How much of your current ride, did you build?
 

In the old days, many folks built there own cars. Or maybe a few buddies worked on a project together. But most were limited, to what they could do themselves. I always hear about how much it cost to build/race a Super/stock, and now Stocker. Is it because so much of the build is farmed out to professonals ie chassis/cage, engine/transmission, suspension, paint, plumbing, electrical etc? The stockers don't have to worry about the major chassis stuff ie 4-link, new frame rails, strut front suspensions (knockin on the COMP door type of car),but still do a great deal of suspension work/secrets. I know it's almost impossible to do a complete car by yourself, but how much did YOU do on the build of your project? And given the chance, would you rather build yourself and use the saved labor cost to buy top of the line parts, trailer, tow vehicle etc? Or would you rather pay someone to build, and buy the parts that the remaining budget would allow? If you had the ability to build your own car (most of it anyway), would you build, buy new, or buy used, and why?

Wade Mahaffey

Re: How much of your current ride, did you build?
 

I built most of the car over many years and over many years I have found I enjoy working on the car as much or more than I enjoy going to the races and I have learned so much more that way. The help I have received I appreciate very much and I try to help them in return. There is no way I could have paid to have all things done and had near as much success as my budgit has always been low.
Jerry Davis 4168

Re: How much of your current ride, did you build?
 

Still that way at least the people I know

We had Mike P at MPR do the cage and suspension. The initial reason was simple time, he could get us in-out in a month....It would have taken me 4-5 to do the cage and chassis because well Id never done a DP Chally , Mike had.

Paul at Turbo Action did our transmission .

We did the rest, paint, powedercoating, glass, interior, (part of the wiring) all the plumbing, all the assembely, on and on. Everything except cage and transmission.

Transmissions, Im never screwing with period

Chassis work ? Well after seeing Mikes work, his low costing and fast turnaround ? Ill be hard pressed to dig out the benders and tig again.

In a way I am dissapointed I cant call the cage mine, because I originally planned to do it, but the delvery of the car was so much delayed I had no choice, in the end itturned out by far for the best.

Next one I will do myself but I will buy the "kit" from Mike....no reason to reinvent perfection.

Anyone can pay someone to do it all by other people , FEW do it all themselves, they get "looked down on" by SOME who just throw money at vendors, which is stupid as hell, Id rather have a cosmetically shaky car done all myself than a "trailer queen" I just paid people to do. People say "Oh who did X" Sometimes, not all, you hear hesitation in their voice "Uhhh I did" ....."Oh" a snooty reply from someone who is incapable of doing it themselves.

Why did we do it all ourselves ? Because it was hard. And it was and always will be what we enjoy, BUILDING it.

Re: How much of your current ride, did you build?
 

I did everything on my car myself other than,tom callis built the rear end housing and 36" cm ladder bars...the body shop at the pontiac dealership(oops buick/gmc)that i work at sprayed the paint i even borrowed a book and built one of my 2 transmissions.i agree that working on it is as much fun as driving it,almost!!
Scott fifield

Re: How much of your current ride, did you build?
 

Racing the car for at least 39 years, the roll bar was installed locally because it had to be welded in (back in the day, bolted in was OK) and some machine work done on engine parts, other then that, all my own work. I personally enjoy working on the car and get satisfaction when the car performs at least to the index that is subscribed. Not setting records anylonger, just getting to the track is alot of work now.

Casey Miles
248H

Re: How much of your current ride, did you build?
 

2 things I learned over the years can be summed up by these 2 sayings that I heard many years ago

"any asshole with a checkbook can buy a racecar it's what he does with it that counts"
AND
"you don't know anything about your race car until you know everything about your race car"
I keep remembering that over & over again---Helps me ---I enjoy putzing around fabricating and coming up with better ways of doing things- On my dragster I built everything except the frame/chassis and the cylinder head otherwise my partner, my wife and I did it all --Comp387

Re: How much of your current ride, did you build?
 

I am in the process of a build. I had a certain vision of what I wanted and would not be able to accomplish that by myself. I found a builder with that same type of vision. The labor is not the time consuming part, the engineering is. If you have a "one off" project that is going to take a lot of time no matter if you do it yourself or if you can get someone else interested enough to help you. I plan on doing the following, fuel lines, brake lines, fire bottle lines, wiring electrical system, wiring data recorder, painting roll cage, painting interior body panels, and placing carpet. I really think that if you are putting a 4 link in you should use a professional with the proper equipment. There is nothing worse then showing up at the track with a car that won't track straight, imo.

Re: How much of your current ride, did you build?
 

I couldnt agree more....even the things I didnt do have been through (except trans)

Bikes are very very much the same except more dangerous, and Im not puttin my *** on anything I havent had my hand in everything.

With the exception of 1 accident every one was a mechanical failure. Of those 1/2 were known issues I decided to run anyway, none were anyones fault but mine, I like the fact I can never have any one to blame but me :) Makes life easy...I dont have to carry around animosity :)

Re: How much of your current ride, did you build?
 

I build everything on our car. Been doing it for a long time no reason to change now. The roll cage was installed by someone else only because he had time and equipment. He did a good job. Since I have been in the structural engineering busness for 40 years, I know the frame is welded and braced properly. Every piece of the car I look at either every week or every two weeks. Not only do I drive the car but my son drives it. Don't believe he would be doing that unless I have looked at everything.

Re: How much of your current ride, did you build?
 

Let's see , The engine , carb, converter, trans ,rear end , sub frame connectors,suspension and alignment, wiring, body work , and paint.

Of course , the machine work was done by Rick Watters Ent / Tibor Kadar,
but I had to buy my own torque plate for a 2300, which they now have in their possession.


Same deal on the Omega before this one, including the headers, too.

I like being in control of the situation, as you can tell , but the main reason is , this is the only way I could afford to play in this arena.

Re: How much of your current ride, did you build?
 

Started from scratch 3 years ago on a 66 nova 4-door 283 stocker. My son and i did everything but roll bar, engine & ,trans. this was a parts car a guy had and was keeping for the front clip. Was way cheaper than a two door and is diff and gets a lot of looks. I took before pics and after pics. As i said 3 years and still working while running it. It will be my last one that i build ,the next one will be already done ( if there is a next one ).

Re: How much of your current ride, did you build?
 

No doubt, this will be me, one day. if we ever get our car(s) together. Three things are driving me in the direction of doing the majority of the work this time. One, I'm a cheap bas%&#d, two is poverty and three, having been out of this for so long, I flat don't know anyone, anymore that I trust!

I'm gonna be upfront, neither my bracket car or my stocker will be show cars, no pretense at all. I am going to make the best effort I can to insure that they will be safe, sound and as nice as I can make them. Likely, they'll both look more like the cars of old, that weren't always as nice as we wish they were.

If someone wants to look down their nose at me. That's fine, I'm an old man now, I've come to be comfortable in my own skin. Trust me, I won't have a problem pulling up to that line next to ANYONE. At my age, if I put you back on the trailer, that'll be good enough for me. If I lose, ahh, come on by the trailer, there's bound to be a cold drink to share and I can BS with the best of them.

Re: How much of your current ride, did you build?
 

Hats off to the folks that build their own stuff, even if it's just assembling the components built by others. The more YOU do, the more meaningful your success will be !

If I were to "win" class with someone elses engine...win "best engineered" in a bought car...I may have gotten the trophy...but, it would be the same as getting a "Super Bowl" ring even though you watched the whole game from the bench. The win is hollow for me...I would give it to the engine builder...car builder....They earned it ! If you win the "Eliminator" in a bought car, good for you....if you build it, and then win with it your a BAD MAN. For that, is the ULTIMATE ! (my opinion)

Wade Mahaffey

Re: How much of your current ride, did you build?
 

Drooze gives me a lot of credit for work on the car, and I did push through the nonsense to buy it and I still pay the bills, and I did do a bit of work from time to time, but frankly the current nature of drag racing, and sophistication of the technology leaves me following his lead for most of the work that I can still physically do...

But at 64 and after undergoing chemo every other week for a couple of years (soon to start back on it, but I took a break from it to get the car ready for Pomona .. and we didn't get there, so kept off it so I could make Phoneix.... didn't make that either..but here we are ready for the divisional in Atlanta and hoping to make Gainesville next week..)

But at my age, and in my condition, I just don't have the physical strength and overall stamina to work on a car like I used to do.....and it sucks to not be able to do it like I used to.

But I guess that is why we have kids.. so we can live vicariously through them when we get older...

At the end of the day, I pay the bills, and I was involved in every decision, and some of the actual work, but Drooze really did build most of the car himself.

David
The New Hemi Guy
________
MEDICAL MARIJUANA CARD

Re: How much of your current ride, did you build?
 

I did everything on my car except notch seat for shifter and had upholstery guy do carpet.I did all machine work on engine,dyno,carb,mufflers(pure stock)rear end,trans auto first then 4 speed when found out was'nt 3 speed only car clutch setup,roll cage what paint work has been done but the outside has'nt been repainted since I have had car I'm going to do that in year or two. 7-8 years ago before found out they were 4 speed car was getting ready to start my own converter deal was going to build billet alum. bolt together was my plan wanted bolt together but knew alum. was only way it would be light enough to work. If I did't do my own stuff I could'nt race and still don't get to much.

Mike Taylor 3601
Forgot Bullet did cam.

Re: How much of your current ride, did you build?
 

Your right wade,ive won alot of races,most of them in my car.but the wallys have come while driving for someone else...i built the engine in that car and did all the dialing and weather but, its still not my car
scott fifield

Re: How much of your current ride, did you build?
 

'64 Max Wedge Ply.

Did everything but paint, machine work and interior.

JimR

Re: How much of your current ride, did you build?
 

David, my hat goes off to both you AND your son, Chris......Just the fact that a father and son can work side-by-side on a project such as the one you undertook together speaks volumes on the type of people you are....Here's to alot of fun and success w/your DP once you both get some serious seat time with it......WJ

Re: How much of your current ride, did you build?
 

I can do everything myself except transmissions, welding, and painting. The mechanical/technological aspects and restrictions is what attracts me to stock/super stock. No matter what it may run, I am never satisfied with the performance of my car, and am always looking for more.

Re: How much of your current ride, did you build?
 

I did everthing but the trans,machine work, welding, and paint. Plus I got quite a bit of help with the tuning.
Talk about a jigsaw puzzle. I got my motor in pieces, never having to first take it apart, Never even saw a 2.4 Chrysler other than pictures. Plus this was my first tunable EFI car. And i am a positive is red, negative is black, Kind of guy.
This year I have graduated adjusting the tune from reading the data logger. And usually I'm lost if the number is more than 20 (fingers and toes)

Re: How much of your current ride, did you build?
 

I do what I can,but I have to have a good friend of mine do a lot of the major stuff at his place,and I help him. I`d lke to be able to do more myself,but not owning a garage and with the car sitting on the tailer year round in storage,makes it hard to do anything on it. Not making excuses,that`s just the way things are.

Re: How much of your current ride, did you build?
 

Other than machining the engine block & crank / surfacing & milling stud bosses on the heads.... I did everything on my car myself, ( original paint and interior makes that easier )... this includes the basics, as well as the roll bar installation, design & build the headers, rear end & disc brake up-grade, etc.
I agree... I think coming up with these ideas, building them, and making the car faster, IS even more rewarding than racing. Then again, I'm a lousy racer, so I may be biased.

BTW, I've been out of the loop for a few months...
Just got my recent Dragster. When did the Indexes get lowered ?
( just when I finally figured out how to get under the old one )

Re: How much of your current ride, did you build?
 

Except for the main roll bar hoop, all of it. I have very little pride driving something I didn't create, or very least, worked on.

Re: How much of your current ride, did you build?
 

Over the years I have built some and bought some, but always ended up doing most of the work myself. Earlier in life I could not afford to pay someone to do it, now I enjoy it. While it took longer then, it was my only option. Now it is option of choice... Did have some good friends help and teach me early in car life, which I greatly appreciated. I have done some of about everything, including transmissions which I have sworn off of for now!

Current 67 Firebird Convt. stocker has been done all in house so far. I have had this car over 20 years... bought in highschool and restored. Showed it, drove on street a while, and sat in the garage much more than anything. Wanted to enjoy it and know I will take better care of it on the track than on the street, and get in a lot less trouble.

I have converted the car from 4 wheel drum to 4 wheel disc, including all lines, master cylinder, prop valve, etc. All new fuel system, all new wiring, stripped front end down to sub frame with new bushing, joints, body mounts etc. I welded in the roll bar, installed the new Moser rear, Cal-trac's and springs, doing the carpet now(pain!). I have assembled most of my motors over the years (have machine work done) and have bought a couple also when deal was too good to pass up (thanks Billy). Have done most of the body work, but had paint sprayed. I have kept all of the origional parts, motor and trans, etc. just in case I ever want to go back to the street with it.

As several have said, I know my car inside and out.

I do enjoy the building, and love the driving! My sons (9 & 3) have been in the garage some with me on this build, and while still too young to fully understand, hopefully they will appreciate it somewhere down the road. I have built, bought and sold a lot of cars over the years, but this one I do not ever plan to part with.

It just all depends on what is important to you.

Good luck all!

Ken

Re: How much of your current ride, did you build?
 

We did almost everything. It was a running car when Kevin bought it, but everything except the body has been completely redone. Kevin bought the heads, the converter, and the carburetor. He paid to have the car wired (he hates electricity) and he paid to have the cage put in (he doesn't give himself near enough credit for his welding and fabrication skills). He did the interior, the fuel system, the ignition system, and all of the suspension. I built the engine, the transmission, and the rear end. With the exception of the cage and the wiring, one or both of us put everything in the car. It may not be one of the very fastest, but it is legal, and it is not store bought.

Re: How much of your current ride, did you build?
 

I have done everything on the car. This was my first time doing paint and bodywork. It took several years. I also did all of the electrical, suspension, brakes, drivetrain, and rollbar all of the ridiculess brackets and fabricated parts.
I have to give credit where credit is due though. And that is to friends that gave great advice and what not to do. And that is first and foremost Mark Walton. Mark has built from the ground up 2 other cars and pointed me in the right direction that he wished he had done this or that. I incorporated those idea's into my car. Others that have also helped are Steve Brack. Steve helped get me pointed in the right direction with the clutch. A used G-Force from Jim Voth, who he and his family are what Drag racing is all about. Stuart Goertzen, of Headway Engine Service. Stuart did the heads on my first junk 100,000 mile untouched shortblock with a stocker cam. Stuart spent more time on my new engine last year than I could ever be able to tell him Thank you enough. If you want something done right and attention to detail, Stuart is the man. Last but not least, my wife Rose who believes in me, and also shares the same philosophy. Do things right the first time. I also have the philosophy if you want something done right, Do It Yourself!!

Sean