Greetings SuperLite owners, enthusiast, and dreamers!
I have starting contemplating purchasing a kit. I have read Kens build several times. I have also read Fling build and a few others. I will continue to read the build threads prior to purchasing. So please forgive me if I start asking questions. I am trying to read everything prior to posting a question or idea. I wish this in the clubhouse sub-section for build threads only. It would make it a lot easier for me to read them all however, I am the outsider.
I have also been reading the unlocked material in the Wiki section. This along with talking with Fran via email has encouraged me to consider this over other vehicle options. I am surprised no one has produced a time-lapse build video yet or one that I have found yet.
I have some ideas for my “build”. This build will not be a fast build I want a production feel to the car. I want a reasonable fast car that is very reliable. One that my wife, or another person I trust can hope in and go. So I am going to purchase a C6 Corvette Z06 “donor”. Hopefully this will add hours to the build and not hours later trying to fix something. Much like Kens build I will be grafting the wiring harness over. I want to take advantage of all the sensors, electronics, and such. I will be sourcing many items as I can from this donor. What I do not need will be sold off. As my name implies I will want to use this car on the streets roads and the occasional light track events. The following is the list so far in my head on top of the basic build. (Ken I am taking a few of your ideas too). I want everything I can to be a production piece that I will not hunt for too hard hopefully.
Production Car level feel
C6 instrument cluster
Cruise control
TPS
Auto headlights
C6 computer units (ECU & BCM)
Z06 Wheels
Good interior lighting
Dry sump
Front and rear reflectors similar to Kens
Side repeaters
High mounted third Brake light
C6 steering column (Kens idea)
Modified door hinges (this will be discussed later)
LS7 engine (for now upgrade later?)
Gear Box: Graz from the Audi V10
One Gent’s seat, one Standard
Splice connections for pigtails from Metra Turbokit (wire) not engines
Sound proofing from Metra Ballistic brand
Custom paint
I am younger than most builders from what I can tell. I am still working full time and have 2 children. Hints why I say this will take longer. I was an aircraft mechanic for 15 years. During that time I also assisted building several experimental aircraft that met or exceeded production level quality. I plan on going with street tail as of now. Though that is up for debate still.
I am debating if I should the interior tub (fiberglass) and the fender well returns. These are not must haves because I may want to take a different approach there.
I am comfortable with composites, while I may not tig weld I have a good understanding of metalworking and fabrication. If need be I will cleco the parts together for welding. Cardboard is our friend
Many of you mention other people’s builds or thoughts in your threads. I am going to try to make an effort to hyperlink to those areas that I am referencing. Hopefully this will help out later. I will also try to link to any websites outside as well.
The Dash will have to be modified to take the Corvette’s instrument cluster and other items. I may intrude in to the passenger area some so I can have a slight angle to the dash to make it more driver focused. Like the 1992-1996 Corvette or the 1994 and later supras.
Door stuff two piece windows or one piece? I am interested to see the two piece windows and how people have made them open. I am also interested in changed the hinge assembly to an aircraft system like that from the Cirrus SR20/SR22
Race or street tail? I live in Florida I have to worry about blue hairs not seeing the car. Hints why I want a high mounted third brake light. I worry that the blue hairs might hit it in the parking lot of the grocery store.
I like Ken’s small window in the firewall. I may try to incorporate this but that will be after I get the kit. I plan on running the stock headlights like Ken. The other lights that I have considered are from of all things a Volvo Truck.
I have a lot of pre planning still to do. I will use this post to do that planning and if I buy the kit this will be my build thread as well.
I will most likely edit this post to flow better later.
I have starting contemplating purchasing a kit. I have read Kens build several times. I have also read Fling build and a few others. I will continue to read the build threads prior to purchasing. So please forgive me if I start asking questions. I am trying to read everything prior to posting a question or idea. I wish this in the clubhouse sub-section for build threads only. It would make it a lot easier for me to read them all however, I am the outsider.
I have also been reading the unlocked material in the Wiki section. This along with talking with Fran via email has encouraged me to consider this over other vehicle options. I am surprised no one has produced a time-lapse build video yet or one that I have found yet.
I have some ideas for my “build”. This build will not be a fast build I want a production feel to the car. I want a reasonable fast car that is very reliable. One that my wife, or another person I trust can hope in and go. So I am going to purchase a C6 Corvette Z06 “donor”. Hopefully this will add hours to the build and not hours later trying to fix something. Much like Kens build I will be grafting the wiring harness over. I want to take advantage of all the sensors, electronics, and such. I will be sourcing many items as I can from this donor. What I do not need will be sold off. As my name implies I will want to use this car on the streets roads and the occasional light track events. The following is the list so far in my head on top of the basic build. (Ken I am taking a few of your ideas too). I want everything I can to be a production piece that I will not hunt for too hard hopefully.
Production Car level feel
C6 instrument cluster
Cruise control
TPS
Auto headlights
C6 computer units (ECU & BCM)
Z06 Wheels
Good interior lighting
Dry sump
Front and rear reflectors similar to Kens
Side repeaters
High mounted third Brake light
C6 steering column (Kens idea)
Modified door hinges (this will be discussed later)
LS7 engine (for now upgrade later?)
Gear Box: Graz from the Audi V10
One Gent’s seat, one Standard
Splice connections for pigtails from Metra Turbokit (wire) not engines
Sound proofing from Metra Ballistic brand
Custom paint
I am younger than most builders from what I can tell. I am still working full time and have 2 children. Hints why I say this will take longer. I was an aircraft mechanic for 15 years. During that time I also assisted building several experimental aircraft that met or exceeded production level quality. I plan on going with street tail as of now. Though that is up for debate still.
I am debating if I should the interior tub (fiberglass) and the fender well returns. These are not must haves because I may want to take a different approach there.
I am comfortable with composites, while I may not tig weld I have a good understanding of metalworking and fabrication. If need be I will cleco the parts together for welding. Cardboard is our friend
Many of you mention other people’s builds or thoughts in your threads. I am going to try to make an effort to hyperlink to those areas that I am referencing. Hopefully this will help out later. I will also try to link to any websites outside as well.
The Dash will have to be modified to take the Corvette’s instrument cluster and other items. I may intrude in to the passenger area some so I can have a slight angle to the dash to make it more driver focused. Like the 1992-1996 Corvette or the 1994 and later supras.
Door stuff two piece windows or one piece? I am interested to see the two piece windows and how people have made them open. I am also interested in changed the hinge assembly to an aircraft system like that from the Cirrus SR20/SR22
Race or street tail? I live in Florida I have to worry about blue hairs not seeing the car. Hints why I want a high mounted third brake light. I worry that the blue hairs might hit it in the parking lot of the grocery store.
I like Ken’s small window in the firewall. I may try to incorporate this but that will be after I get the kit. I plan on running the stock headlights like Ken. The other lights that I have considered are from of all things a Volvo Truck.
I have a lot of pre planning still to do. I will use this post to do that planning and if I buy the kit this will be my build thread as well.
I will most likely edit this post to flow better later.