Hello
I’m looking to join as a member. I have some questions about the automotive department. Can I tow my car up there to do my engine swap myself? Is there a wait on the lift ? If so how long ?
Hello can u help me?
No, he can’t really. He’s tagged the chair of the Automotive Committee, and that person should be able to give you some answers.
We’ve only got the one lift, and it’s first-come-first-served. There’s a link (that I don’t remember) that lets you look at the cameras to see if anybody is currently on the lift.
And, how long do you think it will take you to swap the engine? You can only have the car on the lift while you’re present working on it. Our lease states that cars can’t be left in the parking lot overnight.
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Do y’all have an engine hoist? I probably won’t need to use the lift if there is one up there . It will take me 1 day . I see it’s open 24/7
I checked – we do have an engine hoist. And yes, we are open 24/7. Mind you, we’re an all-volunteer organization. There are no employees, and no guarantee folks will be around at any given time.
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Cool and that’s fine . Do u want to help with the project?
If you haven’t taken a tour yet, I’d strongly suggest you do that first.
To use the lift, you’ll need to be trained on it.
If you’re towing the vehicle to DMS, have you figured out how you’re going to get it up the ramp? We aren’t allowed to work on vehicles in the parking lot and the vehicle will need to leave with you, it can’t be stored in parking lot. All fluids/mess from swap needs to also be cleared up and taken with you.
All equipment is first come first served basis with strong encouragement to be excellent to one another. Most folks will gladly share tools/equipment if asked nicely.
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If you can let us know on this post when you plan on doing this. We can be organized and help you out! I would be interested in help you.
I’m really trying to get it done this weekend. I been careless for a month now . Lmk
Welcome, welcome. My answer might be long and might be redundant to others answers so I apologize in advance.
Can I tow my car up there to do my engine swap myself?
Typically the most effective way to get a disabled car up the ramp is to round up 3-4 helpers and push the car up the ramp. You should make sure someone is inside the car to apply the brakes if needed (and ensure the car has working brakes) before attempting this.
Is there a wait on the lift ?
Lift access is first come first served. You must be present, working on the vehicle for as long as it is on the lift. This makes engine swaps a bit of a marathon as there isn’t an opportunity to leave, order in unexpected parts etc. The same applies to the work bay adjacent to the lift.
Do y’all have an engine hoist?
Yes.
It will take me 1 day
When I completed my engine swap I was at the space for ~30 hours or so. It was a little over 24 hours of labor to do the swap, with some time before and after for odds and ends. I did not sleep during this time period. This is on the low end of what you should estimate. The most effective way is to bring a team of folks so y’all can rotate out and keep someone there working on the project continuously.
If you intend to do it solo, you need to have as much preparation and research done ahead of time. I prepped for about 2 months, researched the hell out of it and ordered replacements for almost every part I would touch. I had the new engine on a stand for over a month going over it so it could be as drop-in as possible.
I am loathe to gatekeep projects based on skill level but you should have prior experience before committing to this project. The swap I completed at the space was my second. My first swap took me months in my driveway. What vehicle are you swapping, and what engine are you installing? Have you done a project like this before?
To use the lift, you’ll need to be trained on it.
I’m including this because it’s relevant and useful info. You’ll need to track down a trainer to get you.trained and signed off.
I recommend you spend time as a member around the Makerspace and automotive areas before committing to such a big project. It will help you meet folks around the space, familiarize yourself with the resources, tools and rules of the area and learn about the culture of the space.
Engine swaps are large projects, which can easily go sideways on even the best of mechanics. We want to be able to support members on big projects and succeed. We want to avoid a scenario where a large project goes off the rails and gets you stuck in a position where you’re hurting the space.
If this goes sideways, what is your plan to get it back down the ramp? Where will you tow it so it isn’t abandoned in the parking lot?
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Chris, this is really well written!
Hopefully this doesn’t end up being a “one time customer” that leaves a path of destruction (for others to clean up) in the automotive area.
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What Year, Make, and Model vehicle are you planning on doing the swap into, and what engine are you swapping into it?
There are many “gearheads” at the Makerspace and some have more experience on different makes/models than others.
This minor bit of information could help others here, and you in getting more help.
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I know how to replace the engine fyi . My neighborhood doesn’t allow me to do it there thats why I’m taking this route.Going to only take me a day , but its a 2015 Altima 2.5 .
Nd no I have other projects in the future I want to get done
We had someone do almost the exact engine swap recently, 2-3 months ago. It took him & his brother a couple weekends.
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Probably was a beginner. I didn’t come on here to ask for help to replace it
I know how to replace the engine fyi
Respectfully, nobody here knows you or your skill level. That’s why we have to ask. Even if you know how to do this work, there are additional considerations that you need to make when performing this work in a shared space you aren’t familiar with. We’re not here to belittle you, but we do have a responsibility to preserve the Makerspace.
its a 2015 Altima 2.5
This is useful information, thank you! After you sign up I would recommend reviewing the service information available on ProDemand (you can access this from any PC in the Makerspace) to be as prepared as possible!
Probably was a beginner.
Do not belittle the abilities of people you’ve never met. Be respectful.
I didn’t come on here to ask for help to replace it
We’re glad you’re confident but this is not the place for hubris. You are getting the responses you’re getting because there is a real opportunity for this project to harm the space if not handled correctly. We’re here to help you succeed and want this to go off without a hitch, but we need to balance that against the well-being of the space.
Here’s the best way for you to proceed:
1: Get your membership.
2: Become familiar with the automotive area, it’s rules and limitations (I recommend the orientation classes, we’re working on getting more of these on the calendar). You might consider spending some time with the Motorsports group (they meet Thursdays at 7pm).
3: Get your replacement engine, mount it on a stand and do any work you can to make it plug and play.
4: Grab a friend, block off your calendar and have a solid, detailed plan for how you’re going to handle the logistics of this job.
Engine swaps can cripple even commercial shops, and while the DMS is able to handle these jobs, there are considerations needed. I recommend detaching these limitations and concerns from your ego!
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Maybe you should try to go somewhere like The Shop DIY Garage
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That’s not a realistic expectation, especially if you’re not even a member yet.
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