Thread: Need Your opinions

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I have worked on this Rod for 25 years now. And I still have not lost interest in it. But I am getting so close to getting it running that I am getting very impatient. I have an LT1 engine in it. And I know nothing about setting up the computer on it. So I was going to have that done for me. By some one who has done it before. The thing I struggle with is time. I have very little time to work on it anymore. My question to you fellers is. Should I just bite the bullet and take it to a shop and have them do the rest that it needs to get on the road. Or should I just keep limping along.
If I took it in I could be driving it by spring. If I do it myself it probably wont be for another year or more. I'm 56 years old now I have not got a lot of years left to enjoy my life long project. I feel the sooner the better.

A few things about the LT1 PCM----matters what year they are---Resistor in key and body control module are important items(theft control) If you had wiring harness and PCM and body control module and ignition key from same vehicle it would simplfy matters---

I have done some by working my way throw it---but now Painless Wiring does make a harness/kit for various years---

If you decide to wing it---black wires are grounds, pink and red hot(positive) some all the time, some ignition on run or accessory---
tell us what you have-----

Yes I have the Painless harness for the 94 LT1 and the Computer for the 94.

Originally Posted by Creep

The thing I struggle with is time. I have very little time to work on it anymore. My question to you fellers is. Should I just bite the bullet and take it to a shop and have them do the rest that it needs to get on the road. Or should I just keep limping along.
If I took it in I could be driving it by spring. If I do it myself it probably wont be for another year or more. I'm 56 years old now I have not got a lot of years left to enjoy my life long project. I feel the sooner the better.

Sounds like you've got your answer.. the sooner the better.

I guess if you've got someone in your area that you feel like you can trust and you can afford it.. I'd agree with you that it would be nice to move the project forward and not have to wait another 3 years.

I'd say it depends on how you feel about accomplishing things yourself vs "having" things. If you enjoy the feeling of accomplishment of mastering (or at least becoming marginally proficient at) new tasks by researching, trial & error, and working through the problems of building step by step then you may be frustrated seeing the results of someone else finishing your project for you. On the other hand, if you get more enjoyment out of having the project "done" to the extent you can drive it to events, sit in the garage and look at it, or whatever brings you the most pleasure relative to that vehicle, then becoming a check writer is the answer. I'm finding that I get more enjoyment out of the building than "having", but I can also scratch the itch building things other than expensive hot rods. I see the guys who get the most enjoyment out of the building side as sort of the "jack of all trades, master of none" kind. Neither approach is bad, providing one gives credit where it's due and doesn't claim the build when they simply wrote checks to builders.

There's also the money side. A guy may get to the point where the house is paid off, kids are grown and gone, and the amount of disposable income supports a new approach. Nothing wrong with walking both sides of the line if you have the flexibility to either do-it-yourself, or pay as you go. It all depends on what really makes you happy (and keeps Mama happy) in the process.

I'd be torn myself. I had thought about having someone finish my 36 but I've put too much time in it and a lot of odd stuff that is going to be much easier for me to finish than to hand off to someone else. They may have trouble getting their mind wrapped around what I had planned. Lol. It makes it easier that I finally got Dustin's 65 complete and dad gave me his 41.

I guess I'd agree with Roger. You have to decide what suits you. For me, over half the fun is working on the project. I look forward to the day I get to drive it but if I loose it for some odd reason, I can still look back at the enjoyment I had working on it in the shop in peace and quiet. (Meaning no screaming family members or ex wife). For me it's the pursuit now, not the 'gotta have'. It's my 'me time'. Even as sparse as that time has been lately.

David

Well if its a 94 engine---the painless system does include a module that allows the fuel pump to run, so the key/body module shouldn't be an issue----I think that to keep things on the same page(colors,etc) I would use a painless harness for the rest of the car. Is it an automatic or stick??? Neutral start switsh, clutch switch make a differance on starting, O2 sensors???? a/c?, electric fan control? electronic auto trans(4/60e) skip shift(6 speed) traction control(corvette) abs??????????

I think you should systematicly go thru it yourself as I have see too many cars arrive for work that someone had skipped something on cause you don't need that---or poorly grounded, too much amperage thru ign switch(instead of using relays)-----

Originally Posted by Creep

I'm 56 years old now I have not got a lot of years left to enjoy my life long project. I feel the sooner the better.

BULLHOCKEY! I'll be 71 in April and I'm currently comtemplating a 5.0 Ford/5-speed/Miata swap. I plan to keep twisting wrenches until somebody puts me in a box. Adjust your attitude......and uh.....have a nice day.

Originally Posted by techinspector1

BULLHOCKEY! I'll be 71 in April and I'm currently comtemplating a 5.0 Ford/5-speed/Miata swap. I plan to keep twisting wrenches until somebody puts me in a box. Adjust your attitude......and uh.....have a nice day.

Absolutely,Tech..If anything gets in the way,,spit in it's eye.. Love your attitude..Yeah,Creep..I have to ask for help now and then,,but I plan to be playin with my toys till I cant do it any more,,and I'm 59..Just do it,and forget the age thing.. Ya get old quick enough without reminding yourself ...

You have been building this thing for 25 yrs. If all you have to do is get someone to help with wiring up the computer then you are way ahead of the game. As I have gotten older(62) I have also found with age comes wisdom. Trying to do or fix something you may not be capable of but you try anyway is a surefire way of losing interest when it blows up in your face.

i have wired 2 vehicles in my driveway by myself.
and i figure
we get to choose our battles.
if you want to go ahead and wire it.
if you dont
aint no shame in farming it out.
but whatever you do.
do it now and drive the freakin thing!