The ROY Garage Blog

Can beginners build a custom sheet-metal firewall without expensive fab equipment? In this 7-part series, we tackle the custom firewall and floor structure on our Dodgeball project using basic tools, a welder, cardboard templates, and a lot of trial and error. Learn our step-by-step Cardboard Aided Design (CAD) process, fitting around an LS swap, preventing panel warpage, and the key lessons every DIY fabricator needs to know before cutting metal.

We're building more than merchandise at The ROY Garage. Here's a look at the direction we're taking our apparel, the ideas behind the designs, and why we want to create clothing that represents the dream, build, drive lifestyle.

Mating a 5.3L LS (LM7) to a 4L80E transmission? Learn why a standard flexplate won't clear, how to spot the difference between dished vs. flat flexplates, and the $85 adapter spacer you need to save your transmission pump.

Want to add some race-car style to your classic build? Instead of a standard fuse tap, we show you how to wire up a custom cockpit toggle switch to control an electric fuel pump safely using an automotive relay and circuit breaker setup on our El Camino.

Got a hand-me-down mower that's running rough or leaking gas? Before you throw in the towel and head to the dump, try this $25 quick fix. We take our garage wrenching skills into the yard to show you step-by-step how to completely drop in a replacement carburetor on a Toro Recycler 22" mower.

Last night, the cameras were rolling as we attempted to finally mate our freshly rebuilt 5.3L LS LM7 engine up to the 4L80E transmission and transfer case for the Dodgeball project. Everything was sliding together smoothly until we reached for the ARP torque converter bolts and hit a classic custom-build roadblock. Click through to see the snag that sent us back to the drawing board!