Hedrick Speedsports; GT40 Active Power Cars build

[Ben Hedrick]

Ok folks. Here is the “start” of my GT40 build log. I am starting with an Active Power Cars, Chris Ardern chassis and it is the +4” stretch. I did have a lot of the body work done with Chris, prior to it being shipped to me in Florida, hence why it looks more complete than others from Chris. I am in Ormond Beach, FL which is just North of Daytona Beach. My background is motorsports and I’m an X-boat racer (Offshore Powerboats) and a SCCA road racer, mostly Spec Miata’s, Mustang T2’s and Mazda RX7 Endurance cars, as well as WKA Shifter Karts. We are building this car more as a “resto-mod” GT40 that I will track some and go get coffee in (really fast trips) and it will be powered by a 351W (EFI) & 997 Transaxle. I’m a huge Gulf livery fan, but I don’t expect it to be a traditional Gulf livery car, maybe. Some details: Superformance GT40 seats, Speedhut gauges, Sabelt harness’, custom widen Halibrand-Style pin-drive wheels, tires are front: 275/40ZR-17 & rear: 335/35ZR-17.

So, these are the basics of my build and here are a few pics that I “hope” you all will dig. And I’ll update as I can, but I’m subcontracting some work by others, so photos may be slow coming.

Cheers, Ben

 

[Ben Hedrick]

Engine pics: 351W, Speedmaster EFI downdraft system (subject to change), GT40 heads and a few other fun parts inside.

 

[Brian]

Seeing yours with all of the body parts nicely lined up and a single consistent color, I truly believe the +4 looks better than the original.

 

[Ben Hedrick]

Seeing yours with all of the body parts nicely lined up and a single consistent color, I truly believe the +4 looks better than the original.

Brian, you know you aren’t the 1st to mention that. And I too LOVE the original GT40’s but, I agree that this little bit longer GT40, makes the GT40 look just a little faster and a little meaner/leaner…

Ben

 

[Phil G]

Ben
My AP was delivered today. Does your car in the photo have the optional 2" flares?
Thanks

 

[Ben Hedrick]

Ben
My AP was delivered today. Does your car in the photo have the optional 2" flares?
Thanks

Phil, if you are referring to the “Gulf” Widebody flares, yes it does. Maybe this photo shows them a little better.

Ben

 

[joe]

You saved yourself a lot of headaches by having Chris's shop start the bodywork...ask me how I know.

 

[Ben Hedrick]

You saved yourself a lot of headaches by having Chris's shop start the bodywork...ask me how I know.

Yes, I think so too. I am NOT a body guy and I knew that effort would heavily delay my build. It added months to the project leaving it at Chris’s but I agree the effort paid off.

Ben

 

[Jimmydolen]

Hi does anybody know how the active powers gt40 ride quality is thanks

 

[Matt S]

The body fitment looks fantastic.

Would you mind me asking how much extra $$ this additional body prep cost from AP?

 

[Andres Garcia]

Looks amazing; please keep posting updates!

 

[Bart Perlman]

Just curious, but the air stacks look very tall. Have you check for clearance with the rear clip?

 

[Mark Winton]

Ok folks. Here is the “start” of my GT40 build log. I am starting with an Active Power Cars, Chris Ardern chassis and it is the +4” stretch. I did have a lot of the body work done with Chris, prior to it being shipped to me in Florida, hence why it looks more complete than others from Chris. I am in Ormond Beach, FL which is just North of Daytona Beach. My background is motorsports and I’m an X-boat racer (Offshore Powerboats) and a SCCA road racer, mostly Spec Miata’s, Mustang T2’s and Mazda RX7 Endurance cars, as well as WKA Shifter Karts. We are building this car more as a “resto-mod” GT40 that I will track some and go get coffee in (really fast trips) and it will be powered by a 351W (EFI) & 997 Transaxle. I’m a huge Gulf livery fan, but I don’t expect it to be a traditional Gulf livery car, maybe. Some details: Superformance GT40 seats, Speedhut gauges, Sabelt harness’, custom widen Halibrand-Style pin-drive wheels, tires are front: 275/40ZR-17 & rear: 335/35ZR-17.

So, these are the basics of my build and here are a few pics that I “hope” you all will dig. And I’ll update as I can, but I’m subcontracting some work by others, so photos may be slow coming.

Cheers, Ben

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Hi Ben .. nice build .. your Gear Selector captured my interest ... I would be interested in where you sourced it and how you have found it so far ... Thanks Mark

 

[Brian]

EK EG K-Series Swap Billet Race Spec Shifter Box for RSX Type-S Civic Integra | eBay

For 89-00 Civic and 94-01 Integra EF, EG, EK, DC2. (may not fit RSX Boot/Console at all). Also for K-swapped EF, EG, EK, DC2 as below No Modification need for RSX application, you can still keep center console cover on.

www.ebay.com

Trim the sides and run it backwards, cables facing the rear.

 

[Ben Hedrick]

Hi Ben .. nice build .. your Gear Selector captured my interest ... I would be interested in where you sourced it and how you have found it so far ... Thanks Mark

Mark,
My shifter came from Active. I'm sure they can source you one too. Contact them.

Ben

 

[Ben Hedrick]

Just curious, but the air stacks look very tall. Have you check for clearance with the rear clip?

DB, no we have not checked the stack clearance yet. And yes, we too are curious if they clear. We have changed to a Jim Inglese Weber IDA setup now, so a little shorter.

Cheers, Ben

 

[Ben Hedrick]

So here are some updated photos of our 351/w stroker 410CID with Jim Inglese Weber stacks! Here we have our AC and Alternator setup installed. If NOTHING else, this engine looks Gooooooooood.... We currently have running this Canton oil pan but we think it might be too deep and we'll need to go with something different.

 

[Matt S]

Ben,

The body fitment looks fantastic.

Would you mind me asking how much extra $$ this additional body prep cost from AP?

This seems like a much better starting point for a project than some of the less prepped AP build on here (bodywork scares me a lot more than the mechanical work).
Plus, I have a suspicion that when you order your car like this from them, they probably use the best fitting / least warped body pieces to start with, so its less work for them to deliver this. Meanwhile, the guy who orders a more bare bones kit gets the warped panels... (just a suspicion)

This build is almost exactly what I would want to do:
long wheelbase MK1, 351 motor with fuel injection, etc.

Good luck. Looking forward to updates.

 

[Ben Hedrick]

Ben,

The body fitment looks fantastic.

Would you mind me asking how much extra $$ this additional body prep cost from AP?

This seems like a much better starting point for a project than some of the less prepped AP build on here (bodywork scares me a lot more than the mechanical work).
Plus, I have a suspicion that when you order your car like this from them, they probably use the best fitting / least warped body pieces to start with, so its less work for them to deliver this. Meanwhile, the guy who orders a more bare bones kit gets the warped panels... (just a suspicion)

This build is almost exactly what I would want to do:
long wheelbase MK1, 351 motor with fuel injection, etc.

Good luck. Looking forward to updates.

Matt,
I'm not sure I can accurately answer your question but, A. I didn't track the extra cost that AP charged me for the bodywork (sorry) and B. No special body part were chosen I know, because my car was already assembled when I bought it and I sent it back to AP for the body work prep. Frank who was AP's body guy at the time, did all of the work for me but since AP has been sold and moved, so I doubt Frank is still doing any of their bodywork.
I haven't seen many AP cars in person, but several people that are WAY more familiar with AP's GT40's and other GT40's, tell me that my bodywork has been done VERY WELL!!! I know that doesn't answer your question or help you much but Todd, the new owner of AP is GREAT to work with, so I'd recommend calling Todd about his GT40 cars now and their bodywork.

And thanks for the Kudos!! My 351w (stroked 410) is coming out well, but IDA Webers now, no EFI.

Take care, Ben