Best beginer do it yourselfer?

Rice Hunter · 11-13-2002, 03:39 PM

Ok, so yeah.. I have a really great car that was set up by the local speed shop. I have the vortech on it and everything, but I would like to spend some time on the weekend doing my own stuff.... What would be the best, easiest thing to do. I can go get a shop manual and stuff, but I really have no experience working on the car itself. I envy all of you that know what you're doing and create these insane cars, and I also envy all of you that just do the little things as well.

Can you guys help me out? Maybe something that won't screw everything up if it isn't done exactly right, haha.

I'm tired of just talking, I want to get my hands dirty!

91LX2Bfast · 11-13-2002, 10:21 PM

Might want to think about a set of Denso spark plugs if you don't have them already from when they installed the SC. They should help prevent any high rpm spark blowout under boost and prevent a misfire. A single blade TB maybe would be a fun swap. Or an aftermarket shifter or X-pipe. Other then that....? umm, maybe change your oil or something

BTW, what shop up your system? and did they also tune it?
I would love to check out your car, so if you are ever going to be hanging out in town, shoot me an email at jackthemacksnip.net.

BTW - for other's reading this, if I remember correctly he has a '99 or '01 Cobra with an aftercooled Vortech setup. AM I right Rice Hunter?

Rice Hunter · 11-14-2002, 12:11 AM

You are absolutely right. I have a 99 Cobra with the Vortech intercooler/aftercooler system. It came with a chip and few other goodies. The fantastic people at JD's Speed Shop dyno'd it and got about 380(ish)rwhp with the Vortech tune. They decided to retune it on the dyno, thus producing the numbers in my sig. They are awesome (but.. um.. pricey). I'm at school (5th year) right now... but I'll get intouch with you when I get home! It would be good to put a face to a name.. plus, the cobra is my pride and joy and would love to go cruisin with some one that can keep up! (Read: my friend's cars are buicks and stuff)

Oh yeah, thanks for the advice.. I think I'll look into an aftermarket shifter.. hell, maybe you might be able to give me some pointers sometime!

Scott

Badass_yellowGT · 11-14-2002, 09:54 PM

Hey don`t feel bad not knowing how to do stuff we all started there i`ve been working on cars for 18 years sure it helped my dad was a mechanic and tought me most of what i know it all takes time yourright though definetly by a shop manual put on some pulleys thats pretty easy but you will need some tools though and it`s kinda hard to screw it up.

ylw99vert · 11-15-2002, 12:02 PM

Do a shifter, easy mod that you will notice every time you drive the car, also it requires only a minimal amount of tools!

89mustanglx · 11-18-2002, 09:05 PM

5 years ago I had never changed oil. 2 months ago I changed head gaskets

If you have the motivation you can learn to do almost anything. just make sure you have the good guys here to give you all that advice you need!

slow98 · 11-18-2002, 09:42 PM

things are simple, all you have to do is learn how to look at something the right way, its pretty much common sense how most parts of a drivetrain work.....some people just complicate things alot more than the should

Rice Hunter · 11-18-2002, 10:05 PM

Well, with this thread and the one on tri-ax vs pro 5.0, the first job I will be doing is changing over to a steeda tri-ax! I am excited, now all I have to do is find the time and tools. Will basic tools be fine, or is there something special I should have in mind?

And yeah, if anything goes wrong, I'll be counting on you guys!

The Deuce · 11-19-2002, 03:03 AM

Get yourself a real feeler gauge, not a spark plug gapper. Also, you will need two 1/2 combination wrenches. The directions that come with the shifter will tell you all the tools you need.

I'll get those pics onto the computer and up for you soon too.

11-13-2002, 03:39 PM	#1
Rice Hunter Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: The special place in your heart Posts: 388	Best beginer do it yourselfer? Ok, so yeah.. I have a really great car that was set up by the local speed shop. I have the vortech on it and everything, but I would like to spend some time on the weekend doing my own stuff.... What would be the best, easiest thing to do. I can go get a shop manual and stuff, but I really have no experience working on the car itself. I envy all of you that know what you're doing and create these insane cars, and I also envy all of you that just do the little things as well. Can you guys help me out? Maybe something that won't screw everything up if it isn't done exactly right, haha. I'm tired of just talking, I want to get my hands dirty! __________________ Scott 453.9rwhp 387trq Lots of fun Convertible Penn State University Temple University School of Medicine (start August 27th )

11-13-2002, 10:21 PM	#2
91LX2Bfast Registered Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Warrington, PA Posts: 694	Might want to think about a set of Denso spark plugs if you don't have them already from when they installed the SC. They should help prevent any high rpm spark blowout under boost and prevent a misfire. A single blade TB maybe would be a fun swap. Or an aftermarket shifter or X-pipe. Other then that....? umm, maybe change your oil or something BTW, what shop up your system? and did they also tune it? I would love to check out your car, so if you are ever going to be hanging out in town, shoot me an email at jackthemacksnip.net. BTW - for other's reading this, if I remember correctly he has a '99 or '01 Cobra with an aftercooled Vortech setup. AM I right Rice Hunter? __________________ '97 T-bird LX 4.6L 2V, auto SVO heads/intake, Vortech T-trim, front mounted intercooler, blower cams, Cobra crank, Manley H-beam rods, JE pistons, Aeromotive fuel system w/ 42# injectors, and much more No times yet

11-14-2002, 12:11 AM	#3
Rice Hunter Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: The special place in your heart Posts: 388	You are absolutely right. I have a 99 Cobra with the Vortech intercooler/aftercooler system. It came with a chip and few other goodies. The fantastic people at JD's Speed Shop dyno'd it and got about 380(ish)rwhp with the Vortech tune. They decided to retune it on the dyno, thus producing the numbers in my sig. They are awesome (but.. um.. pricey). I'm at school (5th year) right now... but I'll get intouch with you when I get home! It would be good to put a face to a name.. plus, the cobra is my pride and joy and would love to go cruisin with some one that can keep up! (Read: my friend's cars are buicks and stuff) Oh yeah, thanks for the advice.. I think I'll look into an aftermarket shifter.. hell, maybe you might be able to give me some pointers sometime! Scott __________________ Scott 453.9rwhp 387trq Lots of fun Convertible Penn State University Temple University School of Medicine (start August 27th )

11-15-2002, 12:02 PM	#5
ylw99vert Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: St. Louis Posts: 16	Do a shifter, easy mod that you will notice every time you drive the car, also it requires only a minimal amount of tools! __________________ Just another blown 4V 4.6 GT

11-18-2002, 09:05 PM	#6
89mustanglx Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Rockmart GA usa Posts: 24	5 years ago I had never changed oil. 2 months ago I changed head gaskets If you have the motivation you can learn to do almost anything. just make sure you have the good guys here to give you all that advice you need! __________________ 89 mustang lx 350 4 bolt main balanced neutral (barnette perf) Edelbrock Performer rpm heads Weiand 6-71 blower Super powershot nitrous plate kit (lots of other odds n ends) 442 rwhp (no NAWWZZZ) 512 rwtq (no NAWWWWWZZZZZ))

11-14-2002, 09:54 PM	#4
Badass_yellowGT Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Western,MA Posts: 254	Hey don`t feel bad not knowing how to do stuff we all started there i`ve been working on cars for 18 years sure it helped my dad was a mechanic and tought me most of what i know it all takes time yourright though definetly by a shop manual put on some pulleys thats pretty easy but you will need some tools though and it`s kinda hard to screw it up.

11-18-2002, 09:42 PM	#7
slow98 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: draper,va,us Posts: 206	things are simple things are simple, all you have to do is learn how to look at something the right way, its pretty much common sense how most parts of a drivetrain work.....some people just complicate things alot more than the should __________________ 1998 mustang gt/manual..373s,bbk offroad h pipe,flowmaster cat back,c&l 80 mm maf,steeda triax,eibach springs,steeda ud pulleys,upr timing adjuster,screamon demos coil packs,motorsports 9mm plug wires,steea aluminum lca's,steeda heavy duty uca's and just over 100 k on the clock

11-18-2002, 10:05 PM	#8
Rice Hunter Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: The special place in your heart Posts: 388	Well, with this thread and the one on tri-ax vs pro 5.0, the first job I will be doing is changing over to a steeda tri-ax! I am excited, now all I have to do is find the time and tools. Will basic tools be fine, or is there something special I should have in mind? And yeah, if anything goes wrong, I'll be counting on you guys! __________________ Scott 453.9rwhp 387trq Lots of fun Convertible Penn State University Temple University School of Medicine (start August 27th )

11-19-2002, 03:03 AM	#9
The Deuce Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 2,325	Get yourself a real feeler gauge, not a spark plug gapper. Also, you will need two 1/2 combination wrenches. The directions that come with the shifter will tell you all the tools you need. I'll get those pics onto the computer and up for you soon too. __________________ 1997 Mustang GT "The Freak" - 13.80 @ 101.70, 2.07 60' 1995 Honda VFR750 - not much @ really fast (actual data pending.) 1964.5 Mustang 289 Rice Haters Club Member #13