I've begun modding my evo x and I have to confess I have only a basic understanding of cars and engines. By basic I don't mean I can't change my own oil, and I know what every mod for our cars does.. And I have a strong understanding of racing techniques (thank you gran turismo, nascar, and top gear).

What I don't know is anything past the basic understanding of how an engine works. What I WANT to know is how I can become an expert and be able to do my own mechanic work and never visit a shop or dealership for maintenance again.

My dad can fix anything and I regret that he did most of my modding for me while I held the flashlight growing up.

Is my best route to read and study, then experiment cautiously on my daily driver? I looked at UTI, which is here in Sacramento but tuition is about 30k and I have no desire to be in that field (I have a Master's in business and a great job in HR).

I read this forum like crazy but that doesn't teach me the ins and outs that I need to do all this stuff myself and posess the knowledge needed.

Any suggestions for me?

 

hey man, you sound like me. how long have you had your evo? your about 20 mins from me, congrats if you just got it.

I considered UTI as well, seems like a good programs but like you, I do not want to work in that field, prefer to stay in business.

the best advice I can give you is this:
1) read, read, read, then read some more. these forums are great, but their are a variety of other sites that will give you important info too. just because you drive an evo, doesnt mean something on a Mustang forum might not apply.
2) Find friends (or dad) that know how to do all their own work, and ask to help/learn. most people will not mind if you pick their brains for advice and expertise.
3) If this is your DD and only car, I would be cautious about experimenting. But these cars are very easy to work on and if you have good mechanical understanding (sounds like you do) and the help of another friend, most things can be figured out over the course of a weekend and their is no better way to learn then by trying it yourself.


sorry for the long post. feel free to PM me if you want to talk more, hope this helped a little.

 

Thanks for the reply. That's cool you live in the Sac area. I'm on my mobile so I can't see your exact location. I'm in Elk Grove.

Before anything else, since your nearby two big questions for you - any car clubs around here, especially evo or import specefic? Is there anyone you can recommend for custom tuning? My accessport is in the mail, but I'm open to going custom down the road.

I've had my '08 blue GSR since Sept of ''08. Only mods are gt worx springs (couldn't be happier with them) and tinted windows. Illegally tinted for CA - I've lived here a year though and been pulled over once.. Cop let me choose my fix it ticket.. Windows or front plate. I chose front plate and zip tied it on there and so I saved drilling holes and am less of a target now.

I have a perrin turbo back exhaust, accessport, and inlet hose all coming in by Wed. Also some rota grids in hyper silver expected mid week that I ordered 4 months ago. I plan to install the exhaust and inlet hose on my own. Gonna read as much as I can and take my best shot at it. It's time to cowboy up!

Let me know on the car club/meets in this area. I'd love to get together with other enthusiasts.

-JT

 

Your first stop should be to check out the forums: evolutionm, evoxforums, evoempire. You can find a lot of DIY and QA stuff there. There are even sections for your accessport.

For understanding things like "why does making the car breath better" net you more power and torque, check out something like this: http://www.amazon.com/Readers-Digest.../dp/0895770881 . I borrowed my dad's copy years ago, and it's been tremendously good in helping me understand components on a car.

 

Hey JT. Good looks man. happy to pass along some info. when you get a chance shoot me a PM so I dont clog up your learning thread.

long story short:

ton of evos in the area but everyone is a bunch of track ******, not ones to go to car meets and just hang out unless its outside of a track. good group of guys tho.

as for tuning: peteyturbo at krazyhouse customs. excellent tuner, great guy. hard to get in touch with but thats because hes always working super hard and in high demand. give him a search and a call, you will not be disappointed.

 

Like previously stated: READ!
There is a lot of good info floating around on these forums. Anytime you have a question, just keep in mind: IT HAS PROBABLY BEEN ASKED/ANSWERED ON HERE ALREADY. So SEARCH. Find the answer to your question and and keep learning. If you cant for some reason find the answer, start a thread. Learn how to ask the right questions. There is a lot to learn with these cars and most of the more knowledgeable people on here have been modifying/tuning cars for 10+ years. It didnt come overnight, but you will learn by trial and error as well.

BTW: Read this ( a few times)
http://www.howstuffworks.com/turbo.htm

 

10,000 hours, my friend. :-)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outliers_%28book%29

 

Break stuff....lots of stuff. You will be forced to learn what you need to know. Reading is the first step and can't be skipped, but seeing the results of your work is way better. Someone mentioned their dad did most of the modding....that's an awesome opportunity right there. Ask ?s and insist on doing the wrenching.

 

I have to agree. I was forced to learn a lot of stuff that way.

 

just start turning wrenches and you will learn as you go. The how-to section helps.

 

Nike approach: Just do it

 

I learned alot from enginebasics.com
Its always better to know what and how a part works before swapping parts together.

 

I would say 90% of what i know is from holding a flashlight for my dad.

Otherwise a little reading, just going out and doing it, and unfortunately breaking a few things along the way.

Its been a while since I've broken anything, but I think that's because a website like this wasn't around 10+ years ago.

Lastly...admit when you are in over your head. I avoid going to get work done, but doesn't mean I won't let someone else do work on my car. I did cams on my VIII...Ill let AMS do the cams on my X.

 

About 2 years ago all I knew where gathered from TV shows like top gear, fifth gear, magazines etc... Now I have actually replaced my bumper, taken off and put on my UICP with LICP and etc, including changing my own oil (you would be surprised how easy it is to change your own oil) etc... reading helps but practice makes it perfect. Whenever I was getting my stage 2 done as well as any maintenance I was always there with my car trying to help out and learn myself. You really have to have "hands-on" approach to it, things will go down south real fast but we have forum(s) to help you out if **** hits the fan. Just be patient, live and learn!

 

hey man, it's not too hard, i remember searching up on google what parts does, how an engine works. i got the basics of it, but it didn't help til i joined this community and went to the meets, people there will help you out a lot, also just come on here and search around for information. if you have any car buddies, just go hang out with them when they're working on their cars or ask them to help you out. that's what i did. i was in the same boat as you and i'm still learning. it's a long process but we'll all get to the day when we can do all these things ourselves