Houston Area SyTy Specialist Shop

[HotRodV6]

If a shop like this existed, would it have any business?

I mean a shop that isnt afraid to work on these trucks, cna keep them running 100% stock, and do all the upgrades that people want done, can install any aftermarket parts, offers tuning for such parts and also just regular maintaince services for them as well.

Someplace where you knwo the truck will getting treated like it should, you dont have to worry about it being beat on duuring test drives, or unneeded abuse, will be worked on correctly and not half asssed or rigged.

A place you can come and hang out, get advice with mods, and those types of things.

Will so offer repair and service for all GM vehicles mostly.

So do you think a place like this could survive, would the local SyTy owners, and maybe some from the Austin, or San Antonio, or DFW area would drive to have there trucks serviced at a place like this?

Would give discounts for all SyTy.ney members, but the labor rates would be very reasonable already, as compared to what some specialty shop charge these days.

So what do you think, sound to good to be true?

 

[ShuggsRR]

Re: Houston Area SyTy Specialist Shop

Yes too good to be true... But wait... it wouldnt be local so its surely is too good to be true.

Are you saying you are starting such a thing?

 

[HotRodV6]

Re: Houston Area SyTy Specialist Shop

Yes too good to be true... But wait... it wouldnt be local so its surely is too good to be true.

Are you saying you are starting such a thing?

Its a thought that ive had in my head for awhile now, just not sure if it would get off the ground.

 

[ShuggsRR]

Re: Houston Area SyTy Specialist Shop

There are so many of us that just wrech on then ourselves and let the trucks sit forvere till we can get some buddys to come help us with em. I cant remember the last time I have had a car in a shop besides my new truck for warranty stuff.

Just my 2 cents...

 

[Daron]

Re: Houston Area SyTy Specialist Shop

SyTy Market in this area wouldnt support a make specific shop IMHO. I just dont think there is enough of em around that are owned by people not willing to work on them themselves.

You could try being the "Turbo Guy" who isnt afraid of SyTys and use a SyTy build up to gain some credibility.

 

[JAY]

Re: Houston Area SyTy Specialist Shop

I would be interested because there are things I'd like to do to my truck that I'm not comfortable attempting.

 

[H-TOWN-TYPHOON]

Re: Houston Area SyTy Specialist Shop

:2cents: I think that the idea may be viable as a "shadetree professional" meaning that you work out of your home/someplace free for a while to keep the overhead non-existent.

Look at what the Conley's have done with their shop. That family ran out of a business suite for years while Mr. Conley kept his job as an operator. Before I was soured by bad customer service/don't give a shit attitude, I frequented that shop with my first Ty and it was ALWAYS full of cars.

Granted, there are many more TR/GNs in the Houston area than syty, but if you don't have to pay rent on space and are committed to working during the day/night and then coming home to do more work I would imagine that you could see some type of success.

There are also enough TR/GN folks in this area that will not go back to Conley's. Puddin' and E.J. used to fill that void, but with Puddin' in OK and E.J. moving out west, those people are already looking for someone else to wrench on their cars. Don't know if you have ever worked on the LC2, but they are a dream compared to the syty.

BTW you should start this soon as I have a torque converter to install and REALLY don't want to have to crawl my fat ass under the truck and deal with it.

 

[ty#1366]

Re: Houston Area SyTy Specialist Shop

i looked all around houston area for someone to do a complete motor turbo trans and whatever else i wanted and could not find nobody so after christmas i loaded my ty on a trailer and drove to south carolina its a long drive but john is a hellava nice guy

 

[cameronsclone]

Re: Houston Area SyTy Specialist Shop

I think it would have to be a little less specific than just Sy/Ty. Maybe a GM high performance shop? Or a PAS specific shop, and give Conley's some competition.

 

[JAY]

Re: Houston Area SyTy Specialist Shop

I think it would have to be a little less specific than just Sy/Ty. Maybe a GM high performance shop? Or a PAS specific shop, and give Conley's some competition.

I agree. Anybody who has a Camaro or Firebird always wants to make theirs faster.

 

[Syclone1639]

Re: Houston Area SyTy Specialist Shop

It would be to our intrest to support this type of facility. The only issue is that you don't limit yourself to one purpose only.

 

[martygar8]

Re: Houston Area SyTy Specialist Shop

hey im new to this forum and my sy#1322 were been trying to find some other sy or ty in the are i work in texas city and operate a machine shop, i do heads,blocks,bore block,complete valve jobs and a bunch of other stuff, been doing for 15 years and i do honest and good work, if you sy or ty guys are around there come by and visit me, if your in the area, and thanks for the positive feedback i love this site!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[ShuggsRR]

Re: Houston Area SyTy Specialist Shop

Im so frustrated with this Ty and my lack of knowledge and peoples lack of understanding Im new to SyTy tuning that Im about ready to take it to a shop if there was one.

 

[12secondSY]

Re: Houston Area SyTy Specialist Shop

Do it at home at first. Theres a few very good shops here that are people in there garages. One guy builds drag cars from the ground up from his garage in his backyard. Very nice guy, great reputation. He does all my fab/welding work I need. Hes actually wanting to build me a set of headers for my ty. He does very well though, no advertising or overhead at all. Just word of mouth. Take your truck to car shows/races and just hand out business cards. If it takes off then get a shop.

 

[NOJIMMY]

Re: Houston Area SyTy Specialist Shop

If a shop like this existed, would it have any business?

I mean a shop that isnt afraid to work on these trucks, cna keep them running 100% stock, and do all the upgrades that people want done, can install any aftermarket parts, offers tuning for such parts and also just regular maintaince services for them as well.

Someplace where you knwo the truck will getting treated like it should, you dont have to worry about it being beat on duuring test drives, or unneeded abuse, will be worked on correctly and not half asssed or rigged.

A place you can come and hang out, get advice with mods, and those types of things.

Will so offer repair and service for all GM vehicles mostly.

So do you think a place like this could survive, would the local SyTy owners, and maybe some from the Austin, or San Antonio, or DFW area would drive to have there trucks serviced at a place like this?

Would give discounts for all SyTy.ney members, but the labor rates would be very reasonable already, as compared to what some specialty shop charge these days.

So what do you think, sound to good to be true?

...Not being in your local area, I may not be entirely accurate, but here's some general thoughts:

1. I would think it very difficult to make money on SyTy's only (due to lack of parts,
the age of the vehicles/limited production numbers, and low resale prices on listed vehicles).
2. If your including GM vehicles, then your competing with bigger-companies (that
do supercharging, turbos/induction systems, new and old street/strip cars). Then
parts, turn-around time, equipment/resources become issues.
3. If your willing to develop a product-line (for possibly internet sales) then you`ll
find that each vehicle has slightly different tolerances, making it hard to offer
parts (such as custom suspension, IC parts, or standardizing). There are individuals
doing cranks, heads, trannys and such (ie competition).
4. If people are just hanging around (this can be a problem because your not
making money; people tend to want free advise/free assistance; parking and
storage of vehicles become a problem; and noise, littering, zoning, and insurance
can be a problem).
5. While emissions may not be a problem now, with an "Energy Plan" it wont
be long that states or a national policy attacks this issue.

But good work is appreciated by folks, so over time you might develop return customers.
One thought, years ago a few individuals on the net "Traveled" to SyTy vehicle owners
and performed tuning/debugging. By flying to a site, and repairing or offering maintenance,
a "unique" service offering was provided. I think something like this could work .

-Larry