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Post by Lucid on Mar 7, 2007 4:32:45 GMT -5
What i can foresee in the future for our organization is a nice garage with the letters SA3GO in big blue neon letters, traced in red.
There are multiple garage bays and lifts so you can raise your car to work on it, with members only access to some bays. The garage would be stocked with tools, air compressors and serve as a base of operations.
There would be an office with a laptop computer, with necessary diagnostic and financial programs to be able to be mobile and flexible.
One will be a specialist in troubleshooting and programming the ECM computer and various sensors. We would offer upgrades to the existing code and a testing bed for trial and error.
Some will specialize in the mechanical aspects, from suspension to engine, as do normal car enthusiasts. Modifications can be made in this garage, and fabrication would not be unheard of, since we would now have made affiliations with local shops.
Members would have discounts and privileges that help defray costs of purchasing from other organizations.
Information would be available to members that may take time to gather independently, in a manner that is conducive to time and ease of use.
Members would be assisted in getting funding for technical training or any vocational learning so that they may bring that knowledge to the organization to make it better.
The members of the group would also have various activities planned that would not have to be necessarily car related, in order to promote diversity of thought and culture.
This is the dream that i dreamed when i began to see the potential of this group. It is a far stretch from what the organization is today, but it is possible that many of these ideas can come to fruition if we work together.
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Post by Jim on Mar 14, 2007 22:29:15 GMT -5
That is long from now...
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Post by Lucid on Mar 14, 2007 22:53:08 GMT -5
Would not be so long if everyone pitched in and had a task to accomplish.
If everyone pitches in $50 a month, and we get at least 10 dedicated members, thats $500 a month.
The rent over by my mechanics place in his little J&M industrial park is about $700 a month.
If we can get people to get oil changes and target about 40 oil changes per month on the weekends, and charge roughly $20 a pop, thats $800 minus costs of oils and filters.
Its possible, we just need people to take the iniative and move on it.
Money made will go into a special SA3GO account and that money would be used to pay costs.
As long as no profits are disbursed to members we are good with the nonprofit status.
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Post by Jim on Mar 17, 2007 11:22:31 GMT -5
Minus oil and filter? That's more than $20 unless bought in LARGE LARGE quantities. Where would we go for the oil and filters? Also, getting dedicated people will be hard. Most of us work on the weekends and there are only maybe 7 people that would/could do anything. Renting a place like that, how many people's names are going to be on the lease? If people start dropping out because they're not on it, the more the others have to shell out. I could meet that $50/month right now but nothing more. Another thing to consider is that without tools, a shop won't help too much. Not just getting them there, but also keeping them in the shop. Even if we have a sign in - sign out board there is no telling who has been there. There is much more to consider and discuss but it can be done.
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Post by moninjars on Mar 22, 2007 19:02:39 GMT -5
the best thing for that would have to be individual locked toolboxes. There's really no other way. If you need something, either you buy it or borrow from a member while they're there. Having team tools would only work in a place of business because there's fear of losing you job over a 30 dollar screwdriver.
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84maroonta
Full Member
350 .30 over, Vortec heads, 10:1 flat top pistons, Edelbrock RPM AIRGAP T5tranny w/ 3.73's
Posts: 103
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Post by 84maroonta on Mar 22, 2007 22:57:46 GMT -5
If we were going to do any thing like that we would need to start now (as far as getting money together) If we had a shop keep in mind there will be security deposits. I think it would be cool to have a lift (especially because my car is broken again). How big would this shop be?
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Post by Jim on Mar 22, 2007 23:01:51 GMT -5
I'm guessing big enough to have a lift and park more than just that in there. I want at LEAST 2 bays. 1 for the Lift and the other for work that can be done on the ground.
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Post by Lucid on Mar 24, 2007 0:52:30 GMT -5
The garages we were looking at were 3-4 bays in the area of town. If you guys find a good deal in the newspaper or something of that nature, or see a business for sale, we might be able to figure something out.
Any progress on opening a bank account? I need an account in the San Antonio Third Gen Organizations name, and two account members. One volunteer for depositing and one for withdrawals and one member for account reconciliation.
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Post by Jim on Mar 24, 2007 11:10:03 GMT -5
I use USAA. Doesn't really matters what bank we use. I don't think we need 1 for depositing and another for withdrawals...I just think we need 2 members that have to be there for withdrawals. Depositing can be done by anyone.
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Post by moninjars on Mar 29, 2007 18:50:29 GMT -5
i agree. If something goes wrong, the less people that accountable the better
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Post by kevaroo on Aug 3, 2007 22:24:52 GMT -5
This is exactly what me and mick are going to do in the future.
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Post by Jim on Aug 3, 2007 23:27:47 GMT -5
It's a hard thing to do Kev. Not hard in a sense that there's much to look into or work to do, but the hard part is keeping dedicated people. That's the number one reason I don't think it would work for us.
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Post by irocvirrilli on Aug 4, 2007 10:35:01 GMT -5
well me and kev are the backbone and if anyone else comes along they are EMPLOYEES, and will be obligated by a contract to uphold there end. I'm takin business and management with my engineering classes, so i found all hte loopholes, for like part timers to work, and not f us over in service and products.
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Post by Jim on Aug 4, 2007 12:18:49 GMT -5
What kind of work are you planning on doing?
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Post by Lucid on Aug 4, 2007 12:22:03 GMT -5
I am graduating with a Bachelor's this December in Business Administration. I had planned on opening a garage next year either as part of the club or an actual automotive place.
There is a lot more to it than just loop holes Mick, there are regulations, tax laws, and insurance liabilities. If you know some good suppliers or a place where we can rent out a building for a good price let me know.
What i would be looking for in the shop is a tuning center that employs real time tuning solutions and also chip burning capabilities for engine combinations.
I would want the suspension and handling to also be of utmost importance. One of the bays would be dedicated to suspension modifications and alignments. A welder would be needed to install subframe connectors, modify existing suspension components and any other modifications i can think of. Arc welding would be the preferred method, since the bonds will be better.
Considerations for engine swaps and custom jobs would also be interesting, like putting LT1's/LS1's into the cars.
Of course, exhaust upgrades could be incorporated into the theme of the garage, since its hard to find a good place that can find exhaust leaks and repair them. 3" aluminumized tubing would be considered the standard for exhaust system replacement on V8's and Borla and Flowmaster mufflers would be stocked. Most people would like headers, so popular header combinations could be on hand or available immediately.
The second floor would be the bread n butter, with the tires and wheels in stock. IROC and Firebird wheels of different years. On the main floor, a mock up camaro would be displayed in the show room.
The main difference i would like to convey is the pride and quality of workmanship in the garage.
No hack jobs. Professional looking work. Quality products that work in combination with what you have. Reliability. You would rather keep it than give it back to the customer (but you cant)
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