Classic car restoration is generally separated into three phases: mechanical, body, and interior. The mechanical phase is usually done first, and it involves significant repair or a complete rebuild of the engine.
Because it is the first major step in car restoration, it’s important to get your engine rebuild right. And the best way to guarantee a good engine rebuild is proper preparation. Here are a few tips to get you started.
Do Research
This may seem like an arbitrary step, but it’s important to know exactly what you are getting yourself into, especially if you are new to engine building. It can be an expensive, complicated undertaking, and it can be downright frustrating if you make unnecessary mistakes along the way.
The internet is full of helpful information about engine rebuilds, but the best thing you can do is talk to an expert at a Chattanooga performance shop. Performance mechanics can help you decide if you want to build a new engine yourself, or order a custom-built engine.
Once you have the information you need, you can move on to the next step.
Budget Properly
Rebuilding the engine in a classic car can range anywhere from $2500 to upwards of $4000, so it’s important that you establish a tight budget, and stick to it.
Your budget will be affected by how much work you are able to do yourself, which is why it is extremely important to do thorough research. You need to know exactly what labor you will have to pay for.
Budgeting can seem like an overwhelming part of the rebuilding process, but if you do exhaustive research and have a trustworthy high performance automotive shop near you, you’ll be able to tackle it.
Set Realistic Expectations
You have to remember that the engine is only one component of your car. There are also the tires, the axle, the suspension, the brakes, and a dozen other parts that affect the way your car handles and runs.
If you’re expecting your engine rebuild to make your car feel brand-new, you will most likely be disappointed. However, the long-standing benefits of putting a rebuilt engine in a classic car are nothing to ignore. The car will definitely run better, if not like-new, and it will keep running for years.
If you’re looking for car engine performance services in Chattanooga, visit the S&S Performance shop for the best service at the best price.
