ABMZario
Member
- Thread starter
- #1
Wassup everyone,
I’m jumping into the deep end and introducing myself. I graduated with a degree in cyber security in 2025, and spent my whole life focused on computers and gaming. I never did anything hands on until this year when the car bug bit me hard and I tried an oil change on my daily, I guess I cross threaded the oil drain plug and had to replace the whole thing smh.
My daily driver is a 2013 Hyundai Elantra that has always gone straight to the shop for every little thing. But I wanted something fun, so I bought a 2020 Mustang EcoBoost in July. It has 84k miles on it (bought it at 83k), and because I went all out on the purchase, I cancelled my extended warranty.
Right now, it's getting some professional love, I already had a Flash Shark exhaust intalled. This Tuesday, I'm dropping it off at a shop again to get the following installed:
CVF Street Intercooler
JLT Cold Air Intake
Steeda Throttle Body Spacer
Steeda Blow off Valve
Yesterday with my dads help, I succesfully installed the updated Fuel Intake Sensor (Car feels way better now), and it felt good.
Since it's out of warranty and heavily modded, I know things will eventually need maintenance. I want to stop being a bystander and actually become a "car guy."
TLDR
Here is my dilemma: I have zero experience with basic hand tools. I literally don't own a wrench set yet. I've already heard enough jokes about not knowing how to use tools, so I'm just being completely honest here to get real advice.
For the EcoBoost platform, where do I start?
I’m jumping into the deep end and introducing myself. I graduated with a degree in cyber security in 2025, and spent my whole life focused on computers and gaming. I never did anything hands on until this year when the car bug bit me hard and I tried an oil change on my daily, I guess I cross threaded the oil drain plug and had to replace the whole thing smh.
My daily driver is a 2013 Hyundai Elantra that has always gone straight to the shop for every little thing. But I wanted something fun, so I bought a 2020 Mustang EcoBoost in July. It has 84k miles on it (bought it at 83k), and because I went all out on the purchase, I cancelled my extended warranty.
Right now, it's getting some professional love, I already had a Flash Shark exhaust intalled. This Tuesday, I'm dropping it off at a shop again to get the following installed:
CVF Street Intercooler
JLT Cold Air Intake
Steeda Throttle Body Spacer
Steeda Blow off Valve
Yesterday with my dads help, I succesfully installed the updated Fuel Intake Sensor (Car feels way better now), and it felt good.
Since it's out of warranty and heavily modded, I know things will eventually need maintenance. I want to stop being a bystander and actually become a "car guy."
TLDR
Here is my dilemma: I have zero experience with basic hand tools. I literally don't own a wrench set yet. I've already heard enough jokes about not knowing how to use tools, so I'm just being completely honest here to get real advice.
For the EcoBoost platform, where do I start?
- What basic tool sets should I buy first ?
- What are the best, safest "beginner" maintenance jobs I can do myself to build confidence?
- How can I practice without stripping anything or cross threading anything else.
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