KEN'S GT-R BUILD

This build log is going to be very different from the usual log. Instead of starting at the beginning of a build and working my way through to the end, I am going to start at the end as I have just completed building my RCR GT-R. As I am an amateur builder, my estimated build process of 1 year actually took 5 years from the time I signed the contract to when I completed the project. Along the way, there were some high and low points throughout the build. As you can see from the pictures, the car is painted white with two blue stripes down the center and each stripe is highlighted on each side with red accent stripes. The lower side panels also have blue and red stripes that start at the front lip and extend back to the front edge of the rear wheel opening. The rear deck is hinged and the entire forward hood is built to tilt forward although it still requires two people to open and close as was the intent of the original RCR design. As this build was under a limited budget, I elected to use as much of the RCR furnished hardware as possible and fabricate as many bits and pieces as necessary either by myself or by local shops.
Although I have undoubtedly, and not on purpose, left out a few steps, I hope that this build log may provide some information to those amateur builders who may be considering purchasing a GT-R or similar kit car project and what is involved when a project of this magnitude is taken on. This particular build began with delivery delays mainly brought about by sub vendor delays in which RCR had no control. Some contractual issues arose and some down time was due to waiting for local vendors to order parts or having some items being made on the spot. However, you will find that as an amateur builder you will spend more time sitting down trying to figure out how or where I am going to put this widget and using GT40s.com as a valued resource. This project will consume your life from start to finish. The good thing is that you will learn a lot of technical information on how things are made and gain a lot of appreciation as to what it takes to build a car. Along the way, I am sure you will meet some new friends that share the same interests as you in building your own car. When you are finished, it will be one of the most gratifying things you have ever done and you will take pride in knowing that you have accomplished something that few individuals have done. As you progress through your build try to support your local shops as much as possible before heading off to the Internet and ordering on line.

• Overall Length: 188"

Width: 80"
Height: 43"
Wheelbase: 107"
Wheels: 19"
Tires: Front 275/35-19 Bridgestone Potenza
Weight: ~2,800 lbs.
Weight Distribution: ~ 46% front, 54% rear

• Ground Clearance: 3-5"
• Drivetrain Configuration: Mid-engine rear drive
• Fuel Tank Capacity: 20 gallons total
• Suspension: Billet machined aluminum uprights and control arms
• Chassis Construction: All-aluminum monocoque tubular hybrid, billet machined suspension mounts, fully TIG-welded.
• Body Construction: Fiberglass
• Ford Coyote 5.0L 435HP crate engine
• Porsche 996 G00 6 speed Gearbox
• Infinity Box Electrical System
• Vintage Air Heater/Air Conditioner
• Ram Lift (Front Suspension)
• Pioneer SPH-DA120 Radio (with Apple Car Play)

I have attached a link to four PDF files which may be of interest:

Well, it looks like the link that I added for the "RCR GT-R Build Summary" may be too large for most computers to handle. Therefore, I have split the original document into four parts as follows:

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Hey Ken, congrats on completing your GT-R. I downloaded the build summary and started reading it, your build and the documentation are really well done. Love the idea of putting together an owners manual. Thanks for sharing your experience.

Jkviper said:

Hey Ken, congrats on completing your GT-R. I downloaded the build summary and started reading it, your build and the documentation are really well done. Love the idea of putting together an owners manual. Thanks for sharing your experience.

Click to expand...

Joel
I hope the documation will give you an idea of what it took to build a kit car project.

I love the color combination. Great job!

I enjoyed reading all of your documents Ken! I’ve never heard of anyone putting a 2lb residual valve on the clutch line? Has anyone else done this? Where did you get the idea from Ken?

Did you use the wheel adapters in the front or did you modify the suspension/steering rack as others have done?

Ken, I haven't used a residual valve before, but I have used this Tilton flow control on the clutch. I will be using one in the Lola also when things get underway for that.

Regards Brian

Ken and Brian
As with the brake calipers, the inverted Porsche gearbox slave cylinder lies above the floor mounted master cylinders. Thus a 2 lb residual valve was added. Wilwood Technical Support confirmed that such an installation is not detrimental to the clutch circuit and so far I have not had any problems with the clutch operation.
Regarding the suspension, it is basically a stock RCR setup.

Thanks Ken.

Regards Brian

Your build information is amazing. I joined this to find step by step help and you just volunteered lol. Do you have any videos or closer engine/interior pics? I just want to see the amount of detail you gave it.

I'm planning on printing pictures and info of each section of the build and combining them into binders. I'm handy with videos and pictures but I've NEVER done anything like this so I'm going to spend hours staring at it wondering
1. Wtf did I do
2. Htf am I going to do this
3. Where TF does this part go
4. How long until my wife leaves me for this lol

Matt
I hope the build information will help you in your build. I assume that you are going to build a Ford GT from Race Car Replicas (Superlite Cars) from which this information was based upon. Unfortunately I do not have any videos, only pictures. If you have any specific questions that you would like to ask, please do and I will try to answer them as best I can.