*Experience>Enthusiasm*
- Thread starter IJ.
- Start date
I went to a college that specialized in automotive engineering. Many of the guys became less interested in cars as they learned more. The mystique was gone.
Not to be crass, but I think diving into that basket case completely blind is kinda like having sex for the first time. You don't know what's coming but you know it's gonna be good. And you can't wait to get your hands dirty.
To continue the metaphor, I'm married now and know my way around under the hood. But nothing compares to that feeling I got when I first put the key in the ignition and -uh- lit the fires.
Not to be crass, but I think diving into that basket case completely blind is kinda like having sex for the first time. You don't know what's coming but you know it's gonna be good. And you can't wait to get your hands dirty.
To continue the metaphor, I'm married now and know my way around under the hood. But nothing compares to that feeling I got when I first put the key in the ignition and -uh- lit the fires.
The classified section is full of sad stories. Enthusiatic people who throught big but thought little. Now just trying to salvage a portion of their investment.
i am on my third supra, i wish i would have known about the site along time ago. i gained most of my exprience from being broke and not being able to pay anyone to get my car fixed. a haynes manual and determination can get you far, but not always far enough. i have just recently graduated with a degree in automotive/racecar technology and i thought that really know something, but i continue to gain knowledge from this site all the time. so i deffinitly appreciate all of the older more experinced members of this community.
suprastanger507mgte said:There shouldn't be any discussion at all. The Title says it all
I don't know that anybody is really arguing with the title. It is quite obvious that I would rather have experience than just enthusiasm, but you don't just start with experience, you have to earn it.
I agree, but in defense (however mild) ALL of us were once the eager, young, stupid sons of bitches working on cars. We screwed up, we annoyed the 'elders' in the community, and generally did all the things that newbs do.
The difference, is that we stuck with it out of love, we took our beatings, and we came away with a slightly better viewpoint.
Thinking something through and researching > costs of experience.
I think Grim said it before I am now - A wise man learns from his mistakes - a wiser man learns from another's mistakes
The difference, is that we stuck with it out of love, we took our beatings, and we came away with a slightly better viewpoint.
Thinking something through and researching > costs of experience.
I think Grim said it before I am now - A wise man learns from his mistakes - a wiser man learns from another's mistakes
Doward said:I agree, but in defense (however mild) ALL of us were once the eager, young, stupid sons of bitches working on cars. We screwed up, we annoyed the 'elders' in the community, and generally did all the things that newbs do.
The difference, is that we stuck with it out of love, we took our beatings, and we came away with a slightly better viewpoint.
Thinking something through and researching > costs of experience.
I think Grim said it before I am now - A wise man learns from his mistakes - a wiser man learns from another's mistakes
Enthusiasm does not mean speeding through things too fast, or not doing research. Quite the opposite for me, I spend a huge amount of time researching before I do anything.
You shouldn't be looking at enthusiasm as blind stupidity. So yeah, I will probably ask some really dumb questions, but I am asking the questions to try to avoid trouble.
And I agree whole-heartedly that getting someone who knows more than you makes all the difference in the world. Saves you time, money, backaches, headaches, etc.
I hope I'm not considered in the "younger people," :nono: given that I am young... I wanted a turbo Supra two summers ago but at the time I didn't know much about them. Well, instead of just going out and finding the cheapest one right away, I spent a year and a half researching, reading, dreaming... This site became my bedtime story if I may lol.
Anyway, I purchased my first Supra (not-running) last January and ordered a fresh motor for it, and rebuilt it looking back through months and years of threads to see what people have done wrong. I wasn't going to make the same mistakes others made, and it helped me out a TON. Granted I'm not on the streets yet, I did finally get the new motor in and I now have it running:icon_razz . I'm waiting on the throttle linkage and a couple misc parts till I drive it.
Now, after accomplishing my first task of getting it to run, after I do take it for a spin, tuning will be my next practice. It will take some attention to not ef up my new motor, but I'll be putting in the hours with the tried and true HKS alphabet soup. There isn't, as far as I know, anyone near me to help me. I've had friends come over and hand tools to me or whatever, but as far as a mentor I've asked many mods questions though here. I hope I wasn't bothering any of you! :1zhelp:
That's my story... I'll let you know when I'm on the dyno later this summer..
-Chris
Anyway, I purchased my first Supra (not-running) last January and ordered a fresh motor for it, and rebuilt it looking back through months and years of threads to see what people have done wrong. I wasn't going to make the same mistakes others made, and it helped me out a TON. Granted I'm not on the streets yet, I did finally get the new motor in and I now have it running:icon_razz . I'm waiting on the throttle linkage and a couple misc parts till I drive it.
Now, after accomplishing my first task of getting it to run, after I do take it for a spin, tuning will be my next practice. It will take some attention to not ef up my new motor, but I'll be putting in the hours with the tried and true HKS alphabet soup. There isn't, as far as I know, anyone near me to help me. I've had friends come over and hand tools to me or whatever, but as far as a mentor I've asked many mods questions though here. I hope I wasn't bothering any of you! :1zhelp:
That's my story... I'll let you know when I'm on the dyno later this summer..
-Chris
Doward said:I agree, but in defense (however mild) ALL of us were once the eager, young, stupid sons of bitches working on cars. We screwed up, we annoyed the 'elders' in the community, and generally did all the things that newbs do.
The difference, is that we stuck with it out of love, we took our beatings, and we came away with a slightly better viewpoint.
Thinking something through and researching > costs of experience.
I think Grim said it before I am now - A wise man learns from his mistakes - a wiser man learns from another's mistakes
I can agree with many parts of your comments - but have to throw in a tidbit.
The "noobs" of today are radically different than the "noobs" of yesterday.
We were all noob ++ at one point. How we handled ourselves in the beginning is the difference.
I purchased my 89T in the spring of 96 (for those counting I've had this same Supra for just over 11 years now). When I first found Supras.com I read that site cover to cover and read every email. The answer to nearly every question I had was already available somewhere. If it wasn't on the site or in an email (which I archived for my own future reference), I could sometimes find the answer using my favorite search engine (this was before Google was even a registered domain). When I finally did ask a question it was well researched and well thought out (at least I thought so).
I watched the "what is the birdcage light on my dash" come up a LOT!
Over time the Supra community splintered and now we have information in many various places. I'll give you noobs of today a hint - nearly every question you have has already been asked and answered somewhere. You will earn respect much more quickly if you take a little time to do some research before asking your questions - especially the easy ones.
It is great to be enthusiastic about this car. I still love my 89T! I would only trade it for the FT-HS (and I'd dump my Solara SLE Drop Top too).
I can't believe the questions I've seen over the past 11 years.
Keith
20th Century Noob
I'll agree with the title of the thread but go one futher.
Experience if better than enthusiasm, but without at least a little of both, why would you even bother with a supra?
Experience if better than enthusiasm, but without at least a little of both, why would you even bother with a supra?
Tanya: :love: you to.
Only reason I posted this thread is I'm stunned at how many of the newbs think they can build a 500 hp 7M as it's "easy" I blame FnF to a degree with the Jesse character and his brilliance in spite of that "ADD shit".........
People seem to have the idea that a big turbo and overnight parts from Japan and you're done.
I've been playing cars for well over 30 years now and still learn something new almost everytime I open the hood as technology marches on and NO ONE knows it all.
There are a few of the oldtimers here and even a couple of the newbs that I'll PM for help when needed and it's interesting that the same group have the same mindset and will ask advice if needed, in this way we help each other out and there's a good chance of a result and it shows how well the "Mentor" thing can work for EVERYONE
Only reason I posted this thread is I'm stunned at how many of the newbs think they can build a 500 hp 7M as it's "easy" I blame FnF to a degree with the Jesse character and his brilliance in spite of that "ADD shit".........
People seem to have the idea that a big turbo and overnight parts from Japan and you're done.
I've been playing cars for well over 30 years now and still learn something new almost everytime I open the hood as technology marches on and NO ONE knows it all.
There are a few of the oldtimers here and even a couple of the newbs that I'll PM for help when needed and it's interesting that the same group have the same mindset and will ask advice if needed, in this way we help each other out and there's a good chance of a result and it shows how well the "Mentor" thing can work for EVERYONE
im glad ive had the supra down for 8 months. at least i know that i havent wrecked my baby, and that it is safe in the garage. the engine should be done by the end of the summer, but the car still wont make it out untill summer 2008 at the earliest. im taking my sweet ass time doing this car, and it wont hit the street untill im damn well sure it wont blow up 500 miles later.
Or better yet can't add 1+2=3 for select fit bearings.IJ. said:
If this is going to be just a hobby, whatever you do, don't go to the local community college and take a basic electrical and automotive electrical class. Because it doesn't matter what a 5 volt refrence is.
Ian, I don't get it either. He isn't saying don't try. JJ sarcastically(imagine that) asked once, "Do you operate on your brain too?". That pretty much sums it up.
Exactly if they don't have a grounding in the basics what makes em think they can assemble/build a 500rwhp 7M....... :nono: