Do it yourself they say...pff

PG98GT · Oct 4, 2004

Blev said:
Did you have any issues installing your Plenum and TB? Mine will be arriveing this week (Accufab) and I keep hearing about people throwing a MIL after install.

No MIL codes here either. But don't get in a hurry, especially moving the TPS from the old TB to the new one. Those screws can be a real patience test. There aren't many hoses/lines to remove, but if you have trouble remembering locations, use a digital camera and take a few pictures of the stock setup or do it old school, use some masking tape and write the installation locations on the tape. The EGR tube can be difficult too, so have some WD-40 or equivalent handy.

tarch · Oct 4, 2004

DIY projects are the ones i like!

I really think that that's the time where it shows whether or not you should be modding or not. Granted there are some things i can't do, like engine stuff... but through all my projects i've gone through i learned one thing... a friend is good to have... struts btw are easy to change...

jbrown · Oct 4, 2004

it seems everytime I take my car somewhere to be worked on they mess it up more, so I try to do as much diy as possible. basic jack stands, jack, socket set will be enough for most jobs.

Stang|ess · Oct 4, 2004

My chin spoiler took about an hour. I used masking tape to hold it up, drilled holes with a dremel, and screded it in with regular 1/4" screws.

Then my grille delete took about an hour as well because I couldn't get the panel to stay down. I tried silicon, double sided tape and those didn't work to well so I took out my head lights, unbolted the metal part and realized that it's connected to my bumper. I finally used super glue. Not the cleanest, most efficent way but I finally got it down.

siege-x · Oct 4, 2004

4.6litrebeater said:
my wallet is tighter than bark on a tree so its always DIY for me. somethings go easy, somethings take a helluva lot longer than youd like, but in the end your tuffer for having done it yourself

i have to agree with him it is a pain in the butt while you do it but in the end you feel good about yourself for doing it. (well i do atleast)

when i installed my springs i was gonna have them installed profesionally and it woulda cost 250$ so i said screw that and gave it a go for myself. it took me about 2 hours with my bro. since im only 18 and have limited knowlege about cars i think i did a really good job. saved myself 250 and love how i can say i dropped it myself, even though it really wasnt that hard

Rocketman · Oct 4, 2004

mijo_latino said:
Everyone always says do it yourself, You'll save money.... pfff

To bad not everyone has that mechanic mentality.
Today i installed only the front struts of my car. Unfortunately i took way too long on this project, just like all my other DIY.
I had to use a stinking propane torch to get the nuts out of the struts. Liquid wrench didn't do anything but make me waste time. Also whats up with the nut on top of the strut? I bent a flat head srew driver twisting that thing. Then i bent the strut itself(old one) where the screwdirver goes to get that bolt out. I ended up have to grind one of them off . Must be an easier way! It doesn't help that the car has 100,000+ miles on this suspension.

Oh and i tryed to use the internal spring compresser o the fronts, but the piece of junk compresser didn't even fit throught the hole at the bottom of the control arm. How fustrating all this is....

other DIY and time taken
Sony radio+amp+sub - 6 hrs - solo
Interior paint pieces(6)-5 hrs - 2 peeps
magnaflow catback- 10 hrs. - 2 peeps
Pi intake- 2 days - solo
tokico shocks- 1 day so far...- solo
Steeda sport springs- pending the shocks, trying to do it at same time...

I guess i have saved a buck or 2.

Anytime I try something hard, I remember the quote from Teddy Roosevelt.
"The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat."
So just get in there and "Get'r Done"!!!!

Indiana · Oct 4, 2004

Who'd have thought you could paraphrase T. Roosevelt with Larry the Cable Guy.

Blev · Oct 4, 2004

PG98GT said:
No MIL codes here either. But don't get in a hurry, especially moving the TPS from the old TB to the new one. Those screws can be a real patience test. There aren't many hoses/lines to remove, but if you have trouble remembering locations, use a digital camera and take a few pictures of the stock setup or do it old school, use some masking tape and write the installation locations on the tape. The EGR tube can be difficult too, so have some WD-40 or equivalent handy.

I have already removed it and replaced it once when I did the Intake swap. The EGR tube is the pipe that goes between the firewall and engine block? If so, that's going to be a pain, I had to lift that thing up to bolt into my Plenum after I used the adapter plates. Talk about a major PITA. Thanks for the tips, I'll be taking a picture and going old school. You can never have to many safe gaurds.

WhiteDevil69 · Oct 4, 2004

mo_dingo said:
Unfortunately, leaving both connected would not let the LCA come down far enough to relieve the pressure in the spring (brothers 2003 GT). Once we disconnected the sway bar, the LCA came out just fine. The tie rod stayed on.

Because of this, and because the strut would not line back up in the factory CC plate, the drivers side spring took 2 hours to install. After the knowledge gained, the passenger side took 25 minutes (I timed it).

If you think working on a car is too much work, and things will always go easy, you need to get a better job & pay a mechanic to fuxor up your car. Even with the right tools, things do not always go easy. But once you have done them, the next time will be a piece of cake.
Scott

It was my car we were working on, and like he said, it just takes long because its the first time your trying, patience is a virtue. Though I always get frustrated on the long jobs, and they all take longer than all you seem to post, it gets done and thats what matters. Also, from the jobs we have done, my bro modingo has saved me hundreds and hundreds of dollars, basicly it will pay for my rims after doing the headers.. thats worth a little annoyance

Arnolds97 · Oct 4, 2004

Tools! You gotta have them. A good compressor 300.00. Get the largest you can. Yes, nut buster and a trorch are must when working on cars. If it won't come off "heat it ". Unless it has a rubber bushing around it. That can hurt!
I worked in an VW Beetle (Old Aircooled) shop. The Propane torch was use allot. That is wear I learned the value of the heating nuts. Stupid little things like undoing a nut and bolt to always hold the bolt and wrench off the nut. Cleaning dirty threads with a wire brush to keep the dirt from tightening the nut as it is coming off.

A little Trick FYI for the DIY guy. (Rhymes). If you have never done something before and while you are tearing it down video yourself in sections. This way when putting it back together you can review what went wear. I did the J mod and had never been in a tranny before except a fluid change. I did this and it was very helpful upon the reinstall.

I have done all the installs of the mods listed except the 3.73 gears. I like wrenching but bodywork I hate!!

Gears & Crosses · Oct 4, 2004

Don't be discouraged. All my projects take two times as long as I think they should(and I have been doing them a while). I take my time and try to take it as it comes. The other side of the coin is you could pay someone else and they could screw it up (THE DOUBLE WHAMY!). The other day, I sent my wife to the shop to get some tires put on the Formula and they snapped 3 studs off!!! So be careful out there. What is important is that you get the job done right. If you achieved this congratulations.

By doing things yourself you will learn more and be a true gearhead. However, if you are constantly having bad luck on cars then let someone else do it. If this is the case then find a reputable hot rodder who works out of his garage and do it together. It will be cheaper and you will still learn. I have a friend who has a 70 SS Chevelle clone that did this. It is working out great!

One more thing... An air compressor and an impact wrench help a lot. I started changing my struts on my SVO about 5 years ago. I had to stop the job and buy myself a compressor & impact. It made the job a lot easier!.

Good luck,
Gears

narongc73 · Oct 4, 2004

First of all, READ everywhere you can about how to do the job at hand. Next, airtools are your friend. If you had one you could have gotten that bolt off the strut in less than 10 seconds and anything else that is tough with an impact gun. If you don't have proper tools it's always harder, but not impossible. I have done it both ways. 10 times easier with the right tools and preparation.

For example installing a catback, use a reciprocating saw and you can have those pipes cut in 30 seconds.

If you don't have the proper tools and you don't like hard work, forget it and let the pros do it.

NO offense to anyone

Do it yourself they say...pff

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