Not sure if its been done before and I'm no expert, but I've seen enough of my friends here and elsewhere go thru the process to see a few patterns. Installs almost never go as planned or get done on time. You'll have to go months if you're lucky without seeing or driving your car on a semi-regular basis. Something important will probably break and have to be replaced at your expense. When its all said and done, you probably will be happy for five minutes until the next thing comes out and you get a bug up your ass for even more power. Keep a lawyer handy just in case you get screwed in a bad way. Its good to have smart friends who can help out in a jam. Feel free to add your own.
Excellent list T! you summed it all up! Especially this part. "When its all said and done, you probably will be happy for five minutes until the next thing comes out and you get a bug up your ass for even more power."
Realistic modding formulas: Money spent = budget + 25-50% Time to completion = expected timeline x 2 Its good to have smart friends who can help out in a jam. - AMEN to that, and you need to be willing to help too when you're buddy is the one in trouble next time.
Pick your vendors wisely. Be patient. Communication...define communication parameters as first priority, the fisrt time they aren't met, pull the plug. Do not pay in full in advance. Do as much as possible locally, or within reasonable driving distance.
whats good for me is that Even though my build is taking WAAAAAAAY more time than I ever wanted it to.... I have my car in my possession and get to drive it whenever i want (cept for the whole inspection thing but thats my fault LOL) What I will add is.... you should never mess with your internals/motor/trans/anything major unless.... - You have another mode of transportation - You have the coin to fix any issues that arise from it - You have someone who is competent enough to do the work correctly close enough to respond in a reasonable amount of time or the ability to get your car to someone who can fix it correctly - and you have to be willing to accept that SHITS GONNA BREAK and you will have to fix it...it goes with the territory so i think Tam summed it up pretty freaking good
Almost forgot.. Being single or if not, a patient and understanding spouse/significant other is a MUST.
all excellent points tam..... especially the last.... for those married folks, one important thing to remember his, hers, and ours....... have your own account for your modding fund so as to not bring on the wrath that will surely ensue when your spouse asked why the cc bill is so high!!! lol oh yeah, what adam said..... mods = budget x 2 time = goal x 3 that "sweet deal" on a blower ended up costing me tons more...... because of the "happy for five mins until the next......" comment!! hahahahaha can you say the first novi running a procharger air/air!!! yee-haw!!!
