I'm just wondering what some of you guys had running. I don't know much about third gens, but I know at least that americans have trouble getting HP outta V8's. Some say its emission reasons, other say americans are just stupid lol. I wanna know what you guys have and what you guys think. Being complete novice about cars i had to ask.

How much hp are you getting? With what engine(or basic setup that increases potential hp)?

I was wondering what kind of chassis a third gen uses. Has anyone replaced their chassis for a better one? (still looking through forums. its really hard to understand what everyone is talking about lol)

How much mpg do you get with your fuel injector and do you think its worth the complications compared to the carburetor?

I'll be starting my auto mechanics class in the fall at my local community college. I've been trying to study basics on my own, but when i go to the Oakland pick and pull to try and take random things apart i fail quite miserably lol. I got the bumper off a 1991 prelude for my friend, but I couldn't get at ALL how to get into the engine lol. So far I've learned a little about what each part of the engine does, but as i saw at pick and pull that i could barely spot anything other that the obvious belts and rotor. Some cars i even had trouble finding the air filter. I feel like such a dweeb staring blankly at a engine bay and not being able to find the filter. Any tips on how you guys started?

Thanks again and sorry if i posted this in the wrong section.

 

I started just like you, Figured things out on my own.
Thirdgens are a unibody, meaning there is no seperate chassis to replace. the chassis and body are one.

Mileage per gallon is mainly based on driving habits and tuning of the ecm.

I am probably not a good candidate for what kind of power I gained from what mods..

My thirdgen is more of a chunk of random expensive parts sitting in my garage

 

I have one of those too

never heard that before, everyone had trouble making horsepower in the 80's. My bike almost has as much HP as your average 80's V8.

 

jeeze. just read up on the stickys to learn more

and yes its alot better carb < fuel injectors and its not that hard at all. fuel wise and power.

 

The great thing about pick n pull is you can learn by screwing up. Dont be afraid to tear into an engine or behind the dash or rip out a rear end.. its only nuts and bolts. The key is remembering where those nuts and bolts go when u put it back together. I learned a whole helluva lot from pnp. U learn out there so when u do it at home on ur car, u are less likely to make the same mistakes. Confidence is key. Give urself some time.
MTXaudio has a point.... all of the stickys here on the website are very informative and the members here are very detailed unlike other forums i have visited.

 

.

 

Getting power out of V8's isn't a problem. Getting power out of 305's can be. If power is what your looking for, you can get tons of cheap power out of a 350. Many people here also go for much bigger engines, and several of our users have done V6 mods and V6 swaps that are getting to be awfully powerful too.

The 305's were designed with gas mileage and everyday drive-ability in mind, and struggled to get past 200 hp. The 305 TPI can be pushed a bit further, but the 305 TBI isn't worth modding if hp is your goal.

 

Getting horsepower out of a V8 is easy. Especially 350's or larger displacement engines. The problem is that many people are cheap and don't really want to get into the engine itself. With bolt-ons you won't see much of an improvement in power. Many of the bolt-ons are necessary, but alone they won't gain you too much power. With heads and a cam swap, plus some intake work and tuning, making power is easy. Just expensive.

 

If i understood any of it, i probably wouldn't have asked. I see your point i just need to study more. Are there any specialized tools that completely enable me to rip apart an engine(don't say explosives, it doesn't work as well as you think)?

So do any of you actually know your horsepower?

Thanks for the quick replies and remember to answer the OP too!!

 

I don't know beyond the original factory specifications. As for others, many of them have had their cars on a dynojet and do know roughly how much power they make. As for taking the engine apart, the only special tools is really the hoist to get the engine out of the car. Other than that its mostly simple hand tools that are required.

 

I'm gonna guess that you are probably going to be attending the College of Alameda. I went to the college of Alameda automotive program and know that you will learn a lot there if you pay attention. If you want to get a head start maybe buy the textbook for your class and start reading it now.

 

i should be pushing around 300ish the way it puts down and beats on lt1s like no tomorrow considering i still need a tune.

its a torque monster more then anything so i only dig and the occasional roll .

best set up to go with would prolly as far as staying stock internally and getting most power unless u wanna dig into the motor would be the 350 tpi swap it to the HSR swap. its some cash but well worth it for a start.

for tools just start with basic socket and rachet kit from craftsmans about 100 bucks.

im only turning 19 soon but learned everybit of info i could since i started working on stuff when i was 15. I went to tech school only to get my certs and learned not **** in the classroom. only thing i liked was the lifts i put my turd onto for torque arm **** etcetc

 

I will be attending CoA. I really hope i get a good start and understand what they're talking about.

So I've heard that some people get big blocks out of old chevy trucks and switch em out. About how much hp do you think they get with everything else stock?

I've got a nice stanley driver bit set that came with a stubby driver and a flex head extension, a close quarters mini ratchet, and a plier pack that came with the 3 kinds of pliers i would probably need most =p. I got a few old ratchets with the adjustable head, which is nice. Thanks to my dad, all the sockets are in a dirty oil filled bag... I'm trying to find a cheap socket set with a decent case to get all the basic tools in order.

I've also got auto repair for dummies. Its like a small problem bible that thing. I say everyone should own a copy in their trunk or glove compartment.

Anyways thanks for all the quick answers guys. I really appreciate the sense of community on this site... Now someone give me a third gen for free so i can start working on it lol.

 

The most important thing you will learn is to be safe, wear gloves and safety glasses when you need to. Having a car you can tear apart is a good way to learn but doing your own car makes it more critical to get it right the 1st time. Just dont start off messing with a vital part like the braking system. Ask questions, even if they may be dumb, ask and listen. Dont take advice that doesnt sound right cause its your azz if its wrong, remember they put every nut and bolt on there for a reason so put them all back as best you can with the correct torque. Hands-on is always the best training so help your buddies out when you can.

 

If you are going to spend time working on cars, begin a budget for the compressor, air rachet, impact gun, and other air tools. Get both SAE and metric as the third gens are awfully confused about what they want to be. I was told there was a minimum amount of SAE that was required, but the rest is metric. Start with small jobs like breaks, alternators, starters, easier stuff to get used to wrenching. I wouldnt attack something large like tearing into the engine for quite some time. Once you begin a project, the stickies will mean more. It is like the computer, you learn it one application at a time. When I put the TPI in my son's 69 impala I didn't know a MAP sensor from a fan relay. You just got to do it and learn as you go. The project you do will determine what you need to learn.

 

big fan of air tools norcal? lol. A bit expensive, but from what i read its well worth it. Sounds a solid amount more efficient torque and durability. Any more tips are welcome guys, i'm still in the buying (really cheap) tools phase.

So i found a cheap set of socket adapters from Proformance Tools. 21 bucks.

http://www.amazon.com/Performance-To...7243996&sr=1-3

Is it worth it? and is it okay to use impact material with chrome vanadium ratchets?

 

since your a newb to this stuff i wouldnt be getting impact tools. you will strip stuff easily. you can get almost anything off with a long rachet as long as you know how to put a wrench with another wrench to use all your torque to bust things loose. except with rachet you use a pipe or breaker bar

 

Best thing you can do Is stroll out to a junkyard, bring a bag full of basic tools (wrenches, ratchet and sockets, screw drivers) and pull apart a motor piece by piece and watch it turn. Pick up a few assembly manuals for reading, magazines with tech articles are great to.

 

There's no substitute for hands on, whether its in a classroom or a wrecking yard.

Buy yourself tools WHEN YOU NEED THEM, nothing like have an air ratchet and no compressor at PNP.

I see alot of people graduate WyoTech & UTI, and they aren't too much smarter than when they went in. The other thing about that is it costs tons more than if you had just take Automotive classes at a Junior College. Some of my best tech's are self taught, and get ASE certified when I push them to become certified.

If this is really what you want to do, and its in your blood, you'll do fine by applying youself.

Just remember what AC/DC said,
"It's a long way to the top, if you want to rock & roll".

and heres my signature, self taught BTW.

 

agreed especially about the wyotech thing. maybe they are booksmarts but you cant really get it down until you do it, and usually numerous times and those classes dont really let you do that. im taught by father. but the thing about cars is they are always changing. you are always learning.

 

Exactly, and when the cars change, more tools are needed. Buy them when you need them.
Go for it!

 

LoL. okay thanks guys. I've been at the library and i don't know where to start. There are soo many parts of a car and ever car is different lol. I'll keep studying and heading to the pick and pull to tear stuff apart.

 

this might be the first time we agree...haha...

 

the biggest thing i can say to learn how to do is brakes. they are wear items and will save you money if you dont have to go to a shop for that. its also amazing how some people ccant do sparkplugs. pick and engine and change the plugs in it. dont go so deep internally into things just do basic stuff. change the alternator. remove it and put it back. so forth...

 

Take full advantage of any deals you can get from the tool venders when you are in school. if you are going to make a living working on cars you will need all the tools you can get. When I was taking classes at Skyline we had required sets. from snap-on they cost me less than the dealer could buy them at. Suspension and Brakes will help you get a job, but try to go for smog, having a license has kept me at work on days when others had to go home. Also you can love chevy but you will NEED to know ford. Those piles will put my kids through college.