Cordell

There's an "in" crowd and they have cars that'll run single digit times, I don't stay in touch with those guys because I don't have anything to play on that level. The rest of the people around Columbus are hit or miss. I'd go out more if there was a good chance at finding a decent race but that doesn't work out well for me so it's easy for me to just not street race anymore.

I can certainly see why this might be somewhat difficult to do. Most people own a dyno because they're tuners and renting it out is chump change compared to tuning, I totally understand someone not renting it out so some remote tuner can make the money. Didn't realize ON3 was getting a dyno. Anyone heard anything about Rabid performance (Ricart's dyno)?

Oh darn.

Happy to have a very small part in helping you out via the Red Dragon. Glad to see you so busy, means the company is doing well and you are am important part of it. Congrats on the continued success.

Thanks again.

I'll gladly come get them.

The few times I've seen this car autocrossed it looked fantastic. Should be something special for someone, GLWS.

Where are all these hourly jobs at? I don't see any that are going to involve what I get at the dealership. I like the support of the manufacturer, I like having all the tools to diag. Do you honestly think you can do dealership level diag in an aftermarket shop with Alldata and some random aftermarket scan tool? Do you think it's feasable for one person to be capable of a high level of diag on every car that could come through the door? If I've gotten anything out of this thread it's reinforcing that I really like my job, I just hate one major aspect of it. Not making much money sucks, but if I'm working on cars I prefer the dealership environment. So when some GM dealer decides to pay hourly I'll be one of the first in line, but that isn't happening. Rocky, I don't know what happened when you worked at a dealership or how far you got in your training, but you've made it quite clear that it isn't for you. I don't understand how you can't see my view on it. Just because the pay sucks doesn't mean the whole job sucks.

Is this solely from a monetary point of view? If all I wanted was a paycheck sure I get it, but if that was the case there are many other ways to make money. If I was solely money driven I wouldn't be working on cars anyway. As far as opening a shop goes, a lot of things need to come together for that to happen, it may or may not happen. I'm not so dense that I don't realize that I still have to do most aspects of auto repair to be profitable. I was making the point as to why I wouldn't consider most of these hourly mechanic jobs.

Is it your intent to sound like a know it all? Do you run a shop and I missed something? I appreciate that you have worked in the industry, but you don't seem to appreciate where I'm coming from. I haven't come up with a business plan, this is an idea thread. I would love to find a way to market not only my skills but the aspects of the trade I actually enjoy, or else it isn't worth doing. Maybe it isn't, but we're just talking here. If you don't like me personally you do know that you don't need to participate in this thread?

I'm a long way from leaving full time employment, and I wouldn't try to earn my living out of my little 2 car garage. I think you may have misunderstood my plan, it was to do sidework as a way to build towards a shop and eventually transition to that, not to do anything major quickly.

You guys talking up hourly paid techs disagree with me on a few things, the type of technician job I like having is not available hourly. I hated aftermarket shops, and I hate the monotonous task of prepping used cars. You find me a diagnosis job that pays hourly and I'm all for it, but that is the whole reason I stay at the dealerships, I do troubleshooting. This is the only part of the job I really enjoy, it's the part of the job that puts the "technical" in technician. I think most of you just like being mechanics, ie hanging parts and doing maintenance. The unfortunate reality to me being this way is I usually get warranty work, and a lot of these jobs don't turn into a ton of hours like the "gravy" work. So when I say I've gotten really good at my job to get paid less I mean it. That's also why going to the airport or carmax doesn't interest me.

Thanks man. I certainly do get tired of things, but the biggest issue with most of my jobs has been the rollercoaster of work effecting my paycheck. I think this would give me a little more control, it's never been the actual working on cars as much as all the bullshit that goes along with it. Simplifying things by cutting out everything but me and the car owner sounds better and better. I'm not planning on quitting my day job unless this takes off. I want it to take off so hopefully it will come to that, and having my own shop. Working out of my 2 car garage without a lift is not something I want to do, but I have to start somewhere. Hopefully this might catch on for me and go somewhere.

The automotive repair industry sucks, the flat rate pay system is fucking dumb, and I am stuck relying on others to do a good job before I even have a chance to earn my paycheck. So because I still really like what I do just not how it gets done, I want to move towards doing it for myself. I mean if gearhead Rob could have his own shop, so can I. So in the short term I need to find somewhere to store my Camaro and Corvette so I can use my garage at home for side work. A couple thoughts on this topic, I considered selling one or both cars and while there are obvious benefits this is simply not a step I'm willing to take right now. Is there anything I'm not thinking of working out of my house? I don't have an HOA here, and while my neighbors are not great I can't see them starting shit if I can keep my garage door shut. How many of you could see a need for a GM specialized tech? I mean obviously I can do any general repair, but I'm fully trained in GM cars. I have all my own GM scan tools and dealership access as long as I maintain my full time job (which I can't see not having the full time job in the short term), so programming and really anything in depth. I'd love to hear CR's ideas and experiences. I know that I have shy'd away from this approach to things in the past and I have always avoided side work, but I just don't see any other way to progress and do the job in an honest way that earns me a reasonable living.

You don't need to buy a truck, Home Depot rents killer trucks whenever you need one. Too soon?

Well I'm sure it's something that's better for you, it's always been cool running into you randomly.

I wish I could come up with the cash, I'd love to have it.

Good stuff man, this is one of the only reasons I would ever buy a Subaru (of course since I'm not a fan). Looks like a blast, congrats on doing so well.

Haven't really heard of any meets going on much lately. Enjoyed hanging out at DynoTune yesterday, and then called it a day. Seems like he's always tuning something making 1000 wheel.

I just want to say something about this because I've been in these situations a few times. It is far more common for someone to be mad at me for driving aggressive in my modded car then to get a compliment. So I'm usually expecting the worse, I'm sure some people who were just trying to acknowledge me felt slighted by me a time or two because I just expected them to be pissed. I wish it wasn't that way for me, but I'm sure others have the same issue so I wouldn't take it personally.

It's never too soon to do what you want, be the trendsetter not the trend.

Shaking or shimmying is not caused by alignment. Bad tire wear could be caused by a bad alignment and then maybe you'd get a shake from the tires. Alignment will cause a pull, drift, dog tracking, off center steering wheel, additional strain on parts, and usually tire wear. Other things can cause tire wear like worn suspension parts, but in the case of both front tires wearing on the inside edges alignment is most likely off. Now it could just simply be off, or something could be bent or worn causing it to be off, so make sure you check it out before alignment. A decent tech would do this anyway.

And please try another hosting site, or create an album on here to have some pics. Photobucket has become a complete clusterfuck.

Welcome. I have a real soft spot for old CJs, it's pretty cool to see one all steel. My Dad bought his CJ7 new in 1979 and still has it, however he offroaded it so much the body rotted off in the 80s. I'm sure he was one of the first guys around with a fiberglass body back then. Anyway, hope to see you out.

Good times. Thanks Doc.