Superlite GTA

[Greg Wolfe]

California vehicle code: "28051. It is unlawful for any person to disconnect, turn back, or reset the odometer of any motor vehicle with the intent to alter the number of miles indicated on the odometer gauge."

So, it's illegal. However as a practical matter the DMV provides a number of mechanisms for declaring the set back has occurred due to repair, etc., so as a practical matter you can probably get away with it as long as you don't hide it. Or put a piece of black tape over it and it won't bother you.

I would NEVER do a roll-back to hide something. I was basically referring to registering as a new build and the chassis, engine, etc. would in essence be "new". Thanks for your input though. :thumbsup:

Mr. Wolfe

 

[Greg Wolfe]

Or have some fun with it and run a completely different cluster . This was one from an S2000 that I retrofit into my gsx years ago.

Care to elaborate and provide links on this cluster? Looks interesting.

Mr. Wolfe

 

[Greg Wolfe]

The primary use of the cabinis to create an oem environment for the builder.if, in your state you can use the original title then all well and good but if not then you can use the the mao and bill of sale that we include with all our kits.
The choice is yours...the car will be the superlite apex regardless of what you choose to title it as.
Just like an ffr cobra that uses ALL. The donor parts from a mustang is an ffr roadster

Which is exciting. Obviously an OEM-like interior is a ton of R&D and makes sense to use an already mapped out interior. Actually, a pretty decent looking one at that.

Mr. Wolfe

 

[Henry]

With the affordable price of this kit you can afford to strip the interior and design it however you want. The existing panels can easily be modified so you can still mount it up all the same. I don't thing anyone wants leave the interior as is. If I were doing this build before the SLC I would definantly redesign the dash/center console at a min. I agree with the aftermarket cluster as well. Looks better and takes care of the odometer worries.

 

[Greg Wolfe]

With the affordable price of this kit you can afford to strip the interior and design it however you want. The existing panels can easily be modified so you can still mount it up all the same. I don't thing anyone wants leave the interior as is. If I were doing this build before the SLC I would definantly redesign the dash/center console at a min. I agree with the aftermarket cluster as well. Looks better and takes care of the odometer worries.

Though I will most likely do a decent amount of work to the interior, I think the overall design of the dash and console are pleasing. I may change the materials to leather and alcantara, but I like the design. What I don't like is it seems the passenger airbag cover is always lifting up in these cars. Is there something to that or have these cars been in wrecks? Is this a sign?

Mr. Wolfe

 

[Dave]

Remove the airbag, make a mold of the cover, replicate it in fg and and turn iy into a door for an upper glove box or an access cover for electronics etc.

 

[patdown]

Will the airbags still be functional after the conversion?

 

[Doug S.]

Will the airbags still be functional after the conversion?

Good question...the area where the sensors are located is replaced by the new front and rear subframe assemblies. I suppose it could be engineered in, Fran is quite inventive, as we've seen time and time again.

What I wonder about is how eliminating the airbag function might effect whatever initial, annual, or periodic inspections might be needed...especially if it continues to be titled as an Eclipse.

I can also see resale issues...who's gonna finance the cost for a GTA, a bank thinks it is a 1999 or prior Eclipse and IIRC loans for cars over ten years old are more scarce than our beloved unobtanium.

...not that I think those of us who are drooling over this opportunity are going to base our decisions on resale issues or airbags....but She who MUST be Obeyed might....:furious:

Cheers!!

Doug

 

[Fran Hall RCR]

Chaps...no airbags.....they will not be functional or part of our package....

I do not recommend anyone tries to make them functional as the dynamics of the car will be completely different and the sensors will not function even close to the right way.
As I replied to Mr Wolfe in an earlier email...

If customers step away from the OEM engine from their donor car , its not something we can obviously support......too many variables.

The whole plan is to use the engine/ECU package that comes stock in the donor car of choice....this is what will simplify the whole process....usig the OEM wiring harness and ECU.

I read with amusement the requests for X, Y, Z engine options.....they are all valid in the eye of the posters...and if they have the technical where with all to install and wire everything to be seamless then great.....but thats not the idea with the APEX....a off the shelf piggy back ECU controller and a larger set of bolt on accessories(turbo, injectors etc ) will give great performance with 350-400hp and a car that weighs 2400lbs

 

[Doug S.]

If customers step away from the OEM engine from their donor car , its not something we can obviously support......too many variables.

The whole plan is to use the engine/ECU package that comes stock in the donor car of choice....this is what will simplify the whole process....usig the OEM wiring harness and ECU.

Fran, if I missed it elsewhere, I apologize...I have been following this thread and have been wondering if you had any intention of allowing use of the Mitsu V-6 from the 2000-on edition? I have no idea if it is possible...perhaps the V-6 and the 4-cylinder engines are totally different, perhaps the V-6 might just bolt right up to a 4-cylinder transaxle with no durability issues....perhaps the 4 is the ONLY engine/transaxle assembly your parts will accept.

Just thought there might be more of us displacement junkies out there...my Honda Accord V-TEC V-6 is a fantastic little engine right off the showroom and would need little additional power to make a great engine for this project, but I'm trying to figure out how to stay all Mistu here...kicking my own arse for having let my daughter sell her very nice '99 Eclipse GS 25th Anniversery Special Edition for $1300 when she bought a 2007 Civic...who knew there would be such a great use for it down the road 5 years later?

Is the V-6 supportable in any of your versions?

Cheers!

Doug

 

[patdown]

With no airbags, they can be carefully removed and sold. Then a nice steering wheel installed and the dash mod'd to cover the air bag panel.

 

[Doug S.]

With no airbags, they can be carefully removed and sold. Then a nice steering wheel installed and the dash mod'd to cover the air bag panel.

I still worry about modification issues with the airbags if the resulting vehicle would be titled as an Eclipse...there have been stranger issues arise regarding modifications (I remember many cities establishing minimum headlight heights when slamming cars was all the rage) that have stood in the way of registration, transfer of title, and other legalities.

Maybe it is all water that has been tread before...the Factory Five roadster...is it still titled as a Mustang after it is built if the original Ford parts are used?

I remember when the Kelmark and Karma Dino replicas could be continued on the VW registration if the pan were used, that sort of thing...but they had way less in the way of regs back in those days, too.

Has anyone heard of a modern, bells'n'whistles car like the Eclipse version we're talking about being used as a donor vehicle, and if so how was the resulting vehicle registered.

Might it be better to register these as a specialty built car rather than the original Eclipse to avoid all the issues re:liability if the car were sold to an unsuspecting individual and they...well, you know what I mean...:thumbsdown: ??

Cheers!

Doug

 

[TimB]

Maybe it is all water that has been tread before...the Factory Five roadster...is it still titled as a Mustang after it is built if the original Ford parts are used?

No it isn't.

 

[patdown]

Airbags are not part on the annual inspection criteria in Texas. Google search reveals that insurability might be the greater concern.

 

[AdrianBurton]

I still worry about modification issues with the airbags if the resulting vehicle would be titled as an Eclipse...there have been stranger issues arise regarding modifications (I remember many cities establishing minimum headlight heights when slamming cars was all the rage) that have stood in the way of registration, transfer of title, and other legalities.

Maybe it is all water that has been tread before...the Factory Five roadster...is it still titled as a Mustang after it is built if the original Ford parts are used?

I remember when the Kelmark and Karma Dino replicas could be continued on the VW registration if the pan were used, that sort of thing...but they had way less in the way of regs back in those days, too.

Has anyone heard of a modern, bells'n'whistles car like the Eclipse version we're talking about being used as a donor vehicle, and if so how was the resulting vehicle registered.

Might it be better to register these as a specialty built car rather than the original Eclipse to avoid all the issues re:liability if the car were sold to an unsuspecting individual and they...well, you know what I mean...:thumbsdown: ??

Cheers!

Doug

Registration is up to the builder, most who hold on to the donor vehicle VIN do so because titling and insurance are cheaper and easier, but you can have issues with your insurance because they can coma back and say that you have insured an eclipse and pay accordingly.

You should be able to have your vehicle certified by the highway patrol/ DMV and get a new VIN as a specialty constructed vehicle you have to keep the receipts for all major components to prove you dont have stolen parts, for most states

 

[Brad R.]

If customers step away from the OEM engine from their donor car , its not something we can obviously support......too many variables.

I read with amusement the requests for X, Y, Z engine options.....they are all valid in the eye of the posters...

Akin to the SL-Razor, will the Apex have a complete Electric varient support?

 

[Fran Hall RCR]

Not from the factory...but someone could certainly do it...there is plenty of space for batteries

 

[Paul Osborn]

The GTA seems, to me, to be a simple concept:
1) Take a donor car,
2) Cut the fore and aft off,
3) Attach quality suspension fore and aft,
4) Reuse passenger cabin, motor, etc. to minimize required fabrication effort, time and money, and...
5) Voila: a new concept for a previously unserved customer cohort! :idea:

This concept/product is not designed to satisfy someone keen on multiple fabrication upgrades. :shocked:

Again, that's what it seems to me.

Fran: correct me if I'm wrong. :uneasy:

 

[Fran Hall RCR]

Nail....Head.....Hit......Repeat

 

[Jim]

Ok Fran... any more teaser pics or info? The SL-C is my first choice but my pocket book may dictate otherwise. I've been saving for the SL-C project but have 50% to go.... What I've got gets me into the GTA now :idea:. Decisions, Decisions. :thumbsup: