HOTTTCAR Posted July 12, 2014 Share Posted July 12, 2014 John How do you like these rear ends. http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r280/HOTTTCAR/Decorated%20images/12213_zpsae9f8650.jpg http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r280/HOTTTCAR/Decorated%20images/12213_zpsae9f8650.jpg http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r280/HOTTTCAR/Decorated%20images/thumb6_zps586815ed.jpg Gale Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jevs Posted July 13, 2014 Author Share Posted July 13, 2014 Those definitely look better than most. Who makes those? I notice your just down I-44 from me I am in MO also. About 50 miles SW of St Louis. I ordered a Stalker XL with the classic rear end. Sent the check off today. I figure it will be easier to do something with that to improve it rather than starting with the other rear end. I am getting the level 3 kit the with the following options: XL Classic R Style Bodywork Smooth hood, no headlights T bar roll cage Aluminum shock upgrade Electric power steering Fuel line kit Custom aluminum Fuel Tank w/sump That should get me started I did not opt for the big windshield either. I know it is more practical, but I just don't think it looks as good for various reasons. So my roll cage will not be swept back like that. It will more match the angle of the "traditional" windshield. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xcarguy Posted July 13, 2014 Share Posted July 13, 2014 I ordered a Stalker XL with the classic rear end. Sent the check off today. WOW!!!! That was quick! jevs, welcome to the club! :seeya: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scannon Posted July 13, 2014 Share Posted July 13, 2014 Congrats! You have a ton of fun ahead building your car. Then the fun really begins when you start driving it.:driving: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jevs Posted July 13, 2014 Author Share Posted July 13, 2014 (edited) Yeah, it was do it, or not take advantage of the fact that I would be in Florida anyway. This helped me pull the trigger. I hope I enjoy this car.....I know I am spending more money than I should by building my own , but there are none for sale the way I would want it anyway. Heck. I think I might be only the second guy that wanted a classic rear on an XL. Not sure why the new rear end would be more popular? It's not for me, and I do like old cars with modern looks. Here is a car I built that made the cover of two magazines. You will see what I mean. Take a cool British car and make it suitable for modern freeway driving... http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3864482/1970-austin-mini/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umdEnGDhwTM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbzRUjF4kH0 So far no buyers remorse, but I still have to buy a drivetrain. Pay 10k+ for a new setup or deal with old stuff to save some money...it would be so much nicer to just pop in a brand new clean motor and transmission, but that is a lot of money. I don't think I could live with myself if it is not at least the 480HP though Edited July 13, 2014 by jevs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jevs Posted July 13, 2014 Author Share Posted July 13, 2014 Congrats! You have a ton of fun ahead building your car. Then the fun really begins when you start driving it.:driving: I swore off component cars after building a Factory Five GTM, but I hope this will be different. I could go on way to long about how bad the GTM body is, but I will just say it is ridiculously bad. I could take a ruler to any of the cars on the road, no matter how many workarounds the builder tried to correct and you would never buy one. (unless you can live with it). Nothing is symmetrical. The doors are ridiculously different from each other. I hope the simplicity of these cars bodywork takes that out of the equation. I did so much fiberglass work and fabrication on that GTM body that it made me not want to build another car for a couple years. I might want to do some slight changes on this one, but hopefully I can keep it to a minimum and not get burned out. Body work is the worst part of building a car So, what better than picking a car with no doors, roof, or much body at all! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subtlez28 Posted July 13, 2014 Share Posted July 13, 2014 Congrats! I'm still building the M-spec I picked up. I went with the "classic" front end and the "m-spec" rear. I went with it for aero reasons, but now wish it was classic in rear for looks sake. I also wish I had went with the XL, but at the time I was more focussed on track times and weight... I think you made a good choice! There have been a few improvements even since I picked up my kit. Hope your build moves along quickly and you throw us a build thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xcarguy Posted July 13, 2014 Share Posted July 13, 2014 jevs, Buyer's remorse is for new car owners. Sevens (speciality cars, in general) are more of a love/hate relationship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MightyMike Posted July 13, 2014 Share Posted July 13, 2014 Jevs - congrats with your purchase. I think you will find the build process to be rewarding and challenging. Overall, I was very satisfied with the metal fabrication on my kit, but disappointed with a few other things. The differential supplied by Brunton failed within the first 1,000 miles. When we pulled it apart, I discovered that several parts were severely worn (used) and the ring and pinion wasn't properly setup. Also discovered that the backup sensor switch (used) was inoperable and required replacement. When installing the engine I ran into a few technical issues that I think could have been prevented. The first being the steering shaft. The shaft did not clear the engine which required a longer shaft. The second was the coil packs on the valve covers had to be relocated because of hood clearance. Lastly, I had to modify the alternator bracket because the one supplied did not allow room for adjustment or proper fitment. The quality of the fiberglass panels supplied with the kits was okay, but could have been better. I could literally see through parts of the dash panel because the lay up was so thin. The rear fenders differed approximately 2" different in length. The last and biggest thing that frustrated me was that I ordered the classic model without the hood scoop (like bonjo2's), but received a model with the scoop. Having said all of that, I hope you get as much enjoyment out of your XL as I do my Classic. I enjoyed the build experience and definitely love getting the car on the road. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOTTTCAR Posted July 13, 2014 Share Posted July 13, 2014 John These cars are made in Germany by RCB. Love the back end of those in the shop. It makes the car look wide and very cool. Following an ultralight on one of the Texas tours got me hooked on the way that car looks from the rear. A RCB is similar but more refined, I believe. Beauty as you know is in the eye of the beholder. By the way, I am the other person that purchased the components to build a classic XL. We seem to have some similar ideas on what we want, as I bought the no bump hood plus scuttle. I had Brunton Auto (Scott) band saw a classic rear end in half and ship it to me so I can use it as as starting point for the new rear end. Having a starting point helps making a new part less time consuming. I can’t say I like working with fiberglass but the satisfaction you can get by building a cool part blows me away. Its going to take a bit of cutting and welding on the rear clip supporting frame work to get what I want but that part is easy. I will bend up my own windshield frame from 1.5” DOM for the same reason you stated. This car will have a new emod LSA and a t56 magnum. This gets the torque and HP up over 500, which I have grown accustomed to. I also have a GTM,… an early one #77…. chop-chop-cut–cut, jeez. You learn a lot on that car. Its still not finished. I got caught up in building and driving Storkers This will be our third Storker build. Always wanted a real Mini and was ready to buy one at Carlisle a few years ago but as luck would have it my better half talked me out of it. Still wish i had bought it Gale Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toedrag Posted July 13, 2014 Share Posted July 13, 2014 Congrats, jevs! You've clearly got some fab skills; I'm curious to see what you do to the Stalker. If you get bored with the NA engine, how about putting your fab skills to work on a custom S/C setup for yourself? That'll land you another cover, I imagine. :driving: ....I don't think I could live with myself if it is not at least the 480HP though Do your research on the GM Hot Cam that comes with their crate LS3 480. The opinions I found suggested that there may be better aftermarket cams out there that will be more streetable & will make more power. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jevs Posted July 13, 2014 Author Share Posted July 13, 2014 (edited) Is this one yours or did another person order one? This one they have now and are working on. I asked for pics to see what it looks like. Edited July 13, 2014 by jevs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jevs Posted July 13, 2014 Author Share Posted July 13, 2014 Congrats, jevs! You've clearly got some fab skills; I'm curious to see what you do to the Stalker. If you get bored with the NA engine, how about putting your fab skills to work on a custom S/C setup for yourself? That'll land you another cover, I imagine. :driving: Do your research on the GM Hot Cam that comes with their crate LS3 480. The opinions I found suggested that there may be better aftermarket cams out there that will be more streetable & will make more power. I have not researched motor choices yet. Not sure what I will do there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toedrag Posted July 13, 2014 Share Posted July 13, 2014 Is this one yours or did another person order one? This one they have now and are working on. I asked for pics to see what it looks like. Must be someone else's since mine is the level 3 kit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jevs Posted July 13, 2014 Author Share Posted July 13, 2014 Must be someone else's since mine is the level 3 kit. Sorry I meant that for HOTTTCAR, he said he got a Classic XL. That picture is an XL. That's why it has the strip in the middle. They use the same mold and just strip in 4" to make it wider. I was surprised when they told me the XL is wider than a Corvette in the rear. It would be interesting to see one side by side with the regular Classic R. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xcarguy Posted July 13, 2014 Share Posted July 13, 2014 jevs, After looking at your Mini (very nice), I'd say if you and Gale (HOTTTCAR) are in the same neck of woods, there's no telling what the two of you could come up with if you guys combine your fab skills/ideas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jevs Posted July 13, 2014 Author Share Posted July 13, 2014 (edited) I was kind of looking at the back of an Elise and wondering what could be done if you could find a busted up one of those clam shells to play with.... I guess I should be thinking about how to get my kit home from Florida. I only have an open 12' aluminum trailer at the moment that I pull with my diesel Passat. The load should be ok, but I will have to protect it from the weather if it rains. Edited July 13, 2014 by jevs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MightyMike Posted July 13, 2014 Share Posted July 13, 2014 Is this one yours or did another person order one? This one they have now and are working on. I asked for pics to see what it looks like. IMO - the rear of classic XL looks far better than the M-Spec XL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOTTTCAR Posted July 13, 2014 Share Posted July 13, 2014 John I am sorry. That is a little confusing. I bought an M Spec XL which I will adjust to look like a straight hood classic by changing the rear clip. And Scott is correct this car looks much larger. So now they are also building an XL Classic and an XL M Spec? Gale Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jevs Posted July 13, 2014 Author Share Posted July 13, 2014 (edited) John I am sorry. That is a little confusing. I bought an M Spec XL which I will adjust to look like a straight hood classic by changing the rear clip. And Scott is correct this car looks much larger. So now they are also building an XL Classic and an XL M Spec? Gale Correct, you can get an XL Classic now. I believe they made new molds for the fenders (they go around far enough now and are wider I guess), but are using the same rear mold and just grafting in a 4" strip in the center. So it should be the same height as the Classic R and just wider. That picture is from what I thought was the first one that they are working on now. I believe they think most people want the M-spec style rear end, but I don't know about that?? It's not for me. I polled several people I know and the majority liked the classic better. The classic is still not pretty to most, but it will be easier to work with I think. One thing they say about the classic rear is that it is too low and makes it look like your sticking out of the car too far. The M spec rear end is taller and comes farther up your back. Unfortunately, the frame is made different back there depending on which you get, so you can't decide later. I had to pick one or the other right away. So, hope the classic was the right choice I can only go by pictures on the net, since I never saw either in real life. Edited July 13, 2014 by jevs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now