Are you a DIYer?

[jumpman1975]

Since the first day of owning my Lotus, I've done most of the wrenching. The only exceptions were 1 alignment, tire replacements and balance.

Just curious how many of you actually work on your cars. Or are you mechanically inclined and would like to perform the maintenance yourself but just don't have the tools and space to work on your cars? Or would you rather shell out the money and have others work on it?

[Vulcan Grey]

I do everything myself!

Engine rebuild (including machining)
Designed and made my own hats and brackets for Brembo Race brakes.
Custom one off JRZ double adjustable suspension.
Machined my suspension to be adjustable for camber.
Rebuilt steering rack.
Refurbished fuel tanks.
Rebuilt transmission.
Installed Quaife limited slip differential.
Socketed my ECU MEMCAL cartridge for swappable chips, even made my own larger EPROM cover.
Fixed my Speedometer.
Made a carbon fiber dash veneer.
Installed Elise seats.
All engine work and maintenance.

See my Picasa link below for photos of everything.

[jumpman1975]

Wow, that's great VG. Although I've done some things, certainly not that extensive.

[antinym]

I do most all my own work. I had it in the shop after an accident for a new clam and painting. But of the stuff I've done:
rebuilt trans
install taller 6th gear and LSD
new head liner (crused velvet)
AFR and boost gauges.
VF supercharger
oil, brake changes.
custom mount for the swirlpot
other normal stuff.

[Drew09]

I do everything except painting. Engine to alignments.

Its nice having access to an alignment rack, tire balancer, and tire mounting machine.

[evilfij]

I swapped a new motor into my elise.

I guess that counts as DIY.

[Vulcan Grey]

Sure! many people would be afraid to do that.

[Corvus13]

Cut my teeth on the early LBC's like Triumphs and MGs. I do all my own work except for painting, mainly due to lack of facilities. The nice thing about the Elise is that once you figure out the clam removal, everything is really accessible.

Corvus

[<@¿@>]

Yup...to the point of best friends....

[sturgeongeneral]

Anything mechanical. No bodywork or painting though.

[RichardNHCooper]

Everything I can except final paint.

[Cheechman7]

Pardon my ignorance as I'm coming off of the bimmerpost (considerably larger population) and have yet to pull the trigger on an elise, so I have not yet gotten under my theoretical car. Is there a DIY section on this forum?
Again, I know a bad comparison, but on BMW forums they go as far detailed procedure and photos for every ridiculous detail imaginable. After a few weeks it seems as they the uberpost has taken place as an entire DIY forum category for instruction/guidance on repair and alterations.
Or am I overlooking it?

[michael.white]

Originally Posted by Cheechman7

Pardon my ignorance as I'm coming off of the bimmerpost (considerably larger population) and have yet to pull the trigger on an elise, so I have not yet gotten under my theoretical car. Is there a DIY section on this forum?
Again, I know a bad comparison, but on BMW forums they go as far detailed procedure and photos for every ridiculous detail imaginable. After a few weeks it seems as they the uberpost has taken place as an entire DIY forum category for instruction/guidance on repair and alterations.
Or am I overlooking it?

Most people pull down the Lotus factory service manuals. Very cheap and they have a pretty good level detail. Drivetrain-wise, just refer to the Toyota forums.