Signs you need custom builds and upgrades
- You want easier starting and smoother running than the original carburetor gives
- Points ignition that keeps drifting out of adjustment
- Brittle or patched wiring you want replaced with a new harness
- Drum brakes that fade or pull and you want a disc brake conversion
- Loose or vague steering and a soft, tired ride
- Engine runs hot in traffic or with added power
- Gauges that read wrong or accessories you want to add
- A box of parts or a kit you bought and need installed
- A half finished upgrade someone else started
Fuel system upgrades like EFI run at higher pressure, and a loose fitting or the wrong hose can spray fuel near a hot engine, so leave fuel lines and pumps to the mechanic. Brake conversions change a system you rely on to stop, so have the work checked and bled before you drive. Never get under the car on a jack yourself, since older frames can have rusted jacking points. Emissions and inspection rules vary, so check your local requirements before changing engine or exhaust parts.
Common causes
Carburetor limitsCarburetors need tuning for weather and altitude and can be hard to start cold. An EFI conversion adds a fuel pump, sensors and wiring, and it needs a fuel system that can handle the higher pressure.
Points ignition wearBreaker points wear and need regular adjustment. Electronic ignition removes the points and can give a steadier spark, but it needs good wiring and the right coil.
Old or overloaded wiringOriginal harnesses were not built for modern accessories like fans, fuel pumps, stereos and lighting. Added loads on old wire and weak grounds cause heat, dim lights and failures.
Original brake designMany older cars came with drum brakes at all four wheels or a single circuit master cylinder. Disc conversions and a dual circuit master cylinder are common upgrades, and the parts need to be matched as a system.
Worn suspension and steeringBushings, ball joints and steering boxes wear with age. Upgrades often replace these with new parts, and any change should be followed by an alignment.
Cooling that cannot keep upMore power, modern traffic and air conditioning can overwhelm an original radiator. Larger radiators and electric fans help, but the fans need correctly sized wiring and relays.
What gets done where it's parked, and what needs a shop
Usually done on site
- Installing EFI conversion kits, fuel pumps and sensors, and doing the initial setup
- Converting points to electronic ignition and replacing coils, caps and wires
- Replacing or adding a wiring harness, fuse panel, relays and new grounds
- Installing disc brake conversion kits, master cylinders and new brake lines
- Bolting in suspension and steering upgrades such as shocks, springs, bushings and steering boxes
- Installing radiators, electric fans and cooling upgrades
- Adding gauges, lighting and electrical accessories
- Installing bolt-on performance parts and parts the owner supplies
May need a shop or lift
- Welding, cutting and fabrication, such as custom brackets or mounts
- Custom exhaust bending and welding
- Wheel alignment after suspension or steering changes
- Engine swaps or jobs that need an engine hoist, lift or dyno tuning
Every mechanic's setup is different. The one who accepts your request will tell you if your job needs a shop.
Before the mechanic arrives
- List the upgrades you want and the order you want them done
- Have the parts or kit on hand and check that nothing is missing or damaged
- Keep the instructions and any wiring diagrams that came with the kit
- Clear space around the car and note whether power is available
- Take photos of the area to be worked on before anything is removed
Photos of warning lights, leaks or damage help the mechanic bring the right parts. You can add up to five with your request.
Questions to ask when you get a quote
- Have you installed this kind of kit or upgrade before?
- Are the parts I bought compatible with each other and with my car?
- Is this job something you can finish on site, or will part of it need a shop?
- Can you quote each upgrade separately so I can do them in stages?
- Will you test and set up the system after installing it?
- Do I need to check local emissions or inspection rules for this change?
Trackara never handles payment for the work. You agree the price with the mechanic before they start, and you pay them directly. How to read a repair quote.
Vehicles this applies to
Custom builds and upgrades: questions and answers
Many can. An EFI conversion is mostly bolt-on work plus fuel and electrical changes, which a mechanic can often do in a garage. Tell them which kit you have and whether the fuel tank and lines are original, since they may need changes too.
Many will, but it varies. Some prefer to supply parts so they can stand behind them. Ask before the visit, and have the parts on hand and checked for fit.
Often, yes, as long as the kit matches your car and there is a safe, level place to work. The mechanic should bleed the system and check the pedal before the car is driven. See brake repair for signs your current brakes need attention.
Yes, many mobile mechanics replace harnesses, add fuse panels and fix grounds on site. A full harness swap is a big job, so ask for a written quote. For smaller faults, see auto electrical repair.
They can. Rules for engine, exhaust and emissions changes depend on where you live. Check your local requirements before you buy parts, and ask the mechanic what they have seen.