Brian M's SL-C Turnkey Build Thread

Hi all,

I never created a build log thread. I know that 90+% of the build logs are for guys doing the builds in their garage. Hence, why I didn't create a build log. However, even though I am doing a Turnkey build, I am spending days and nights focused on all of the aspects that I am thinking through. Given that most builds take 2+ years, most builders have more time to contemplate about their customizations. However, in a turnkey build you only have a few month window to make the decisions which makes it much more challenging to think through, "decide", purchase and coordinate all of the aspects of the design you have in your head. With that being said, I have chosen to focus on the customization to the interior, body and dash which have kept me incredibly busy.

Note - I also really appreciate all of those who have provided input and measurements the last few months as I have been designing some of the customizations.

With all of that said, here is what I have planned for my car:

A. Build/options list:
Body Style: Race Tail​
Gelcoat Color: Red - Ultimately, the car will be painted a Candy Red with a hint of underlying gold pearl. I am also having some thin Gold stripes on the leading edges (e.g. on the front and rear splitter, side skirts, cockpit window, etc.) Although they will just be accents, they will be pretty bold. Imagine the SLC in a deep candy red with these stripes.​
Koenigsegg Agera RS blue & gold 1.jpg
Engine:
  • LS376 Engine 525HP - Being built here in Florida by Performance Unlimited. I have a whole spec on the performance parts that Steve is using but chose not to list everything here
    • LS7 Exhaust manifold
    • LS3 Corvette Oil pan -12624617
    • Oil Pump Pickups - 12624497
    • Windage Trays - 12558189
    • Holley Sniper EFI Fabricated Intakes 822102-1
Transaxle: TBD​
Transaxle / Engine Adapter Plate: None​
Engine: Fuel System Kit​
LS Front Dress Kit: LS Front Dress Kit​
LS AC Compressor Bracket: LS AC Compressor Bracket​
Rear Wing & Mount: Carbon Fiber - To be mounted up high in Race position (but with the sides winglets similar to the Ferrari P80/C shown below)​
Doors: Automatic / Motorized Door Open and Close (Allan's design & Equipment)​
Mirrors: Door-Mount Style​
Windows: One Piece​
Splitter: Street, Carbon Fiber​
Side Skirts: Carbon Fiber (But I source this myself with the winglets near the rear wheel)​
Fender Vents: I waivered and changed multiple times. Fran and I are looking at just cutting the vents into the existing fender) I want it to look like the Ferrari P80/C​
Windshield: DOT-Approved Glass​
Rear Window Vents: Carbon Fiber​
Inner Fender Panels: Fiberglass​
Wheels: Forgestar CF5V​
Wheel Sizes: 19 x 9.5/10 Front and 20 x 12 Rear​
Wheel Color: Gold​
Wheel Hubs: Five Lug​
Brakes: Brembo OEM​
Brake Caliper Color: Gray - I will have these painted during body work. I am thinking Blue​
Parking Brake: Complete Kit​
Drive: Left Hand​
Shock Absorbers: QA1 Double Adjustable​
Safety Cage: 6-point street (6PS)​
Steering: Race Only, Power Assisted​
Suspension Upgrade: None​
Dashboard: Carbon Fiber Trim​
Driver Seat: Two-Piece Fiberglass​
Passenger Seat: Two-Piece Fiberglass​
Cockpit "Tub" and Panels: Fiberglass​
A Pillar Covers: Fiberglass​
Extended Door Panels: Fiberglass​
Fuel Tank: Standard​
Exhaust: Rear- price TBD​
Cooling Tubes: Custom Welded Stainless​
Front Nose & Rear Clam: custom made hinge​
Front Box Heat Deflector: Fiberglass​

B. Customizations: There are several customization that I have spending A LOT of time on:
  1. Hood Vents - I love the hood and wheel vents on the Ferrari P80/C. So I am going for a look as similar as structurally possible
    Ferrari P80c 4.jpg
  2. Wheel Vents - as noted above, I initially contracted to get the Carbon Fiber wheel vents. Then I saw the wheel vents on the Ferrari P80/C and I JUST couldn't unsee them or forget about them. So Fran and I are looking at just cutting the shape of vents into the existing fender to make them similar to the following
    IMG_3001.jpg
  3. LCD Dash - I have contracted with Tino at LCD displays to make my completely custom 10" LCD dash and the Center Console LCD dash with all of the controls to operate the vehicle. I plan to make the dash and console have a mixture of Tesla and C8 Corvette dash styles. Tino's solution is VERY reasonably priced and has a ton of options. Tino has been great to work with and has done a amazing job on the design and coding the system. It is looking very cool. Here is a just glimpse into the Dash LCD Tach that Tino shared with me today. Note - he is just demonstrating the movement of the needles in the following video.
I am sure that I have missed a lot and there are still some things about the build that are "To Be Disclosed" as the build progresses.
 

Joel K

Supporter
Great ideas Brian, I definitely can relate to having to make all these decisions so quickly. I have changed course on a number of things. The possibilities are endless so focusing in and deciding on each item in a short amount of time can be challenging.

Love that LCD dash demo, very cool.
 
Last edited:
Pretty much every evening, I am laptop out with TV on (often times watching your build videos on YouTube ;)) doing research on various aspects. It's all good and quite fun but also borderline obsessive compulsive too :D
 
Happy Thanksgiving all - I was thinking of buying this R8 Exhaust. The Exhaust canister size: 17" x 8" x 4.5" approx. It appears from other race rail cars that there is more than 9” in height between transaxle and the underside of the rear clam.

Question - can someone confirm how much room do we have on the Racetail between the transaxle and the underside of the rear clam? Is it more than 9-10 inches?

AF588B84-81AE-477A-A3CB-B027B85D7178.jpeg
 
Last edited:
That is a gorgeous exhaust, but it seems like it may not fit under the race tail.

I just measured my R8/Gallardo exhaust clearance and there is ~6.25" between the top of my Graziano Transaxle (aft of the shifter) and the Race Tail.

My Quicksilver muffler is 5.5" tall and there is 0.5" clearance above the transaxle and 0.25" from touching the Race tail.
 
Hmm. I am also doing the rear scoop which may give me the extra room. The other thing that “may” be possible is to lay muffler on its side so that the pipers are on the top. This would also save an inch. Going to call Fran on Monday to see if they can be squeezed in. Fingers crossed
 
Quick Update - on my build.

Engine - My LS3 Engine was completed and I'm super happy with it. As mentioned above, I didn't buy a crate engine...instead I went the route of having a professional engine builder build a completely custom engine using the best components. It cost me an extra $2500 but came with the 2 year warranty by the builder (Steve at Crate Engines | Proformance Unlimted (proformanceunlimited.com) ). Happy to share the dyno video if anyone is interested. (PM me)

Brian LS3_engine capture from Dyno.jpg


Brian LS3_engine capture from Dyno2.jpg


Exhaust - after A LOT of research, I found a CAT back valved titanium exhaust system that was very budget oriented. Here are two pics of it delivered to RCR this week. I also ordered a set of LS7 exhaust headers per Frans advice. To make the Titanium Exhaust system work work, Fran said that he will need to modify the splitter on my race tail.

IMG_3212.JPG
IMG_3213.JPG
LS7 Exhaust manifold.jpg
 
Last edited:

Joel K

Supporter
Hi Brian, just checking in to see how your build is progressing or any other decision points you have come up with.
 
Joel

I am glad that you are thinking about me! I wish I had more to report on build progress. I realized from my post above that it has actually been over 2 months since my engine was delivered to RCR.

1 area of progress is with Tino who is building the digital dash. He sent another update video of the center console
. It is coming along nicely. He still needs to fix the fonts but otherwise looking just like I wanted.

.

Regarding other decisions:
  • I am pretty close to selecting the tail lights. Given the flat nature of the rear Race Tail, I have been trying to finding Stock LED Tail Lights that fit the flat profile. NOT MUCH OUT THERE....Unit I spotted the Mercedes G Wagon. And they kinda look like the Agera tail lights...So here is what I am leaning towards. Note - only the oval part will stick through the body.

G Wagon Tail Light - Blacked out .jpg

  • I am also trying to get the my paint samples sent to me so that I can:
  1. Select the engine paint/brake caliper colors. I want to get he engine painted so that Fran can finish assembly.
  2. Select the body colors. Just eager to get those selected
 

Joel K

Supporter
Brian. Thanks for the update. Glad to hear things are progressing. I like the gauges and tail-lights. Eager to see how it will turn out.
 

Neil

Supporter
"I am pretty close to selecting the tail lights. Given the flat nature of the rear Race Tail, I have been trying to finding Stock LED Tail Lights that fit the flat profile. NOT MUCH OUT THERE....Unit I spotted the Mercedes G Wagon. And they kinda look like the Agera tail lights...So here is what I am leaning towards. Note - only the oval part will stick through the body."

For flat surface lights look in truck/trailer parts suppliers.
 
Hi all

I hope everyone had a relaxing 4th of July week. We spent 2 weeks in Hawaii which has been a blast to finally experience the normalcy again.

Regarding my build. It has been very challenging to see nothing happening for the last 6 months. The engine was delivered in mid Jan and Fran was waiting on the body and paint guy to paint the engine and calipers. After a lot of phone calls and texts from both Fran and l, my engine and brake calipers were finally painted this week and were delivered back to Fran today.

Here are a few pictures. The paint I chose is the 2020 Lexus Sapphire Metallic blue (paint code 44J). Steve did what looks like a great job (I haven’t seen them in person). From these pics he sent me, I think it looks stunning. I’m really hoping that the Sapphire Metallic blue on the brake calipers will pop behind my gold rims and red car. Similarly hoping the Sapphire Metallic blue on the engine and the Gold heat insulation wrap in the engine bay will compliment each other and show well.

B2A8CB78-8E24-450F-9291-DEC2B3FB678B.jpeg

206DCA65-F4E5-45D9-821C-501C72D7116E.jpeg
D78BDE84-51C1-4843-A926-EFF912902F2D.jpeg
 

Joel K

Supporter
Nice update Brian, Glad to see your build is underway. The blue looks great. Reminds me of the C6 ZR1s which had the signature blue calipers.
 
Hello Brian . I used these tail lights on a El Camino and they look amazing.yau can mount them on a flat surface.the tail light is only about an inch thick . possibly stacking two toughter ? It is very inexpensive . Just a thought
 
Thanks for the ideas. Those look a little narrow but I am going to look at that company to see if they have something that could work for what I am trying to accomplish. Really do appreciate it
 
Back
Top