Newbie with questions and looking for guidance

[Bill Lonchas]

Hi,
My name is Bill and I am in the USA looking at the RCR/Superlite lineup of kit cars. Having just completed a Factory Five MKIV, I am itching to build something different from the rest of the FFR lineup. I toyed with picking up one of the last GTM kits from one of the owners, but most are partial builds and are using donor parts. Both of those options I would like to avoid after doing some rest-mod work on a 74 Triumph TR6.

I really want to use an LS3 engine this time as I opted out on the MKIV because of some parts availability (patience was not on my side for this build) and I would like a digital dash (LCD Dash) that I had designed for the LSX engine. I am torn between the GT-R and SLC. I like the GT-R, but not many builds on this site and there seems to be a lot of discussion of the quality of the product. I would like opinions on that subject. I have seen only one example of a window (manual crank or power) and not much more detail, other than it was an involved difficult install.

With reference to the SLC, the LS3 seems like a good fit for an engine, but I am at a loss for the transaxle (Graziano with mods, G50, G96 or G97) for a mild LS3. Additionally the wing is much different than the Ultima RS. Is the SLC a better design? The real estate in the dash for the SLC is limited and may not be suitable for an LCD Dash. Can anyone provide dimensions of the dash and center console area?

Thanks for your insight.

Bill

 

[Jeff W]

Search the foum here to see what people have done with the dash.

I don't have measurements for the binnacles on the dash, but there are several people who have put various sized LCD displays in the car, from LCD Dash Systems to double DIN stereos and other digital dashboard displays. Dash displays like the AIM will fit just fine. Some have modified the binnacles to accommodate different gear and a different look.

Transaxle - how much power do you want? For more modest HP the Porsche transaxles are a better price, easier to find, and easier to get parts for. For higher HP the Graziano is better, but working on these is getting more expensive by the year. What was usable from the salvage yard 7 years ago for $5k became $7k 3 years ago with work needed, now questionable scrapyard Graz start at ~$8-10k. No Idea what RCR or HCF are selling their ready-to-go Graz for these days, they were $15k a few years back. There are other transaxle options, but they vary a lot in availability and price.

The LS3 is probably one of the easiest engies to drop into the SLC for the best power at the best price point with the most choices in aftermarket gear.

I don't know much about the wing on the Ultima so I couldn't offer any usefu comparison between the two.

 

[Bill Lonchas]

Jeff,
Thanks for the reply. That is encouraging on thrash question. I will continue to search through the posts for examples.
I am planning a mild build for the LS3 so that is good news for transaxles.