Nope, just a widebody kit.

 

I've had my eye on the GTM kit for sometime but after research I've ruled it out. Now I want a Lambo Diablo replica instead. Mostly tube frame chassis (about 2,300lbs) with a super charged V6 - sounds and looks like the real thing. For less than the GTM and I don't have to build it. Ebay shows complete high-quality Diablo replicas selling for $22,000 to $35,000 ..... Maybe one year this dream car will be in my garage

 

Are you gonna use the spare motor you have or go for a 427 LS7?

 

Good call on the Diablo Kits, I just ran an Ebay search and I'm amazed what you can pick a NICE and complete car up for. May have to reconsider the GTM after seeing this. Time to start the research before the buy phase.

 

a fake lambo (no matter how good) is like a fake *****...

 

So... good enough for the girls is what you're saying?

 

 

ya, it would be great and all and get alot of looks, but when the guys who know it is a fake call ya out on it, i would feel like a tool who just spent $30k on a replica. heck, i have seen real testarossa's going for $50k lately!!
the gtm is basically it's own car (even though a kit) and matches everything i would like to have in a car and should hold their value well (especially since i can build, and paint the thing myself)

 

the spare engine i have is a gen 1 sbc. the gtm is set up for the 1997 and newer ls series. i could make the old school stuff work if i wanted to though. but, by the time i got all the fuel injection and all the sensors and stuff for the older engine, i would be way over what i could get a used drop out complete ls1 from a corvette. have seen some vette ls1 with wire harness, ecm, all driven accessories, maf (basically a complete running engine) for the low $2000 range. the new ls7 will run ya about $14000 plus all the parts needed to be complete.
in other words, no, lol. 350hp will be good enough to mock the car up with, then maybe while it is apart for paint, i will rebuild the engine to about 500hp. then, the future will hold a couple snails and it will go fast, hahaha.

 

what about the ls2 from a new gto? those are 400hp, and with little upgrades like intake, exhaust and cams you can get them damn near 500hp.

 

Excellent Point that I had not considered Obie One!!! My GTM info pack is on it's way and Ive already begun the search for parts with calculator in hand. I wouldn't start this until June but I think it might take me that long to find a good parts source anyways.

OverZealous.....where have you been locating all you engine combo's and such so far?

 

i have to admit i don't know a heckuva lot about the ls series engines. i am doing research right now about them and parts compatability and such. the reason i want to start with the vette engine (a complete one) is that it is supposed to be a drop in unit. i doubt all the accessories are mounted the same for the different ls engines and i heard the gtm chassis is very tight. i could cut way down on my build time if i started with a complete drop in unit, then modified the engine internals from there.
true, the gto, camaro, and trans am engines are cheaper, but not by much and i think the time savings will be worth the little extra to start with.

 

been searching craigslist once a day, and looking at ebay. i am hoping to find a 97-2004 vette someone is parting out on craigslist. i am patient, and it could really pay off in the long run to just say, "i will give you $5k for all the donor parts i need" to someone. then you could have it wrapped up for about $26-27k (plus paint if you have it done by someone). finished prices are in the high 50's, low 60's!
there are a couple vette parts guys here in town also though that if you walked in with a full parts list and asked for a combined price at a discount, you could do pretty good also. there are 2-3 different wreckin yards on ebay though that group most all the parts you need into one auction for about $5k. but they don't have the engine with it.
my plan is to order the gtm, and it will take 5 weeks to get here. so during that time do some serious wheelin' and dealin' and have all the parts when it gets here.
they figure about 300 hours assembly time.

 

one thing i forgot to figure for you joe, was the porsche trans. i already have a 930 turbo transaxle, but the gtm chassis is designed for the g50 (newer style and 5 spd). start looking for one now, because that will be your single largest purchase to complete the car. check ebay for the prices and be sitting down!
a mendeola at $8k starts to look like a good deal! factory five is gunna start making their own again very soon and will be about the same price, maybe a touch less.
the 930 case and gears are bulletproof up to unknown hp levels (if you respect the syncros) and i will just mod the frame to ft it. the gears are really tall, seeing as it's only a 4 speed, but i figure the low weight and V-8 torque will pull through them fine!

 

the ls engines should all mount up the same, although i'm no expert either. a guy i work with is about to put an ls2 in an s14. he has a friend who put an ls2 in an s13 from a gto, along with the FULL gto interior: seats (front & rear), dash, center console, he even molded the hood scoops from the gto hood to the s13 hood. the only thing that sucks about the car is that its an auto, but its very clean and has a ton of power for a car that small and light. here's a little info

 

hmm. researching all the craigslists on the west coast, there is a Z06 engine for $3400. and another Z06 being parted out and a 2004 being parted out. should be easy to wrap the parts up if your willing to travel a little.

 

You mean if YOU are willing to travel a little.

Sounds like this is going to come along nicely.

 

Should get my info pack in the mail Monday I hope. Made a few calls to an insurance buddy of mine that seems to think he know of two 2005's that were both side impacted recently. He seems to think that all the suspension parts would still be intact since they were both hit in the middle. Good possibility of two donor cars there. Hopefully by the end if next summer I will be able to have this thing on hand and almost complete. That would give me all winter to paint it and put the finishing touches on it.

 

well, someone was searching the forums here i guess and saw the listing. hopefully i will hear back tomorrow if the manta sold or not. i get an email a day from someone about it but this guy sounds serious.
found a guy with a 2004 vette apparently selling part cheap, so i sent him the list of stuff i need and i will see how much he wants.
he's in tacoma, so we may be in for another party night scott!! whooohooo.

 

so the vids changed your life too huh, lol. you sound as excited as me.

would be cool to have 2 of them around here! i'm thinking dark candy green and black!