/engine....you name it. Sorta turned into a hobby, and its nice to see your work when you are done. Makes me proud to show what I have worked for and put together myself. Yes it would have been nice to spend X amount of dollars to have someone install my clutch/brakes/turbo. But what does that teach me? Nothing.....here mechanic X, here is my money make my car fast....I just don't see the fun in that myself. But each to there own. But with the help of a few friends here and there, I learned alot and the experience was worth a million dollars....I honestly think I would do it ALL over again if I had the choice....

Knowledge is definatly POWER....boosted or otherwise.... 8)

[Davis Silver Sti]

I just call Kurt:)

[daveb91]

Yes it would have been nice to spend X amount of dollars to have someone install my clutch/brakes/turbo. But what does that teach me? Nothing.....here mechanic X, here is my money make my car fast....I just don't see the fun in that myself.
Knowledge is definatly POWER....boosted or otherwise.... 8)

Its not only fun but at least you know what you have got. I hate it when people have mods that when you ask them about the mods they cant tell you crap or they sound like a mag ad because they had their mechanic do it. I dont care how much you know about that mod you cant tell me everything about it because you didnt install it and I have more respect for a guy who can tell me everything about their mods. Honestly other than some things you have to have specialized tools for you can do almost anything to your car with basic hand tools.

[superchargedgsr]

I have installed almost every catback exhaust system, gauges, stereos, electronics, headers,turbo timers, boost controllers, intakes, strut bars...all that basic stuff on my own....the supercharger was something i didnt, A) have room to do and B) time for my car to be down to do it...at that time I was in between daily drivers....and the transmission because thats to much of a job for me...

[jchouse]

speaking of sears, they wanted $495 to do my brakes, and I did it on my own for $85

[daveb91]

I have installed almost every catback exhaust system, gauges, stereos, electronics, headers,turbo timers, boost controllers, intakes, strut bars...all that basic stuff on my own....the supercharger was something i didnt, A) have room to do and B) time for my car to be down to do it...at that time I was in between daily drivers....and the transmission because thats to much of a job for me...

Dont know how much time it took to do it on a Acura but one of my friends install a JRSC on his Green civic and it took about the whole afternoon 6-7 hours.

[superchargedgsr]

only one day at the shop, but i dont have the room...call me lame or whatever you want, because i took it to mechanic X...but it was alot easier for me...and 150 bucks no big deal

[Feedman]

only one day at the shop, but i dont have the room...call me lame or whatever you want, because i took it to mechanic X...but it was alot easier for me...and 150 bucks no big deal

Yea but you are good friends and he gives you crazy deals. For the average person, we would be looking @ several-several hundred dollars..... 8)

[superchargedgsr]

that is true...i would of loved to do it...my friend and I even planned on doing it over at mcclintons, would have been easier on a lift...but if we were to run into one problem...would have sucked...not like I could leave it on a lift in the garage over there....and my garage has no room...and when it was put on it was to damn cold outside lol...but oh well its on...even though I have not gotten to really run it yet...that has been the worst part...but when i get it back hopefully by friday, then go get it tuned at a dyno shop in dayton next week if all goes as planned

[Feedman]

that is true...i would of loved to do it...my friend and I even planned on doing it over at mcclintons, would have been easier on a lift...but if we were to run into one problem...would have sucked...not like I could leave it on a lift in the garage over there....and my garage has no room...and when it was put on it was to damn cold outside lol...but oh well its on...even though I have not gotten to really run it yet...that has been the worst part...but when i get it back hopefully by friday, then go get it tuned at a dyno shop in dayton next week if all goes as planned

Really.....let me know...maybe we can make the trip together....?

I need a tune also.... 8)

[Kurt_W]

I just call Kurt:)

So do I, but he's a bit of a dick and he charges too much.

[superchargedgsr]

that is true...i would of loved to do it...my friend and I even planned on doing it over at mcclintons, would have been easier on a lift...but if we were to run into one problem...would have sucked...not like I could leave it on a lift in the garage over there....and my garage has no room...and when it was put on it was to damn cold outside lol...but oh well its on...even though I have not gotten to really run it yet...that has been the worst part...but when i get it back hopefully by friday, then go get it tuned at a dyno shop in dayton next week if all goes as planned

Really.....let me know...maybe we can make the trip together....?

I need a tune also.... 8)

sure will...its like 150 or 175 for first hour and then 100 after but i didnt write it down, and i called like 3 weeks ago...but i have directions and all that....but my car needs it bad...

[daveb91]

only one day at the shop, but i dont have the room...call me lame or whatever you want, because i took it to mechanic X...but it was alot easier for me...and 150 bucks no big deal

I didnt call you lame....How is the HG coming along?

[superchargedgsr]

ordering the head/gaskets and crap today...keeping my fingers crossed for the end of the week or early next week, for it to be back on the road....then im going to a dyno shop in dayton to get it tuned, once the 8psi pulley is on and the flywheel removed...


any ideas on what can be done to my factory flywheel to reduce its weight maybe a few lbs? machine shop would be my guess? anyone ever done or attempted this?

[daveb91]

I have seen factory lightened flywheel i would just be concerned about the strength with taking the material off. How much does a lightened flywheel cost anyway?

[Feedman]

ordering the head/gaskets and crap today...keeping my fingers crossed for the end of the week or early next week, for it to be back on the road....then im going to a dyno shop in dayton to get it tuned, once the 8psi pulley is on and the flywheel removed...


any ideas on what can be done to my factory flywheel to reduce its weight maybe a few lbs? machine shop would be my guess? anyone ever done or attempted this?

I think our Oem flywheels are in the 18# range....and you can safely remove something like 4-6#'s safely. Although I couldn't find anyone here to do that.

You may want to get your Oem fly resurfaced b4 you put it back on your car. $30 bucks @ Marietta Ignition....... 8)

[superchargedgsr]

so all I gotta do is take it to marietta and they do it for 30 bucks?


thanks man

[daveb91]

They will resurface it for 30. Not lighten it.

[superchargedgsr]

where is it in marietta?

[Feedman]

ordering the head/gaskets and crap today...keeping my fingers crossed for the end of the week or early next week, for it to be back on the road....then im going to a dyno shop in dayton to get it tuned, once the 8psi pulley is on and the flywheel removed...


any ideas on what can be done to my factory flywheel to reduce its weight maybe a few lbs? machine shop would be my guess? anyone ever done or attempted this?

I think our Oem flywheels are in the 18# range....and you can safely remove something like 4-6#'s safely. Although I couldn't find anyone here to do that.
You may want to get your Oem fly resurfaced b4 you put it back on your car. $30 bucks @ Marietta Ignition....... 8)


lol...thats what I said Dave.....


I believe that Marietta Ignition is on 3rd St in Marietta. It is on the left, maybe 2-3 blocks. Easy to find...sits right on the road. The machine shop is right beside it. Thats where you need to go. 8)

[superchargedgsr]

thanks man, also, you really wanting to go to the dyno? or need to wait and get the cash?

[Feedman]

thanks man, also, you really wanting to go to the dyno? or need to wait and get the cash?

Not totally sure.

Cash shouldn't be a problem. I am actually looking into a wideband o2 for my car. I could really use it. Price is ~300 bucks. But I could tune it myself, and save alot of $$ in the future...so I don't know.

Let me know when you have a date set...and I will see whats up....

I need to do something..b/c my gas milage has gone down the dumps...filling up several times a week....way two rich.... 8)

[superchargedgsr]

thats one of the major reasons i am going....when the car was stock i got like 28-32 in town....now its like 16-22, just varies....jackson even said it should not have dropped that much...

[C_Note]

Mtta Ignition is on 2nd street, if you're coming off the Putnam St bridge, turn left onto 2nd, and it's on the left on that first block (300 block?).

[narfdanarf]

Will you have your 8 lb. pulley on there.


edit-Adam told me you said somewhere you'd have it on.

[superchargedgsr]

yeah its in a box out in my garage at the moment, so everything i have bought since the car has been down will be on....

[Uber_DSM]

We have never had our cars in the shop, its kinda weird considering my dad owns one, im still young and maybe im more open to this because i have more time on my hands then you guys, but we always do everything ourselves. I just really like to get hands on and learn what im doing. The only thing i did not do was the engine swap. That was becuase we didtn have the time or lift to do it. But i will be getting my old one abck becasue there is no core charge so i plan on tearing that apart to learn a lot about it