Kurtiss' GT-R

Kurtiss H.

Member
Supporter
It's been awhile since I posted so:
Like others, I changed out the rear wheel studs. Even though I had a little over ½” of thread engagement, and the rule of thumb is to have a thread engagement that is at least as long as the diameter of the stud (12mm), I feel better with the longer studs. I installed ARP studs P/N 100-7708 using a hydraulic press. You’ll need a 36mm socket to remove and tighten the axle nuts to 180 ft.lbs. After installing cotter pins and the wheels, the stud length is perfect. No worries!

A03B7454.jpgA03B7459.jpgA03B7461.jpgA03B7479.jpgA03B7482.jpg
 

Kurtiss H.

Member
Supporter
I had a chance to update the wiring schematics with the following changes:
1. Added door latch actuators and switches. I'm using the parking lights function on the Infinity Box key fob to enable the relays to unlatch the doors.
2. Added a battery cutoff relay to cutoff power to prevent parasitic battery drain (more into to come).
Again, if you have any questions, comments or concerns, please let me know.
 

Attachments

  • GT-R 20200801.pdf
    878.5 KB · Views: 400

Kurtiss H.

Member
Supporter
The original front wheel well forward flair sticks out way to far. Like many others, I cut down the flair, bonded a flat piece of fiberglass and added more fiberglass to the inside. Looks so much better!

A03B1509.jpgA03B7816.jpgA03B7827.jpgA03B7828.jpgA03B7829.jpg
 

Kurtiss H.

Member
Supporter
Front Clip Trunk Cutout
I was skeptic at first but after seeing Rufus’s car and the easy access to the front area, it just made sense to liberate the trunk lid from the front clip. Rufus sent me the templates that H had fabricated for his own car and gave me a set of hinges. I followed the photos he posted and was able to separate the lid with no problems. I still have lots of work to do (install hinges and gas struts).

A03B5530.jpgA03B5547.jpgA03B5551.jpgA03B5555.jpgA03B5557.jpgA03B5559.jpgA03B5560.jpgA03B5561.jpg
 

Kurtiss H.

Member
Supporter
Crazy Californians
I reached a point where I didn’t know what to do next. None of the body panels had been bolted down because I wasn’t sure where to start. I needed to fit the spider, rockers, doors, rear clamshell, front clip, and rear bobtail.

I mentioned my dilemma to H and my desire to have him get me on the right path. He graciously agreed to help a crazy Californian who was willing to drag his car and wife across the country to Buford, Georgia. He also agreed to let me help (he may regret that).

It took 4 days and 165 gallons of diesel to reach the green and beautiful Peach State. We got here last Wednesday afternoon and dropped off the trailer at H Craft Customs before heading to the hotel. I was thrilled to meet H and see his car, Jarod’s car, the Robertson Racing cars and his shop. After I stopped drooling, my wife and I retreated to the nearby Holiday Inn Express for a good night’s sleep.

Well, H and I have been working on the car for 5 full days. H is an animal, a true workaholic who can visualize and build just about anything. I’ve also had the pleasure to meet his wonderful family and spend time with them at the Exotic Car Show at Chateau Elan Winery and Resort on Sunday.
 

Joel K

Supporter
That’s quite a story Kurtiss, many of the fine people you meet along the way is a big part of building one of these cars. Thanks for sharing.
 
Last edited:

Kurtiss H.

Member
Supporter
Day 1 at H Craft Customs,
  • Removed all panels/doors and front clip supports
  • Machined door hinge mount plates to make vertical
  • Cut front of spider – removed lip beyond windshield frame
  • Fab’d fitting/bracket for front of spider
  • Test fitted doors
  • Removed material from rockers
  • Cut door latch post from spider
  • Ordered (for front suspension modification to remove wheel spacer):
    • Rod ends, shims, bushings from McMaster Carr
    • Rod ends from Speedway
    • A03B7945.jpgA03B7952.jpgA03B7956.jpgA03B7985.jpgA03B7990.jpg
 

Kurtiss H.

Member
Supporter
Day 2 (Friday, Sept 25th) with H
  • Installed bracket at front of spider and caulked in place
  • Test fit all panels except bobtail – placed shims at windshield roll bar and on bobtail support structure in prep for spray foam
  • Trimmed and cut rocker panels to fit lower sil
  • Removed front tires
  • Fabrication of door inner trim – lower sil
  • Removed upper A-arms
  • Fab’d and installed 1” thick front shock upper mount stand-off
  • A03B7993.jpgA03B7992.jpgA03B7995.jpg
 

Kurtiss H.

Member
Supporter
Day 3 (Saturday, Sept 26th) with H
  • Fab’d and installed front and aft door entry trim. Weather strip lip around door is complete.
  • Installed new rod ends on lower A-arms
  • Installed new rod ends on upper A-arms
  • Removed wheel spacers from front spindles
  • Trimmed and installed front clip supports
  • Installed doors, front and rear clam shells – excellent fit so far
  • Fab’s and bonded front clip fender supports to inner fenders
  • Installed front clip support wings
  • A03B7996.jpgA03B7998.jpgA03B8004.jpgA03B8011.jpgA03B8247.jpgA03B8243.jpgA03B8245.jpgIMG_2990.jpg
 

Kurtiss H.

Member
Supporter
Day 4 (Monday, Sept 28th) with H
  • Applied Great Stuff Fire Block spray foam to upper firewall/spider interface and spray foam to side spider/rocker interface.
  • Applied Great Stuff spray foam to spider above roll bar on A piller and upper roll bar/ windshield frame.
  • Trimmed wheel well lip on rear clamshell.
  • Set and bonded in strengthening rod between hinge mount plates on rear clamshell
  • Bonded upper wheel wells to rear clamshell.
  • Installed bushing into upper A-arm rod ends and finished install of upper A-arm.
  • Trimmed bobtail to match support structure.
  • A03B8250.jpgA03B8266.jpgA03B8252.jpgA03B8255.jpgA03B8257.jpgA03B8261.jpgA03B8262.jpgA03B8264.jpgA03B8268.jpg
 

Kurtiss H.

Member
Supporter
Day 5 (Tuesday, Sept 29th) with "Super H"
  • Installed hinges on bobtail support structure.
  • Trimmed and fit checked hinged rear clamshell – excellent fit.
  • Located door strikers – will fabricate striker support structure.
  • Applied fiberglass to rear clamshell support rod between hinge mounts, fiber glassed around rear wheel well.
  • Applied fiberglass to front clip inner fender supports.
  • Mounted/bolted the front clip to the rocker panel.
  • Trimmed lower front clip and install rivnuts in prep for bolting to upper clip.
I forgot (very busy) to take photos...

Note: The car is really taking shape. I'm amazed and very excited at the work we've been able to complete.
 
Kurtiss please tell H I said hello, and keep taking pictures this is very informative for me and I am sure others. Kurtiss could you let us know what the parts numbers are for the new front suspension rod ends and McMaster Carr materials.
 
What a awesome experience you must be having to be surrounded by all those cars and having H and his knowledge help guide you. I was hoping to drive down SoCal to visit in October and see your progress on your car, but now that I know what your up to I'll wait until your back in California. I still do not have a project car, but am leaning towards the GT-R. I like the look and history behind it. However, I'm not sure I have the skills for a quality build, so have not made the plunge yet.
 
Back
Top