The Race Club DIY Tuner Shop Blog

Member Count Nearing 600

2011-03-28T12:47:00.000-07:00

Looks like we past the 500 mark and are heading to 600 pretty quick. We will set up details about The Race Club project when we hit 1000 members. In the meantime there is shop space for rent at the body shop by the hour. Race Club members will be able to use shop space by appointment without paying an hourly rate.

New Look

2010-06-14T05:34:00.000-07:00

We are changing the overall look of this blog. Feel free to comment and let us know what you think.

Member Count to Reach 500 soon

2010-06-10T12:02:00.000-07:00

We are currently hovering around 450 members. Our goal is to reach 1000 members before we move forward with this project.

Member Count Climbing to 400 Quickly

2009-11-10T05:25:00.000-08:00

We are still seeking admin help with this project. Some of you may or may not know, just an FYI.

Founding Membership Count to Reach 300 Soon

2009-09-23T22:08:00.000-07:00

Anyone interested in becoming a founding member should hurry, they are going fast. This will be an interesting project for all of us. I for one am looking forward to it and I'm sure I'm not the only one either.

We will be choosing administrators soon. Anyone interested can send an email or comment.

New Membership Count to Top 250 Soon.

2009-09-06T17:08:00.000-07:00

It seems we are approaching the halfway point to 500 Members. After reaching 500 Members we will choose administrators from current members to help with the planning stages.

As always, questions comments and suggestions are welcome and necessary. We will be picking the brains of our administrators soon. If anyone out there has recommendations, you can post them here or in our Facebook group.

What is The Race Club?

2009-08-15T23:36:00.000-07:00

It's an exclusive club for members and guests only. Members can work on their cars or other member / guest cars. For basically the cost of a major credit card payment members will have access to the facilities. Join while there are still founding memberships available...

New phone number

2009-08-14T10:36:00.000-07:00

As of Aug 18th 2009 we will no longer support 919-542-0364. Our new number will be 919-655-5620. As some of you know, this transition is no supprize, we have been planning it for months. The deadline for our switch is the 18th.

New / Used Parts Listing

2009-08-10T19:27:00.001-07:00

We Can Link to You

2009-08-02T14:15:00.000-07:00

Don't forget after submitting your article to add a link to your blog or website. This will help get your information out there. Also you can link to the post.

Submit a Tech Tip or How To Article?

2009-08-02T13:58:00.000-07:00

We would appreciate anyone willing to share their mechanical knowledge with other members. This is a good way to encourage do it your selfer's to tackle an otherwise intimidating project.

One of the many benefits with the DIY Shop and Forum is the ability to learn from other members and even tag team a project. Speaking as a car guy myself, I can't tell you the nights I've spent helping a friend with their car project. Kinda goes with the enthusiastic participation I guess.

Anyway; anyone interested can submit a comment/Tip or How To project, if its a good one we will give it it's own page. Oh and thanks in advance.

Approaching 200 Members

2009-08-02T13:53:00.000-07:00

Current member count is soon to reach 200 thanks to Facebook groups. Its seems to be a valuable tool.

As we get closer to the membership requirement for launch, we will start sending announcements directly to the membership base, we will start choosing administrators and working out the details of the project.

With the economy in its current state, finding a location for the first shop should be pretty easy and cost effective.

Member count Exceeds 140

2009-07-16T10:37:00.000-07:00

Current member count for founding members is 140 and rising.

130 Members and Counting

2009-07-12T12:55:00.001-07:00

Currently we are 130 members and counting.

Membership Status 114 and counting

2009-07-05T16:47:00.000-07:00

As membership grows in this exciting new project, we will start choosing administrators. Administrators will help in the day to day operations, planning and implementation of tasks dedicated to the initial launch. The reason founding members will be chosen for these positions is, so we can maintain a sense of ownership and a sense of vested interest.

Just Broke the 100 Member Mark

2009-06-28T20:53:00.000-07:00

We are currently 100 potential founding members strong. We will start designating administrators soon. Founding memberships will be limited so join while there are some left.

Using Mitsubishi's Plentyfull 14b Turbos on Honda

2009-06-27T20:49:00.000-07:00

We recently had a questioned asked on Facbook. We though it would be helful information for an interesting home brewed Turbo set up for the Honda guys so we posted it here, in the DIY forum. Below is the copy and paste from the email...

Do you know of a good engine set up for a 1998 civic i want to eventually turbo it?

Race Club Body Shop

Today at 11:44pm

Actually I do know a low budget turbo set up that works for a NA Honda. I'm assuming your looking for a low budget, maybe do it yourself set up. Otherwise you could just go out a drop $3500 on a Greddy or Edlebrock system and be done with it, lol.

The important thing to know when adding Turbo, or super charger to any Normally Aspirated engine is to keep the boost levels low, its cheaper then lowering compression. Unfortunately, unless your willing to run race fuel. Forced induction and high compression does not mix well. So understanding you wont be pushing that much boost (more then 6lbs is risky), you don't need a big turbo set up. Mitsubishi used the 14b on many cars and most who own them go with the 16G (the larger one) and boost 19 to 20 psi. They can run this much boost because the engine was built around forced induction and therefore runs a lower compression. Now the Honda guys should be jumping allover the 14B's because the Mitsubishi guys sell em off cheap and rebuild kits are plenty full. The last 14b I purchase, I got used off eBay for $150, spent $50 on s rebuild kit and 3 hours labor, rebuilt the turbo. While it was off, I had it ported on the exhaust side. Ran 15psi on it for almost 2 years. Was still boosting until I got a deal on a 16G I couldn't refuse (freebie, Lol). From what I understand the rebuild kits are a little more expensive now, but still cheaper then a new set up.

You will need an AFC controller to richen the mixture to accommodate the additional air flow and step the injectors up as well. But those mods are external and pretty simple. You have to get creative with your piping and manifold, but if you understand how a turbo works, it should be pretty easy. Would take some work retrofitting this hybrid style turbo set up. But with $200 - $300 in Turbo parts and some elbow grease you could have a pretty cool turbo set up boosting 6psi and spooling up fast. Street Honda's should run a small turbo anyway. You want the quick spooling for bottom end on the street.

You can get most of the parts you need on eBay, get creative when routing your piping and your good. Otherwise just drop $3500 on the Greddy/Edlebrock set up, $1500 on the install and fight the urge to bypass the boost controllers 5psi setting and turn it up to 15 like the Mitsubishi guys.

Not sure if that answered your question but, now you have more info on boosting your Honda.

Member Perk #1

2009-06-22T04:49:00.001-07:00

Founding members will have full access to the lounge, shop and other facilities. Next time your on your back in the driveway changing your oil, imaging being able to use the lift at your own shop. Imaging paying yourself with satisfaction instead of paying a mechanic $90 per hour. Now imagine doing this for about what the average person pays on their credit card per month.

Potential New member Count Status

2009-06-22T04:40:00.001-07:00

Nearing 90 new members. Cool huh. Imaging having a remote to open the door and your own parking spot. Some perks up for discussion for founding members. They will be the decision makers.

70 Members and Counting

2009-06-10T16:10:00.001-07:00

Currently we have 70 plus founding members. To become a founding member, please see our facebook group http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=76735303003

Member Status

2009-05-30T10:42:00.000-07:00

We are currently at 65 members. Initial members are considered founding and will actually be part owner of the project. To view our member list see our Face Book group. We will crunch the numbers and Tallie the zip codes on current members. Inviting other to join will speed up the process so feel free. We will keep you posted through this Blog.

The total of members needed to initiate start up will be determined as we go. Founding members will be chosen by join date. First come first served.

Write for Our Blog

2009-05-13T09:32:00.000-07:00

If you follow this blog, please feel free to write how to's. We will of course give you admin privileges. Articles can range from oil change tips to major overhauls. Tricks of the trade articles are specially valuable as they save people time when working on their cars.

Shop Space for Rent

2009-04-22T03:21:00.000-07:00

Having a membership will be like renting your own shop space, but the main difference is cost. Shop space in Raleigh can be very expensive, normally around $2500 a month for an average sized shop, although prices have probably come down since the recession but still rather expensive non the less. If the membership fees were around $50 a month, you could book time when you needed it and you had all the equipment to make efficient use of your time, it would be like renting shop space for only $50 per month. As a Do it yourselfer or maybe even a automotive hobbiest, it's a cost effective solution to having your own shop. Add the fact that you don't have to worry about building maintenance, purchasing your own equipment, insurance and its an amazing concept.

"Tricks of the Trade" Clean and scuff a blend panel.

2009-04-15T20:24:00.001-07:00

Cleaning or chemical washing a panel is critical if you want a top notch finish for your paint, scuffing a blend panel is too. But did you know you can do both at the same time?

This Trick of the Trade is useful when spot panting or blending.

Instead of using water and a scotch brite pad and re wetting your panel, you can spray on your chemical washing liquid (wax and grease remover) and scuff the panel with the pad. Follow with a clean dry towel and the panel is cleaned and scuffed.

Tricks of the Trade "sanding out a run"

2009-04-14T20:07:00.001-07:00

Runs are a fact of life in a body shop. The more experience you have the less of them you will get, but you still get em on occasion. So the questiont is not whether you get em, it's more about when, where and how to get em out.

Most use a wet block and sandpaper technique; but did you know you can actually apply a finishing putty (or metal glaze) right over the run in your clear? and when you wet block the putty it will keep even pressure threw out the sanding process and remove the run entirely without sanding or polishing through the clear. Provided you have enough clear on the area you are working with (chances are good you do. the run remember?), its a very effective trick that will save time and money later.

2009-03-17T13:15:00.000-07:00

Lathe

Tire Mecheine

Various Stands

Hoses

Generic Shop Space

2009-03-17T13:10:00.000-07:00

Obviously this is not the intended location. Its just a visual representation of a proposed shop and the use of the lift's. Actual shop space and location may vary.

How Much is a Membership?

2009-03-14T18:13:00.001-07:00

Right now it is free to join. We currently have founding memberships available. Founding members will be able to access all the member services plus, be able to profit share. Anyone following this blog has the opportunity of joining as a founding member

How It Works?

2009-03-14T18:12:00.000-07:00

For a monthly fee, members can use the shop and utilize the skills and knowledge of other members.

What is The Race Club?

2009-03-14T18:11:00.000-07:00

It is a start up project that will create a fully equipped shop for auto enthusiasts to have a place to work on their cars and hang out with other members. A collaborative group of individuals will create the initial shop location and the equipment, they are called founding members. Founding members are a select group of people who have a vision of what could be and not of what is, they will be the initial membership base that will help put this project together.

Founding Member Benefits

Profit sharing
Full shop and equipment access
Lounge access
Tech support for other members
First choice for staff members when applicable
Discounted membership fee's (TBA)

These memberships are limited and offered by invitation only. They will be chosen by all members following this blog.

How do I join?

2009-03-14T07:25:00.000-07:00

For managing our initial members, we are using our Facebook group. Its easy to join and manage. Communication is available also. We can maintain discussions and remarks. Follow the link below to join our Facebook Group and become a founding member. Founding members will be offered to people based on their join date, first come first served and Its Free...

The Race Club Project

2008-10-16T19:02:00.000-07:00

Some of you may be wondering what we are doing with the URL. Well here it is: The Race Club URL will be dedicated to a DIY Tuner shop.

We haven't decided if we are going to do a full blown website or a blog yet. We do know we will have the how to section moved from the http://www.raceclubbodyshop.com/ to this one. I'm sure we will have something nailed down soon. We are currently evaluating a couple of options.

About this blog

2007-07-28T15:39:00.000-07:00

We created this for our visitors who would like to comment and ask questions. You can ask Tech Questions, How To's etc. We will try to answer them in this forum. For estimates or questions concern the body shop itself, please go to http://www.raceclubbodyshop.com

We also will be adding "tricks of the Trade". These are tips and tricks we learned over the last 25 years in the industry.