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Build your own car from SCRATCH?!


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94ToyoCam
06-22-2006, 04:45 PM
Congrats on building the car of your dreams, a lot of people talk about doing it but you actually are. One quick question for you though on your website and your posts you say that any fwd drivetrain engine will work, but is the car you are building fwd or rwd? Good luck with the car :thumbsup:

TooManyProjects
06-27-2006, 03:14 AM
Congrats on building the car of your dreams, a lot of people talk about doing it but you actually are. One quick question for you though on your website and your posts you say that any fwd drivetrain engine will work, but is the car you are building fwd or rwd? Good luck with the car :thumbsup:
If you look at the pics, videos, and other info, you will see that it's a RWD car. The donor vehicle just has to have a transaxle. That narrows the options down a bit. You could probably even put a LT1 350 in there if you were to use a pre-85 Toronado, Riviera, or Eldorado transmission/transaxle with an adapter plate. That would go against the lightweight is better idea and it wouldn't get enough traction though. Anyway,Great work so far. I was thinking about building a mid-engine ferrari/lambo inspired 350 powered car in a few years. Your project has me thinking about other options now. Keep up the good work.

mmcleo11
06-28-2006, 07:06 PM
I also have a suggestion, the Nissan Sentra Spec V(I think that is what it is called in the USA) It has a 2.5L 4cyl with a FWD 6 speed manual gearbox. Engine has great potential with around 200Hp from the factory with a great torque output! The 6 speed box is virtually indestructable so with a decent exhaust and extractors to liven it up, I imagine it could be VERY fun ;)

designrod
06-29-2006, 11:25 PM
When you built the body for your hand built car how exactly did you do that. Did you create some thing to mold it with. I also see that you spoke about making one side and finished the other. I'm very interested in seeing how you made the body pieces.

kevinthenerd
06-30-2006, 10:00 AM
I also have a suggestion, the Nissan Sentra Spec V(I think that is what it is called in the USA) It has a 2.5L 4cyl with a FWD 6 speed manual gearbox. Engine has great potential with around 200Hp from the factory with a great torque output! The 6 speed box is virtually indestructable so with a decent exhaust and extractors to liven it up, I imagine it could be VERY fun ;)

Sounds fun, but short ratios are a bad idea on a light, high-powered car with a manual transmission, for the most part. You'd never be able to switch the gears fast enough to take advantage of them. Taking the "human factor" into account, you might actually be able to go faster by skipping a gear or two! This is why seven-speed racecars use paddle shifters.

sgraber
06-30-2006, 10:15 AM
Sorry for the lack of updates but aparently building a car from scratch while keeping a family and a full-time job can be pretty demanding on time. I think I need a 36 hour day...

FYI - my website http://www.grabercars.com has tons of information and photos. You can probably spend a few hours finding out everything I did there. Like I mentioned, there don't seem to be enough hours in a day lately, so keeping up with all the questions is proving to be a bit difficult.

Let me just tell you a little bit about what I have done the past few weeks:

First to the moulds: I removed them from the plug with no problem. The surfaces look fantastic and there are only some minor fixes to make, specifically in areas that I could not completely finish on the plug - deep draft areas, etc. I have the moulds bolted back together and on stands.

http://www.grabercars.com/gallery2/d/3801-2/DSC01880.JPG

I have to say that removing the plug from the chassis under it was one of the most difficult things to do. Not physically - that was fun! - but emotionally it really tore me up to take a sledge hammer to 3 years of work.

http://www.grabercars.com/gallery2/d/3758-2/Remove+that+plug+020.jpg

Within a few weeks I should start laying up a one-piece body out of that mould for fitment to the chassis.


In the meantime, the car is back together and the seats are in, I am finishing up the wiring, installing the Megasquirt and plumbing the turbo this week. I decided to make the chassis-only version of La Bala street legal. It seems like it would be pretty cool to be able to legally drive the car on the street with no bodywork, so in essence I am making a street-only dunebuggy! It'll have lights, mirrors, etc mounted right on the chassis.

If you want to see a short clip of the car driving again, (shot on a digicam by my good friend Jason) click here : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqUC2sXZxI8

http://www.grabercars.com/gallery2/d/3843-2/DSCN2650.JPG

I decided to install the headlights behind the windshield. With the proper seals to prevent light backwash of course.

http://www.grabercars.com/gallery2/d/3807-2/DSC01893.JPG

Do you think there's enough room to put a v8 back there? :evillaugh

http://www.grabercars.com/gallery2/d/3858-1/DSC01906.JPG

Well, that should be enough to keep you going for a little bit! Thanks for reading!

Bodies will be just around $5K and the finish out of the moulds will be superb which should save several thousand on finish and paint prep compared to other commercially available glass bodies. Just ask the Factory Five guys about body prep... Ideally one could choose their color for the gelcoat and be perfectly good to go. I don't have a price structure for the chassis and/or plans because I have a bunch of mods I want to make to the chassis once I test at the track. But I will have that information by the end of the summer!

mmcleo11
07-03-2006, 09:11 AM
Sounds fun, but short ratios are a bad idea on a light, high-powered car with a manual transmission, for the most part. You'd never be able to switch the gears fast enough to take advantage of them. Taking the "human factor" into account, you might actually be able to go faster by skipping a gear or two! This is why seven-speed racecars use paddle shifters.

The QR25DE actually has very widely spaced gear ratios for a 6 speed. There are quite a few people using this gearbox on VQ35DE engine conversions in their B15 Sentras on the B15 sentra forum.

My own donor vehicle, the Autobacs Garaiya uses a 6 speed manual gearbox from the factory. The HKS built Garaiya track car laps the Japanese Tsukuba circuit less than 3 seconds behind the mega power GTR Skylines. The 6 speed means that you can select an appropriate gear to power out of a corner without provoking wheelspin from too low a gear or understeering from lack of power once hitting the apex from too high a gear...

Just an update for my own project...
I ordered a GT42R turbo rated at 800Hp to be used on my sr20vet motor. With weight being dropped to under 600Kgs at the drag strip, it should be VERY entertaining. Street driven, the car should be around 800Kg which will be crazy with the amount of power I aim to extract...

jcsaleen
07-03-2006, 11:17 PM
Psshhhh! Use my cars engine 1.3 litres of fury! Twin turbo an only 1300CC! 13B-rew aka 3rd generation rx7 engine aka renisis! Rotor power!

digitalsam007
08-06-2006, 05:43 AM
hi friends,

i am a complete beginner in cars and all...
nevertheless, i want to build my car from scratch.
i kno i need to read a lot to get the hang of things.Can anyone guide me with some good basic readin materials??? i wil highly appreciate any help from you all...

thanks :)

TexasBuilder
08-06-2006, 01:47 PM
If you like unique rods you should see this vehicle.

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Features/articleId=106122

The only way to have a car exactly like you want is to build it yourself.

mmcleo11
08-08-2006, 02:30 AM
jcsaleen: FD RX7's do not use the Renesis motor, they are used in the RX8.

The 13B and even the 20B rotary motors need to be mounted in the front, which is major hassle when you want the engine/gearbox in the back for the weighted pendulum effect ;)

MatLax
08-08-2006, 01:57 PM
Man, I'd like to put a turbo 3 cyl. from a Firefly inside your car, it would have the look, the fuel economy and weight less than a firefly (a bit of gain in performance) =P only trouble would be fiting it for a mid-engin mount...

sgraber
08-09-2006, 11:28 AM
The 3cyl turbo firefly would be a good engine for economy and spritely performance. So many people want to put huge honking engines in the back, but I for one think that the smaller, lighter, turbo engines are coool.

G

G-man422
08-09-2006, 11:58 AM
^ if the engine is too big, it will throw off the whole car due to all thre weight in the rear. I'd say a V6 at most. Even that will practically pull your face off as you accelorate because the car is so light.

sgraber
08-15-2006, 10:25 PM
I finished the moulds this past weekend. They turned out really nice. Those are pure reflections btw! :grinyes: I'll be laying up the first body this week.

http://www.grabercars.com/gallery2/d/4034-2/Finished+Moulds+011.jpg
http://www.grabercars.com/gallery2/d/4025-2/Finished+Moulds+008.jpg

sgraber
08-23-2006, 07:46 PM
Car bodywork is out of the moulds. I still have to attach it to the car and develop the light housings, but this is a big step.

Click here for larger images.

http://www.grabercars.com/gallery2/d/4144-1/GC-Body-Thumbs.jpg (http://www.grabercars.com/gallery2/main.php)

zzpza
08-24-2006, 02:23 PM
beautiful. i like your headlight idea, very fiat multipla. what colour is the first one going to be?

j.

G-man422
08-24-2006, 02:41 PM
Beautiful lines! I cant wait to see that thing completed. Thanks for the update.

sgraber
08-24-2006, 03:46 PM
Another few just to keep the topic fresh... :smokin:

http://www.grabercars.com/gallery2/d/4147-2/First+Body+001.jpg

http://www.grabercars.com/gallery2/d/4165-2/DSC02347.JPG

John Monnin
04-28-2007, 09:12 PM
Awesome work, I have been threatening to build a car from scratch for years. I Finally sold my 3.5L Stealth TT and bought a new computer to start the solid model. I have been looking for inspiration and I found this:)

Any more updates on this project?

sgraber
04-30-2007, 01:25 PM
Here are those updates you were asking for::grinyes:

http://www.grabercars.com/gallery2/d/5702-1/La+Bala+KBF+07+002.jpg


http://www.grabercars.com/gallery2/d/5744-1/La+Bala+KBF+07+023.jpg


http://www.grabercars.com/gallery2/d/5727-1/La+Bala+KBF+07+016.jpg


http://www.grabercars.com/gallery2/d/5735-1/La+Bala+KBF+07+019.jpg





Awesome work, I have been threatening to build a car from scratch for years. I Finally sold my 3.5L Stealth TT and bought a new computer to start the solid model. I have been looking for inspiration and I found this:)

Any more updates on this project?

John Monnin
04-30-2007, 05:11 PM
I looks like an oversized go-cart!










Perfect!:)

sgraber
09-13-2007, 04:24 PM
Hey a little update for ya'll...

I have headlights now. Not quite finished as I am still sorting the hi-lo beam dash indicator LED and the clear plexiglass covers have not been made, but you can see the look I am going for here:

http://www.grabercars.com/gallery2/d/18318-2/DSC03007.JPG

I also bought a digidash:
http://www.grabercars.com/gallery2/d/19093-2/P1010105.JPG
It is now mounted in the car and looks SO FREAKING hot! Photo coming soon of entire finished dash. Very simple and lightweight.

I have also done a brake upgrade: Bigger crossdrilled rotors, better pads, big difference.
http://www.grabercars.com/gallery2/d/19084-2/P1010100.JPG

vectorspecialist
09-14-2007, 12:49 PM
omg...that's amazing.

i can design..but cant build.

u r very um...mechanical.(pun intended yet not)

sgraber
11-18-2007, 10:49 PM
Here are some new photos for you. The headlamp buckets were a real bitch because of clearance issues with the wheels. But I got it all sorted out finally.



http://www.grabercars.com/gallery2/d/21550-1/Nov17-2007+Progress+Report+024.jpg


Engine Lid vents... And rollbar stiffener. This car is very fast and I feel safer with the additional rollbar protection.
http://www.grabercars.com/gallery2/d/21557-2/Nov17-2007+Progress+Report+026.jpg

Headlamp Covers make the front of the car look finished. Notice the nice reflection that flows across the lexan. niiiice!
http://www.grabercars.com/gallery2/d/21581-2/Nov17-2007+Progress+Report+050.jpg

And finally a beauty shot taken before the lexan covers were installed.
http://www.grabercars.com/gallery2/d/21591-1/Bala-Wallpaper2.jpg

I also have some new Youtube videos of the car that are worth checking out if you have the time. http://www.youtube.com/user/sgraber

vectorspecialist
11-19-2007, 05:51 AM
i like it...final porduct looks much better than i originally thought.

i'm thinking it's capable of keeping up with lotus on a track, or do u not have the suspension setup for that?

sgraber
11-19-2007, 07:39 AM
i like it...final porduct looks much better than i originally thought.

i'm thinking it's capable of keeping up with lotus on a track, or do u not have the suspension setup for that?

Thank you! Just wait till it's finished! hehe. Rear wing, rear diffuser, front splitter, change to mirrors, carbon fiber dash and interior panels... It will be incredible.

An Elise owner drove it this weekend. He said it made his elise feel like an econo-box.

vectorspecialist
11-19-2007, 12:58 PM
cool, u still plan on selling them?

sgraber
11-19-2007, 01:42 PM
cool, u still plan on selling them?

2 versions are available: Build your own from plans (hard-core builders only) or track version pre-built. $25K pre-engine. Choose an engine like the EcotecSS 2.0 from a Cobalt and add that cost to come up with a total.

I have a page on my site that explains it better than I can here:

http://www.grabercars.com/content/view/80/2/

Steve

vectorspecialist
11-19-2007, 05:14 PM
yea i had read that site about a month ago.

so basically it's any engine from a car whose original drivetrain was front engine front wheel drive? does that include 6cyls. like out of a 3000gt?

and wats the meaning behind the name?

sgraber
11-19-2007, 06:29 PM
yea i had read that site about a month ago.

so basically it's any engine from a car whose original drivetrain was front engine front wheel drive? does that include 6cyls. like out of a 3000gt?

and wats the meaning behind the name?

La Bala means 'Bullet' in spanish.

And yes, any FWD drivetrain as far as I know I havn't found any that don't fit yet. VR6 fits... I have measured even the Northstar will fit, but it's way too heavy. Weight of the engine is a real issue for handling in a car that weighs 1,500lbs. Obviously the lighter the better.

vectorspecialist
11-20-2007, 06:46 AM
well imma start saving some money than. if it can handle like a lotus, and is cheaper...andkinda of custom built, than it's worth it

sgraber
01-21-2008, 01:32 PM
Yesterday was a big day for La Bala. A photographer drove out from California to shoot the car (among other assignments including Barrett-Jackson Auction) and we scheduled for 3pm Sunday.

The photo session, located in the desert mountains northeast of Phoenix, Arizona took about 3 hours, during which time the car was driven and posed in many different positions.

I wasn't able to take many pictures of my own because I ended up being the 'photo bitch' and had to position the car, drive the car, light the car, etc.

The photographer, who was driving a brand new Viper from the GM press pool was super impressed with the car and really enjoyed driving it. He felt the car was very responsive and connected to the road and way more fun to drive than the Viper with smooth suspension and not bone jarring like the Viper. That definitely made me happy. It was a highlight to be a passenger as he took it to redline in the first 3 gears flying down a remote desert rollercoaster road. I wish I had a video of him yelling 'woohoooo!' :cool:


http://www.grabercars.com/gallery2/d/21718-1/GRABER.jpg


http://www.grabercars.com/gallery2/d/21711-2/P1010696.JPG


http://www.grabercars.com/gallery2/d/21714-2/P1010697.JPG


http://www.grabercars.com/gallery2/d/21717-2/P1010698.JPG


If you want to read the entire article and see the high-quality photos you'll need to pick up the March/April edition of Kit Car Builder Magazine.

reagan v
01-25-2008, 01:40 AM
I just realized that I didn't answer your question! Sorry bout that.

I and just passing the 2 year mark. I expect to spend another 6 months on the body. Then it's registration and drive time! Drive to the track, thrash on everyone for a while and drive it home. Street/Track car. :)

BTW - Here is a shot of my current state of progress:
http://www.grabercars.com/images/stories/albums/Sept-25%2C-04/IMG_0024.sized.jpg

http://www.grabercars.com/images/stories/albums/album16/IMG_0019.thumb.jpgHere's a small piccy of the rear (lotsa work still needed here) Yes, that's a flat bottom and a diffuser in the works...
Now that the weather is cooling down it will be much easier to motivate into the garage! how do i get my hands on a body of this sort ...its gorgeous ...please help me start my project

vectorspecialist
01-25-2008, 02:20 PM
congrats man, it takes a lot at this point in time to get any kind of recognition, but to heve hand build ur own car and had it tested out by mags...congrats

sgraber
01-27-2008, 11:22 AM
how do i get my hands on a body of this sort ...its gorgeous ...please help me start my project

Hi Reagan,

I just responded to your email. Thanks for contacting me from my website.

Steve Graber

sgraber
02-28-2008, 09:52 AM
The article about La Bala is out now in Kit Car Builder Magazine.

I got permission to scan the images and reprint them on my website. I've just added them to my photo gallery for now, but will be adding a diary entry about it soon. You can read the article better in my image gallery (http://www.grabercars.com/gallery2/v/KCBApr08/)as I scanned the text parts individually to make it easier to read.

http://www.grabercars.com/gallery2/d/21732-2/KCB-Pg1-2.jpg

http://www.grabercars.com/gallery2/d/21736-2/KCB-Pg3.jpg

driftflow
04-13-2008, 12:35 PM
Dude that is some sick work there, Just one big question, how do u build a car? like do u get a body similar to it then form it into what u want or what?

Johnny Mullet
04-21-2008, 09:17 PM
Now if a car like this could be mass-produced and sold for like $10000.00, you would be a rich man! Or maybe sold without a drivetrain for even cheaper and all the purchaser would have to do is decide what he wants to drop in it.

Good job!

bojan26
06-19-2008, 04:31 PM
Now if a car like this could be mass-produced and sold for like $10000.00, you would be a rich man! Or maybe sold without a drivetrain for even cheaper and all the purchaser would have to do is decide what he wants to drop in it.

Good job!

exactly... he shouldn't be suprised that it's price went up to $1000.00 on Ebay :P hah...

sgraber
09-12-2008, 04:56 PM
Hey I replaced the original engine with a newer one.

1.6L Toyota 20 valve - 180Hp and naturally aspirated too!

http://www.grabercars.com/gallery2/d/22672-1/Bala_Engine_Bay_20v_Toyota+005.jpg

vectorspecialist
09-12-2008, 06:00 PM
u still making those availible to kit builders, but with a lil bigger engine, maybe the 2.0l turbo'd 4cyl from GM?

sgraber
09-12-2008, 08:59 PM
u still making those availible to kit builders, but with a lil bigger engine, maybe the 2.0l turbo'd 4cyl from GM?

Yes, as a DIY kit. I sell the plans, bodywork, steel tube packs, and adding more items all the time. I am hoping to start offering completed frames this year sometime.

You can build this entire car for less than $15K.

I've got someone building one with the 2.0SS Ecotec out of the Cobalt and another being built with the 4AGZE out of a 89MR2 and another doing all-electric, which is really easy to do with this car because the engine bay is so large and there is lots of room for batteries.

mmcleo11
09-13-2008, 12:59 AM
Nissan Maxima VQ35DE V6(same engine as 350Z) and FWD 6 speed HLSD gearbox from the Maxima would be a nice combo ;) 350Hp without a problem :D

Here is a VQ35 in a Nissan Micra/March mounted in the back
http://www.evo.co.uk/videos/planetevovideos/213492/nissan_micra_350sr.html

sgraber
11-19-2008, 02:27 PM
As a small update I have been driving the car regularly to work and really just for fun and I am averaging 45mpg. It seems that the light weight and small slippery shape of the car combined with a the efficient Toyota 20 valve Blacktop engine are a great combination.

Plus the car SOUNDS great! I'm sure there are lots of great engines to power a 1,500lb car, but the Quad Throttle Bodies of the 20v and velocity stacks make it sound like music. I made a youtube video of me driving the car WOT to redline a bunch of times. You really should turn up the volume when you listen to this one!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UREdGDIK6YQ

iNVisionPROTOTYPES
01-04-2009, 03:22 PM
Anyone else on this forum building their own car from scratch?

Very awsome build man!

I've been working on a project for a few year...recently completed and would like to share..except that I can't seem to find an attachment button to attach some images of her.

iheartjdm
01-05-2009, 04:55 PM
Nothing but to congratulate you for that thing.

Keep up because that is a great example for the swappers out there. They could probably start their own vehicles too following your inspiration, man.

Please keep it up

sgraber
01-28-2009, 02:53 PM
Hey guys, just a quick update: I've been driving the car a lot and it just never stops being fun! I'm glad it's got a windshield cause otherwise I'd have bugs in my teeth! :)

I am in the process of creating DOORS right now and they will hinge up like Lambo doors. I want to make them hinge up and butterfly out like the McLaren Supercar, but I also want the hinge and door assy to be simple and lightweight, so we'll just have to wait and see. I'll post some photos of my door progress in a while.

In the meantime I made some really cool artwork using photoshop and airbrush technique and am having a limited production run of black 100% cotton T-Shirts made. The artwork below is 15" wide across the front of the Tee. If you like my car I suggest that you buy one! They are made with 10 screen process and the quality is superb so they are a steal at $15.99.

http://speed.grabercars.com/apparel/BalaTee1.html or click on the image.

http://speed.grabercars.com/apparel/images/Bala1-Large.jpg (http://speed.grabercars.com/apparel/BalaTee1.html)

alco2nr
02-15-2009, 08:41 AM
To answer sgraber's question, yes I'm scratch building a car.( I'm using a view of the front as an avatar) I call it "Spare Parts" because that's what it mostly consists of. The chassis is 2x3 tubing and 11ga plate steel forming a semi-moncoque platform. The front and rear suspension and steering are from an 86 Chevette. The rear axle and front and rear brakes are from an S-10. The first engine that I used was the 1.6L OHC 4cyl from the Chevette fitted with a hand made intake mounting 4 Mikuni 30mm CV carbs and hand built headers. I recently installed a 1937 Ford V8-60 flathead. The trans is a BW T-5 5spd OD. As for the body, it consists of a combination of front and rear fenders from a 1955 Studebaker pickup, part of the roof panel from a 1947 Nash coupe(trunk lid) , a wheel barrow tub (radiator shell), and hand formed 20ga sheet metal. The design concept was to replicate an early 50s British or Italian 2seat sports roadster as closely as possible while using American auto components and other materials ready to hand. I have been working on it off and on for about 5yrs. It is currently in drivable condition but is not ready for safety inspection and registration. The metal work is nearing completion and then it will be on to surface prep, painting, wiring, interior and final assembly. The car is actually a toy meant for cruise nights and pleasure driving which resembles a full blown competition sports roadster( Which it looks and sounds like) The 135cid flathead is completely stock with only minor additions such as a bigger Stromburg 2bbl carb, electric fuel pump, alternator and microgroove belt drive. The hand built stainless steel headers and 3" side pipes give a VERY throaty exhaust note. I also left out any gaskets when building the headers. This allows a bit of oxygen into the exhaust system which combined with a slightly over rich mixture from the carb makes a very nifty display of flames on de-acceleration. My total cost up to this point is way under $5000. It's built entirely from stock production components, rides and handles beautifully and is absolutely impossible to drive with a straight face! I will be posting an album of the car as soon as I can figure out how to do it. So far I haven't been able to access the control panel. By the way, that's a very beautiful car, sgraber! Being on a similar road I can appreciate the amount of effort behind you! Well done!

Alpine12PDX
02-26-2009, 09:18 PM
Dose someone have the Chassis Plans and parts list for the La Bala so I don't have to pay $99.:screwy:

mmcleo11
02-27-2009, 11:13 PM
If your wallet is too tight to spend $99 on chassis plans and a parts list, then you should not be building your own car ;)

mmcleo11
02-27-2009, 11:15 PM
The Nissan VQ35DE engine and 6 speed HLSD can be bought for under $1800 with less than 50,000miles. I am current putting out over 300Hp@wheels from my VQ35 engine on E85 pump fuel with 12.7:1 compression and Tomei Procams :)

I think this engine would be fantastic in any light MR chassis car :D

Alpine12PDX
03-01-2009, 01:38 PM
Why should I spend $99 to find out about a $25,000 or $30,000 car that I mite buy that has NO crash test ratings:icon16: or NO road rules:nono: or unbiased videos that should be lake this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWHgXxD3Zzg
and that are not all posted buy the maker of the car.
I can't find a 1/4 mi time ether.:banghead:
There is NO videos of the car doing work compared to others lake
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flZbdtsXQgQ&feature=related
$99 is a lot to throw away for a car that could be vary unsafe or above the 13.00 sec 1/4 mi with it weight.:screwy:

umeshseo
03-04-2009, 12:13 AM
hi nice one, its look like a spot car and colour is also good. i like its.

track
04-01-2009, 12:40 PM
My son and I want to build a tubular frame car similar in style to the Ariel Atom. I'm currently learning welding, my son does MIG, which I've learned. I'm moving on to TIG and stick welding. Next will be fabrication. We both need to find help with design and frame building. We have a donor car, a 94 Civic DX. We will keep the engine and necessary components for operation of the engine but want to know if we can use the Del Sol rear wheel drive train and 5 speed manual transmission. I've searched and searched the Internet for anyone who has done a similar project.:runaround: I'm wondering if there is anyone out there who can lend us a hand. :smile:

sgraber
06-06-2009, 10:40 PM
I've started building a removable hardtop for the La Bala. It is a 3-piece design with a permanently mounted rollbar center section, a hinged and removable front section, and a side panels piece that attaches to the rear clamshell. That hinges open with the rear clamshell to access the engine compartment and rear suspension adjustments.

Here is a youtube video showing my progress:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejhnm5NXCHE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejhnm5NXCHE

Adding the hardtop option along with my new lambo doors option (that is also in development) means that the car can have a/c and a heater and will be weatherproof for all season driving.

http://grabercars.com/gallery2/d/57709-1/La+Bala+Hardtop+Proto+-+June+6_+2009+004.jpg

I now have builders in California, Utah, Ohio, Indiana, North Carolina, Tennessee, Australia, Belgium, Australia, New Zealand, and more! 3 cars are finished, one all electric, one Toyota powered and one Ecotec SS powered. And a host of others are under construction. Check out the next issue of Kit Car Builder Magazine...

I would welcome anyone in the Phoenix area that wants to see my car to contact me, and if the weather conditions are good we can go for a drive. You can see for yourself that this car is as fast as any Vette or Porsche, more comfortable in ride quality than a Viper and total blast to drive. It snaps necks both in and out of the car.

dheik93
07-17-2009, 06:39 AM
Hi, my name is Dylan. I am 16 and own a 1970 vw bug, but knowing me and liking to build things i had the idea to build a car from scratch. The car you made is very nice, but im looking to make a replica of a Lamborghini Murcielago. I need a place to start. Can someone help me on what i need to build first? Thank you.

muttnutt
07-25-2009, 01:00 PM
how about this one? m151a2 components 4 cyl,4speed,4x4,4 wheel independent suspension 24 volt waterproof ignition,snorkle,coments are welcome:cool:

fattyjuggalo
05-01-2010, 03:38 AM
ok, i know im a little late on this but im really hoping i get a response...but i have a 1991 mustang that i am looking to use for body parts or a "base" and i have a 351 windsor and a c4 automatic. but anyways im tired of having cars that look like everyone else's! so im lookin to build something kinda different taking ideas from all of my favorite cars so that i have a totally legit, one-of-a-kind car that fits my unique personality...problem is, where do i start and is there any way i could make a car that is awd using that tranny or do i have to make it 4 wheel drive? ive got nothing but time. please someone help me with my dream!

sgraber
05-01-2010, 09:31 AM
If you started this thread by reading from the beginning you will see the progress that I have made over the years from designing and building the car in my garage, building it from scratch, getting into the magazines and today I am announcing that I will be attending the Nations largest Import-Kit/Replicar show in the nation as a manufacturer!

This show is happening Carlisle Pennsylvania on May 21-23, 2010 and I will be in booths DA-5 and DA-6, which is a covered pavillion on the west side of the grounds.

If you are on the east coast this is your chance to see thousands of import, kit and replicars as well as shop one of the largest import flea markets in the world. The Carlisle website for this event is here: http://www.carlisleevents.com/ce/events/import/

Thanks and I hope to see you there!


Steve Graber - GRABERCARS

http://www.grabercars.com/images/stories/carlisle-banner.jpg

FYI - Some lucky person interested in purchasing a Grabercars La Bala Kit will have the opportunity for a ride-along on the autocross course with Captain Jim and his supercharged 260HP, 1,500lb mid-engine La Bala!

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