Lessons Learned : The untold stories of do-it-yourselfers
 

C'mon. Let's hear some stories of DIY pride, accomplishments, and regrets. What have you done or what would you do if you were to start building over again.

I would go v-band everything if I were to do it all again. Downpipe to exhaust is v-band and wastegate is also. But I want everything else to be also. Probably a ram horn manifold. I also want to make my own intake manifold. My build isnt quite finished. So I could still make a manifold.

My first intercooler setup was a used Begi/FM system. Bought it off eBay for 400+:retard::retard::retard: My first thought was, "OMG WHAT A GREAT DEAL!!!!!!! Now I don't have to build my own, that would be so hard!!" After pulling my hair out from trying to get that jig saw puzzle of retarded piping together I just hacked it and made my own from the kit (carbon steel pipe + hack saw = ---- your life)

My current setup is all 2-1/2" aluminum piping that I got from a friend after I did his intercooler setup on his E30. Hotside is a 90-degree L bend that connects to another 90-degree L bend....that's it. Coldside is a FM silicone piece that I got in a trade. Cost??? around 28 bucks for the the couplers I needed. Plus, the two hotside pipes never needed to be cut, so I have nice t-bolts holding on the pipe bead. I NEVER blow pipes.

DYI = cheaper and better.

+1 for sure!

When I removed the elevated pads from under the rear seat mounts to lower the seat I elected to drill out the spot welds that held the pads down and chisel them loose from the floor. Don't do that. Just hammer the pads flat to the floor with a sledge.

I always feel accomplished when I do soemthing I have not done before...like pulling the turbo, replacing the engine, wiring my OE foglights for independant operation or my DIY blue gauges. There are also times I wished I didn't have to do it "the first time" like when I replaced the rubber clutch line..oh that thing sucks.

accomplishments
turbo setup
green flexible tubing pre intercooler post turbo



regrets
don't ever use rubber couplers in piping after turbo
No to bandaids, with MS so cheap, Just ------- no

Honestly, I had a Apex-I SAFC II on my 96 (back in 2003) to control the RX-7 injectors and static timing at 16* and running 10psi on a JRSC and never had a problem.....for a basic setup.

After powdercoating my fuel rail, I learned that you MUST replace the rubber insulators before startup. I forgot to put them in.

(in best zoolander voice) Almost lost my friends in a unfortunate gasoline fight.:squint:

I've learned A LOT over the years.

Starting off with my eclipse... Don't just unscrew A/C lines... they will explode all over you.

Also, when pulling an engine, be sure the hoist legs are secured...

Don't work on Audis.

Easier to build a custom harness from scratch than remove EVERYTHING you don't need from stock harness. BUT make sure to keep your old harness for the connectors.

Labeling screws and parts is pointless. But make sure to keep them all in one place.

A lot more.