Who here does their own work?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 580
Likes: 0
From: Washington, USA
Who here does their own work?
I got my feet wet on my f-body, but now feel comfortable tearing into my Y-body. Anyone here install their own supercharger? Heads? Cam?
here's to scraped knuckles and power steering racks.
here's to scraped knuckles and power steering racks.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,340
Likes: 1
From: hamilton nj "Life's tough......It's even tougher if you're stupid."-John Wayne
I installed a I/C Magnuson, ECS Alky Kit, Stage II LS6 heads, cam/lifters/1.8 roller rockers and swap out a 2:73 for a 3:42. Next on my list is a line lock, T/C and shift kit. Doing my own work saves tons of money which allows me to spend more money on mods 
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 241
Likes: 0
From: Honolulu HI
I've been modifying my cars since I was 16... The only thing I've done on the Z06 so far has been the A&A supercharger kit. But, personally, I HATE anyone touching my cars. In fact I take the wheel off my car and bring them to the tire shop to have new tires mounted because I'm paranoid having anyone else touching my car. 90% of the fun of these cars is doing the work yourself. I wish more people experienced that.
Derrick
Derrick
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 6,486
Likes: 2
From: http://www.mphparts.com 800-364-1975
As my name implies, I do a lot of my own work. Not that I'm any good at it though 
Some highlights:
* TTi Stage X twin turbo install
* Turbo cam install
* Cylinder head R&R and reinstall
* Methanol injection kit install
* Upgraded fuel system w/ surge tank install
* DTE tranny/diff brace install
The list goes on...
to scraped knuckles and burnt flesh! (been doing some electrical work and soldering....)
Some highlights:
* TTi Stage X twin turbo install
* Turbo cam install
* Cylinder head R&R and reinstall
* Methanol injection kit install
* Upgraded fuel system w/ surge tank install
* DTE tranny/diff brace install
The list goes on...
to scraped knuckles and burnt flesh! (been doing some electrical work and soldering....)
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,087
Likes: 10
From: Hernando MS
I did my own head change , Vararam install, front spoiler,TS rear fascia, ECS alky system, changed seats to sports style, installed custom stereo system, supermaxx exhaust system,pulley changes on the maggie.Harness bar install, installed my 3.42's with hardened output shaft, bilstein sports and elite engineering abs thicker flex plate.Hard wired my escort 8500-50
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,255
Likes: 4
From: Holliston MA
I do all the work on my C5 (minus the tune), every project I start I have a swear jar.
First Project: Vortech Intake, 3.42's, SY3500 TC, Transgo Shift Kit, Borla Stingers.
After the first project, my swear jar had enough money to purchase a SuperCharger.
Second Project: ATI SC w/A&A bracket, 42 lb injectors, racetronic fuel pump, Kooks LT, Kooks high flow cats.
First Project: Vortech Intake, 3.42's, SY3500 TC, Transgo Shift Kit, Borla Stingers.
After the first project, my swear jar had enough money to purchase a SuperCharger.
Second Project: ATI SC w/A&A bracket, 42 lb injectors, racetronic fuel pump, Kooks LT, Kooks high flow cats.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 886
Likes: 0
From: Tn
Not to hijack the thread but for you guys that did your own A&A install how hard was it? My tuner is tellng me it is alot harder than the ati kit, I just dont see it, and do you guys have the bigger radiator?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 3,060
Likes: 3
From: Dublin CA
I do everything except tuning and trans rebuild. The results make it obvious that it's a shadetree project.
I built the motor down to filling the rings, replaced the trans twice, installed an 8-rib setup, dash bezels and boost/fuel gauge pod, and new fuel system (Racetronix, BAP, 75lb injectors). Mostly in the garage, occasionally by the side of the road.
I built the motor down to filling the rings, replaced the trans twice, installed an 8-rib setup, dash bezels and boost/fuel gauge pod, and new fuel system (Racetronix, BAP, 75lb injectors). Mostly in the garage, occasionally by the side of the road.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 241
Likes: 0
From: Honolulu HI
DocZ06,
The A&A install wasn't reall ythat hard. It definitely has it's hard parts (i.e. the harmonic balancer bolt, and getting the steering rack out of the way. But I started Friday night, and was driving the car Sunday evening. Probably would have been quicker, except I had my own pre-conceived notions of how the setup was supposed to go in, vice reading the instructions carefully first...... A LOT of re-work for me. But damn, that's part of the fun of working on your own car. :o
Derrick
The A&A install wasn't reall ythat hard. It definitely has it's hard parts (i.e. the harmonic balancer bolt, and getting the steering rack out of the way. But I started Friday night, and was driving the car Sunday evening. Probably would have been quicker, except I had my own pre-conceived notions of how the setup was supposed to go in, vice reading the instructions carefully first...... A LOT of re-work for me. But damn, that's part of the fun of working on your own car. :o
Derrick
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,507
Likes: 0
From: Wilmington Ca.
I removed the air filter on my P1SC. Cleaned it via instructions on the K&N recharger kit, then reinstalled. The job took the better part of my day. This is one reason why A&A Corvettes does the major work on my Vet. PS. I perform all maintainers,oil changes, wash & wax, etc. etc. The wife calls this my Corvette bonding days.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 886
Likes: 0
From: Tn
Originally Posted by tazinhawaii
DocZ06,
The A&A install wasn't reall ythat hard. It definitely has it's hard parts (i.e. the harmonic balancer bolt, and getting the steering rack out of the way. But I started Friday night, and was driving the car Sunday evening. Probably would have been quicker, except I had my own pre-conceived notions of how the setup was supposed to go in, vice reading the instructions carefully first...... A LOT of re-work for me. But damn, that's part of the fun of working on your own car. :o
Derrick
The A&A install wasn't reall ythat hard. It definitely has it's hard parts (i.e. the harmonic balancer bolt, and getting the steering rack out of the way. But I started Friday night, and was driving the car Sunday evening. Probably would have been quicker, except I had my own pre-conceived notions of how the setup was supposed to go in, vice reading the instructions carefully first...... A LOT of re-work for me. But damn, that's part of the fun of working on your own car. :o
Derrick
Well they have been installing mine for the past 2 weeks granted they also put the motor in, but to me it is just taking far to long
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 1,247
Likes: 2
From: Parker, Colorado, USofA
I do _EVERYTHING_.
Not so much on the C5...Wife and I did the Supercharger, a HUD retrofit, and exhaust, but it's too new to have had much else happen to it.
The C4, on the other hand, hasn't had a single nut I haven't turned....yes, even the 700r4, although I left the serious brain surgery to the transmission specialist, I was involved in the whole teardown and rebuild. The short block was profeccionally set up, but I did the intake and exhaust, Did the driveline, the rear-end R&R (had it professionally set up), and the hubs/shocks/ etc. It's got my fingerprints all over it.
Not so much on the C5...Wife and I did the Supercharger, a HUD retrofit, and exhaust, but it's too new to have had much else happen to it.
The C4, on the other hand, hasn't had a single nut I haven't turned....yes, even the 700r4, although I left the serious brain surgery to the transmission specialist, I was involved in the whole teardown and rebuild. The short block was profeccionally set up, but I did the intake and exhaust, Did the driveline, the rear-end R&R (had it professionally set up), and the hubs/shocks/ etc. It's got my fingerprints all over it.
