How do I learn to wrench?

[splitz]

Now that Grad skool is over with, I have found an abundance of time and money on my hands. What this translates into is an expensive hobby: making the NSX go faster.

The problem is I'm a complete novice. Where/how can I learn more about "tuning?" Now I'm not planning on doing anything crazy myself, but I want to be educated enough to talk about the things that I want to get done.

 

[DocL]

Buy shop manual, a set of tools, jack, jack stands, and start off doing simple procedures such as oil changes, spark plugs, and brakes. I also figured that if I got stuck I could always have the car towed to the dealer to fix my screw-up. Fortunately that has never happened. :biggrin:

If you have any friends who are proficient at DIY, ask them to come over and show you how to do some of the work. I've always found that a pizza and six pack are a good reimbursement.

 

[TyraNSX]

The best, not easiest, way is to drive some beater piece of crap that has lots of problems. You will learn a lot just keeping it running and don't risk screwing up something on the NSX until you are more experienced. Just my 2 cents.

 

[coldhammer]

I second the motion of buying a beater. Get something that you would like to build up and buy it cheap.

Then get your shop manual and tools and bit by bit start doing everything you want to it.

By going this route if you end up screwing something up, its usually pretty cheap to find another beater to take the parts off of(assuming you get something older) and if you completely fubar it then you can just junk it and consider it a lesson learned.

Another route to go to help with the learning process is to sign up for a basic engine class at one of the local technical colleges. THey will give you a 101 type of introduction to engines and maintenance etc.

Once you have that under your belt some areas offer "tuning" classes. I havent seen a lot of em but the few that I have seen appear to be pretty decent. THey will get into the more advanced applications like turbos and engine management etc.

I agree that I wouldnt use the NSX as a guinnea pig. It can be a serious PIA to work on even for people that have been doing it for years. And it also makes for very expensive mistakes.

 

[splitz]

Buy shop manual, a set of tools, jack, jack stands, and start off doing simple procedures such as oil changes, spark plugs, and brakes.

I've done most of that in the past. What I'm talking about are where do I learn about integrated engine management systems, re-gearing, injectors, camshafts, valves & springs, suspensions, transmissions, Type-R stickers and carbon fiber shift knobs.

The best, not easiest, way is to drive some beater piece of crap that has lots of problems. You will learn a lot just keeping it running and don't risk screwing up something on the NSX until you are more experienced. Just my 2 cents.

I've got my Toyota Pickup for that, the only problem is it has +140K miles on it and no problems other than body cancer!

 

[NetViper]

I also agree on the beater. A second reason is because the NSX is a PAIN in the A$$ to work on.

 

[VBNSX]

I've done most of that in the past. What I'm talking about are where do I learn about integrated engine management systems, re-gearing, injectors, camshafts, valves & springs, suspensions, transmissions, Type-R stickers and carbon fiber shift knobs.

For that stuff i'd still buy some thing cheapo like a civic and start learning to tune it up. That's how I learned. I went hybrid and then to 13.5:1 compression, etc. etc... Conceptually it's the same... I didn't say it is THE same.. but the process all becomes the same over time..

good luck
x

 

[02#154]

Unless I *really* had money to burn, I wouldn't buy a beater just to work on it. What I've done is just read. Read all about basic engine and automotive theory. Read all about how it's implemented on various cars. This site is an excellent place to learn about the NSX. Then take on your first project with increasingly difficult projects after that.

I learned on a turbo DSM. I joined a forum, read about what they were doing, and why each upgrade or change made a difference. I started off knowing how to change the oil and ended up knowing how to do everything except a clutch change (never got to the point where I needed to change the clutch, otherwise I would know that too). It's really not that difficult. Like anything else it just takes time, practice and a little effort to learn.

It might also help to offer your services on other people's projects. You'll only do the basic stuff by helping out, but you'll get to see the more advanced stuff take place right before your eyes.

J

 

[coldhammer]

If your looking for more "tuner" specific application knowledge, check on the web for "tuning" classes.

here is an example. I know there are others out there.

http://www.scc.spokane.edu/?autohp

 

[jond]

Get a classic mustang. If you figure everything out yourself you will learn a ton.

 

[arnach]

Buy a late 80s Honda Accord. I see them in my area all the time for around $300-500 with alot of rust. Take everything completely apart, scatter everything with no organization, then put it back together using the service manual.

You'll be good to go for 90% of things after that.

 

[MJK]

I vote you buy a service manual for your '94 toyota truck and have a go. If you screw anything up too badly, then just drive the NSX 'til you get it fixed. To the extent that I learned, I did it by trial and error. Just be detailed and slow if you are unsure. As long as you can it put it back the way you found it, you are all good. I say just jump in. I find DIY wrenching extremely rewarding.

 

[britlude]

Get a classic mustang. If you figure everything out yourself you will learn a ton.

I second this... it's a basic principles car, no complicated systems, everything is available to do it up, and you may make a buck or two as you learn!

 

[cuts1200]

Now that Grad skool is over with, I have found an abundance of time and money on my hands. What this translates into is an expensive hobby: making the NSX go faster.

The problem is I'm a complete novice. Where/how can I learn more about "tuning?" Now I'm not planning on doing anything crazy myself, but I want to be educated enough to talk about the things that I want to get done.

Start with a couple of Automotive courses at your local J.C.

 

[Mirroredshades]

The best, not easiest, way is to drive some beater piece of crap that has lots of problems. You will learn a lot just keeping it running and don't risk screwing up something on the NSX until you are more experienced. Just my 2 cents.

I went to the school of hard knocks as well. :biggrin: You really learn how to do it right if you only have one car and you need it for work.

 

[splitz]

The skool of hard knocks is cool, but 1/2 the stuff I'm going to do to the car I'm going to have someone else do. The problem is, I don't even know what to ask for! I figure I can do stage 1, 2, and maybe 3 from SOS myself, but what else is there to do? (besides FI and Stage 4 which probably would happen if AZ wasn't so far away).

 

[sahtt]

I learned because I had no choice. I was young, poor, and determined to drive nice cars. That translated into older more expensive to maintain cars. I learned a tremendous amount simply because I had no choice. Some of those times were the most frustrating of my life, however, after you tear apart a ls400 engine, put it back together with new tb/wp/crank/cam seals, and start it up and listen to it purr, it is all worth it.

Buy a 90's supercar, FD, 300zx turbo, etc., and you will always have something to do yet the driving experience will be rewarding. As much as anyone of us can agree tearing and putting back an 88 accord might be as a learning experience, that is a massive waste of time IMO.

The problem is all it takes is stripping a single WRONG bolt on an NSX and you are in serious trouble.

 

[SugrueNSX]

The skool of hard knocks is cool, but 1/2 the stuff I'm going to do to the car I'm going to have someone else do. The problem is, I don't even know what to ask for! I figure I can do stage 1, 2, and maybe 3 from SOS myself, but what else is there to do? (besides FI and Stage 4 which probably would happen if AZ wasn't so far away).

Well first of all I must ask the question, do you have a lot of track time?
If the answer to that question is no then you should tune yourself before you tune the car.
Do a skills day or two and a few DE days. This is all conventional wisdom. It’s fantastic fun and great bang for the buck. You may discover like many of us (after you have been lapped by a stock miata) that you really don’t want or need more power. This will save you a ton of money. You can still wrench cos it’s fun and like other people pointed out there are lots of little jobs to keep you busy like brakes and regular maintenance and whatever needs attention. The best part of diy on the NSX is you have the support of all the Prime guys to help you out. That has got me out of a jam more than once.

Regards,

Patrick

Ps if you are a track rat then sorry for the lecture.

 

[splitz]

Well first of all I must ask the question, do you have a lot of track time?
If the answer to that question is no then you should tune yourself before you tune the car.
Do a skills day or two and a few DE days. This is all conventional wisdom. It’s fantastic fun and great bang for the buck. You may discover like many of us (after you have been lapped by a stock miata) that you really don’t want or need more power. This will save you a ton of money. You can still wrench cos it’s fun and like other people pointed out there are lots of little jobs to keep you busy like brakes and regular maintenance and whatever needs attention. The best part of diy on the NSX is you have the support of all the Prime guys to help you out. That has got me out of a jam more than once.

Regards,

Patrick

Ps if you are a track rat then sorry for the lecture.

Yeah, that is probably the best investment I can make to have the NSX go faster. I'm planning on doing more track events to get my skills up, but one of the reasons this all started was because my engine has become noisy, and I believe it is because the valves have never been adjusted. So now I'm planning on doing that and thought, hmm what else can I learn to do.