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Easiest For The Home Mechanic
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AdvenDriver
Novice
Jan 17, 2011, 3:49 PM
Post #1 of 14
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Easiest For The Home Mechanic
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Hello To You All! This is my first post on this forum. I am 50 years old and I've
never been into working on the car; but this past summer I had a spark light
up in me after replacing a multi-function switch in our 2000 Suburban 1500. So,
here's my question. If I want to work on a motor myself, say a small block V8,
what is the easiest brand to go with for a home mechanic? I mean is one brand
inherently easier for an untrained guy to dive into; Ford, Chevy... I am very
intrigued by the idea of building a performance engine, say 500 HP. May I also
ask about the comparison between the Ford Excursion and the Chevy Suburban?
Which has turned out to be more reliable and which would be easier to work on?
Thank you all in advance.
Jack
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jan 17, 2011, 5:01 PM
Post #2 of 14
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If you're talking about building an off road muscle car, then you will find a lot more things available for a Chevy. If you are going to try working on a late model passenger vehicle. You have better take a crash course in computer controls before you try anything.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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AdvenDriver
Novice
Jan 17, 2011, 5:36 PM
Post #3 of 14
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By OFF ROAD you mean paved track I think. Is that correct?
And yes I sure do plan to get some real teaching. I am clear
on the fact that the new engines are very different from those
produced before I was a teenager. Thank you for posting!
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Jan 17, 2011, 5:42 PM
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It's not necessarily the engines that are different. The inside of the engine really hasn't changed much at all. It's the operating system that actually controls things that have changed so much. Computers control about everything on fuel injected engines these days, including most of the body functions too. Even the seats, the air conditioning and the lighting are computer controlled now.
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Loren Champlain Sr
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Jan 17, 2011, 7:15 PM
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Jack; Agree with HT. By far, Chev is the easiest and most economical. Excursion vs. Suburban? Stay away from Ford. Period. LOL.
Loren
SW Washington
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AdvenDriver
Novice
Jan 18, 2011, 3:25 PM
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Hammer,
I am getting it. EFI vs Carbs = big change! Computers to lower pollution = big change!
Inside, not so radical. Thank you.
Loren.
Thanks for sharing. I get a kick out of Ford's GT and the Ford powered De Tomaso PANTERA.
It's the mid-engine placement that lights me up. I have wished for a long to for the Chevy
team to change the Corvette to mid-engine. And like wise seeing a mid-engine designed
Dodge CHARGER would be a world of fun too!
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Jan 18, 2011, 3:28 PM
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LOL, some of the worst vehicles every produced here were the mid engine vehicles. The Fiero has to be the worst car ever made.
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AdvenDriver
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Jan 18, 2011, 4:27 PM
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HT,
I don't think the goal behind the design/creation of the Fiero was the same
as the goal behind the the design/creation of the Pantera, Ford GT, Ferrari:
Dino, 308, Testarosa, Enzo and all the other performance mid-engine cars
that the world has been witness to. Come on buddy, give a new guy some
wiggle room!  How about the Ford powered SALEEN S7 and the Chevy
powered Factory Five GTM --------link deleted---not allowed----
These are some spectacular mid-engine cars!!!
(This post was edited by Hammer Time on Jan 18, 2011, 4:32 PM)
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Hammer Time
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Jan 18, 2011, 4:31 PM
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I'm sure it can be done right but those aren't cars I deal with in my day to day life.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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AdvenDriver
Novice
Jan 18, 2011, 5:48 PM
Post #10 of 14
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I believe THAT! But it would be entertaining to work with them I'd expect!
I'll stick with working on my SUBURBAN for now. 
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Loren Champlain Sr
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Jan 18, 2011, 6:29 PM
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The later model Fieros came with a package of marshmallows that you could cook when the engine caught fire.
Loren
SW Washington
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AdvenDriver
Novice
Jan 19, 2011, 8:56 AM
Post #12 of 14
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Loren,
What was the determination for the root cause(s) of the fires in the Fiero model?.
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Loren Champlain Sr
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Jan 19, 2011, 5:50 PM
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Gasoline. LOL.. Yeah, fuel leaks. Gave a bit of an undertaste on the marshmallows, though. 
Loren
SW Washington
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AdvenDriver
Novice
Jan 20, 2011, 4:57 PM
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Thank you for the gas leak tip.
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