A few rules you must observe before you just walk into my virtual garage
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1. My opinions
are my own, my very own, and are based on past experiences, hard facts, and not on
hear-say or rumors.
I'm only going on what knowledge I have, and as far as I know, that knowledge is pretty reliable (if not outright correct). This knowledge is taken from books written by people far smarter than I can ever lay claim to being, by actual experience with such people (on occasion), or by simply going out and doing it my damn self and having it work (surprise! surprise!).
If I can figure out how to take it apart, I can figure out how to put it back together again. I am a tool using creature, and a thinking, reasoning, logical organism, which puts me pretty damn near the top of the food chain and the evolutionary ladder.
Got something to teach me? No problem. Drop me a line.
2. I believe in DIOADIR. Do It Once And Do It Right. Learn it. Live it.
You will see me use this term a *lot*. It's a modern derivative of the old "measure twice and cut once" philosophy. This means that I have researched my material long before I ever picked up a wrench. Any amateur (or chimpanzee) can swing a wrench. It takes brains to go fast. And money. But more brains than money. Usually. If you are not prepared to break a sweat, to get a headache, to curse the day you bought your car / part / tool, to skin your knuckles, to round off bolt heads, burn your hands and fingers, get grease under your fingernails, use long strings of profanity and actually learn something, etc., then you do not deserve to own a high performance car or truck. Sell it, and get something that won't cause you to go through all of this. Something like a Ford Focus or a Chevy Aveo ....
3. 'Boat anchors' or 'useless' motors exist only in the minds of ignorant, ham fisted amateurs who wouldn't recognize a hot rodding opportunity if it was bolted between the front fenders of their own car.
Any motor can be made to go fast ... any motor. It just takes brains. And patience. And money (but generally more patience and brains than money). How fast do you want to spend? You will also need an in-depth understanding of your particular engine's strengths and weaknesses. You must minimize the weaknesses while maximizing the strengths. Use what you have! Use your brain (which is a lot smarter than your wallet, believe me)! Prove that you are a tool using life form. Embrace technology, chimp.
4. We are going to have to agree to disagree.
We are going to have to agree to be civil about this as well. If you don't like what I'm doing ... fine. That's your opinion. No one is holding a gun to your head and forcing you to stay here and read this. YOU are reading it because you are curious.
Nothing more.
The instant you stop being curious, the instant that you stop respecting my efforts and work, is the instant that you are no longer welcome in my garage. Please leave immediately. Don't flame me because I'm doing something that you won't (or can't) and making it work. Please have respect for my opinions, my work, and my effort. I will give you the common courtesy of the same in return.
If you have a gripe, Email me. If you have some technical knowledge to pass along or need advice on something that I have done, shoot it at me. I answer all polite, civil Emails. I ignore flames as flames are the best indicator of stupidity and I don't listen to or talk to stupid people. Want some of my time? Make it worth while to me and you've got it. In other words, don't jack my Twinkies, man.
5. I welcome comments and suggestions and am always willing to talk intelligent shop and mechanics with any owner of any car.
Just because I drive a car or ride a motorcycle different than the one you own doesn't mean that I don't know about mechanics on other models and makes. My technical knowledge runs the gauntlet of the '60s, '70's, '80's, and '90's models. If you have a question, I may have an answer for you. Be prepared. It may not be the answer that you were looking for.
I also don't know everything. In fact, I know very little. Guess you weren't expecting to see that, were you? However, I do learn and I learn quickly. The day I stop learning is the day that they close the lid on my box.
I may also be wrong. Get over it. I have. I've made a lot of mistakes before. The next mistake I make won't be my first, nor will it be my last, but it also won't be a repeat of a previous mistake. I learn by doing.
Take my advice for what it's worth, and use it at your own risk. If you ask a question, don't expect an answer. If you get one, good. If the answer works, great. If it doesn't then in either case you're out nothing but your time.
6. Horsepower sells cars, but torque wins races.
Or, my own derivative of the saying, "horsepower wins brags but torque wins drags." I don't care how much horsepower that you have, if I have more torque than you, mod for mod, in an otherwise identically prepped car, then I'm going to shut you down, all the time, every single time. Period. Torque. Coming on strong at low RPMs and building up into a nice, fat curve. Pavement ripping, neck snapping torque. If you build for torque, horsepower will naturally follow. If you disagree with this philosophy, see rule #4 above.
7. The only dumb question is the one that you DON'T ask.
Don't be afraid to ask dumb questions. Dumb questions are easier to handle than dumb mistakes! Learn from other people's mistakes as well.
8. Ignorance is contagious.
Do what you can to stop the spread. Build someone up rather than put them down. Sure it takes more energy to build someone up or to actually be mature and acknowledge their accomplishments, but the benefits are immense. Share what you know, learn what you don't. Be excellent to one another! It's that simple, it really is.
9. Black Echo can be ICQ'ed at 341-541-005
Not often, but sometimes. Try not to wet yourself if I do pop on from time to time. Note the NEW ICQ number.
10. Black Echo can be reached via Email at blackecho@gmail.com.
Now, wasn't that easy? I even gave you a hyperlink. I'm too good to you, really, I am and it is going to spoil you in the long run.