One thing I really appreciate about this platform...

Since Mitsu and Dodge basically abandoned us and left us to our own devices... We really have a culture of "Do it yourselfers" here.

I mean really, we have pushed the envelope in every single aspect of our platform's design - Turbos, suspension, ECU upgrades, engine modifications, drivetrain...

The average 3/S owner knows more about their car than a LOT of other brand owners out there.

The reason I'm posting this is because I recently got back onto a forum where the members don't know how to do... well, pretty much anything with their cars. Solution is always, "Take it to the dealership" even for minor little things that any one of us could solve with no problem.

I can't even post solutions over there, because then I'm somehow offending those who have taken their cars to the dealership to get raped for the same thing.

Sigh. At any rate, it's nice to be a part of forum where people can actually WORK on their cars.

I would give you a hand pound, but all my split knuckles are sore. I love my car, but every time I stick fingers into her she bites me. She likes what I'm doing, but she can't help it. :D

It's like how a DSM turns it's owner into a mechanic.

My car has made me into a mechanic.

http://www.google.com/url?source=img...Fq1QU8p_0sF-JA

lots of talented folk over here :)

Most of us don't trust anyone else working on our cars. Your non-Mitsu mechanics are lost when it comes to our engine bays, so we have to learn how to do it ourselves. As a result, we also wind up with a much better tool collection than other car owners. But it's all part of the 3S experience.

This is so true. I learned to do everything minus oil changes on my NA. Once I had dropped the tranny a few times, I knew I was ready for the VR-4 :P

Great thread. :)

Also, since owning these cars for the last 12 years I have many scars from the years of working and learning.

-John

it has been a lot of fun to learn how it's done :)

not really enjoyed getting my car back in the early days from the mechanics and having to fix their shit.

i knew the basics from working on my 89 Mustang. But those are easy to work on, here is just an engine and lots of space. When I got this car I had no idea the bay was that jam packed ad that complicated. I took it to everyone else at first to do the work. Now i ONLY do it myself because I hate fixing their mistakes. I know so much about our cars now people are actually asking me for help which is cool.

Don't know about you guys, but I work on my 3/s because of pride.

I loose respect for someone that doesn't wrench on their own stuff.

I wrench on my own 3S because nobody around here knows how to, they're too intimidated I've found out especially when trying to sell a chassis, and I like knowing it was done right by myself. I know these cars pretty well inside and out. I only send out work to be done that I don't have the equipment for. These cars will make mechanics out of you. Now if only I could find more time for it I might actually get something accomplished.

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Originally Posted by mb3000

Don't know about you guys, but I work on my 3/s because of pride.

I loose respect for someone that doesn't wrench on their own stuff.

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I don't have a lost respect for anyone that dosen't turn their own wrenches. Just remeber some people are too old, too busy, or just prefer to spend their time doing something else. I love turning wrenches on my car but haven't had the time to do so in weeks. Last thing I've thought about lately is turning wrenches. I'm too busy so I'm a prime example. For instance, just yesterday I paid to have my friggin oil changed. It was $70! I about had heart attack, well, that's what my time was worth for an hour job...

It isn't even just about wrenching on your own car, this other group doesn't know about modding to save their life. They take it somewhere and spend tens of thousands rather than do it themselves. Case in point, a new guy to the boards started a thread asking if E85 is a good way to increase horsepower. A guy replied that it was a horrible idea, and that he'd have to get special "E85 injectors," a new fuel tank, etc. I replied there was no such thing as a dedicated "E85" injector, and that, for the same amount of airflow, E85 will make more power as long as you supply enough fuel. This guy apparently works at a "performance" shop and he said no one has ever asked for it. So then I say, just because you have no experience with it doesn't mean it doesn't give horsepower gains. Then he backtracks and says his shop has lots of experience with it and that it isn't worth it.

So I post some links regarding a few E85 tuned vehicles, including one that has set the 60-130 record for their cars, and left it at that. Ugh. Ignorance annoys me.

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Originally Posted by UTRacerX9

It isn't even just about wrenching on your own car, this other group doesn't know about modding to save their life. They take it somewhere and spend tens of thousands rather than do it themselves. Case in point, a new guy to the boards started a thread asking if E85 is a good way to increase horsepower. A guy replied that it was a horrible idea, and that he'd have to get special "E85 injectors," a new fuel tank, etc. I replied there was no such thing as a dedicated "E85" injector, and that, for the same amount of airflow, E85 will make more power as long as you supply enough fuel. This guy apparently works at a "performance" shop and he said no one has ever asked for it. So then I say, just because you have no experience with it doesn't mean it doesn't give horsepower gains. Then he backtracks and says his shop has lots of experience with it and that it isn't worth it.

So I post some links regarding a few E85 tuned vehicles, including one that has set the 60-130 record for their cars, and left it at that. Ugh. Ignorance annoys me.

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LOL

Sounds like an Audi/VW board.

The first few times I ventured onto the Evo X section of evom it was like that... There was hardly anybody doing installs of even simple stuff themselves. I could have counted on one hand how many people were doing turbo swaps themselves. It's hilarious reading how hard it is to install the serpentine belts on there, lulz. When people posted about doing the downpipe (back of the engine remember... much like a rear precat on a 3/S lol) they told everyone to just take it to a shop.

I can't believe how good 3/S forums are in comparison.

Stealth316.com ... Turning 3/S owners into mechanics since April 17, 2000.

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Originally Posted by AdamVR4

Stealth316.com ... Turning 3/S owners into mechanics since April 17, 2000.

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These cars will make you a mechanic for sure

Changed my life.
Owning a 3S is something that most people will never understand.
I guess that's why I love NG so much.
You get to share your passion with people that "Get it"

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Originally Posted by AdamVR4

Stealth316.com ... Turning 3/S owners into mechanics since April 17, 2000.

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i agree, if jeff didn't compile all the DIY's onto his website, we'd all probably be the same way. think how hard it is to find GOOD writeup 3si. then think about how crappy the search feature was before google started crawling it. then think about how picture links are always dead after a year or so when people move stuff around on their photobucket/imageshack/etc.

I'm definitely not new to mechanics. I have ground up rebuilt a '70 Cutlass 442, 76 Camero, and 65 Mustang. Not to mention many 4x4 trucks.

This platform scared the shit out of me the first time the opportunity for a timing belt forced upgrade came along. Second car and second belt, but first time I decided I had to do it. I had the tb done, then motor, trans ultimately had to be rebuilt. All instances I had to repair something to do with the repairs. After that experience, I swore I would do all my work myself...

If not for the crowd on these forums, life would be/had been much more difficult.

Thanks Guys!

When I do big car shows, like Extreme Autofest or Import Showoffs, I always make it a point to tell the judges that I've done all the mods to the car myself, everything except the window tint. They always look at me like I'm lying to them. They're so used to seeing these shop built and sponsored cars, that they can't believe anyone does the work themselves anymore.

If you didn't do the work yourself you won't fully respect it and ultimately you don't deserve to have it.

I don't exactly look down on those who don't work on their own cars, if you have the money to pay for a good shop to do everything...then power to you! I AM however thankful to all those who do see the enjoyment of working on their own cars etc

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Originally Posted by MR2

I don't exactly look down on those who don't work on their own cars, if you have the money to pay for a good shop to do everything...then power to you!

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I agree... so long as those people keep their mouth shut when people who actually do work on cars are trying to help someone save some money.

well for one, BMW owners can't even dream of working on their cars themselves. you think our engine bay is bad, try looking at any new BMW. it's like looking at an alien spaceship.

I'm an EST at pep boys...I work on everybody's car..lol

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Originally Posted by IPD

well for one, BMW owners can't even dream of working on their cars themselves. you think our engine bay is bad, try looking at any new BMW. it's like looking at an alien spaceship.

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The new ones, sure. But 80's-90's Bimmers are easier to work on than our cars.

I'm a DIY on everything so these cars just fit my style.

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Originally Posted by 93STLTH

Your non-Mitsu mechanics are lost when it comes to our engine bays

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Oh, the many times I've heard this!!

At some point I had to choose to pay to have the work done and become the helper, when I had my DSM I was more incline to do the work myself, I'm a fast learner and all, but once I got a third hernia and lost the ability to walk for 2 months because I had to move a tranny (this almost cost me my business cause I was working usually 6-7 day a week) I decided it was not worth it, plus all the trouble I had with a condo garage, with all the neighbors not liking it I decided to hire my friend to do it.

It was an easy decision for me because it would be like having Ray Pampena working on my car for 45$/hour. My friend happen to be the best 4G63 mechanic in the Canada! So when I have something to do on the car, I go see him, he has a fully equip garage as he do this for living, and I can still work with him, be the helper.

It's very handy, cause where I live now, I have an underground parking with 119 other car, no work allowed and no space to store the tools (those I didn't had to buy over the time).

Eric