6 bolt do it yourself vs. shop

[Stoner]

I plan on buying a 95-99 GSX that has had Crank Walk and doing the 6 bolt swap. My question to you is what is your opinion on how hard it is and the benifits of doing it yourself vs having a shop do it. Also i am in the Indianapolis, IN area, does anyone know a shop/person close to me that could help with this.

I am somewhat mechanically enclined and love to learn how to do something new. I have freinds that are mechanics but not with DSM and one buddy that knows a good amount about them, he owns a 91 FWD that he has put a new engine in. I am not too worried about the money factor although it will always play a part.

I am having a hell of a time deciding on what to do so i am asking for your help. Any and all opinions will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Ben

 

[candela]

Well as long as you are not high when you do it it should go well stoner

Really though, to anyone that is inclined; DO IT YOURSELF! Its not just a matter of getting it done. You learn yoru car like nothing else on a project liek that. You will feel VERY comfortable with it when you are done. You know if anything goes wrng you will know where to look, you will be proud if it turns out ok... plus people are to reliant on shops and others to get things done now-a-days IMO Not regarding just cars..regarding everything. Anyhow I am all for doing things yourself and feel that EVERYone should at leist try, if it doesnt work out then bring it to a shop if you must... good luck

Austin

 

[Stoner]

Thanks a lot. I am just worried about getting it all done and then saying oops or something like that and having to tear it all down. I guess when you do something new like this you are going to feel that way. As of right now it looks like i am going to dive right in

Just want to hear what kind of insight everyones got.

Oh ya and stoner just happens to be my last name . I wont be high while i do the swap unless gas fumes and such get to me enough .

 

[RaysTsi]

I did mine myself and I did it with just me(mechanically inclined) and my buddy(Not mechanically inclined) and the hardest thing I had done before hand was a turbo swap. Just do these 3 important things.

1. have ALL your parts Before you start
2. Take your time
3. Buy a engine lift cause its almost cheaper than renting.

Oh and buy every single kind of fluid your car needs cause all of them have a good chance of leaking at some point and its a PITA running back and forth to Pep Boys.

 

[cait sith]

Let's put it this way: Do you want to drive the car or do you want to tinker with it?

I somewhat regret doing my six bolt swap myself, but I'm glad it's done and I know wha's up... It takes quite a long time doing it yourself, the bugs to hammer out aren't fun, you're going to be calling up Conicelli/Going to a parts vendor a whole hell of a lot, and when you get everything done, there's STILL bugs to hammer out or dumb mistakes that you made that will bite you in the end.

And renting is a hell of a lot cheaper. I paid 40 bucks a day for my lift? Unless you're getting some sort of GHETTO RIG lift, well, more power to you.

If you want to just tool around with the car, go for it. If you want to drive it within 4 months, get a decent shop.

 

[RaysTsi]

I paid 30$ a day for my lift and I ended up needing it for 4 days=120$ you can get a decent lift for 100$ from maxtools.com If you only have the lift for a day or 2 its cheaper to rent but I wish I had bought one so I would have it in the future.

 

[2gBlkGST]

Originally posted by cait sith


If you want to just tool around with the car, go for it. If you want to drive it within 4 months, get a decent shop.

whats the 4 months for??

 

[cait sith]

Originally posted by 2gBlkGST



whats the 4 months for??

Uh, the swap and the pain in the ass follow up problems?