I think working on one's own car kicks ***. Mindphrame offered to show me how it's done and together accomplished a Fuel Pulsation Dampener replacement and turbo simplification. I hope eventually I'll be able to pull my own engine and rebuild it and the turbos. While working on my car I was thinking, "What the HELL have I DONE?!" Right before I started the car I was like, "Oh ****, oh ****, oh ****, I know it's not going to work." Then when it started I declared, "It's alive, ALIIIIIIIIIIVE!!!!!!" That's when I discovered the blood, sweat, and nearly tears were actually worth far less than the incredible feeling of confidence and accomplishment. Now when people stare at my car I give a slightly wider smile and a nod with a little more "Mmmm hmmmmm."

-Jon

P.S. Now I need to update my sig.

 

So what was broken and what did you fix?

 

nothing like that overwhelming feeling of accomplishment to drive you further into your modification struggle. and i do mean struggle, for money that is.....

ps, no offense, but that pic of you in your avatar makes me think of the skinny dude from road trip, you know...the guy that "killed a cheetah"

 

That is exactly what I am doing right now actually. I am just taking a break from it. We took off the turbo from my friends 98 TSI AWD Talon. We are in the process of porting that, the intake manifold and I just got done flushing 2 of our friends intercoolers that will be going on his Stealth TT. Too bad its not the FD, but that will hopefully be tomorrow.

 

Someday I'd like to remove the rear subframe with the suspension still attached just to see how cool it will look

 

like i said.............

when i get out of my car........i look back at her sometimes......and say

"**** yea"

alot of people are like damn................thats one hot car

 

For my money there is nothing more satisfying than cranking it up and going for a test cruise after a few days of car parts strewn across the garage, busted knuckles, headaches, and 10,000 trips to the auto parts store, parts department, and home depot. And then I think about how much money i just saved. It is the best.

 

I know that feeling very well Every time I do any major work to any of my vehicles, I'm always very nervous, and sometimes shaking slightly when I go to start it up for the first time. So far, I haven't had any major problems. But usually whenever I do any major engine work or installations, there's always something stupid that keeps it from starting and makes me start crapping my pants for a few minutes. Like my friend's Toyota truck where we had the distributor off by a tooth and it ran like ****, or my Berretta where I had ALL of my spark plug wires swapped (because the Haynes book was wrong)... it would only backfire. But of all the work I've done, I have yet to mess anything up besides stuff like that. And you get that awesome feeling when the job is done, and you know it's done right.

 

I'm gunna do the oil change for the first time on my FD! And I still have about 800 miles to go. I'm gunna use Mobil 1 syn. And I just checked my coolant level.....its good! Yay!....Yay! eh......I'm gunna go watch tv.

 

Jonski,

I know exactly what you mean. I just finished doing the same job on my car. I was so happy when it started up on the first try. I noticed it was out of gas, so I drove down to the gas station. As soon as I got there, my Commander started showing the temp rise. I shut her down and realized I hadn't attached the hose clamp to the coolant hose coming from right next to the Fuel Pulsation Damper to the other side of the engine. So, I bought some more coolant, just barely was able to squeeze my fingers in to get the hose on, and made it home safe

The other "experiences" I had during this little oddysey:

- had the injectors cleaned and flow tested by RC Engineering at the suggestion of some forum members (thanks guys!)
- broke the rear tube coming from the oil metering pump. Replaced that.
- redid all of the hoses in silver silicone, and added zip ties this time (again as suggested on the forum)
- in the process found two ripped hoses and replaced them.
- took off the alternator -- I thought I had to. I didn't
- lost the long alternator bolt behind the intercooler. Took out intercooler.

Anyway -- fixing your own car is definitely rewarding, and it allows you to find other things that are wrong, as well as learn a lot about your car. Last time I (really) worked on my own car was my first car, a 1969 Mach 1 with a 351C that I rebuilt. This sure brought back memories...

--
pedalpusher

 

Ah yes,

my little boys are all now growing up...

...Good to see that some of you are not scared to touch your cars. I look at my car everyday and think to myself, "...I fixed that..."

...quite a good feeling. Saves TONS of money. I bought my FD in December of 2001. Two weeks ago, I attempted(and suceeded) at an engine swap. In another two months, I plan on building my own engine with Atkins 2 piece 2mm apex seals and SUPER DUPER HOLY COW THAT'S A STREET PORT. I'm going to have to fabricate a downpipe and do quite a bit of massaging of the fuel/ignition map, but that's what learning about the car is for...

...and if I blow it up...well, that why I'm learning...just as long as it won't kill me...hell it's only money right?!?!

 

What is a turbo simplification? I know about going non-sequential but is that the same as a turbo simplification?

 

Turbo simplification is keeping the stock sequential system, but getting rid of the solenoids that control emissions by blocking them off or running them to each other. Good idea if you "like" the sequential system.

 

heheheh, does doin a tranny conversion count ... let you guys know how that turns out

 

Same with me. Every time I close the garage door.

 

Once again crongratz Jonski. Was a good feeling seeing that beast up and running again.

Ill see what I can do about getting you hooked up with Goofey to see if he can get that weird radio thing back in order. He thinks your going to have to get a new head unit though. ::shrug::

All and all Job well done. Didnt know what you were getting into eh? Now when someone says "I smell fuel" You can just laugh. HAVE FUN BUDDY! You dont know what your about to get into.

Well now that Im 1200 miles away from my car, dunno what im going to do in Texas.... Hurry up and post thoes pictures and such so I have something to laugh at over here.

Well congratz and if I had a long arm Id give you a pat on the back again.

 

 

yeah, I definately know that feeling. The biggest one was after burns, cuts, bruises, scrapes, tons of dirt and grime, and several hours of sweat-induced labot when Huy and I took the Pre cat off of Lois (rest her soul) and installed the 3" ss downpipe...what a pain in the ***, but oon that drive home, the boost guage jumping so quickly and that huge roar...man, that felt so good I wanted to cry.

p.s. the search for Lois2 is official now

 

I love working on my own car. My dad hates it and would much rather have me take it to a mechanic....but I'm ASE certified so I don't know what his deal is. Anyway, I love when people ask "who did that", cause my answer is simply...me.

 

There really is nothing better than being able to brag. YOU did the work, YOU kept the car alive and well; there's just something about it all... It's a good feeling.

 

When I first bought my REPU my roomate kept telling me he would be suprised if I ever got it running. $600 for a motor, $600 for Weber carb, and another $100 in gaskets, silicon, hoses bolts, etc and I have a cool beater truck that can beat Civics. I enjoy doing my own work and consider it a must if you own a rotary engine vehicle.

 

Heh, I know that feeling Jonski... Congrats!!! You other guys want stress though ? Try running a drill bit through the fuel rails before tapping them out to 1/4" NPT for Aeroquip hose fittings. *is very proud of his set of brass "ones"*