20 replies to this topic

[TylerQuance]

I empathize!!

I once was an aspiring car crafter, then I got better at it, then I bought a Miata and now I work on them out of necessity because I love racing. There are few things in life that require 100% of your focus and bring grown man-children like us child like joy. This site generally consists of guys who much prefer racing their cars over building them... most of us have done both though so that's something to consider!

Some of the most important things I've learned and still apply to SM:

• I liked to set a date several months in the future and schedule an HPDE day at a local track as motivation to get it done. Next day air shipping on parts, a few days off work, whatever it takes...
• Use as many OEM parts as practical, especially when it comes to drivetrain, suspension, and steering.
• Don't buy parts until you're ready to install them. A garage full of 3-year old new-in-box parts can't be returned. Inventory = bad.
• Spend your money on tools and get the right ones for the job. Most of them you will have for life.

Have fun with it!!!