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Mark's Monster Garage....3800 sq ft

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IGO2XS

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Mark,
I doubt I'm going to make it because I have turned the little master cylinder replacement on the '87 Corvette into a new career. While I'm waiting for a new set of stainless brake lines to be delivered, I'm filling the time polishing calipers.

Dang Bob that is a lot of work.........only you will know the difference and that is all that counts!!
 
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IGO2XS

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We were at a very cool shop here in Sarasota a few days ago. Jason Heffner is one bad @@s turbo dude. We walked into his shop and there were 4 Lamborghini's, a R8, and 2 Vipers. The red Lambo you see probably has $125,000 worth of motor work done to it. 1000 hp to the rear wheels on pump gas.








Everything you see in this picture was hand fabricated in his shop. They also build all of the exhaust right on site. This is the guy who will be getting our 68 Roadrunner with the V10 twin turbo motor running.

Check out www.heffnersperformance.com


 

Audicon

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They do some amazing work. Looks like you found a "great" day to go by their shop.

I'm putting the parts list for the Nissan Z build I am working on together. Started out stock at 300 from the factory. We just rebuilt it about 2 years ago for 5550-600hp. He now wants to get 750 hp out of it. Should be a fun build. He was shocked at the extra cost to get the next 150hp.

It's not a 1000hp Gallardo, but 750 rwhp out of a 3 litre motor is still pretty good.:rocker:

Those guys down there are, from what I've been told, are great to work

Keep up the great work. It is always a pleasure to look into your shop, and at the work going on.
 

don long

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Mark,

The Mecum auction in Kissimmee would be a wonderful event if I were not in a 12-step program for autoholics. First step is to admit I have a problem and the second though 12th are to stay away from auto auctions. I would buy a car I don't even like just because it was too good a deal....

Bob I need to know more about the 12 step program
This is something that I think I need to Join

Happy new year mark
Looking to you for many great ideas this year and thanks for all your post from last year

As always
Don
 
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IGO2XS

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They do some amazing work. Looks like you found a "great" day to go by their shop.

I'm putting the parts list for the Nissan Z build I am working on together. Started out stock at 300 from the factory. We just rebuilt it about 2 years ago for 5550-600hp. He now wants to get 750 hp out of it. Should be a fun build. He was shocked at the extra cost to get the next 150hp.

It's not a 1000hp Gallardo, but 750 rwhp out of a 3 litre motor is still pretty good.:rocker:

Those guys down there are, from what I've been told, are great to work

Wow sounds like an awesome car your building. Jason (Heffner) is a real nice guy and I am sure he is why people find him so good to work with. He came by the Monster Garage and he fell in love with it. He said he wished he hadn't had so many cars because he would have liked to have my garage:thumb up:

The project I found interesting there was a Shelby cobra replica. If you have ever driven one you know they are scary fast even with some of the smaller Rousch motors installed. Heffner had installed one of his twin turbo setups and upgraded drivetrain. We were looking over it and I asked how much for this setup thinking I might consider it for my 63 split window corvette project. He told me $100K:wtf: I am thinking how crazy to put this awesome motor in this particular car but I guess that is what this car addiction stuff does to all of us. Makes us do unpredictable upgrades to cars because we love them so much.
 

Audicon

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IT will be a good one. I will starta thread somewhere for it. It will also be going for paint and getting new shoes(still has stock size and can't handle power as it is).

some of the parts list includes :new injectors(again), boost controller and gauge, IC piping, turbos, built long block. ecu, dual intake etc.

Now back to regulary scheduled programming:bowdown:
 

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e-tek

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Hey Mark - HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Your console looks to be turning out well! I can't offer much help, other than it's all trial and error, getting things bent into shape, then tacking them. As you found out, tack them lightly at first!

I did the one for the 40 out of wood (MDF), because it's a very basic shape and just needs to be covered. You need length and a curved face, so a metal frame with either a sheet metal facing, or acrylic sheet is the way to go there.

The LandCruiser looks good too - gonna rock with big wheels and the top on it!
 

TRayRyan

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I have read through your entire build thread in the evenings off and on for the past two weeks... Amazing garage you have, and you are turning out some spectacular rides. I think it helps we have similar tastes in vehicles (air ride and big wheels)! You are a very lucky man who has been fortunate to be successful enough to turn your passion for building cars into a second career! Congrats to you Mark, you give a lot of us out there something to strive for! Keep up the great work.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
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IGO2XS

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I have read through your entire build thread in the evenings off and on for the past two weeks...

Thanks for checking it out. Wow I guess there is a lot of reading to do. :eye crazy: It has been quite a ride and I sometimes wonder when it will end. I have been out this week looking for commercial space. We need more space! I looked at one 10,000 sq ft warehouse so I might have some good material to post because it is in pretty bad shape and needs work done to it. You know how I love to make things pretty!!
 
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IGO2XS

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The last pictures I posted where when we were in Heffners Performance facility. He was pretty much the "big gun" in getting the twin turbo V10 tuned. Unfortunately after he removed the valve covers he found a nut missing off of one of the rocker arms.:sad: It could have only meant one of two things....either the nut was laying on someone's bench or it had fallen in the motor. Unfortunately a decision had to be made and the owner of the car choose the safe road which was pulling the motor apart to make sure it had not fallen in the motor. I took a substantial amount of time to get this baby out with all of the turbos, inner coolers, and lines that needed removed. We had to strap the motor out once we we got it loose. The owner is REALLY disappointed in this delay and extra expense but it was the best choice.

You will see the 66 black corvette in one of the pictures. We got it back after it had been driven 100 miles just to go through every nut and bolt on the car and make sure everything was tight. The owner drives the heck out of this car and we were quite pleased with the condition of the car after we were able to check it over thourally.





 
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Kevin54

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Attention all tuners!! Check out the Acura NSX-R we have in the shop. This bad boy appeared in Fast and Furious 3. This NSX is sporting the Veilside wide body kit. Its a pretty awesome car is pretty much a street legal Indy car. We are doing some minor body repairs during the week. I will get some other angles of the car in a few days.



A good friend of mine is a Plant Manager at Honda down south, but when he was living up here in Ohio, the plant that he worked at had a pool that you would put your name in, and whoevers name was drawn got to drive a new NSX for a week. His name was drawn. As he was my next door neighbor at the time, I had to be nosey. He gave me a ride in town, in a new housing development that had real curvy roads, then a ride out in the country on some back roads. That NSX was just stupid quick. And it was probably one of the most comfortable cars I have ever sat in. Once you fell into the seat, you just set back and enjoyed the ride. They are a pain to get out of though considering you are almost sitting below the rocker panel.
 

Bob Heine

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Bob I need to know more about the 12 step program
This is something that I think I need to Join
Don,

At our meetings we share a moment of silence in your honor. Many tears have been shed discussing how serious your problem is. You do realize your collection is like spending a day at a Mecum auction -- every day!

Mark is also mentioned frequently at our meetings. We have hope for him since he has been able to part with a few of his fixes.
 
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IGO2XS

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You get to work on some rad stuff Mark~! How's the console coming?

I put in down for a few days while I am waiting for some upholstery clips to attach the side panels. I hope to be back on it this next week. thanks for asking.



I love this with the exposed engine out back.

There is probably a reason for this............over $100,000 worth of Jason Heffners custom made turbo system sitting on top of an already expensive Lamborghini motor. :bowdown: I like it too!!
 
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IGO2XS

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Ok guys I finally have started on the 63 Corvette renderings. I have shared these over on my Facebook page so sorry if you have to see them again. :D This is the first draft of the project and it is shown in a clay model. This is done so you can see all of the body lines before the color is added. We still have many details to design but we came along way considering this is the first rendering.

I hope you like these and there will be more to come as the next 30 days we plan on working on these to get it where it needs to be.




 
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IGO2XS

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That will be Sweet!

Is it a real clay model, or computer graphics in a clay visual? Either way, it is impressive!

It is a computer generated clay model Wingnut. :thumbup: Getting started on this rendering is really getting me excited about this build.
 

lidz

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That will be Sweet!

Is it a real clay model, or computer graphics in a clay visual? Either way, it is impressive!

Definitely not a real clay model, it's a 3d computer model in a grey shader. Does look good though.
I'm a clay modeller & it probably won't come as a surprise but clay models are brown...
 
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Boosted1

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Definitely not a real clay model, it's a 3d computer model in a grey shader. Does look good though.
I'm a clay modeller & it probably won't come as a surprise but clay models are brown...

Until you paint them :)
I've seen several different full scale clay models and it is impressive how convincing they can be.
 
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IGO2XS

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Thanks for the clarification on the clay. We will put some paint on it soon. Yesterday the 66 Nova was primed. I am going to tell you something.......this car has been one big pain in the ****. This was about the second car I ever had in the shop so it has been here quite some time. The owner has brought us 3 projects to work on since we got this car. We are on the move to get this car done and I really want it out the door. I can say I will never take on a project like this again. It was a basket case when we got it and there is just no way to make it perfect.



 

smsteve

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Hey Mark,

How cool would it be to take that 3D Clay Model Redering to a 3D Printing company and have that done up in minature for display down the road?

I bet it could be done...

Keep the photos and great work coming, easily my favorite GJ thread!
 
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IGO2XS

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Hey Mark,

How cool would it be to take that 3D Clay Model Redering to a 3D Printing company and have that done up in minature for display down the road?

I bet it could be done...

Keep the photos and great work coming, easily my favorite GJ thread!

great idea I will check it out when we are finished with the rendering.:thumb up:
 
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IGO2XS

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A little update on the shop. I am getting ready to make an offer on about 5800 square feet of commercial warehouse and office space for this automotive business that seems to be outgrowing my garage. It is a big step to add thousands of dollars of overhead but it is the next step. I can't keep up the work with 3 guys. Sharing the same garage for mechanical, assembly, bodywork, and general work space is just not working. I originally thought I would just lease a body shop area and keep the mechanical at the garage but this just won't work. Transporting cars back and forth and the guys not being able to work together and communicate on the same project because they are in different locations just won't work.

Now, what I need help with is a name for this new business. I was thinking of all kinds of names and have been unsuccessful. Someone suggested I use my last name in the name of the business......example........"Pierson Performance Restorations". I don't know if Mark's Monster Garage is really a good name either. The only reason why I liked it was because it is the name that got me started. I don't know if the name should suggest what we do which is restorations???

any ideas????? lets hear them fellas!!!
 

smsteve

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I can say I will never take on a project like this again. It was a basket case when we got it and there is just no way to make it perfect.

Oh, I also forgot to mention. If the owner of the 66 Nova is totally bummed out that it will never come out perfect I am volunteering to keep it, drive it and love it once you guys are done putting it back together. I'll pay shipping to SoCal!

The owner wouldn't have to be seen in it, you wouldn't have to work on it ever again...honest. That might just make all of you happy, and me just a little more than happy! :beer:
 

Wingnut65

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Congrats on the leap!

The Monster Garage is not moving, just the business. I like just calling it "Pierson Performance". But 'Excessive. ..' has a good ring to it.
 
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IGO2XS

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Oh, I also forgot to mention. If the owner of the 66 Nova is totally bummed out that it will never come out perfect I am volunteering to keep it, drive it and love it once you guys are done putting it back together. I'll pay shipping to SoCal!

You are way to generous!!!!

How about Excessive Custom and Restoration? Or Excessive Restorations and Customs? (Something along those lines.)

What do we win if you choose our suggestion or a derivative thereof? How about that 3D model of the bette the other member mentioned? :beer:

I am sure I could come up with something;)


Congrats on the leap!

The Monster Garage is not moving, just the business. I like just calling it "Pierson Performance". But 'Excessive. ..' has a good ring to it.

Nope, the Monster Garage will still be alive and kicking and will not be moving. :thumb up: If I get this building there is lots of renovations to do so I guess I would have some additional material to bring to the forum!!!
 

tskills10

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Ya, can't move too far. I'm planning a trip to the Sarasota area in August and wanted to come by and check things out and meet you. Good luck with the move.
 

Kevin54

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You're gonna move the Monster garage? I sure hope you will still do updates and everything else. I don't think it will be the same when you start posting out of a new place.

No chance of you adding on to what you currently have? If you could add on a couple of thousand square feet to the current place, you'd be much happier than having to drive somewhere else to work on things. Plus if you stay where you're at, it's going to be a lot safer as far as break-in's go.

By the way things look, you'd have enough room to add on, or add up, beef it up, and add an elevator to move cars from the lower area to a clean room upstairs for assembly and upholstery. I know for a fact after seeing your builds on everything that you could pull it off. :thumbup:
 

Bob Heine

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You're gonna move the Monster garage? I sure hope you will still do updates and everything else. I don't think it will be the same when you start posting out of a new place.

No chance of you adding on to what you currently have? If you could add on a couple of thousand square feet to the current place, you'd be much happier than having to drive somewhere else to work on things. Plus if you stay where you're at, it's going to be a lot safer as far as break-in's go.

By the way things look, you'd have enough room to add on, or add up, beef it up, and add an elevator to move cars from the lower area to a clean room upstairs for assembly and upholstery. I know for a fact after seeing your builds on everything that you could pull it off. :thumbup:
Kevin,

Having had the privilege of visiting Mark's Monster Garage, I know he has the space to add on. Only problem is choosing which (or how many) of the trees in the front yard have to be cut down. I'm not sure how Mark or his wife feels about those trees but I'd bet whoever does the cutting will have more than tree 'stumps' to worry about.
DSC01307-1.jpg
 

TurboCrazy

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How about "Monster Restorations by Mark"? Has a nice ring to it. It also pays homage to the "Monster Garage", where this all started. Just a thought. Keep the updates coming, Mark.
 

bootlegger

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IGO2XS , On the 66 Nova you rebuilt did you have to replace the front fenders. If so can I ask where you got them or manufacturer. I have a 66 also and am in need of a pair. Thank You
 
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IGO2XS

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Any hints as to where the new shop is going to be located? East or west of I75? Still Sarasota I assume?

The place I am looking at is west of the interstate here in Sarasota. I made an offer today and don't know yet if I will be getting it.:dunno:


Ya, can't move too far. I'm planning a trip to the Sarasota area in August and wanted to come by and check things out and meet you. Good luck with the move.

I am looking to locate somewhere between my real business and my home. I just did a map quest and it is 7.5 miles between them.


You're gonna move the Monster garage? I sure hope you will still do updates and everything else. I don't think it will be the same when you start posting out of a new place.

No chance of you adding on to what you currently have?

The Monster Garage will still be here and there will still be things going on here. I will definitely keep posting from any location I move to. Heck, its you guys that have kept me going so I can't let you go!!! Where and whenever I go there will be remodeling and building going on at the new shop so you will actually get two for the price of one!



Kevin,

Having had the privilege of visiting Mark's Monster Garage, I know he has the space to add on. Only problem is choosing which (or how many) of the trees in the front yard have to be cut down. I'm not sure how Mark or his wife feels about those trees but I'd bet whoever does the cutting will have more than tree 'stumps' to worry about.

Bob is right about having the space but I need more room and we need a paint booth. If we are to continue building these cars I have to have a facility where we can do it all in house. Its just too much with body work and mechanical stuff going on in the same facility.


How about "Monster Restorations by Mark"? Has a nice ring to it. It also pays homage to the "Monster Garage", where this all started. Just a thought. Keep the updates coming, Mark.

I have a big dry erase board set up in the garage so I will add your idea to the list. Thanks!

IGO2XS , On the 66 Nova you rebuilt did you have to replace the front fenders. If so can I ask where you got them or manufacturer. I have a 66 also and am in need of a pair. Thank You

I bought all the metal from Classic Industries. Keep an eye on their website because I have seen 10 to 15% off sales from time to time.

www.classicindustries.com
 
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IGO2XS

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PPR has a nice ring to it.
It's your business, Gloat a little bit!!:thumbup:

I like the way you think!!

Cracked open the 68 Roadrunner project. The owner's wife painted the entire car with a brush using rustoleum paint. Right now Dwayne is getting down and dirty with it and sanding all of the paint off. The body looks really good.






We also got the Willys dash in primer. It ended up being a lot of custom work. We angled the corners so the a/c vents would blow directly on the driver and passenger, the video screen was recessed so the screen was flush with the dash, and we added a few gauges in the dash. Because this is a blower motor we have additional gauges so there will be 4 small gauges in the console.

 
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