Editor’s Notes
We’re excited to share insights from James, a skilled heavy diesel mechanic based in Sydney, Australia. With over five years of experience, James combines his passion for automotive sports with expertise in diagnosing and repairing various vehicles, from commercial trucks to performance cars. In this article, James shares valuable tips and tricks for newcomers and seasoned hobbyists alike, enhancing their automotive experience.
Over the many years of working on cars and being involved in the hobby of repairing and modifying performance cars, I have learned many tips and tricks, some of which I will share with you! These tips and tricks will apply to those who are new to the hobby, and those well versed in the automotive lifestyle.
Tip 1: Research is Key!
Always search around and study about the vehicle and job you are performing. This tip, while obvious, will save you many sleepless nights and many hours of struggling to remove and install parts.
Tip 2: Be Honest with Yourself
With social media allowing everyone to witness crazy 1000+ hp builds, it may seem like you must build a monster of a car with tons of power! However, you have to be honest with yourself and be realistic about your goals. Ask yourself: What do you want to build your vehicle for? If you’re building a street car that can be daily driven, and will see occasional track usage, you won’t need 600 hp, let alone 1000!
Tip 3: Get Help from a Buddy
A friend that is mechanically inclined or a friend who can help out is probably the best tip possible. They act as a second pair of hands, and can be super helpful when dealing with coilover installation! It’s also a great opportunity to introduce your friends to the car scene and/or just spend time with them!
Tip 4: Start with Service Items
Starting off with basic maintenance is the most important thing to do before modifying your vehicle for performance. After all, there’s no point modifying a car that’s not going to let you drive anywhere! Simple services and easy jobs such as brakes are a great way to maintain your vehicle for a long life of service!
Tip 5: Consider Simple Mods
Modified suspension is probably my go to first mod! You can go lowering springs, air suspension, coilovers and more! MaXpeedingRods offers tons of entry level quality coilovers for many vehicle types. From there, a quality set of wheels and tyres will allow you to go faster, corner better, and brake harder without breaking the wallet!
Those are some quick tips I have learned over the years, here are some tricks of the trade!
Trick 1: Borrow Tools
Borrowing your friends or a mechanic’s tools! Not all of us want to go out and buy a toolbox packed with tools, as it can cost thousands of dollars! While toolkits are pretty inexpensive nowadays, it might not be in your interest to purchase tools as of yet! You can always borrow a friend’s tools. Most hardware stores also rent out tools! This can come in handy when you only need one specific tool, that won’t see much usage. Just make sure to return your borrowed tools, and make sure to be honest. As a mechanic, we’d be very happy if you owned up about damaging or breaking a tool, rather than lying to us.
Trick 2: Buy Used Tools
We all want to have the best and newest tools, as the feeling of opening up a toolbox to see brand new shiny tools is a feeling to die for! However, it is so much more budget friendly to purchase second hand tools! It is also worth noting that purchasing gimmicky equipment, such as universal sockets and universal spanners, aren’t recommended. A basic toolkit with some sockets, spanners, and accessories will get you most of the way!
Trick 3:Prioritize Safety
Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) is essential to making sure you are safe. PPE is considered the last line of protection/defence in the trade, so make sure your jack stands are correctly rated and in good condition, your car lift is rated and in good condition, tools are maintained and serviceable, and you follow correct procedures when it comes to working. Ensure that cotton drilled long sleeve clothing is worn, eye protection is present (and on your eyes, not on your forehead), gloves are on, and work boots are not worn. This will make sure you’re safe and protected from the dangers of working on cars.
Trick 4: Meet Up with Other Enthusiasts!
Going to car meets will not only allow you to be inspired by other car enthusiasts, but it also gives you an opportunity to make new friends! Car friends are usually very helpful and will gladly help you not only work on your car, but teach you along the way! Many of these car friends started where you did, and would completely understand if you don’t have much experience, so don’t be shy! You can also have an opportunity to learn new skills and tricks by working on their cars too!
Trick 5: Leverage Social Media
Finally, use social media to your advantage! Social media platforms can inform you on pretty much anything that relates to the car scene, whether you’re into performance track cars, race cars, street cars, 4wds, trucks, and more, you can do a quick search up on YouTube and find thousands of guides and builds, and should you need more info, you can even go to a company’s social media page, like Instagram, and look for information there! There are also thousands of automotive content creators on all different types of social media platforms with all different builds! Like you, they are all car enthusiasts, and would love to help you out!
Embarking on the journey of modifying and repairing cars can be both rewarding and challenging. By embracing these tips and tricks, you can navigate the automotive landscape more effectively, enhance your skills, and connect with a community of like-minded enthusiasts. Remember, every great mechanic started somewhere, so don’t hesitate to seek help and enjoy the ride!
