Steve's GT-R Build Thread

Steven Lobel

Supporter
Figuring out gel coat and fiberglass. Got West 105 / 206 / 404. Got sanding blocks and lots of different grits. Knocking down seams, scuffing, bonding, etc. Also test run on my trailer loading. With incline on my driveway I needed 3 foot boards to clear the nose. Not bad.

Before getting too close to paint and installing windows and windshield, I want to run it for a few sessions at the track to make sure nothing major has to come apart right away.

Dyno for road tune drivability next week, then back to H for a corner balance.

Kwik-load has 2" on each side. I picked up a 5000lb ATV winch and mounted it, just going to get Anderson plugs for quick disconnect. The car is hard to drive slow and visibility is terrible for parking. Lots of getting used to.



2020-05-31 16.36.21.jpg


2020-05-31 16.36.14.jpg



2020-05-31 16.34.16.jpg


2020-05-31 16.34.06.jpg



2020-05-31 16.33.57.jpg


2020-05-31 16.33.51.jpg
 

Neil

Supporter
Steve, a wind screen across the front of your trailer will keep rocks, dirt and rainwater from damaging the nose of your car. A tow vehicle will kick up a lot of stuff from its rear tires.
 

Bill Kearley

Supporter
Add a rock shit/shield for sure. How much front end, load on the ball, do you have with the car loaded front first. Should be a min. of 10% but less than 15% of trailer.
 

Neil

Supporter
I agree with Bill about the trailer tongue weight. Loading a mid-engine car "backwards" makes the trailer more stable when towing. Here is how I used to load my car and how I now load it on my Jimglo tilt trailer.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20180912_154115040.jpg
    IMG_20180912_154115040.jpg
    429.2 KB · Views: 528
  • IMG_20190911_062709964_HDR.jpg
    IMG_20190911_062709964_HDR.jpg
    518.4 KB · Views: 517

Steven Lobel

Supporter
Got it to the dyno and back no problem. Will get an air dam panel before going to paint. Need a corner balance and suspension setup before a few months cruising and then I can finish trim and do the body. Ordering VIN tags, awaiting replacement MSO from Fran (didn't come in car on delivery), and got lots of little things to make it easier when it is paint time. Mesh in garage to be installed/test fit. New shift knob from Twistedshifterz under $40 delivered.

 

Steven Lobel

Supporter
Updates:

Car at H-Craft for quick corner balance. Cleaning garage, deciding on paint vs wrap. Got MSO from Fran and getting ready for inspection/paperwork to get tags. Exciting to drive on street legally. Insurance through Hagerty.
 
Last edited:

Jared V

Supporter
View attachment 107777
Back from H-Craft after corner balance. Car is fat at 3090 before glass, weather stripping, and driver. I had LED signals taped on to be installed later. He knew not to trust me so he made a perfect cutout for frenching them in.
I think my car will be REALLY fat! I am hoping for 3400 lbs. Based on your weight I may be fortunate to hit that number. H seems to think we will get close. I don't want it to weigh more than my Viper. Good work on your car.
 
I'm amazed at 3090.. plus glass - seems a lot more than what I'd expect. I was thinking these were more like 2600. I believe my GTD40 was ~2450.
 

Steven Lobel

Supporter
Interior is momo start seats, harnesses. Factory shifter, dash, cage. Nothing else. Minimal heat shielding and no sound deadening.
 

Jared V

Supporter
I'm amazed at 3090.. plus glass - seems a lot more than what I'd expect. I was thinking these were more like 2600. I believe my GTD40 was ~2450.
Sorry about the hijack. I recall H’s GT-R being about 3200lbs. My car has an entire interior fabbed from aluminum and lots of sound deadener material. Complete audio system. The LT4 gen 4 is heavier then Steve’s LS. It takes lots of additional parts to make a finished street car. H had told me the original GT was all of 3500lbs. And I assume that’s an actual weight. I would like to know what Ron’s car weighs as a pure track car as a reference.
 
Last edited:

Ron McCall

Supporter
Sorry about the hijack. I recall H’s GT-R being about 3200lbs. My car has an entire interior fabbed from aluminum and lots of sound deadener material. Complete audio system. The LT4 gen 4 is heavier then Steve’s LS. It takes lots of additional parts to make a finished street car. H had told me the original GT was all of 3500lbs. And I assume that’s an actual weight. I would like to know what Ron’s car weighs as a pure track car as a reference.
My car is 2960#.
Ron
 

Steven Lobel

Supporter
Bumps in the road. Developed leak in coolant hose from water pump to bypass valve and possibly bypass valve. Remounted/replaced. Dexcool does not taste sweet at all (orange), but does not sting the eyes as much as I thought. At least I let it cool some before replacing the hose.
Now just have to add more mix and bleed out the air. Again. And again. I put a bleed screw in return hose on top near the the water pump. About same as running line from radiator.
 

Steven Lobel

Supporter
Soooooo.

It was not the hose, but the press in fitting.
Plan:
Remove belt, pulleys, and take out water pump.
Remove press fittings and do NPT tap with hose barb ends.
1/2x14NPT and 3/8x18NPT taps
Edelbrock 8183 and 8187 fittings.

Oh the joy. Very weird place to fail. Better now than on the track.
 
Back
Top