Joining the Family

After much research, meeting Fran and touring Race Car Replica's last November, purchasing an engine and trans, followed by more research & consideration I pulled the trigger today and made an appointment for next week to order my SL-C. Delivery timing should work out perfect with the completion of the 1966 GTO convertible I am currently restoring for the DW. I purchased this for her 3 1/2 years ago as a 25th wedding anniversary present. Been working on it since. It was a rear engine car when I bought it (engine was in boxes in the trunk!) and needed a lot of TLC. The SL-C will seem easy (or at least different) after all the sheetmetal work I have done on this car. It has undergone a complete, body off the frame restoration.

I will be building my SL-C to be street driven, shown at car shows, autocrossed, and run at some track days possibly in the future. I am building a street tail and currently cannot decide on red with white stripes or yellow with black stripes (like my 69 Camaro SS). Engine of choice is a GM LH6 (yes a 5.3 truck engine, this is a "budget" build) that I have already built up with a new cam, supporting equipment, etc. to produce 450 HP and 225 ft. lb. of torque. This will be connected to a G96-01 with limited slip that I have also already purchased. If I find I need more power in the future the 5.3 will be perfect for a twin turbo addition (but I doubt I will need it).

My order from Fran includes:
Street Tail
Low mount mirrors
CF5V black wheels
white get coat (will paint after getting it on the road for at least one season)
Gentleman's seat (I am 6'2" and a hefty 265 lbs, I have already test fit myself into an SL-C at the factory and the seat works well for my proportions)
Fiberglass Interior Tub
Fiberglass a-pillar covers
Fiberglass inner door panels
Front box heat deflector

All other items are "standard" from the kit

I am a mechanical engineer by trade and have already developed a build plan, Microsoft Project schedule for the build, and have designed a few parts/options I will be adding including my own design of a pneumatic lift for the front springs similar to the hydraulic lift only more compact (it will only add 5/8 to 3/4" to the installed spring height in the front shocks). I have already read thru most all of the posts on this forum and want to send out a huge "Thank You" to everyone who has shared so much information on this board. It has already helped me out immensely and I am certain I will continue to use it throughout my build.

Not sure if I will do a build thread yet as I am not much of a writer. If I do it will be more of a picture log than anything.
 
Congratulation! I am finding my build process has been totally rewarding and I hope yours goes as well. One word of advice, It seems you put the rear mounted engine from the GTO in the front. This is not advisable with the SLC. LOL
 
welcome!
sounds like you are starting with a pretty good plan. my only comment is the slc isnt a great autocross car, unless maybe you can improve the turning radius and get a power rack.

good luck and keep us posted.
 
welcome!
sounds like you are starting with a pretty good plan. my only comment is the slc isnt a great autocross car, unless maybe you can improve the turning radius and get a power rack.

good luck and keep us posted.

John,

If the SL-C is not a great autocross car it will be perfect for me, I am not a great autocross driver!!

On a more serious note, I am not looking to be competetive, just have some fun. That is my main purpose in building this car, to have fun. Between the build process (being an engineer I am a complete gearhead), driving it, and showing it off I am sure I will have a blast.
 
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Congratulation! I am finding my build process has been totally rewarding and I hope yours goes as well. One word of advice, It seems you put the rear mounted engine from the GTO in the front. This is not advisable with the SLC. LOL
Rich,

The motor did not run very well when it was in the rear. It is in much better shape now that it is up front.
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Brings back fond memories. I redid an Impala SS back in the day. It was stolen and then life kids and a house remodel got in the way. The SLC is my first real car build since then ( did a lot of bikes but that’s not the same).
 
Well it is now official, I have a folder on Vicki's desk!!!

I brought the adapter plate, flywheel, and clutch home with me to mate my G96-01 up to my LH6 engine. A build log will be started once I begin that process! Let the fun begin, Woot, Woot!!!!!!!!!
 

Stephan E.

Supporter
Welcome to the Clubhouse,

I am glad to see that there is another fellow also into classics. I am looking forward to follow your SLC build.
 
Congrats Kurt! What options did you order?

Street Tail
electric mirrors (Fran showed me these today and changed my mind)
CF5V gloss black 19" wheels
white get coat (will paint after getting it on the road for at least one season, either yellow with black stripes to match my 69 Camaro or Red (my favorite color) with white stripes)
One piece windows
Gentleman's seat
Fiberglass Interior Tub
Fiberglass a-pillar covers
Fiberglass inner door panels
Front box heat deflector
LS to Porsche G96-01 adapter and flywheel

I will be installing a Stanceparts pneumatic lift on the nose
I will be installing electric parking brake calipers off of a Tesla in the rear (design stolen from Howards build)
I have already built up a LH6 engine that was pulled from a 2009 Saab SUV with lots of performance goodies. It will be putting out about 450HP at the flywheel and about 420 ft lbs of torque. If I find that is not enough I will add turbo(s) at a later date (I doubt I will need to).

I will be following Bill (Rumble's) plan of getting it on the road first, debugging all systems, enjoy it for a while, and then making it pretty.
 
Welcome to the Clubhouse,

I am glad to see that there is another fellow also into classics. I am looking forward to follow your SLC build.

Not a very good picture but it is all I have of the two girls before I tore the Pontiac completely apart to do the full body off frame restoration I am currently wrapping up.

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The heart of the beast is ready! I will post a build log this summer once I pickup my kit, finish the GTO, and start my build in earnest.

I was completely amazed by how easily the the adapter plate, flywheel, and clutch spec'ed out by Fran mated my GM LH6 to the Porsche G96-01 transaxle. I expected to fight getting the input shaft into the clutch for at least a half hour like most Muncie 4 speeds I've put together but it only took about 5 minutes. I spent more time double checking everything than assembling it because I was sure I messed it up with how simple it was.

Fabulous Engineering Fran!!! Job well done!! Now I really cannot wait to start on my kit!

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GTO just needs the interior and convertible top installed to be complete. My shop is cleaned out ready for my SL-C!!

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Ready when you are Fran!
 
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