What work did you do by yourself that you are proud of?

[VERTZX]

I wanted to start a thread about guys on a budget... that forces them to do their own work. or maybe your just a true gearhead and would rather do your own jobs. whatever the case post what youve done by yourself to your car that you felt accomplished by =)


Well, today i changed my oil, topped off all of my fluids, put LEDs in my gauges cleaned the entire car inside out and under and put new speakers in. its nothing real serious. but i feel good about myself that i did it all with no help at all. makes me feel...accomplished. so what work have you done in the garage or in the street that you were proud of????

PICS MORE THEN WELCOMED

[c7scayman]

Bad wires and fuses caused me to replace the the wires for my headlights and brake lights, as well as 2 different fuses. First experience doing electrical work. Finished in 30 min. Total Cost $20 compared to $100+, 1 hour+ at a shop.

[teh DIRT]

every wrx swap into an older subaru I have done. I impress myself everytime.

[VERTZX]

Originally Posted by teh DIRT

every wrx swap into an older subaru I have done. I impress myself everytime.

nice man! might have to get you to do a TT swap in the jam packed Z

[VERTZX]

Originally Posted by c7scayman

Bad wires and fuses caused me to replace the the wires for my headlights and brake lights, as well as 2 different fuses. First experience doing electrical work. Finished in 30 min. Total Cost $20 compared to $100+, 1 hour+ at a shop.

electrical can be a big pain!... id try to figure out a problem with a non running motor then deal with electric.! but gpop worked for PECO for 30+ years. incase i need some help!

[Supraru]

Originally Posted by teh DIRT

every wrx swap into an older subaru I have done. I impress myself everytime.

Well I've only done one and that was my own I'm sure it's the same feeling though.

Most stuff for me is pretty easy. Now I'm wondering into territory I haven't done a lot on and that's going with things that aren't stock inside an engine and porting stuff out. Also I'm sure a little after that will be rebuilding a trans for a back up.

[ThePrimerSuspect]

built my cougar outta junkyard parts pretty much from the ground up. 306ci, t-5 swap, 95 mustang front suspension, lincoln mark7 rear, rear disc brake swap, etc. all for under $2k and i got a low 13 second car. probably would have been 12s with a better clutch and gears. and now its apart again cause i want to do something a little different.

[DPancoast]

my MR2.. as much as it pisses me off... I keep doing more and more things I thought I'd never do by myself. Most impressive being a motor rebuild.

[Got Insulin?]

I take it as it comes. Before I got the Talon, I could change oil and batteries and tires if need be. Since, I've done turbo swaps, head swaps, clutch swaps, minor trans rebuilds- all of which with just the factory service manual and on a sparse occasion, a friend stopping by. I've learned as I've gone. I bought it built, broke it, and am building it again. It's miserable on my wallet, but it's been one hell of an experience.

[assault187]

I built a BEAST!...atleast its a beast to me.

[VERTZX]

thats awesome guys! and as for swapping clutches =X gonna need hel when that comes around! great posts keep em coming

[DPancoast]

Originally Posted by assault187

I built a BEAST!...atleast its a beast to me.

lol you keep telling yourself that... slow girl convertible car.

[VERTZX]

Originally Posted by DPancoast

lol you keep telling yourself that... slow girl convertible car.

aha! thought you were talking to me at 1st! i was like hey! what did i say to offend you or brag about my whip?????? i know its a staggering 222 hp. i know its fast! i beat a lawn mower the other day at 90% throttle. still had some pedal left! jk guys!.

[assault187]

Originally Posted by DPancoast

lol you keep telling yourself that... slow girl convertible car.

Hey now... Your car is a bit feminine too. T-top thingys, deep pretty blue, 300 mpg, and PMS mood swings

[FijiBlueFG]

i have done some pretty crazy audio systems, nice and clean, not ghetto rigged stuff, i tought myself eveyrhting i know bout them, but as far as motor work goes, and i can chnage my oil, thats about it.. lol

[GeforceXtreme]

I pretty much taught myself everything there is to fixing or working on a car.

I also taught myself how to tune my own car and other GM cars and I think that is pretty neat. Being able to make changes to a car's computer and notice an increase in power and MPG always puts a smile to my face.

[lownslow95]

I know it's not much, but I installed my HID's by myself. Even figured out why one didn't turn on. Turns out I hooked it up bass-ackwards and had my HID's installed, and it looked almost damn near professional in under an hour.

[VERTZX]

awesome you guys. there's usually always something that stops the smooth flow, but getting through it and fiiguring it out is a great feeling

[Elliott18t]

i do anything and everything i can because i like too and it saves me money, so why not?

a little while ago i had to change my coil pack wire harness that connects to a lot of stuff in the engine bay, that was a pain in the ass... i installed the turbo inlet pipe, downpipe, exhaust, boost gauge, soon to do my clutch and the rest of my pcv lower pipe(upper already installed)(*this just needed replacing but its a pain).

[Honest_Bob]

Haha, where to start.

I've done 90% of the oil changes on all my cars. Air filters, spark plugs, wires, full audio installs.

On the WRX...
battery
uppipe
downpipe
catback
sway bars and end links
springs
coilovers
fmic
wideband
wiring the gauges
tire rotations
spark plugs
accessport
port and polished the manifolds
trans fluid
rear diff fluid
short shifter and misc bushings
sedan front end (bumper and fenders)
fender braces
hella horns


It is a good feeling to do something yourself.