The "What did you do to your car today" Thread!
If in doubt, FLAT OUT
iTrader: (33)
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 7,046
From: Nor Cal SJ
Car Info: 2010 Hatch, 2011 Sedan
I think its more about knowing your car and exactly whats in it and how and why it works. For instance, if you buy a premodded car and talk the big talk like its exactly what you wanted, but still do not understand it, then yea thats Bought not Built.
But if you got the car in a stockish or incomplete condition, (or premodded and are gonna rebuild it) and personally picked and installed at least half the things on there and can do routine maintenance then thats Built not Bought. Ive done most things to my car except for the engine rebuild. I dont have the space, time and proper knowledge acquired over the years, so I gave a shop my trust. I let AutoHQ rebuild my motor because they have done plenty while I have no experience in that area, So I paid another shop for the meticulous labor, something that they are primarily known for. I want things to run 100% and proper, like a real enthusiasts, so I would not trust my first engine rebuild in my own hands. But I did buy every single little part that I wanted them to replace or put in, and know that it was proper for my car. Then that speaks enough for something 'built not bought'.
So its more of how technically savy you are towards mechanics, than it is doing everything 100% by yourself. Lets face it, a lot of us do not have the time, space, or sometimes knowledge to do things as top notch as a professional technician. But with that said, the more you are able to do, the better.
But if you got the car in a stockish or incomplete condition, (or premodded and are gonna rebuild it) and personally picked and installed at least half the things on there and can do routine maintenance then thats Built not Bought. Ive done most things to my car except for the engine rebuild. I dont have the space, time and proper knowledge acquired over the years, so I gave a shop my trust. I let AutoHQ rebuild my motor because they have done plenty while I have no experience in that area, So I paid another shop for the meticulous labor, something that they are primarily known for. I want things to run 100% and proper, like a real enthusiasts, so I would not trust my first engine rebuild in my own hands. But I did buy every single little part that I wanted them to replace or put in, and know that it was proper for my car. Then that speaks enough for something 'built not bought'.
So its more of how technically savy you are towards mechanics, than it is doing everything 100% by yourself. Lets face it, a lot of us do not have the time, space, or sometimes knowledge to do things as top notch as a professional technician. But with that said, the more you are able to do, the better.
and I can blame someone else when it doesn't work. Plus it takes them half the time to do it than it would take me because I don't do it for a living.I also agree that there are things that are better left to the experts. While I may have an idea of how to do some things, I'd much rather have someone who has done it a few hundred times, who already knows the little quirks and tricks, and has the special tool to get that one bolt... While swapping the brackets this weekend, dad had that special tool that I don't have that made that one b1tch bolt easy to remove and put back on.
Last edited by 04GG; Aug 7, 2012 at 09:37 AM.
Registered User
iTrader: (4)
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 3,670
From: East Bay / Pomona
Car Info: '02 PSM WRX
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 857
From: Portland OR
Car Info: 00 BRP 2.5RS Sold = 04 SRR WRX Wagon, 06 AW STI :(
All I can say is "PHEW!" Dodged a bullet yesterday. I bought the Killer B oil pickup for my 06 STI because a friend forewarned me of the impending doom, I put it off for a few weeks but got to do it yesterday... Here's how close it came to causing some harm.
Crack at the top of the tube:
On the bench:
New one in the car:
Also put on the 3" downpipe I got with the car, put a K&N panel filter in, and plan on getting it tuned tomorrow.
Crack at the top of the tube:
On the bench:
New one in the car:
Also put on the 3" downpipe I got with the car, put a K&N panel filter in, and plan on getting it tuned tomorrow.
