SD_Lurker

iTrader: (4)

You'll lose, I promise.

redboost10

this is getting interesting...id love to see this d16sandrail.

what car do you have by the way?

Kataku2K3

Say there were a build-off, who would do the tuning?

I wish I knew how to do all the stuff you're putting out... Keep it up, d16sandrail!!!

What car do you have, redboost10?

redboost10

i have a schwinn

i wanna see d16's setup. ive seen a couple pics of the intake and ive got in contact about him about it

what kinda car do you have kataku?

d16sandrail

Damn I've been beat again, I just have my chevro-legs ;-)

.john.

let me make a few things clear. I have not talked ****, I have given my experiences and offered relative information about owning a business. I have said the he has a knack for what he does. however there is more to owning a business than making manifolds and machining parts.

as far as needing proper machines to do work... really? show me how you can machine a part without a mill, or turn a part without a lathe, or weld a part without a welder... or cut a part without a saw etc. it takes tools to run a business, I was simply saying that it will cost a lot of money to open a business of the magnitude that he wants (offering so many different services) especially since he already said he doesn't have the equipment or money in the bank.

and once again I never said anything negative about his work,
but how can you sell a ported head to someone and not have any concrete information that what you've done will be the best? and having some experience with a flow bench does not mean that you have experience with all engines. I mainly say this because most head jobs are pointless anyway for the application. for the cost of porting a head my customers could make the same or more power with bigger cams, better tune, more boost, etc. it is not uncommon for a stock port honda cylinder head to be able to make waaay more power than any turbo customer I've ever had has wanted. id rather they save the money and put it into the fuel system or engine management.

like I said it about selling the best possible product you can. proper tools are a given when you own a shop.

roadsqueegy95

i started my own shop last yr at age 19, i had saved for 2 yrs, and still couldnt afford everything, i had fun but seriously its ALOT harder then just buying everything and waiting, and when bills start coming in and you have to hunt for extra pennys to pay them its a nightmare, it takes a toll on u. i wish the best of luck to you tho man

allmotorek4

a one stop shop ... something like a race prep shop ... that do everything and anything to a car ... race prep wise ...

insaneconceptz

dear john,
i was not bashing your work or what you do but, all i was saying was that he adapts to what he has and it has proven it the on dyno results. i realize everything you say in your recent post, but keep in mind he is just getting his feet wet. Once he gets going he will be very successful.. hard work pays off as i am sure your well aware of your self.

KyleH

Hey, I just wanted to comment on something you said on page one. I don't own a shop like yours (I do internet sales...obviously), I do however know a thing or two about it as I have my OCP A-D machining certs, a 13x40 lathe, 3 axis Hurco CNC Knee mill (not running yet, deciding between fixing or a retrofit to a PC control), and a Chinese 200A AC/DC tig all in my garage. More fab equipment than most fab shops.

A tip for your shop, my friend pay $600 per month TOTAL for his shop (rent, utilities, etc.). Its got single phase 110/220 and is big enough to house his flow bench, some shelves, two cars and a CNC mill. Its in a storage unit. He basically added a wall and installed an air conditioner in the wall and he's set. He is a very good machinist, reasonably priced and really knows his ****. He too builds a certain motor and I know one of his customers holds some all motor records with parts and a motor that hes done. However he is not doing well business wise because he is not marketing himself correctly. Do not think that reputation is enough when you're trying to eat. You need to market yourself. Make a website put unique content and ideas on it, do SEO for that site (google it), go to car meets, do whatever you can to market yourself effectively.

Best of luck. I started my business because I didn't (still don't) want to work in college. I even called it "Put Me Through College Race Parts." About 6 months ago I finally figured out that hey if I'd market myself I could substantially increase my profit margins and sales and now that's what I am working towards. Last month I started working on my website, my sales are up 20% because of that.