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> How to make the most out of a small garage???
Steve91T
post Nov 20 2011, 07:43 PM
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Hey guys. We're planning on moving to Charlotte, NC soon. The houses in our price range have small garages (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

The one we are really interested in is a 2 car, 18ft wide, by about 21ft long. The gas water heater is the corner, and a built in gas heater is nearby, which is nice. The garage is finished, and has pretty high ceilings, looks like 10ft or so. There's two built in over head storage shelves that are made out of wood, and hanging from the ceilings.

So, if we get this house or not, it doesn't matter. All the garages are about the same size. So, how do you guys make the most out of a small space? If there is enough ceiling height, I'd love to build a loft, to give me room for some of my larger, bulkier things, like the compressor and tires and stuff like that.

This house is going to be a stepping stone for us. We'll be in it for roughly 2 years, then we'll move to a larger house, where hopefully I can build myself a huge detached garage.


Anyway, I just wanted to get some opinions/pictures.

Thanks guys!
Steve
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Casey_SS
post Nov 22 2011, 06:11 PM
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Off topic but if you've already got a 396 in there, why not just leave it and run AI for a while? Might get you on track a lot sooner and start getting w2w seat time while you develop the rest of the car... Once you have everything else sorted out (brakes, cooling, suspension, safety, etc.) you could do a quick motor swap and come out of the gate strong in CMC. Seat time is the ultimate mod...everything else (except safety) should be much further down the list.

BTW - it's absolutely possible to do a motor swap in a 2 car garage. I've done a few - there are several good write-ups out there that really helped me the first time. Best method I found was dropping the whole K-member, motor, tranny, & front suspension all at once out the bottom onto a big furniture dolly, lifting the body up like a funny car with the engine hoist, and rolling everything out, headers, accessories, wiring harness, and all still attached. It was surprisingly painless and went much quicker than I expected. When you get to that point, lemme know and I'll dig up some of the write-ups and checklists I used.
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Steve91T
post Nov 22 2011, 09:27 PM
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QUOTE (Casey_SS @ Nov 22 2011, 01:11 PM) *
Off topic but if you've already got a 396 in there, why not just leave it and run AI for a while? Might get you on track a lot sooner and start getting w2w seat time while you develop the rest of the car... Once you have everything else sorted out (brakes, cooling, suspension, safety, etc.) you could do a quick motor swap and come out of the gate strong in CMC. Seat time is the ultimate mod...everything else (except safety) should be much further down the list.

BTW - it's absolutely possible to do a motor swap in a 2 car garage. I've done a few - there are several good write-ups out there that really helped me the first time. Best method I found was dropping the whole K-member, motor, tranny, & front suspension all at once out the bottom onto a big furniture dolly, lifting the body up like a funny car with the engine hoist, and rolling everything out, headers, accessories, wiring harness, and all still attached. It was surprisingly painless and went much quicker than I expected. When you get to that point, lemme know and I'll dig up some of the write-ups and checklists I used.



I really want to start with the lower hp of CMC2. I timed some of my latest HPDE's and compared them to the CMC2 track record. The CMC2 car was nearly 10 seconds faster than me! Of course they are lighter, and have better tires, but they also have over 100 less hp. My goal next year is to get my comp license and get the car ready. I really need more track time before I'm ready. I'm also on a tight budget, and I'm hoping to make enough cash on my engine to buy a cheap trailer and a junk yard LT1.

When the time comes, I'll definitely be asking for help on engine swaps.

Thanks,
Steve
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Casey_SS
post Nov 23 2011, 12:37 AM
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QUOTE (Steve91T @ Nov 22 2011, 03:27 PM) *
I timed some of my latest HPDE's and compared them to the CMC2 track record. The CMC2 car was nearly 10 seconds faster than me! Of course they are lighter, and have better tires, but they also have over 100 less hp.


Don't worry, that's perfectly normal (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) Same exact thing happened to me when I was starting out in HPDE, also with a 97SS, 396, C6 brakes, etc. Seat time, seat time, seat time. The funny thing is I picked up more pace in 3 weekends of w2w racing than I did in 3 years of HPDE. I was classed by myself in AIX but battling with the CMC backmarkers. Humbling experience but it taught me a LOT. Which is why I suggested making as few changes as possible (aside from the safety stuff) in order to avoid down time that keeps you off the track. Pit with the CMC guys but run in AI if you have to, run in AIX if you have to, hell run in time trials if you have to...just don't tear the car apart and let it sit for a year waiting on money and parts to all line up. Find a way to stay on track and keep improving as a driver. The other stuff will work itself out along the way and you'll be much better prepared and have a lot more fun when you finally do make your CMC debut. Don't be the guy that spends 2 years building the perfect car only to finally get out there and realize you need 2 more years of seat time to win a battle for 15th place. That's how good race cars wind up on Ebay (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

Doesn't sound like where you're heading, just throwing it out there for perspective....

This post has been edited by Casey_SS: Nov 23 2011, 12:38 AM
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Steve91T
post Nov 23 2011, 06:51 AM
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QUOTE (Casey_SS @ Nov 22 2011, 07:37 PM) *
QUOTE (Steve91T @ Nov 22 2011, 03:27 PM) *
I timed some of my latest HPDE's and compared them to the CMC2 track record. The CMC2 car was nearly 10 seconds faster than me! Of course they are lighter, and have better tires, but they also have over 100 less hp.


Don't worry, that's perfectly normal (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) Same exact thing happened to me when I was starting out in HPDE, also with a 97SS, 396, C6 brakes, etc. Seat time, seat time, seat time. The funny thing is I picked up more pace in 3 weekends of w2w racing than I did in 3 years of HPDE. I was classed by myself in AIX but battling with the CMC backmarkers. Humbling experience but it taught me a LOT. Which is why I suggested making as few changes as possible (aside from the safety stuff) in order to avoid down time that keeps you off the track. Pit with the CMC guys but run in AI if you have to, run in AIX if you have to, hell run in time trials if you have to...just don't tear the car apart and let it sit for a year waiting on money and parts to all line up. Find a way to stay on track and keep improving as a driver. The other stuff will work itself out along the way and you'll be much better prepared and have a lot more fun when you finally do make your CMC debut. Don't be the guy that spends 2 years building the perfect car only to finally get out there and realize you need 2 more years of seat time to win a battle for 15th place. That's how good race cars wind up on Ebay (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

Doesn't sound like where you're heading, just throwing it out there for perspective....


That makes a lot of sense. I really think the only thing keeping me out of CMC is my engine, so I'll change that out as soon as I find a decent LT1. I figure that and then the cage, and I'm g2g....as far as the expensive things go. I'm planning on doing track days while I'm getting the car ready.

I'm really afraid of being the guy who holds everybody up in the race, so I want to be prepared. The whole move may happen sooner rather than later, so I may be able to start racing sooner than I was initially thinking.

Anyone have an LT1 that they want to sell me?
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Blainefab
post Nov 23 2011, 09:27 AM
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QUOTE (Steve91T @ Nov 22 2011, 10:51 PM) *
Anyone have an LT1 that they want to sell me?


See if Mitch wants to split up his car: http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/index.php?showtopic=15344

If that doesn't pan out, check with an old buddy of mine in Durham, NC: http://carolinaautomasters.com/
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Steve91T
post Nov 23 2011, 02:02 PM
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QUOTE (Blainefab @ Nov 23 2011, 04:27 AM) *
QUOTE (Steve91T @ Nov 22 2011, 10:51 PM) *
Anyone have an LT1 that they want to sell me?


See if Mitch wants to split up his car: http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/index.php?showtopic=15344

If that doesn't pan out, check with an old buddy of mine in Durham, NC: http://carolinaautomasters.com/


I know Jeff very well. He is one talented individual. His ability to tune a car really is impressive. I've got his custom cam and his tuning work in the car now. We've been emailing back and forth about my plans. He said he has a bunch of LT1's laying around, but all of them need work.
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Posts in this topic
Steve91T   How to make the most out of a small garage???   Nov 20 2011, 07:43 PM
StanIROCZ   DOes the house have a basement? Store your spare ...   Nov 21 2011, 03:55 AM
Steve91T   QUOTE (StanIROCZ @ Nov 20 2011, 10:55 PM)...   Nov 21 2011, 12:57 PM
CrashTestDummy   Use it as a passageway to your 40X80 steel buildin...   Nov 21 2011, 01:49 PM
Steve91T   QUOTE (CrashTestDummy @ Nov 21 2011, 08:4...   Nov 21 2011, 02:21 PM
mitchntx   Built an awning onto the back of my shop. Mixed b...   Nov 21 2011, 03:20 PM
cccbock   Not much to do with such a small space. If there ...   Nov 21 2011, 08:27 PM
StanIROCZ   Use tupperware containers to store things more eff...   Nov 21 2011, 10:20 PM
Blainefab   With that little space you're going to need to...   Nov 21 2011, 11:04 PM
Aardvark   Interesting..can you let me know what you end up w...   Nov 21 2011, 11:50 PM
Steve91T   Thanks guys. The garage that I have now, 22x24, an...   Nov 22 2011, 02:37 AM
Blainefab   Here's another of my ways to find things - the...   Nov 22 2011, 10:09 AM
CrashTestDummy   And for a TON of ideas on storage in small spaces ...   Nov 22 2011, 02:30 PM
Steve91T   QUOTE (CrashTestDummy @ Nov 22 2011, 09:3...   Nov 22 2011, 04:02 PM
Casey_SS   Off topic but if you've already got a 396 in t...   Nov 22 2011, 06:11 PM
cccbock   QUOTE (Casey_SS @ Nov 22 2011, 01:11 PM) ...   Nov 22 2011, 07:33 PM
Steve91T   QUOTE (Casey_SS @ Nov 22 2011, 01:11 PM) ...   Nov 22 2011, 09:27 PM
Casey_SS   QUOTE (Steve91T @ Nov 22 2011, 03:27 PM) ...   Nov 23 2011, 12:37 AM
Steve91T   QUOTE (Casey_SS @ Nov 22 2011, 07:37 PM) ...   Nov 23 2011, 06:51 AM
Blainefab   QUOTE (Steve91T @ Nov 22 2011, 10:51 PM) ...   Nov 23 2011, 09:27 AM
Steve91T   QUOTE (Blainefab @ Nov 23 2011, 04:27 AM)...   Nov 23 2011, 02:02 PM
FBody383   We have several guys in Texas running junkyard/hig...   Nov 23 2011, 03:59 PM
Steve91T   Offer accepted on a house! Garage is a 20x20 w...   Dec 8 2011, 02:58 PM
cccbock   QUOTE (Steve91T @ Dec 8 2011, 09:58 AM) O...   Dec 8 2011, 11:57 PM
Steve91T   QUOTE (cccbock @ Dec 8 2011, 06:57 PM) QU...   Dec 9 2011, 12:17 AM
Steve91T   2 days ago we moved into our new house in Huntersv...   Jan 20 2012, 10:41 PM
Rob Hood   QUOTE (Steve91T @ Jan 20 2012, 03:41 PM) ...   Jan 21 2012, 05:21 PM
Steve91T   QUOTE (Rob Hood @ Jan 21 2012, 12:21 PM) ...   Jan 21 2012, 11:13 PM
Eugenio_SS   QUOTE (Steve91T @ Jan 20 2012, 05:41 PM) ...   Feb 29 2012, 09:46 PM
CrashTestDummy   One if the biggest issues is sizing the heater cor...   Mar 1 2012, 09:59 PM
mitchntx   Ale Pale? You're a homebrewer?   Jan 21 2012, 01:15 PM
Steve91T   QUOTE (mitchntx @ Jan 21 2012, 08:15 AM) ...   Jan 21 2012, 02:00 PM
mitchntx   QUOTE (Steve91T @ Jan 21 2012, 08:00 AM) ...   Jan 21 2012, 11:11 PM
Steve91T   Well, 5 weeks after we moved in, my garage looks l...   Feb 27 2012, 03:48 PM
Jeff94TA   QUOTE (Steve91T @ Feb 27 2012, 10:48 AM) ...   Feb 27 2012, 09:59 PM
Steve91T   QUOTE (Jeff94TA @ Feb 27 2012, 04:59 PM) ...   Feb 28 2012, 02:35 AM
Steve91T   Here's the progress I've made. Next time I...   Feb 29 2012, 02:12 AM
CrashTestDummy   QUOTE (Steve91T @ Feb 28 2012, 08:12 PM) ...   Feb 29 2012, 02:04 PM
Steve91T   QUOTE (CrashTestDummy @ Feb 29 2012, 09:0...   Feb 29 2012, 02:40 PM
Steve91T   Oh yeah, any ideas on what to do with this thing? ...   Feb 29 2012, 03:40 AM
nape   Angle grinder with a cut-off wheel or a sawzall.   Feb 29 2012, 08:24 AM
Blainefab   Sawzall with a 8" blade would be flexible eno...   Feb 29 2012, 09:47 AM
BPWilliams   I say torch it then grind, faster and less strain....   Feb 29 2012, 01:09 PM
Steve91T   QUOTE (Blainefab @ Feb 29 2012, 04:47 AM)...   Feb 29 2012, 01:36 PM
Steve91T   Wow! Off to Lowes...got some ideas! http:...   Feb 29 2012, 04:09 PM
Steve91T   Made some pretty good progress today considering I...   Mar 1 2012, 01:09 AM
CrashTestDummy   Awesome progress so far. Yeah, you can burn up ...   Mar 1 2012, 09:51 PM
Steve91T   Shelves are done! Got two 4' florescent li...   Mar 2 2012, 04:22 AM
CrashTestDummy   Of course there's no room to set an engine blo...   Mar 2 2012, 01:36 PM
Steve91T   QUOTE (CrashTestDummy @ Mar 2 2012, 08:36...   Mar 2 2012, 02:33 PM
Steve91T   These turned out much better than I thought they w...   Mar 4 2012, 12:02 AM
Steve91T   THE CAMARO IS HOME!!!! I drove her...   Mar 5 2012, 01:37 AM
198esp   QUOTE (Steve91T @ Mar 4 2012, 08:37 PM) T...   Mar 5 2012, 04:37 AM
Steve91T   On page 2 you can see a pic of it. Its just a meta...   Mar 5 2012, 12:48 PM
CrashTestDummy   Yeah, if you have stuff in cardboard boxes, plasti...   Mar 5 2012, 01:55 PM
Steve91T   QUOTE (CrashTestDummy @ Mar 5 2012, 08:55...   Mar 6 2012, 03:26 PM
Steve91T   Last night I realized I needed more light towards ...   Mar 7 2012, 01:10 AM
CrashTestDummy   QUOTE (Steve91T @ Mar 6 2012, 07:10 PM) L...   Mar 7 2012, 04:04 PM
Steve91T   QUOTE (CrashTestDummy @ Mar 7 2012, 11:04...   Mar 7 2012, 06:09 PM
roostmeyer   Been meaning to post on this thread for a while. ...   Mar 7 2012, 05:52 AM
Steve91T   I built this above garage storage, which is nice b...   Mar 10 2012, 03:05 PM
tlillard23   it's looking better. now for the floorlift..   Mar 31 2012, 12:57 AM
94Will   Work the rafters to the max. Put plywood on top s...   Apr 18 2012, 04:45 AM

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