Modding 1 thing installing another
12-10-2009, 08:29 PM
#1
Modding 1 thing installing another Dude I understand u gotta mod ur car but things like long tube rear end mods and suspension how can u guys offord to pay for the mods and instalition? I kno slot of u guys do it urselves but wat wat about the ppl that don't have tools? Any handy men in the 209?
12-10-2009, 08:38 PM
#3
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precisely, i don't make good money but i make fair money. as long as you budget and save correctly it just takes some time and patience. doing things yourself is soooo much cheaper. but you also have to have the knowlege of what you're doing and the ability to do it.
Holy ripoff batman !! It might be @ 3-4 hours labor . $70- 90 an hour . $350 for gears and a bearing install kit + dif fluid . Maybe $800 total . 
12-10-2009, 09:29 PM
#6
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My exhaust guy charged me $90 for the complete install of my long tubes and ORY. I had no other choice since I can't do that kind of work in my house. 
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12-10-2009, 11:48 PM
#8
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dam! I paid 500. However that included the base tune,msd plugs and wires,all stainless steal bandclamps and also new gm gaskets and a few other odds and ends
12-11-2009, 07:17 AM
#9
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Just a peice of info, tool collections dont spawn overnight. They take time and money to create. Start with simple hand tools and keep building. In a few years you will have a decent selection of tools at your disposal.
12-11-2009, 03:27 PM
#10
I'm young and make very little money, but I've still been able to afford modding. I've done headers, intake mani's, brakes, full suspension, etc on these cars and I have no mechanical background whatsoever. This is the first car I have ever worked on. Honestly I can't imagine paying anyone $70 an hour to do such simple work.
Also, it's a lot easier to afford when you buy things used or wait for sales. Here's some of the deals I've gotten:
Magnaflow Catback: $50
SLP Bilsteins and Eibachs: $100
32mm swaybar: free
SSRA: $50
Edelbrock torque arm: $50
4 brand new Kumho SPT's: $300
Lid: $40
Spohn double adjustable LCA's: $50
Dyno Tune: $150
I have probably $3-4k worth of parts on my car, but payed well under $2k for all of it. Also, that's over a period of 2 years so $500 every 6 months isn't all that bad at all.
Also, it's a lot easier to afford when you buy things used or wait for sales. Here's some of the deals I've gotten:
Magnaflow Catback: $50
SLP Bilsteins and Eibachs: $100
32mm swaybar: free
SSRA: $50
Edelbrock torque arm: $50
4 brand new Kumho SPT's: $300
Lid: $40
Spohn double adjustable LCA's: $50
Dyno Tune: $150
I have probably $3-4k worth of parts on my car, but payed well under $2k for all of it. Also, that's over a period of 2 years so $500 every 6 months isn't all that bad at all.
12-13-2009, 02:48 PM
#13
i just sell drugs.... lots of them..... llol no. a lot of people on here have had more than 1 ls1 and the have parts already. ive had my car for about 4 years and ive got about 5 or 6k in parts and another 5k for labor (thanks straightline!!! not) but yeah i did all my bolts ons by myself anf suspension.
12-13-2009, 05:01 PM
#14
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You've gotta pay to play.
Learning how to install things will save you a ton of money and its great knowledge! Do lots of research, check out some walk-throughs and give it a shot. Once you're in there its like playing with lego.
Learning how to install things will save you a ton of money and its great knowledge! Do lots of research, check out some walk-throughs and give it a shot. Once you're in there its like playing with lego.
12-13-2009, 09:23 PM
#15
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Nowadays it is so easy to find how-to sites and step by step installation instructions on the internet that working on cars are getting much easier.
When it comes to tools, I figure buy the tools you need for the job and it will still cost less than the labor for someone else to do it. Plus you will have those tools for the next job.
When it comes to tools, I figure buy the tools you need for the job and it will still cost less than the labor for someone else to do it. Plus you will have those tools for the next job.
12-14-2009, 08:34 PM
#16
Edit: And the tools DEF don't come overnight... I'm an ASE Certified Technician and Smog Tech... and I've had to buy a lot of tools so far and don't have half of what I need yet... BUT I but what I need or use most of
12-17-2009, 04:50 PM
#17
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I just turned 18 and i got a pretty decent setup over the 1 1/2 years i had my z28...i just saved my paychecks and bought stuff when i had like 200 extra..just in case something happened...
when i started i knew nothing about cars and with some help (LS1tech and friends) and the how-to's i installed everything myself..except the 3.73's...i just took my time and made sure everything was perfect before i moved to the next step...you will be fine..
for tools...i went to harbor freight.. there not craftsman/snap-on but they work.. i also bored some from autozone...
when i started i knew nothing about cars and with some help (LS1tech and friends) and the how-to's i installed everything myself..except the 3.73's...i just took my time and made sure everything was perfect before i moved to the next step...you will be fine..
for tools...i went to harbor freight.. there not craftsman/snap-on but they work.. i also bored some from autozone...
12-17-2009, 05:44 PM
#18
in sept 2007 i payed $9500 in full for my T/A and since then i probably spent another $6000-7000 worth of worth of mods and unnecessary items. Im only 20 years old, go to college, and make less than $10,000 a year. I dont live paycheck to paycheck, I always have pocket money, and I still have a nice chunk of change in the bank. Just buy parts of the classified section and do all the work yourself.