Doing your own *MODS*-must post!

I am sure I stand in the same shoes as alot of people in this forum. For all of those who do their OWN mods and stuff, how do you get into doing mods on your own.:confused: For example, suspension, minor engine mods(intake, headers, exhaust).:D I would like some input on how you go about learning to do minor mods and stuff. I know a lot of people in here would like to know also so all input would greatly be appreciate.:silly2: This saves alot of money$$ and keeps you from getting "dicked" by other people playing with your car. Thanks

have a friend show you how to do it, or read and learn. i can only do small stuff myself too..like sus mods, wheels (whoopie), interior stuff, intake /exhaust... but before you begin, are you good with your hands?

the other stuff I dont have the right tools to do it...so more convenient to have shop do it for me.

Get involved with a club for your car.

Most of what I learned is from get-togethers of SERCA and the SE-R Mailing List.

Just do it! :D
But in all seriousness. I just started out doing the mods when i bought my car. My old G20 was my first car. I started modding that one, before i traded it to get my current G20. I just go through everything step by step. The intake, header, exhuast stuff is easy.. that's basically a unbolt stock stuff, bolt up new stuff process. Something like cams, or pullies are a tad different, due to oil seals, tightening up the belts, stuff like that. The only thing i've found really difficult so far has been the clutch install. That i wouldn't attempt without help from someone who has done it before. That is a VERY tough install (at least for me anyways). I've always been pretty good with my hands, so this stuff sorta comes easy to me, I'm not sure how it would be for everyone. However, I've found that just doing everything step by step makes complicated jobs seem rather simple.
Oh yeah.... a FSM helps out a TON too. mostly for the proper torque settings on all the bolts, and stuff like that. i wouldn't do anything major without one.

The first thing you'll need without a doubt is a FSM! Then you'll need to go out a buy a bunch of tools. I think I have easily over $700 in tools that I bought. So you're not going to save a lot of money at first but in the long run you'll be happy you did.

Start with changing your oil. It also helps to have someone near by that know what they are doing. Then move up from there.

There are a bunch of SE-R list members in Texas like George and others. Go to his geek outs and rallys. Join the mailing list and hang out with the guys on the mailing list at the SERCA Texas club (http://www.serca.org/Texas/). Do lots of research on www.se-r-list.org for whatever install you're attempting. Chances are someone has already done it and commented on it. There's lots of help and info out there, the last step is, as Justin said, just do it! :D

always have your FSM or a Haynes manual to help you if you screwed up somewhere. take pictures if you have a digicam before you disassemble something. make sure you have all the right tools before you start. having a friend always helps. and last of all, practice makes perfect, but dont go about winging it. :D

Originally posted by AznVirus
always have your FSM or a Haynes manual to help you if you screwed up somewhere

What is a Haynes manual. Just like a FSM. Is it just as expensive. Is that what you can get at your local auto parts store?

Originally posted by Mrcoilover


What is a Haynes manual. Just like a FSM. Is it just as expensive. Is that what you can get at your local auto parts store?

Yeah, the haynes manual is the one you can get at a local auto parts store. Not nearly has explanative as the million page FSM.

yup the Haynes manual is about $20 USD. but only covers a brief set of topics, simple tune up of the car, brake changes, oil changes, etc...

I can do the easy bolt on bolt off crap like intake and exhaust. I can also do any lights like fogs and headlights. What I dont have is tools but I just go over to my friends house and they have it all. Its a bitch to pay someone to do something you can do yourself.

Originally posted by 2002G20Racer
Its a bitch to pay someone to do something you can do yourself.

And plus, you just feel more manly when you do it yourself.

hehehe. yah, MR.c, you need to be a man and earn that MR. before your name. hehehe j/k. :D

FSM helps a bunch. Most upgrades are pretty simple if you just think it through. The FSM helps a lot when bolting things in patterns and torque specs. Some tools I recommend would be Craftsman (returnable if broken) standard and deep socket wrench set, torque wrench for sure, breaker bars come in handy with sus. parts and cams, a set of box wrenches come in handy, definitely a hydraulic jack and stands. Other tools might be required later on like closed end wrenchs for brake lines, but that can wait until you need it; they're pretty cheap.
D.I.Y.'s go one step at a time, constantly reading and learning. I became a D.I.Y.r by force when I had my first G because at that time I had little money to take it to a shop. Now that I have a couple years behind me, the only thing I get done by someone else is mounting tires and maybe if I were to get my AC recharged, but that's coming out soon anyways. I think I'm a little luckier than most since I work for FLUKE (most car nuts know the name). I was able to purchase a nice meter for dirt cheap (gotta love employee discounts)...........I love my meter!:silly2:

Originally posted by Mrcoilover
I am sure I stand in the same shoes as alot of people in this forum. For all of those who do their OWN mods and stuff, how do you get into doing mods on your own.:confused: For example, suspension, minor engine mods(intake, headers, exhaust).:D I would like some input on how you go about learning to do minor mods and stuff. I know a lot of people in here would like to know also so all input would greatly be appreciate.:silly2: This saves alot of money$$ and keeps you from getting "dicked" by other people playing with your car. Thanks

Read, try and write A LOT with people who have done it before he he he ;)