Superlite SLC Build Questions

[Carr]

I am starting to plan my SLC build and I have a few questions and ideas I wanted to get verified.

I want my SLC to sound really loud and aggressive. Very much alike a MC12 like that one in the video where mc12 runs from the police. I love that sound and I want everybody on the mountain top to think there is a racecar coming their way from a good distance. I plan on having the exhaust exit through the sides. I dont know which engine is best to match this, I would prefer not to spend over 40k on the engine, but I know for v12s it can be up there. If yall can give me a few good options that would be great.

 

[Carr]

I could also use some insight as to what I should and shouldn't be buying. Assuming I have as much money needed so that my SLC is at best health and provides me the least likelihood of breaking and/or killing me.
1. Skip front heat deflector yes/no?
2. Any other items I should buy just for convenience in building process, and comfort. Equipment that will prevent increased time spent. I have never built a kit car, but I have built large sheds(poolhouse type size) and other things and I know there are problems that will arise that end up setting you back quite a bit.
3. Vehicle Lift suggestions(even better if i can use the same lift to raise a car up to store another underneath.)

 

[Joel K]

Carr,

Welcome to the forum. Similar to you, the SLC was my first kit car project. A few opinions/recommendations from someone who is still assembling the car.

1)With regard to engines, keep in mind the engine compartment/chassis will need to be modified for a V12 or V10 and will add a ton of complexity to the build. You could ship the engine to RCR before they build the frame so they can accommodate it.

To my knowledge there is a Maserati V12 build going on now and it required a number of custom parts including trans adapter, flywheel etc. very pricey stuff.

I’ve spent a ton of time fitting an LT4 into the chassis. In hindsight going with an LS engine is much simpler and you will have great results. My recommendation is to go in this direction. It will save you 10’s of thousands of dollars and years on your build. Just an opinion.

2)The street tail provides a lot more room to make an exhaust to help get a sound you are looking for.

3)I would recommend taking a trip to RCR and see all the optional components for yourself and decide.

4)Read all the more complete build threads on GT40s to get a sense for what it takes to build an SLC and the type of customizations you will want to incorporate.

5)You will need to acquire a number of tools depending on what you want to make. Investing in a 3D printer to design custom brackets and have them made by a fabrication shop will save you time and avoid buying more tools. I hand fabricated a lot of brackets due to having a mill so did not take this approach.

More recently, a friend of mine has a 3D printer so he draws up some parts and then I send them to sendcutsend.com, pretty amazing what they can make and how affordable their process is.

6)I have a small portable lift call the ez-carlift. It makes working on the car easier and will store it away when the project is finished. Having a four post or two post lift is more expensive but more versatile, a lot of kit car builders use the quick-jack due to its price point.

 

[Jeff W]

Everything Joel said is spot on. I'd also suggest really digging through the parts lists and decide what you will DIY (like buying your own seats instead of RCRs) and save yourself buying parts you won't need and having them laying around. $40k is plenty of $ for just an engine, nothing beats the scream of a V12, but a well built V8 that will have some serious revs can be had for the same amount.

 

[Carr]

Thanks for the advice ya'll.

Per the LS series, I was thinking of the LS3. Is there any engine I'm missing that I can buy and setup the exhaust for under 30k or is LS3 the way to go.

 

[Joel K]

Either the LS3 or LS7. I believe the LS3 is still available as a crate engine from GM. Keep in mind you will need a shallow Corvette Oil pan and select the drive belt Accesories that fit well into the chassis. Low mount alternator and AC compressor bracket. There are various configs for the water pump and balancer. The stock GM crate engine is a Camaro spacing.The Corvette spacing with the LS7 water pump may have an advantage if I remember correctly. You also want a set of LS7 exhaust manifolds.

You could go to an engine builder like Texas speed and they can assemble the engine(ls3 or ls7) with the exact oil pan, and front end Accesories to fit nicely into the chassis. There are plenty of threads on this subject and people here to help to make sure you order the right config.

Lastly, I’m not an engine expert. But anecdotally if you want to enjoy the car on the street. Be careful what HP rating you go with, a hot cam will not idle well nor drive smoothly at low RPM.

For a new engine, LS3 is the most economical.

 

[Sean Michael]

Either the LS3 or LS7. I believe the LS3 is still available as a crate engine from GM. Keep in mind you will need a shallow Corvette Oil pan and select the drive belt Accesories that fit well into the chassis. Low mount alternator and AC compressor bracket. There are various configs for the water pump and balancer. The stock GM crate engine is a Camaro spacing.The Corvette spacing with the LS7 water pump may have an advantage if I remember correctly. You also want a set of LS7 exhaust manifolds.

You could go to an engine builder like Texas speed and they can assemble the engine(ls3 or ls7) with the exact oil pan, and front end Accesories to fit nicely into the chassis. There are plenty of threads on this subject and people here to help to make sure you order the right config.

Lastly, I’m not an engine expert. But anecdotally if you want to enjoy the car on the street. Be careful what HP rating you go with, a hot cam will not idle well nor drive smoothly at low RPM.

For a new engine, LS3 is the most economical.

I have two LS swapped 911s, a LS3 & a LS7. The LS7 is no longer available from GM, which is fine as the LS3 puts out plenty of power (dynos at 375 to the wheels, but other builder tune them much higher) for my3000 lb street 911. Gearboxes are another matter: the G96 and 996turbo gearboxes don't seem to be optimally geared to the LS engine. They launch extremely well but highway speeds in top gear, its turning 2800-3200 RPM compared to 1200-1500 in a Corvette.

 

[Nick h]

V12 is going to cost you many 10s of thousands to get going right. The Ems are limited as only some will do 12 cylinders.

As many have said a screaming v8 is probably the best for your first build. Good luck

 

[Neil]

I am starting to plan my SLC build and I have a few questions and ideas I wanted to get verified.

I want my SLC to sound really loud and aggressive. Very much alike a MC12 like that one in the video where mc12 runs from the police. I love that sound and I want everybody on the mountain top to think there is a racecar coming their way from a good distance. I plan on having the exhaust exit through the sides. I dont know which engine is best to match this, I would prefer not to spend over 40k on the engine, but I know for v12s it can be up there. If yall can give me a few good options that would be great.

The choice of V12 engines is limited and fraught with pitfalls. A great V12 is the various Ferrari models but they are $$$, A Colombo small- block is a good choice but a Lampredi big-block is probably overkill and more rare. Forget a Jaguar V12; it is heavy, large, and low powered. In addition the fuel mileage is not very good. I will leave it to others to comment on more modern V12 choices as I only have experiences with these older engines.

Frankly, I would go with a Chevy V8. It is inexpensive, parts are widely available and it is small. Lightweight aluminum blocks are a good choice, either from Chevrolet, Dart, or Donovan.