Free Advice

As the old adage goes, free advice is worth what you pay for it. People edu-

cate themselves and train to carry out expert modifications, and when they

have become competent and recognized in this arena, tend to charge for

their services either as tuners, crew chiefs, or build consultants. If someone

offers you their advice on how to create the perfect fuel map, properly set up

your suspension, or take out a stain on your hood with a Brillo pad and a jar

of mayonnaise, they may know what they are talking about, or they may be

certifiably insane — but one thing remains clear: They will not take liability

for any harm you cause to your car or yourself.

This point may seem fairly obvious, but too many people rely on free advice

because it is free and available everywhere. Your mailman, your mom’s friend,

and your local priest probably all have opinions on what would look/work

great on your car. Are you going to listen to them? The funny thing is, if you

are getting your input online, you probably are listening to them because they

are the people putting in their two cents on the Internet forums.

As a rule, people who are paid to know what they are talking about, with rare

exceptions, do not give free advice on message boards. Or if they do, they

have a commercial interest or other agenda prompting the “help” that they

are offering. Just like a doctor, lawyer, or other professional, experts in the

automotive arena will tell you that there is no free lunch. If you value the

advice of the town people of Anytown, U.S.A., you will find it for free in great

abundance. If you are after the leading industry experts’ opinions on how to

carry out a modification plan for your car, expect to pay for it.

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