I try to take on most projects my self. But as I get older, some things are worth paying some one else to take care of. I get satisfaction out of DIY, & it lets you know the car on a much deeper scale.

Of course, there are things like corner balancing & alignment that I will always pay for. Same for an engine rebuild, to costly for me to do something wrong. I also do not do body/paint work, other then little things.

 

My thoughts exactly.


Andreas

 

I can (and have) swapped out the corner lenses from amber to clear; and I've really perfected the topping off of the coolant in the radiator. I purchased a specially calibrated container to do it

 

Seemed there are lots of DIY'ers out there. Certainly, this forum provides resources and confidence for pretty much any task.

Here is an interesting question to those who DIY, at what point do you say "this is over my head and I need to take it to a pro"?

 

yes George, why the two engines?; inquiring minds want to know.

 

axl911,

My point of taking it to someone is when highly specialized equipment or tools are needed, like an alignment.

 

I was looking for a transmission to swap with my broken tranny, the time for me to rebuild it.
Fell on a low mile totaled carrera S in UK production Sep '97 (last months of prod I think)
Made a deal with the dismantler and took engine and tranny.
Now I swapped both original engine and transmission, and I am going to rebuild my originals.
then swap back...This way I use the car, rebuild slowly as I please, and take all my time.
Later if I resell back the spare engine, I would be able to sell it more than what I paid.
and I wanted to test another engine on my car to compare (hope my girlfriend doesn't read this)

 

Yup, agree with that. Most of this stuff is not rocket science. The usual penalty we pay is that we are usually much slower than the pro's ; on the positive side we are usually more careful.

Alignments is pretty well the only thing I use other shops for. Another fallout is that I do not have good relationships with any local shops since I do not frequent them very often, if not at all. However, I have notice when I do talk to owners, i get a bit of respect because I can talk the talk.

Cheers,

Mike

 

I have good relationships with my local shops inc. the dealer even though they know I do most of my own work. Probably the main reason for that is I'm on the board for the local PCA club and get many requests for "what shop would you recommend for my service?" I've sent all of them a good bit of business.

 

I've had engines and trannies apart...and put them back together...working.

As mentioned, when specialized/very expensive equipment is required to do a job that is done very infrequently...such as an alignment. But even that can be done by someone with skills and without the specialized equipment.

Many tools can be made. I built my own wheel balancer for motorcycle wheels...this thing can resolve...talk about sensitivity.

My shop consists of a very complete set of Snap-On and other branded tools, a lathe, a mill, measurement tools, welding equipment, a new 7.5 HP massive compressor for that soon-to-be acquired media blast cabinet. New shop stuff and a lift soon to be added as well.

 

That + a refrigerator and good stereo is my dream garage.

 

Damn, how could I forget the really important stuff, especially that beer fridge?

I'd also want a laptop which could double as a TV.

We need another thread: How well is your shop equipped? and with pics!!!

 

I couldn't really vote on #1 either, as there are many guys I'd trust to work on any of my cars. As an ex-shop owner, I just don't have the need for it. And it's not about the money. I have always felt that if I owned a car like this, or any of my race cars, that I should be responsible for it top to bottom. If I don't have time to prep a car, then I don't participate.

So about all I have NOT done is crank/rod work or line bore a 2.7L case (but I used my uncle's machine shop at the farm to timesert and surface cases). And final paint on a few of the slope/930/RS/RSR conversions from that era in the '80s. As I type this I'm taking a break from prepping the Spec Miata for paint. I may not actually spray it as there's a kid who's begging me to do it in exchange for some seat time.

It pained me a couple of years ago when I felt it was best to send the yellow car's #1 head back to Steve to repair it from the failed valve spring. I don't have access to that equipment anymore. (And there's not much I don't have access to--click the link below on my cousin's 910 to see what's in the machine shop.)

Ultimately I got into the hard end of this by accident when I was only 4 months into 911 ownership when I was 18 and the engine failed. Haven't looked back. The guy who gave me my big break into full-line mechanics just passed; and as I consider what I'm going to say at his memorial, I hope he knew how much I appreciated being thrown into the deep end both doing repair and at the track.

 

I'm DIY for all but paint/body. I've managed to build a pretty awesome little '84 Targa in the last 9 years, hot-rodded engine included. I'm just getting to know my 993, and expect the same on it.

 

Not to derail this thread, but how about some more pics of "Ruby." I think I may be kind of sweet on her