Turning maintenence into projects

[IronOutlaw]

Like the title says, Ive gotten bad at this. Everytime something simple breaks on my car I turn it into a way more expensive and time consuming project than it ever should have been. Just like when my clutch went out in my car, I decided to go ahead and put an aftermarket clutch in. And while I was in there I thought about how much easier it would be to slide in headers, so I went ahead and got those. I do have to say though that a header install is SO much easier with the tranny out of the way. So since then the car has been pretty much maintenence free so I havent spent any money on it. Well it looks like thats about to change.

I was pulling out of work the other day and some how one of my exhaust clamps caught the curb and pulled off my y pipe. I drove the car to my cousins and put it on the lift. Its amazing how much fucked up stuff I can find on a lift that I dont see when Im laying on my back in my driveway. Well, one of my motor mounts is shot, which I should have changed with headers but oh well, and my freakin waterpump is leaking. Also it looks like Im leaking oil from the front of the motor around the timing cover.


So a normal person would say its time to install a new motor mount and water pump and MAYBE fix the oil leak.



I say its time for all new gaskets, motor mounts, water pump, opti, and a good ol AI cam package. lol. Ive been doing some major researching online and asking around trying to plan out my 355 build this winter, but I may put it off it a little and go cam only with this motor. The build is probably going to take over a year to complete, so I figure I might as well blow some of my build money and make this engine a little quicker since Ill be working on it anyways.

Wow I love planning ahead, and being addicted to blowing money on cars.

[Ryan Stout]

Haha. I'm the same way. I was gonna bolt in my old master power/stock manifolds to a mild 383, then it was a big $10k "might as well" festival. LOL. Now look at it...

[zooguy]

same way here ...
*spun rod bearing = bought another long block LT1 with less miles on it
*3-4 clutches go out om my 4l60e = $2100 rebuild to beef it up to handle 600hp (have broke it twice and thank goodness it under warranty)
*wanted to get rid of the stock 2.73 and get 3.73's ... gears fuck up after install ... buy a 6-speed rear end with 3.42 in it (maybe do 4.10 later)
*wanted to change air filter = K&N Cold air intake + smooth elbow + 52mm holly TB + TB bypass + 160* stat =
*wanted better traction = new tires (too hard) = nitto NT01's up front (road race tire) + nitto NT555R in the rear (drag radial) =
*wanted a more aggressive tone = manual cutout (not enough) = LT headers + 3" off road Y pipe + electric cutout + flowmaster cat back + corsa clone tips =
cha ching