I constantly get people posting about the mistakes they made or less than ideal choices in component selection they made.
in most cases if you ask them several questions you'll rapidly find they either just started out modifying the car they owned without giving the project much thought as to what they really wanted to have when they were done, or similarly, they just started buying parts and learned in a hit or miss way what worked or more likely failed to meet their expectations.
very few people start out with a well thought out plan and a goal, of lets say owning an AC cobra clone or a T-bucket with a 426 hemi and a 4 speed transmission ETC.
far more people buy something like a mustang or camaro, and decide they want to "add a bit more in performance" and even fewer people think through the requirements for bigger brakes, better cooling, a improved oil system, larger tires etc.
Iet in the vast majority of cases if you though through your goals, it would NOT include wasting a few thousand dollars and a couple years being wasted on adding performance parts to your current car, rather than carefully planning and acquiring and building your dream car!
step one is harder than you might think,
its planing what you want and logically listing what needs to be purchased, modified or acquired, to accomplish that goal
the more common and lighter in weight the car is, the more performance potential any horse power level can provide
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/finding-a-machine-shop.321/#post-81042
obviously you'll need a place to work, that's secure,( a garage or at least a car port) theres a great deal of satisfaction in building something both unique and impressively fast, and knowing exactly how every component in it works,,, something thats becoming a rather rare set of skills in a video game world
a few basic tools and a goal you want to accomplish and a semi reasonable budget, and at least the basic desire to learn the new skills that are required.(I can assure you that your working a a huge disadvantage if you don't select the major brands like chevy , ford or mopar as many other brands generally have compariably very few options in available components)
your thoughts gentlemen?
have you ever thought you could have made better choices, or avoided a few mistakes?
planning and doing the useful related research, is not as (FUN) as buying parts, but it pays big dividends eventually
in most cases if you ask them several questions you'll rapidly find they either just started out modifying the car they owned without giving the project much thought as to what they really wanted to have when they were done, or similarly, they just started buying parts and learned in a hit or miss way what worked or more likely failed to meet their expectations.
very few people start out with a well thought out plan and a goal, of lets say owning an AC cobra clone or a T-bucket with a 426 hemi and a 4 speed transmission ETC.
far more people buy something like a mustang or camaro, and decide they want to "add a bit more in performance" and even fewer people think through the requirements for bigger brakes, better cooling, a improved oil system, larger tires etc.
Iet in the vast majority of cases if you though through your goals, it would NOT include wasting a few thousand dollars and a couple years being wasted on adding performance parts to your current car, rather than carefully planning and acquiring and building your dream car!
step one is harder than you might think,
its planing what you want and logically listing what needs to be purchased, modified or acquired, to accomplish that goal
the more common and lighter in weight the car is, the more performance potential any horse power level can provide
some sources for garage plans, + some build info experiances
if your planing to build a shop/garage, its going too be a huge advantage to your planed project, check with building and zoning as too what size and type of structure will be allowed and what are the required steps before a proposed shop/garage can be built. in many areas this will require a...
garage.grumpysperformance.com
I.m frankly amazed at the number of people that don,t use resources
I get into detailed discussions on a semi regular basis that concern a great many different factors in what it takes to build an engine correctly and have it built so it will be durable. anyone with a bit of ability to use logic has to conclude that if theres been businesses based on rebuilding...
garage.grumpysperformance.com
calculating piston pin height/compression height
" HEY GRUMPYVETTE? I picked up a tall deck,Chevy big block 427, block, at a yard sale and a friend donated a set of 454 .060 pistons Ive got several intakes for big block engines ,both oval and rectangular port, styles, whats it going to take to build a 496 stroker from these components?" it...
garage.grumpysperformance.com
building a potentially impressive BBC
think twin turbo/ intercooled /e85/ 1300 plus hp with added oil cooler etc. think of this as a quick way to blow $33K minimum :facepalm: :like: YOUR CERTAINLY NOT GOING TO BUILD SOMETHING LIKE THIS AND EXPECT IT TO RUN ON THE LOCAL GAS STATIONS PUMP LOW OCTANE FUEL heads...
garage.grumpysperformance.com
Engine Balancing
Does anyone have tips on engine balancing? I bought an externally balanced 383 that ran fine in a 67 Chevelle with an automatic transmission. I had the new flywheel and clutch supposedly balanced to the flex plate that was in the Chevelle. I installed the 383 in my 1975 Corvette with a 4...
garage.grumpysperformance.com
what hand tools to buy
If your starting out thinking you want to be a professional mechanic, you really need to get some schooling and certifications before anything else or your very unlikely to get hired,tool will be important but get the schooling, degrees first, if your just doing it as a hobby,thats a different...
garage.grumpysperformance.com
bare minimum tools
Grumpy? what do you think the bare minimum of tools would be to build or re-build an engine? I'm thinking of rebuilding the 383 V8 in my road runner and while I have a standard set of mechanics tools like wrenches ratchets, sockets and a 1/2" torque wrench I'm certainly not in possession of...
garage.grumpysperformance.com
engine assembly tips
the first few rule's of GRUMPY'S engine assembly (1) THINK THINGS THROUGH CAREFULLY , WRITE DOWN A LIST OF COMPONENTS , MAKE DARN SURE THE LIST IS COMPATIBLE WITH, and AT LEAST SEMI-REASONABLY PRICED WITHIN YOUR BUDGET. FOR WHAT YOU INTEND TO BUILD AND RESEARCH THE RELATED MACHINE WORK...
garage.grumpysperformance.com
think thru your goals
I go thru this with local guys frequently, and the same question's come up every time Id start by asking yourself a few questions and ANSWERING THEM HONESTLY WHAT DO YOU INTEND TO DO WITH THE CAR ONCE ITS UP AND RUNNING? WILL IT BE A DAILY DRIVER AND WILL IT NEED TO PASS EMISSION TESTING ...
garage.grumpysperformance.com
matching parts and a logical plan
I just had a rather long and detailed discussion with a guy who it was all too obvious ,was basically just, trying to get me to give him a detailed list of engine components to build his engine. one of the main secrets , too building a really effective combo is to match the engine and drive...
garage.grumpysperformance.com
dealing with a local machine shop
I helped on of the local guys write out detailed instructions, had him stamp his major parts http://www.harborfreight.com/36-piece-3 ... 60669.html https://www.harborfreight.com/36-piece-38-in-steel-letternumber-stamping-set-63675.html with his last name on the block oil pan rails, crank...
garage.grumpysperformance.com
TBucket Engine Project (Dart SHP)
It's time to get this party started! Last night I picked up some of my parts, the only thing left to come in, is the Mahle piston and rings. This is just the first order, mostly the things I need right now to get started. It's been over ten years since I've driven this car and I am SOOO ready to...
garage.grumpysperformance.com
think thru your goals
I go thru this with local guys frequently, and the same question's come up every time Id start by asking yourself a few questions and ANSWERING THEM HONESTLY WHAT DO YOU INTEND TO DO WITH THE CAR ONCE ITS UP AND RUNNING? WILL IT BE A DAILY DRIVER AND WILL IT NEED TO PASS EMISSION TESTING ...
garage.grumpysperformance.com
big block chevy info
the real basics, (off ebays site)------------------------------------------------------------------------------- " This guide is intended to help you sort out the more major differences among Big Block Chevrolet engines produced since 1958. Chevrolet has designed and produced several different...
garage.grumpysperformance.com
block prep.
you really should read these links for a lot more USEFUL info, on block pre prep one of the least discussed & acknowledged, and yet more common reasons engines fail , is related to micro metallic crud left in the engine while its being assembled, especially engine's built on newly machined...
garage.grumpysperformance.com
opinion on selecting budget 383 heads
I have a fairly mild SBC 383 stroker (actually 385, 4.040" x 3.750") that's in my sig. It has Summit/Dart Vortec Heads which are nothing more then Dart Iron Eagle S/S 170cc late model heads with Vortec style intake face. So I'd like to switch to a hydraulic roller cam and a better set of heads...
garage.grumpysperformance.com
getting started in the car hobby
Im 75 and look it!, I remember ALMOST all the mistakes I and FRIENDS MADE and what WORKED TOO! (plus I cheat I keep notes and records on ALMOST all of the engines and cars Ive built, or worked on! over 45 plus years.) Ive come bye most of the scars and info by experience and watching closely...
garage.grumpysperformance.com
a few basic tools and a goal you want to accomplish and a semi reasonable budget, and at least the basic desire to learn the new skills that are required.(I can assure you that your working a a huge disadvantage if you don't select the major brands like chevy , ford or mopar as many other brands generally have compariably very few options in available components)
your thoughts gentlemen?
have you ever thought you could have made better choices, or avoided a few mistakes?
planning and doing the useful related research, is not as (FUN) as buying parts, but it pays big dividends eventually
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