WIP Revell Eclipse (Tuners)

Hi, this will be my first real post here on Automotive forums other than a couple questions I asked.. So..

http://www.bhop73.com/models/eclipse/eclipse_box.jpg

Being a Turbo Eclipse owner, I was excited when I heard this kit was going to be released, so I bought this kit when it came out, hoping that it would have the parts for a stock Eclipse, but no.. only "Tuner" parts. I have the skills to change it to stock, but I decided to just stick with one of the bodykits this time around. The "Blitz" style. The kit seems to still be pretty good as far as fit and details.

The only major modification I foresee is the addition of the sunroof, which all Turbo Eclipses had, and Revell left out in favor of the roof scoop, so i'll have to add that.

so anyways, here's the beginning. Flocked the interior floor. I will have to create a backseat since Revell thought it'd be cool to just have speakers and a Nos bottle.. *sigh* As you can see, i've added a handbrake lever and the leather boot for the shifter.

http://www.bhop73.com/models/eclipse/flocked.jpg

Here, i've added some height to the seats. They were sitting flat on the floor which is just wrong for an eclipse..

http://www.bhop73.com/models/eclipse/seats.jpg

And here's a comparison of the tiny kit wheels (right) to the aftermarket wheels I bought for it. (can't remember if they're Fujimi or Aoshima) They're technically Nissan wheels, but I like them, and they look similar to my own real life Enkei RS5's which is a plus.

http://www.bhop73.com/models/eclipse/wheels.jpg

I have done a little work on the intercooler and drilled out the molded in mesh on the front bumper, but haven't taken pics yet.. next update I will show that stuff..

In case anyone's interested, this is my car, so as you can see, I have plenty of reference :D

http://www.bhop73.com/stuff/car_front.jpg

Nice Ride! For The Sunroof Look In The Fujimi Civic SIR Kits, They Have A Clear Sunroof Panel With A Lip Around The Outside Edge That Is Perfect For This Project.(I Used One In My Replica Of My 1/1 EVO8 MR) Hope This Helps. Jake

Great start! I like Eclipse! What color will it be?

Awsome project, It's looking really good thus far!

Nice to see some "build down" instead of the usuall build-a-top of the line! Must be hard to downgrade ( no offense) a kit to stock level? Good work so far!

Nice to see some "build down" instead of the usuall build-a-top of the line! Must be hard to downgrade ( no offense) a kit to stock level? Good work so far!


Well, it won't be exactly stock... i'll still be keeping the kit body the same, with the bodykit and a wing (probably scratch build one similar to the one on my Top Secret Skyline since the kits wings suck IMO). Adding a backseat and removing that lame-o roof scoop to put in a sunroof could be considered a "downgrade" i guess.. :P

If things go well with this, I may buy another and do just that though, make the body completely stock, or maybe just build a model version of my car.

welcome to af bhop. nice to see fellow MW'er and CoM'er here

HEy BHOp73 i was wondering if you would like to buy or trade for my CR-X sun roof, i have everything except the roof hook is still on the car but i can cut that out and you can figure it out or i can try it. So think about it. ANd the project is looking nice and really nice Turbo Eclipes. Alwasy wanted one but is very rear.Wlell thanks

I was wondering about the body kit: It doesn't show a stock version on the box like the others. I think this is the only kit in the Tuners series that doesn't allow for as stock version: Kind of a bummer.

That looks like a nice build. The wheels you are using look HUGE compared to the stockers, but it should fill the wheel-wells better than those kit rubber bands.

Here are a couple more pics.

Here's the intercooler modification. Basically just rescribed the grooves since it was molded on all wrong... and added the side tank parts (visible at the edges of the "mouth". You can also see the hole in the bumper where the mesh was molded in. (i still need to smooth it out a little). Behind that will be some visible pipes from the intercooler and I will probably use some vinyl or metal mesh to cover the hole.

http://www.bhop73.com/models/eclipse/intercooler.jpg

This is the type of wing i'm going to use. I'm going to try to re-cast this (this one's from my Top Secret Skyline) using a technique I learned recently for recasting parts with miliput.

http://www.bhop73.com/models/eclipse/wing.jpg

And here are the wheels "on" the car (no suspension yet). First image is just for comparison purposes. I showed the TE37's because i'm considering using those on this model instead of the Impul's. Those TE37's are currently on my 350z kit http://www.bhop73.com/main/images/models/popups/auto/350z.asp?pic=350z1
but I think the Impul's may look better on that car. The gunmetal color of the TE37's will probably look pretty good with the light gunmetal I have planned for the Eclipse... any thoughts?

As it is, it looks like i'll have to slightly modify the rear wheel-wells to get the bigger rims to fit, they're curving in a little too much in the front inside part so that the wheel doesn't fit in as it should. Dremel will fix that.. heh, heh..

http://www.bhop73.com/models/eclipse/wheels_on.jpg

nice progress so far. I think the Impuls match the Eclipse the best

WOW very nice start. As i was reading you post i was really wondering what you car looked liek and WOW what a looker :naughty: That intercooler looks awesome. Use some stryene pipes for the intercooler piping itll look awesome. Anyway good luck with it.

Sry for offtopic but
I Used One In My Replica Of My 1/1 EVO8 MR
:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:
WOW! Iam so jealous....

nice progress so far. I think the Impuls match the Eclipse the best

:iagree:

I was wondering about the body kit: It doesn't show a stock version on the box like the others. I think this is the only kit in the Tuners series that doesn't allow for as stock version: Kind of a bummer.


Yeah, it sucks, since I really like the stock Eclipse bumpers (97-99) better than any body kit available for it...

I'm guessing (and it really is just a guess) that the reason is because this is an all new kit, produced from scratch, while the other cars in the "Tuner" line already had stock versions available, so they could just re-use those parts, throw in some extra wheels, bumpers and wings, and re-package it. With the Eclipse, they just skipped straight to the extras... kinda sucks for actual fans of the car, but *shrug* what can ya do..

i love this car!
hope to see more progress pix !

yes, this is a very nice project, I love the FMIC, and the impul's the 6 spoke takes from it somehow and the kit wheels belong on a riced out honda. the impuls give it a very tough look.

Nice start. Do you have 19'' wheels??? If you don't the impul's rims is the best!!!!

Keep it up, I love this car!!!!

Cesar Bossolani

www.scaleimportracer.com

I agree on Impul or 19's. Great project (reminds me that I have to finish mine sometime)

I think this kit actually comes with the stock parts for the Eagle Talon version

I think this kit actually comes with the stock parts for the Eagle Talon version


Nope.

Nice project Man!

Hottness. Impul's look perfect for this build.

OMG the intercooler is insane man, I'm lovin' it.

Here's an update. Please excuse the color differences in the pics.. a few were underexposed and I didn't really take the time to colormatch..

I've been working on the interior this weekend. The most notable change is the car has a backseat now. I was going to do it with Epoxy putty, but it was hardening too fast for my sculpting skills, so I switched to Super Sculpey since I could take my time. It still looks a little rough, but to the naked eye it's more acceptable, plus it'll mostly be seen through the car's glass. I still have to add the seat belt clips.

http://www.bhop73.com/models/eclipse/roughseats.jpg
http://www.bhop73.com/models/eclipse/seats_in.jpg

I also made some pedals.

http://www.bhop73.com/models/eclipse/pedals.jpg

And some flocked floormats.

http://www.bhop73.com/models/eclipse/floormats.jpg

http://www.bhop73.com/models/eclipse/interior_mats.jpg
http://www.bhop73.com/models/eclipse/interior_fromfront.jpg

When I was painting the door panels, I noticed that they were symmetrical. In the real car, they are not. Then I noticed that the vents that are supposed to be in the doors are not there, so i'm thinking about adding them, but I haven't decided how much the inaccuracy bugs me yet.

here's a pic of the vent in case you're not familiar.
http://www.bhop73.com/models/eclipse/vents.jpg

Great scratchbuilding of the backseat, floormat and pedals :bigthumb: with a bit of cleanup, the backseat will be excellent. :bigthumb: :bigthumb:

You got an eye for detail, keep it commin'!!

Awesome work.... makes me miss my GSX.. :(
DSM Power!!
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=503/74388MyDSM-med.jpg

i've been pretty busy lately with my job and haven't had much time to work on this, but here are some small updates.

I smoothed the back seats out some
http://www.bhop73.com/models/eclipse/newseats.jpg

Added the vents in the door panels, although, this isn't the best pic..
http://www.bhop73.com/models/eclipse/vent.jpg

Cut the hole for the sunroof
http://www.bhop73.com/models/eclipse/roof.jpg

That's about it for the time being... I'm a little pissed off because I either lost the side mirrors, or they're just missing from the kit. Either way, I can't find them, so it looks like i'll have to make some new ones.. which sucks..

I like how you are "downgrading" in a sense to make it more accurate. I love the rear seat, and the impuls are badass. I need to order some of those with my next order from hlj. Loving the progress, keep up the good work

man, your scratchbuilding is awesome. great attention to detail!!

I used to have a 91 GSX.

i've been pretty busy lately with my job and haven't had much time to work on this, but here are some small updates.

I smoothed the back seats out some
http://www.bhop73.com/models/eclipse/newseats.jpg

That's about it for the time being... I'm a little pissed off because I either lost the side mirrors, or they're just missing from the kit. Either way, I can't find them, so it looks like i'll have to make some new ones.. which sucks..

The back seat is coming out great after it has been smoothed, cleaned and painted. :bigthumb: About the side mirror, with the skills that you have, I suggest that you build the side mirror from scratch.

This is taking me longer than I envisioned, but it's coming along ok... just busy with trying to find a job..

So here we go.. I painted the body with Tamiya Dark Metallic Silver (I don't know if that's the official color name). 6 or 7 coats. Although it's hard to see in this pic, it's pretty shiny, it just needs to have one speck of dust buffed out, other than that, just some polishing, which i'll do in a few days once the paint has some curing time.. Tamiya spray cans rule. I also stuck a carbon fiber decal on the hood. This was my first experience with carbon fiber decals and it wasn't 100% perfect. There is a small spot where the decal cracked next to the hood's bump, but considering my current financial situation, which isn't great since i'm not working, I can't afford to re-do it. I may fix it later on down the road when I have a job again..

http://www.bhop73.com/models/eclipse/body1.jpg

I was going to scratch build some new side mirrors (remember, I lost them, or the box didn't have them), but it wasn't working out right, so I put some custom mirrors on made from an old Revell Testarossa kit that I built in my youth.

http://www.bhop73.com/models/eclipse/mirrors.jpg

Here's a closeup of the hole I cut in the roof. It's cleaned up and I added some rails with styrene. I have cut a piece of clear plastic to stick in there, which I still have to detail up.

http://www.bhop73.com/models/eclipse/openroof.jpg

And here are the new photoetch brakes that i'll be using for this car from Scale Auto Style. They look awesome.

http://www.bhop73.com/models/eclipse/brakes.jpg

Since my real car has been giving me problems with overheating.. (it is a dsm after all) it made me think of doing a diorama with it. I have some Fujimi 1/24 figures that I think i'm going to modify. The idea I have will let me leave the hood open to show off the engine, which I intend to detail realistically.

great job so far!! looking really nice

Did you have problems with the back bumper not holding itself up? I had to sit there and hold it in position for like 15 minutes just to get it in the right spot, also puttied the gaps afterward. If you want an extra decal set for the cf hood, I could send you one or print our a sheet of cf and mail you it. Your making this kit look real nice, I went with the same body kit. I have a feeling that you lost the mirrors since they were on one of the spruces, but hey, those aftermarket ones look great. Keep up this awesome work and detail.

hello bhop73 ;
nice Model project,great work so far....
i have do the same modell for short time:http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=404606
youre Seats on the Back looks great...super Idea.
an the Whells comes Very COOL!!!!
this Brakes from SAS looks very interstent.....i will take a look at your Thread.
nice Day from Germany...Casper

Wow, wow, wow.. The color is GREAT!!! Nice Paint!

looks amazing all the way around, the sunroof, cf, scratched back seats, great work. Those brakes are going to look really good

Omg that looks very nice, great paintjob. :)

Just got this kit yesturday.

Love the paint! Looks really nice. Interested on how this one turns out...Keeps us updated.

AAAGGGHHHH!!!

Crap.. I tried re-doing the carbon on the hood and now it looks worse.. not only did I get a big crease in the exact same spot as before, but there are actually more creases in it now in different spots that I couldn't get out.. i'm beginning to really hate carbon decals.

I've now wasted half a sheet of scalemotorsports carbon decal.. this really sucks..

Small update time.

I waxed the paint. Silver is hard to show gloss, so I tried to catch the sun on it.. you can see my hand's reflection. Looks good I think.

http://www.bhop73.com/models/eclipse/paintgloss.jpg

Interior is mostly done. I just have to add seatbelts. There will be a guagepod on the b-pillar, but that'll be part of the windshield, so i'll show that later I guess.

http://www.bhop73.com/models/eclipse/interior.jpg

For the hood, I redid the carbon fiber 3 times and finally got it to look decent . I was having a hard time because of the hood bubble. It kept making the decal crease in ways that couldn't be fixed. (what a waste of decals :( ) I still have to gloss-coat it. I also wanted some hood pins, but couldn't find any place that had some Sparco styles in stock, and then when I did, I didn't want to pay 5-10 bucks for these little things.. so I made my own with wire and some leftover PE parts from when I built my Tiger Tank (http://www.bhop73.com/main/images/models/popups/military/earlytiger.asp?pic=tiger1)(award winning BTW :D ) Anyways, the pins will be workable as well (I hope it works right since i've never done anything like this before) The scale might be slightly large, but once they're painted and on the finished car, I think it'll look ok.

http://www.bhop73.com/models/eclipse/hoodpins.jpg

And last for now, is the muffler I made. I bought a big bag of aluminum and brass tubing from my local hobby shop for 15 bucks and used parts from it. It looks pretty close to my real Apexi N1... pretty fun for me.

http://www.bhop73.com/models/eclipse/muffler.jpg

Amazing job dude. N1 looks superb same witht eh paint job keep it up and keep us updated.

It´s a Real car!!!!

Wow this is shaping up quite nicely. Sry to hear about your c/f troubles, though in the end it came out great. Paint loos very nice as well. ould you mind posting a mock up with the rims and exhaust, if possible. Im anxious to see it all together :D keep it up man!

It's comming along nicely!! keep going!

haha... nice job on that hood... at first i thought it was some kind of referance pic(the close-up of the hood showing the hood pins)... good job on this build so far!

This is hot, I love the details youve done. You made me pick this kit up today.

Great job:)!

Excellent work! I really love the color! :)

Looking awesome, very nice interior and a love the body color :sunglasse, great job on the hood pins and muffler ;)

This isn't really much of an update. I haven't had much time to work on the model, but I did a little of the suspension work and while testing the wheel fit and the wing, I took a couple pics. The exhaust is just sitting on the ground under the car..

http://www.bhop73.com/models/eclipse/wheelswing.jpg

Really looking nice bhop! I love the paint, impuls are lookin killer, and youre scratchbuilding skills are insane. Hood pins and exhaust are just a little out of proportion IMO but still awesome. Good luck with that sunroof. :wink:

Really looking nice bhop! I love the paint, impuls are lookin killer, and youre scratchbuilding skills are insane. Hood pins and exhaust are just a little out of proportion IMO but still awesome. Good luck with that sunroof. :wink:

Thanks.

Although, I will agree about the hood pins, but I think they are acceptable.. maybe the owner got some cheap ebay pins.. :D, I think the exhaust is "almost" right on as far as size. It may be the pic that makes it seem off, since it's not attached yet, plus I think it's a little closer to my camera than it should be in relation to the car.. FYI here are some reference pics.

http://www.bhop73.com/models/eclipse/referencepic.jpg

looking great there man.................

How about an opinion peeps.. I was thinking of painting the spokes on the wheels gunmetal. What do you think?

Gunmetal Wheels
http://www.bhop73.com/models/eclipse/greyspokes.jpg

lookin great so far. I'd say keep the gunmetal centers :sunglasse

Holy shit dude looks really dam good, Keep the wheels how that are :iceslolan

Holy shit dude looks really dam good, Keep the wheels how that are :iceslolan


what he said. ^ wheels are sweet as they are and u were right about the exhaust i guess it was just the picture but it looks sweet newayz

nice

Been awhile.. but here I am with some stuff. I've been working on small details and the engine compartment. Anyways, here's what i've done since the last update.. not as much as i'd like, but i've been pretty busy..

Painted the back lights.
http://www.bhop73.com/models/eclipse/backlights.jpg

Painted a Blitz logo on the intercooler using a masking tape stencil cut from a downloaded logo, which was printed out to size. In this pic, you can also see that i've modified the headlights. The kit originally had some "sticks" in the clear piece that you just stuck in two holes. This looked unrealistic, so I cut them off and filled the holes, spraying the final piece with Alclad chrome. I think the result looks pretty decent.
http://www.bhop73.com/models/eclipse/blitz_hdlts.jpg

Here's another shot of the new headlights
http://www.bhop73.com/models/eclipse/newhdlt.jpg

Here's a shot of the engine. It's still got a long way to go. Lots of wires and hoses in an Eclipse engine bay, plus some pieces are left out, like the coolant overflow container, and clutch fluid reservoir, among a few other things. I was going to try to add the letters that are cast into the valve cover, but decided against it since the thing is so small...
http://www.bhop73.com/models/eclipse/engine01.jpg

Built the brakes and painted the calipers and centers of the disks.
http://www.bhop73.com/models/eclipse/paintedbrakes.jpg

Tinted the back windows with Tamiya Smoke paint
http://www.bhop73.com/models/eclipse/tintedback.jpg

Carbon decaled the wing
http://www.bhop73.com/models/eclipse/wingcarbon.jpg

Heh.. i had been drinking a little and couldn't think of the correct term (Valve Stems), even though I have known it for decades.. so that's why the pic says "air nipple" The lesson here... don't drink and post.. http://bhop73.com/stuff/forumfun/icons/893Doh-thumb.gif
http://www.bhop73.com/models/eclipse/wheel_air.jpg

That's about it for now....