WiSeBoi84
05-04-2008, 06:50 PM
First off I have no clue if this is the correct category to place this thread, so if you're an IA mod, please move it to the correct location.
Every waking thought of mine is a split mix between working on building modifieds (Japanese makes specifically) and drifting (as soon as I get my hands on a RWD). Im in school right now (for art) until the end of May. Art is kind of a fall back career for me b/c Im already great at it - but its nto what my heart is set on. Where can I start looking to learn more about working on cars, for FREE or at least a skills trade (commissioned art work for lessons I guess, I don't know).
I was thinking about visiting Atlanta Metropolitan, or Dekalb Tech b/c I think they have an autoshop program, but the only issue with that is that I have absolutely no money to spare since Im already paying for art school. And since I already have 1 college degree from an accredited HBCU, there is no such thing as substantial government aid to help me pay for the courses.
I will be going to UTI years down the road, after I get some money through producing works of art (maybe), but I want to learn the very basics right now (this summer) - if at all possible.
Stuff that I would like to atleast know a little hands-on about are:
oil changes
basic brakes (rotor, caliper, brakeline and pad replacement)
basic electrical (installing and upgrading sprak plugs, diagnosing sensors, etc.)
suspension (how to install coilovers, replace stock shocks, how to do aligments)
Drivetrains (how to repair trannys, change out the tranny fluid, etc.)
Fuel systems (how to upgrade fuel rails, injectors,etc.)
Major stuff that I'd like to know in great detail are:
Forced induction (how to saftely install turbo, s/c with proper heat dissipation)
How to program/ fine tune fuel management systems
Intsallation of bolt on I/H/E and the basics of desiging custome intake and exhast manifolds for boosting traditional N/A engines.
Modifications that I have already completed by hand, unaided are:
Complete LED conversion of stock interior lighting suytems (soldering and rewiring included)
Installation of upgraded headlight housing with aftermarket HID kit
Installation of cold air intake system on N/A engine
Installation of front suspension strut tower bar
Do any of you out there know of a shop that's hiring or has the space or need of an apprentice? It would be strickly on a part time basis because coming into the shop I would not be expecting any pay whatsoever because clearly I know **** about actual manual labor on cars - thats what I am trying to learn. I would be going to my regular job at LUND International, then swinging by the shop when done there.
I've tried to learn a few places before but my school schedule kept me from being there consistently. Consistency wont be a problem for me over the summer as I will have all the free time in the world until August.
I used to be an apprentice for Adam's Collision @ Forest Park - but Adam didn't allow me to touch a single tool because I am obviosly not I-Car certified (so he decided to teach me some of the business aspects of working on cars instead, kinda boring - but I need that as well)
I've also tried the weekend end garage tutorial with my friend Mitch off of Tara Blvd, but Mitch seemed to have fewer and fewer projects. I also wasn't allowed to work in the shop with his cousin Viet (I assume) b/c I have no car mechanical skills history whatsoever?
I applied to the Metro Atlanta Auto Dealers Association program for "FREE" Mechanics Training as advertised by the AJC only to sit in the office and have Matthew Beard (the project coordinator) himself tell me to my face that I had too much potential in other fields, I shouldn't be working around "dumb people", and that if I wanted to do the 2 week crash courses in mechanics training I would have to shell out $600 for each session. Apparently he made it seem that the program was securely designed for the poor, dumb and underpriviledged with the specific intent that they would commit themselves to a lifetime of service at one of the area car dealerships - and that his program did not encourage teaching educated people because they are more likley to take the skills they learn and divert from working at an ATL based car dealership.
* Just as a side note, I think its important to mention that I am of African, European, and Asian descent. As I have prospected a few places on foot trying to inquire about the same thing - I've come to find out first hand that getting into motorsports hands-on is still a realm plagued heavily by racism in certain fields. I only mention that because I wouldn't want my appearence to make for an instable/hostile work environment lol.
Any help towards my efforts would be greatly appreciated - thanks. I'm sorry if you actually read this whole post as it is quite winded.
Every waking thought of mine is a split mix between working on building modifieds (Japanese makes specifically) and drifting (as soon as I get my hands on a RWD). Im in school right now (for art) until the end of May. Art is kind of a fall back career for me b/c Im already great at it - but its nto what my heart is set on. Where can I start looking to learn more about working on cars, for FREE or at least a skills trade (commissioned art work for lessons I guess, I don't know).
I was thinking about visiting Atlanta Metropolitan, or Dekalb Tech b/c I think they have an autoshop program, but the only issue with that is that I have absolutely no money to spare since Im already paying for art school. And since I already have 1 college degree from an accredited HBCU, there is no such thing as substantial government aid to help me pay for the courses.
I will be going to UTI years down the road, after I get some money through producing works of art (maybe), but I want to learn the very basics right now (this summer) - if at all possible.
Stuff that I would like to atleast know a little hands-on about are:
oil changes
basic brakes (rotor, caliper, brakeline and pad replacement)
basic electrical (installing and upgrading sprak plugs, diagnosing sensors, etc.)
suspension (how to install coilovers, replace stock shocks, how to do aligments)
Drivetrains (how to repair trannys, change out the tranny fluid, etc.)
Fuel systems (how to upgrade fuel rails, injectors,etc.)
Major stuff that I'd like to know in great detail are:
Forced induction (how to saftely install turbo, s/c with proper heat dissipation)
How to program/ fine tune fuel management systems
Intsallation of bolt on I/H/E and the basics of desiging custome intake and exhast manifolds for boosting traditional N/A engines.
Modifications that I have already completed by hand, unaided are:
Complete LED conversion of stock interior lighting suytems (soldering and rewiring included)
Installation of upgraded headlight housing with aftermarket HID kit
Installation of cold air intake system on N/A engine
Installation of front suspension strut tower bar
Do any of you out there know of a shop that's hiring or has the space or need of an apprentice? It would be strickly on a part time basis because coming into the shop I would not be expecting any pay whatsoever because clearly I know **** about actual manual labor on cars - thats what I am trying to learn. I would be going to my regular job at LUND International, then swinging by the shop when done there.
I've tried to learn a few places before but my school schedule kept me from being there consistently. Consistency wont be a problem for me over the summer as I will have all the free time in the world until August.
I used to be an apprentice for Adam's Collision @ Forest Park - but Adam didn't allow me to touch a single tool because I am obviosly not I-Car certified (so he decided to teach me some of the business aspects of working on cars instead, kinda boring - but I need that as well)
I've also tried the weekend end garage tutorial with my friend Mitch off of Tara Blvd, but Mitch seemed to have fewer and fewer projects. I also wasn't allowed to work in the shop with his cousin Viet (I assume) b/c I have no car mechanical skills history whatsoever?
I applied to the Metro Atlanta Auto Dealers Association program for "FREE" Mechanics Training as advertised by the AJC only to sit in the office and have Matthew Beard (the project coordinator) himself tell me to my face that I had too much potential in other fields, I shouldn't be working around "dumb people", and that if I wanted to do the 2 week crash courses in mechanics training I would have to shell out $600 for each session. Apparently he made it seem that the program was securely designed for the poor, dumb and underpriviledged with the specific intent that they would commit themselves to a lifetime of service at one of the area car dealerships - and that his program did not encourage teaching educated people because they are more likley to take the skills they learn and divert from working at an ATL based car dealership.
* Just as a side note, I think its important to mention that I am of African, European, and Asian descent. As I have prospected a few places on foot trying to inquire about the same thing - I've come to find out first hand that getting into motorsports hands-on is still a realm plagued heavily by racism in certain fields. I only mention that because I wouldn't want my appearence to make for an instable/hostile work environment lol.
Any help towards my efforts would be greatly appreciated - thanks. I'm sorry if you actually read this whole post as it is quite winded.