 Sweat Equity, General feelings on doing it yourself |
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| Pat Garvey |
 Nov 18 2006, 07:29 PM
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#1
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Do I or don't I...........?  Group: Members Posts: 5,900 Joined: 24-March 06 From: SE PA, near Philly Member No.: 5,765 Region Association: North East States  |
This non-Club seems to be comprised of a variety of skill-level owners. And, I'm a little curious as to the level of sweat equity people have. We all have different situations and time/money constraints. We vary from CW's to racers to conversion people. So, how much do you do yourself. How much do you farm out.
When I bought my first Porsche, I decided the only way I could afford it long term was to learn EVERYTHING about it (still learning after almost 35 years). I bought Factory manuals & tools & determined I'd do everything myself. Through the years I also learned my limitations. I don't mess with transmissions or bodywork - everything else is fair game. Maintenance is the easy part. Learned to tear an engine down by buying a 2.0 clunker at a swap meet for the sole purpose of breaking it down & seeing its guts. Tore mine down a year later, just to see if everything was in spec - heads were not & had an expert rebuild them. So, what do you guys/gals do? Are there any of you who bid out ALL of your work - and detailing doesn't count. |
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| Joe Bob |
Nov 18 2006, 08:09 PM
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#2
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Retired admin, banned a few times Group: Members Posts: 17,427 Joined: 24-December 02 From: Boulder CO Member No.: 5 Region Association: None |
90% myself.....unless family and other stuff intervene.
But I have a full set of tools, a lift, own my own home w/o a homeowner's association regs and don't care what my rich asshole neighbors care WHAT I do.....of course their complaints on on MY PERMANENT RECORD down at City Hall...... |
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| Mid_Engine_914 |
Nov 18 2006, 08:18 PM
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#3
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Member Group: Members Posts: 195 Joined: 22-September 06 From: Left Coast Member No.: 6,888 |
I do all my own mechanical work and I'm willing to buy any tools I need to do those kinds of repairs but when it came time to do rust repair I wanted it done right so I paid a guy who has over 30 years of experience in that area. Plus, I wouldn't have saved all that much money if I would’ve had to buy a welder and all the other tools to do the job.
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| PanelBilly |
Nov 18 2006, 08:21 PM
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#4
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914 Guru Group: Members Posts: 5,906 Joined: 23-July 06 From: Kent, Wa Member No.: 6,488 Region Association: Pacific Northwest 
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I went back to school so I could do the body work myself, After nearly two quarters, I've welded on the flairs, repaired the rust in the doors and the trunk lid is ready for paint. I'm still tring to get the hood perfectly smooth. I could pay to have it done, but then it wouldn't be MY car.
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| rick 918-S |
Nov 18 2006, 08:22 PM
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#5
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Hey nice rack! -Celette Group: Members Posts: 21,020 Joined: 30-December 02 From: Now in Superior WI Member No.: 43 Region Association: Northstar Region 
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Don't do transaxles or machine shop work. I farm those out. Brad Mayuer did my HB gear and billet intermediate plate and machine work is done locally. I also build stuff like garages, cabins and remodel my 100+ yr old Home. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smash.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sawzall-smiley.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/screwy.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif)
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| Pat Garvey |
Nov 18 2006, 08:29 PM
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#6
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Do I or don't I...........? Group: Members Posts: 5,900 Joined: 24-March 06 From: SE PA, near Philly Member No.: 5,765 Region Association: North East States |
QUOTE(mikez @ Nov 18 2006, 11:09 PM)  90% myself.....unless family and other stuff intervene. But I have a full set of tools, a lift, own my own home w/o a homeowner's association regs and don't care what my rich asshole neighbors care WHAT I do.....of course their complaints on on MY PERMANENT RECORD down at City Hall...... Yeah baby! With you there - same circustances! Every time I fire up my old 911 I get complaints about smell & noise from the ASS'n. Niehbors drive past in thier chilli peppers & BMW's & look at me in disdain (while chatting on the phone). Love it!!!! Only wish I had a 908 to pull out on the top of driveway to fire up - I'd do it every day, precisely at 7:55 am. Those who are unaware of the startup regimen for a 908 or 910 - suffice it to say IT MAKES A LOT OF NOISE! And the noise takes about 5-6 minutes to dissipate. By the EVERYONE is awake! Gotta get one, somehow. |
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| SGB |
Nov 18 2006, 08:45 PM
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#7
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just visiting Group: Members Posts: 4,086 Joined: 8-March 03 From: Huntsville, AL Member No.: 404 Region Association: South East States |
QUOTE(PanelBilly @ Nov 18 2006, 08:21 PM) I could pay to have it done, but then it wouldn't be MY car. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/clap56.gif) |
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| Crazyhippy |
Nov 18 2006, 10:45 PM
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#8
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Insert witty comment here... Group: Members Posts: 1,659 Joined: 28-July 05 From: Home of the Coyotes, AZ Member No.: 4,493 Region Association: None |
haven't payed anyone to do anything yet...
Upholstry I will, and if there were paint, i would (after all the body work myself) BJH |
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| Borderline |
Nov 18 2006, 11:00 PM
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#9
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 720 Joined: 8-February 05 From: San Juan Bautista, CA Member No.: 3,577 Region Association: Northern California |
Yeah I do as much as I can myself. Right now the car is 99% stripped getting ready for paint and the engine is totally disassembled. I did the hell hole rust repair myself. I paid to have the transaxle rebuilt. I also do some fabrication as I have a bench top lathe and mill. I also do my own corner wts and wheel alignment. I could right checks to have someone else do the work, but where is the fun and satisfaction in that. My problem is that in my old age I'm getting impatient. I want to be out there having fun driving the damn thing and not spending all my time working on it. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)
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| anthony |
Nov 18 2006, 11:18 PM
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#10
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2270 club Group: Benefactors Posts: 3,107 Joined: 1-February 03 From: SF Bay Area, CA Member No.: 218  |
I haven't had to send the car to a mechanic yet. It would actually be too inconvenient to get the 914 to someone who understands them.
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| John |
Nov 18 2006, 11:19 PM
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#11
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member? what's a member? Group: Members Posts: 3,393 Joined: 30-January 04 From: Evansville, IN (SIRPCA) Member No.: 1,615 Region Association: None |
I can not do head work (don't know how or where to start and don't really want to ).
I can't do engine machine work (no tools or knowledge to do the job right). I do everything else (including mounting/balancing tires, corner balancing, alignments, and body/paint work) myself in my own detached building. I have all those tools and know how to use them. For the most part, I learned by doing and getting some pointers from those who know more than I do about some of the work. When I was 16 and had no money, I got a Ford that I could drive if I could keep it running. I was also given a repair manual for said car. Needless to say, I learned how to fix that car and every other car that I have owned since then. I simply don't trust my life with the doped up kids that work in repair shops. (I worked in one of those shops during one summer before I graduated from college.) just my $0.02 |
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| smj |
Nov 19 2006, 12:47 AM
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#12
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"Dude, Steve from Berkeley." Group: Members Posts: 591 Joined: 28-August 05 From: Berkeley, CA Member No.: 4,691 Region Association: Northern California
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Hrm... Coming from the other end of the spectrum, I currently farm out most everything. I handle consumables and minor maintenance, and bits that just bolt on like rear shocks, speedo cables, antennae, lights, etc. Mostly on the 944, back in MA where I had room to work.
I'd like to move up, but need to get a slab poured in the lower level of the house so I'll have someplace to do it... |
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| JPB |
Nov 19 2006, 09:14 AM
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#13
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The Crimson Rocket smiles in your general direction. Group: Members Posts: 2,927 Joined: 12-November 05 From: Tapmahamock, Va. Member No.: 5,107 |
Everything I've owned I worked on from a VW Rabbit diesel to a Benz diesel and would not have it any other way. The hard wire nut and bolt aproach to 914s is so mechanicaly friendly. The trany and engine thing is something that I need to learn more about and do. Can't resist to learn more and tinker on this sweet little NARP. Its like a toy model that one can actually use. I love the original desing but get my rocks off symplifying it even more and making it lighter in the process.
Isa isa toy! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) |
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| Bartlett 914 |
Nov 19 2006, 09:35 AM
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#14
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 2,218 Joined: 30-August 05 From: South Elgin IL Member No.: 4,707 Region Association: Upper MidWest |
I do almost all my own work. I have a small shop and can do lots of machining and welding. I do it mostly for the fun and making it my own car. I have a lot of trouble trusting others to work on my car. Until I found this board, I didn't know of anyone who knew these cars. I wasn't about to take it to a Porsche shop out of sticker shock fear. So I do it all myself. I still haven't decided on the painting for my latest project. This may be too messy and hazardous for me but then again....
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| sww914 |
Nov 19 2006, 11:20 AM
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#15
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 2,439 Joined: 4-June 06 Member No.: 6,146 Region Association: None |
I did all of the bodywork, flared & painted my car, twice, once after a fire. Re-geared the tranny, added bigger brakes, new wheel bearings, braided stainless lines, fabricated a million little brackets & such, built 2 engines but I farmed out the machine work and a friend rebuilt the carbs, added a F oil cooler & ducted it, brake cooling, small battery in the F trunk, fuel cell there also, added a fire system twice, the first one failed and my car burned, added an accusump, battery switch, big tach, big oil pressure light, 5 lug conversion, high volume fuel pump, tow hooks, new bilsteins, springs, torsion bars, F sway bar, turbo tie rods and rack spacers, hard bushings, camber plates, aligned it a few times.
This is just the bigger stuff. It's nice to write it down and see how much I've accomplished over the last 6 years on this car. It's probably worth 1/3rd what I've put into it, now that's what I call investing! |
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| Allan |
Nov 19 2006, 11:30 AM
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#16
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Teenerless Weenie Group: Members Posts: 8,373 Joined: 5-July 04 From: Western Mesopotamia Member No.: 2,304 Region Association: Southern California |
When I had my T-4 I did almost everything myself except the machine work and welding. Put tons of time into it it and had it very well sorted. When I got it done I was very satisfied with my handywork. On the /6 though, I don't really have the knowledge to do the motor work and I have ZERO knowledge on how to do bodywork so those things will get farmed out. I've lost alot of the energy for really getting deep anymore so more and more things will end up going to a shop.
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| spare time toys |
Nov 19 2006, 11:57 AM
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#17
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hooked on grilling food. Group: Members Posts: 4,059 Joined: 3-April 04 From: West Plano Tx Member No.: 1,884 Region Association: Southwest Region |
I dont mind doing just about anything that doesnt require a specialized tool that costs big bucks. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)
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| Dr Evil |
Nov 19 2006, 12:09 PM
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#18
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Send me your transmission! Group: Members Posts: 23,041 Joined: 21-November 03 From: Loveland, OH 45140 Member No.: 1,372 Region Association: MidAtlantic Region
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I rebuilt my 2.7 /6, my tranny, all electrical, my fuel injection, my ignition, and customized my interior and exeterior myself. The only things I farm out are ones that I have no resources for: paint, body, upholstery.
I agree, if I hired itout it would not be mine. I like buying the special tools when I need them. Even if I use them once and they are kinda pricy, I let people use them or go to their houses and use them for them (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) |
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| shoguneagle |
Nov 20 2006, 01:36 AM
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#19
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shoguneagle Group: Members Posts: 1,180 Joined: 3-January 03 From: CA, OR, AZ (CAZOR); New Mexico Member No.: 84 Region Association: Northern California |
Over the years I have learned to do most if not all the work on the 914 myself. I will farm out painting, and final body work since I want the best finish work possible. Most everything else I will do myself except for any machining; do not have room or special tools.
Steve Hurt (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beer3.gif) |
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| swood |
Nov 20 2006, 01:49 AM
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#20
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 1,839 Joined: 6-February 03 From: Strong Beach Member No.: 251 Region Association: None |
QUOTE(SGB @ Nov 18 2006, 06:45 PM) QUOTE(PanelBilly @ Nov 18 2006, 08:21 PM) I could pay to have it done, but then it wouldn't be MY car. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/clap56.gif) ...of course mine WOULD run though... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smash.gif) |
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