I'm not really that mechanically inclined, but unless I'm absolutely stumped, I like to do all my work myself.

So list the things you did yourself, or had a shop do for you.

JWT Pop-charger- Self
Borla, then HKS exhaust- Surprisingly, all Self
Plenum Spacer- Shop (because the strut bar bolts were stripped and I wasn't dealing with it)
Headers, test pipes- Shop (because I couldn't even imagine what kind of work is involved in getting in there)
Tires- Shop
Spark plugs- Shop (with headers and test pipes)
Wheel spacers- Self
LED brake lights- Self
Rear wiper removal- Self

 

So far my HR only has a billet grille and Injen exhaust, but I did both of those myself.

 

Intake, exhaust single and dual systems, custome ground set, custom sound system, brakes and wheels, diff and trans oil, rear wiper removal, popcharger and plenum spacer, engine shock

I love workin on my own cars!

 

everything myself unless I dont know how and or dont have the equipment. I have gotten so far by installing stuff myself, saves a ton of money.

 

+1.

I did my clear bra myself, ETD, and Nav system all myself. Only thing done at a shop, so far, were my tires.

 

I've done everything in my sig myself. Clutch and flywheel I'll be paying someone though.

 

My stereo system install, plenum, grill, corner lights, door lights ... everything that's been done to my car has been done by me. On my Xterra I've done rear shackles, front coil overs, the rear differential snorkel, slider bars, and a full skid plate package. Nothing too technical but I'm certainly not afraid to turn a wrench and get my hands dirty.

If I were to go with a super charger I'd likely install it myself.

 

SELF
pop charger
aam plenum spacer
ground kit
test pipes
Apexi n1 exhaust

SHOP
JWT flywheel
JWT clutch

 

Every last piece.

Except painting my headlights, but thats what Mr. Zipps is for.

 

Self (or with some help from others):

pop charger
mrev2 + spacer
hfc
emanage ultimate, wired and installed
shift ****
stoptech stage 2 kit
polish with porter cable / zaino
oil changes (until someone stole my jack)
tranny fluid change
diff fluid change
diagnostics with cipher

shop:
springs and sway bars
full brake fluid flush after my jack was stolen, usually I do it myself
emanage ultimate tuning

 

Former Z...

Intake - me
Plenum spacer - me
Regular maintenance - me

Evo...

Intake - me
TBE - me
MBC - me
Fuel pump - me
Tune - shop (but after realizing how f'd up it was, me and friend)
UICP/LICP - me
Painted headlight housings - me
Boost Gauge - me
Clutch/flywheel - me and friends
Wideband - me and friend
Suspension - me and friend
Wheel paint - me and friends
Mini battery kit - me
Painted Diamond Star - me (as of later today)
Regular maintenance - me
S2000 antenna - me (LOLz)

Also did all the work on my 2G.

 

Intake - Me
Headers - Me
Test Pipes (twice) - Me
Injen SES exhaust - Me

 

Bro, save yourself some money and do it yourself. Should be relatively easy to do (compared to an Evo anyways). Then take that money and buy more stuff.

 

My Car: Clear Corners.
Other Zs: AAM Exhaust, HKS Exhaust, Megan TP, Crawford HFC, PopCharger, Motordyne.
Coming up soon: DC Sport Headers

 

I do all the mechanical stuff myself unless it requires equipments that're just way too expensive. I don't know how to do any of the electrical work though... I do however have friends that are more familiar with that area. So it works out nicely. Now I just need a buddy that could do body work and my life'd be complete.

 

Owned my Z since February 2003, and never had another shop/mechanic touch it.

VO(has his own small shop)

 

I do all the work myself. I used to get help w/ A/C system stuff, but I've since acquired the hardware to test, fill, pull vacuum, etc.. so I do that now too.

Motor swaps, turbo kits, engine mods, suspension work, brake work, stereo installs, etc.. you name it, I've done it.

Normally I enjoy working on my car. Well, that is until it becomes an everyday thing.

 

JWT Pop Charger = Me
Back to '06 Airbox w/ K&N Dropin = Me
MD ISO 5/16 Spacer = Shop
MREV 2 Lower Collector = Shop
Random Tech Hi Flow Cats = Shop
HKS Hi Power Exhaust w/ X-Pipe fabrication = Shop
7 Point Grounding Kit = Me
UTEC = Shop
Hotchkis Springs = Shop
Hotchkis Sways = Shop
Stoptech Stage II Slotted Bremdo upgrade = Shop
DIY Oil Catch Can = Me
Replaced Tranny oil with Mobile 1 75w90 GL-4 = Me
Replaced Diff oil with Mobile 1 75w90 GL-5 = Me

===================================

The same well known shop in Atlanta did these initial installs in two sessions a few weeks ago. Mistakes I found with this shop's installs:

1) MREV 2 = Bypass valve incorrectly installed. (I verified this with Motordyne as they walked me through it on the phone, Great customer service). I fixed it on my own.

2) Random Tech High Flow Cats = They stripped one of my brand new 02 sensors and would take 0% responsibility for it. Cost me an addition $200 to replace.

3) HKS Hi Power = They told me the 'popping/ sputtering' sound it was making was 'normal' & did not want to deal with it. They told me 'to go enjoy my car'. After much investigation on my own, I ended up finding blockage in the H-pipe through a different shop. I also found a large exhaust leak on Bank2 between the HFC and Exhaust via a smoke compressor. Had the blockage and leak fixed by a performance fabrication shop (Very cool guys).

4) UTEC = They grounded it to the underside of the dashboard panel mount by wrapping the bare wire around the mount. So I crimped a connector to the end of the wire and relocated the ground to the chassis (per TurboXS, Great customer service).

5) Stoptech Stage II = Found air in the lines. They tried to convince me the 'spongy' feeling was 'normal' and it would go away if I drove it awhile. Had to get the brakes re-bled after much hassle. Verified there was in fact air in the lines. E-brake is still out of adjustment (Too loose) - It's next on my list to get fixed.

===================================

Moral of the story: Take nothing for granted, as I initially did... Save some coinage & hassle by empowering yourself with the piece-of-mind of knowing your installs are done RIGHT. Learn and perform as many mods as you can yourself.

 

I do ever thing myself. I think everyone should learn how to install their parts. We should all never stop learning. You dont have to be a mechanic to work on cars you just have to be willing to learn.

 

I've done everything from intake installation to engine swaps, but when it comes to wiring and electricals I get somebody else to do that portion.