What's your most challenging DIY project?

[RaceMX-M3]

Mine by far was installing the HPF turbo kit on my car. I had help from a few club members, you know who you are. :D Before that it was the VFE Supercharger kit, had help with that one as well. ;)

[Carlos]

Rebuilt a 4-bbl carb once. Had help replacing cam bearings, pistons rings, valve seals, and rebuilding a transmission.

[Crash]

I've had a few. Header install on a few Mustangs. Pulling multiple motors out of Mustangs. Installing my Procharger on my 2006 Mustang. Cam swap on my 2006 Mustang. Lots of suspension work on Mustangs. Most of my work has to do with my old Mustang friends Mustangs. I'm willing to help turn wrenches whenever anyone needs a hand.

[Fubar]

I had a AC Cobra car that took a "force of will" to keep in one piece. I would call the entire car my most difficult project. I had the motor apart, down to the short block. I installed the rear end diff... changed the brake set-up. Rebuilt/installed the master/slave cylinders on the clutch (several times). Removed and repair the radiator... then removed and replaced the radiator. Rewired the head lights, NOS system, starter solenoid, stereo and instrument cluster.

You get the point. Even after all that, I loved the car... it was a blast.

[Rob1796]

Helped a friend convert a Galant GSX into a Galant VR4 in his driveway, mostly with rental tools from Autozone. Transmission, motor, drive line, electronics, interior...everything. Following that would have been a header install on an IS300. On my back under that car for about 14 hours. It wasn't hard, per say, but a lot of little stupid things kept popping up. The one thing we learned from that experience is that, unless you are die hard about keeping whatever part you are taking off to return to stock, just cut everything off.

That being said, if anybody ever needs an extra set of hands, just let me know.

[AlexSmith]

Man everyones "most difficult" projects make mine seem like childs play. Yesterday I changed my turn signal housings which took in excess of 5 hours:D.

-Alex

[BlackSheep]

Restoring my 66 Mustang A Code GT.. Rotiserie sandblasted it in my driveway at the shop with a rental sand blaster.. Replaced every nut and bolt.. The hardest part of the whole project was the headliner.. Everything else was cake!

[Crash]

Restoring my 66 Mustang A Code GT.. Rotiserie sandblasted it in my driveway at the shop with a rental sand blaster.. Replaced every nut and bolt.. The hardest part of the whole project was the headliner.. Everything else was cake!

When are you going to bring that out?

[mikem]

I own a GT-1 and a few other goodies, so that should probably tell you something. Biggest project was probably what I just did to the M3: pulled the engine out, took off the suspension (including subframe), and started replacing worn-out & non-stock parts as it went back together. Have torn engines down to the block as well. (M3 almost got that treatment to clean up carbon deposits, but changed my mind at the last minute) Most difficult is a tossup: either replacing/upgrading the Jeep's rear axle, or fixing a glitchy e36 instrument cluster. Getting that car off the ground high enough to do major suspension work is a real pain, but BMW electrical problems are awful as well. Took 6 years to finally solve the cluster problem.

[rberg32]

I own a GT-1 and a few other goodies, so that should probably tell you something. Biggest project was probably what I just did to the M3: pulled the engine out, took off the suspension (including subframe), and started replacing worn-out & non-stock parts as it went back together. Have torn engines down to the block as well. (M3 almost got that treatment to clean up carbon deposits, but changed my mind at the last minute) Most difficult is a tossup: either replacing/upgrading the Jeep's rear axle, or fixing a glitchy e36 instrument cluster. Getting that car off the ground high enough to do major suspension work is a real pain, but BMW electrical problems are awful as well. Took 6 years to finally solve the cluster problem.

Damn man, that is some serious work!!! :thumbsup2:

[Fubar]

6 years? I think I would have driven the car off a cliff first.

[RaceMX-M3]

My M3 came close to going off a cliff a few times.

[Qship5]

My M3 came close to going off a cliff a few times.

Just make sure the insurance value is sufficient before it goes over!

[bfnnrgn]

I think the hardest thing I ever did was put an upgraded clutch kit, full exhaust, lift kit, winch install on my Sportsman ATV.

[RaceMX-M3]

I replaced the clutch on my M3 - on jack stands in my garage. Darren actually crawled under the car and helped me drop and undrop the tranny. I won't be tackling that one again anytime soon.

[Qship5]

I replaced the clutch on my M3 - on jack stands in my garage. Darren actually crawled under the car and helped me drop and undrop the tranny. I won't be tackling that one again anytime soon.

A friend that tackles the job of a transmission jack, now that's priceless!:thumbsup2:

[Mike CLK Black]

Worst job was changing the plugs in my 996 Turbo.
I've done all kinds of superficial stuff like brakes and shocks and intakes and water pumps and radiators and valve gaskets but I've never had the desire (or skill or knowledge) to crack an engine or a tranny.

:thumbsup2: to you guys!

[Qship5]

I've yet to crack open an engine on a german car, but did it to plenty of small block V8s on american iron in the day. Sometimes my limiting decision is not can I do it, but rather is the aggravation heqavy labor worth it. Dropping and reinstalling a trans on jack stands with no trans jack is just plain hard work! Hats off to Darren for helping out on that one, but then he probably counted it as his bench presses for the day.:D

[RaceMX-M3]

I've yet to crack open an engine on a german car, but did it to plenty of small block V8s on american iron in the day. Sometimes my limiting decision is not can I do it, but rather is the aggravation heqavy labor worth it. Dropping and reinstalling a trans on jack stands with no trans jack is just plain hard work! Hats off to Darren for helping out on that one, but then he probably counted it as his bench presses for the day.:D

Dropping and reinserting the actual transmission wasn't that bad. Getting the multiple torx bolts off with no room and a 4 foot socket entension was a pita.

[mikem]

6 years? I think I would have driven the car off a cliff first.

The thought crossed my mind. Hard to fake "drove off a cliff" accidents when you walk away though. :D

Turns out the entire problem was bad BMW parts. They were taking the defective clusters in and turning them around for part counter sales. So the three or four clusters and broken wiring mess I went through was actually caused by some moron at VDO or BMW who doesn't know how to write test procedures.

Dropping and reinserting the actual transmission wasn't that bad. Getting the multiple torx bolts off with no room and a 4 foot socket entension was a pita.

Having done both (pull the engine, or just the transmission), I have to say, it is almost easier to just lift the engine out, swap the transmission, and then put it back together than dealing with those bloody torx bolts.

[BlackSheep]

When are you going to bring that out?

It was my X wifes consolation prize... :(

[Crash]

Ftmfl!!!!!!

[Jetmech]

Sorry about the airplane post. You guys do some really cool things with your rides! The mechanical fuel injection pump on my '71 280SL was crazy hard.

[Fubar]

'71 SL... do want!

[BlackSheep]

Ftmfl!!!!!!

It was actually better than giving her half the business!!:thumbsup2:

[Jetmech]

'71 SL... do want!

For your viewing pleasure! I will try and bring it out to one of the Saturday meets this month.

[RaceMX-M3]

For your viewing pleasure! I will try and bring it out to one of the Saturday meets this month.

very nice :thumbsup2:

[NDeedOne]

I guess my hardest woud have to be changeing out the 2nd and 4th gear in my 1993 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6. Engine and tranny are all one peice.. so you have to pull the whole thing out, and then crack it open. Wooo Hoooo.

Mostly tedious, and a bit heavy ... for me. Had some help.

[RaceMX-M3]

I guess my hardest woud have to be changeing out the 2nd and 4th gear in my 1993 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6. Engine and tranny are all one peice.. so you have to pull the whole thing out, and then crack it open. Wooo Hoooo.

Mostly tedious, and a bit heavy ... for me. Had some help.

Splitting cases, wow.. even I haven't been there b4. :thumbsup2:

[Red Baron]

Doing my M3 Euro headers/cats, O2 sensor surgery in the garage without a lift or help.

[Dave]

By far, the most challenging project I have been involved in was a Subaru engine swap. My best friend had already turbod and self tuned the stock engine to its max so the next logical step was sourcing a 2007 STI engine and swapping it. It took the two of us about 30 hours on weekends to complete it which I was quite proud of considering we were hung over most of the time and neither of us had ever taken on a project of this scale. It turned over and ran perfectly the first try. The biggest pain in the ass was keeping it CARB legal as he was moving to San Diego a few months after we finished it. He passed registration on the first try.


The interior after removing the entire wiring harness for splicing to the new ECU.
http://i39.tinypic.com/2qjlgl0.jpg

Old engine out.
http://i42.tinypic.com/midkck.jpg

Trans bell in empty bay.
http://i43.tinypic.com/v4b02s.jpg

Out with the old. I was blown away by how light the engine was. The two of us carried it over to the other side of the shop by hand!
http://i43.tinypic.com/6iyzd3.jpg

In with the new.
http://i42.tinypic.com/14mrmsm.jpg


Yes I sound like a red neck but I was so damn happy it started!

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[Airbag79]

Damn dude, thats impressive!

[PowerKraus]

Like several others, I've torn down motors to the bare block, 454 in a 71 Stingray, 402 in a 72 SS Chevelle clone, LS motors in a Vette and Camaro, and the tiny V6 in the Grand National (several times). Funny to think I'm pumping (under perfect conditions) nearly 100hp p/cylinder in that baby. Anyway, the bare iron block is SO small and can EASILY be handled by one person...which is cool. All were a challenge; but the biggest one is yet to come, not an intellectural challenge, but probably more of dexterity and 'cleanliness'. Next project is installing a solid roller camshaft in my Viper, making it a true 'thumper' at idle. It can, and has been done, but takes a lot of thought. Problem is the motor is a V10, and LONG. I bet the camshaft is over 26 inches long ! a whopper eh? And if your questioning how to get a solid roller to work in these newer buggies....dodge did not install a knock sensor in the Viper until most recently.

Anyhow, just a newbie here and thought I'd share.

[DallasM5]

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y174/Ridgefootball80/IMG_0495.jpg

about to rebuild the motor with new internals.

[Airbag79]

Nice! :thumbsup2: What are you doing exactly?