Nickt93's Eliminator (formerly Ghettocet) Build (Like I Need Another Project)
soon
11-20-2015, 12:56 PM
#23
Elite Member
iTrader: (15)
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Murfreesboro,TN
Posts: 2,041
Total Cats: 265
Speaking of cost, if you do this right you can build one on a tiny budget. I bought my donor for $1500 and have sold $4700 worth of parts off of it on eBay. The seats sold for $500, the top was another $500, the finish panel was $300, etc. Even after paying eBay/ PayPal/ UPS their share I'm still way positive on this car.
I need to start posting parts on eBay!
Reply
0
0
11-20-2015, 01:38 PM
#25
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Lambertville, NJ
Posts: 1,215
Total Cats: 74
I'm trying to figure out how the build actually works. (Also trying to figure out how to convince my wife we need to spend another $5K on Miatas. That just as an aside- any ideas?)
- Do they ship you the completed cage and you just weld the supports, or do the ship the bent pieces of steel and you weld the whole cage together?
- Decent instructions on where to apply the sawzall on the donor?
- Any differences between an NA and NB donor? I have an NB I may be willing to sacrifice....
- What's your estimate on how many hours the project will take you? I am a little hesitant to believe the "one weekend" timeline, considering that it took me almost a full day to install a harddog rollbar.
- Do they ship you the completed cage and you just weld the supports, or do the ship the bent pieces of steel and you weld the whole cage together?
- Decent instructions on where to apply the sawzall on the donor?
- Any differences between an NA and NB donor? I have an NB I may be willing to sacrifice....
- What's your estimate on how many hours the project will take you? I am a little hesitant to believe the "one weekend" timeline, considering that it took me almost a full day to install a harddog rollbar.
Reply
0
0
11-20-2015, 06:17 PM
#27
Senior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (5)
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 646
Total Cats: 36
I'm trying to figure out how the build actually works. (Also trying to figure out how to convince my wife we need to spend another $5K on Miatas. That just as an aside- any ideas?)
- Do they ship you the completed cage and you just weld the supports, or do the ship the bent pieces of steel and you weld the whole cage together?
- Decent instructions on where to apply the sawzall on the donor?
- Any differences between an NA and NB donor? I have an NB I may be willing to sacrifice....
- What's your estimate on how many hours the project will take you? I am a little hesitant to believe the "one weekend" timeline, considering that it took me almost a full day to install a harddog rollbar.
- Do they ship you the completed cage and you just weld the supports, or do the ship the bent pieces of steel and you weld the whole cage together?
- Decent instructions on where to apply the sawzall on the donor?
- Any differences between an NA and NB donor? I have an NB I may be willing to sacrifice....
- What's your estimate on how many hours the project will take you? I am a little hesitant to believe the "one weekend" timeline, considering that it took me almost a full day to install a harddog rollbar.
Re: your wife. This one is easy: do the math and show her how much of the $5k you'll be able to recover by selling off the unneeded parts. I'd expect you to be able to recoup at least half of the costs.
Re: the cage. It comes pre-welded for the most part. Here is a picture of what it looks like. The front section (shock tower plates and front bar) are added later. There is some additional welding in the back to clean up the rear, and it's a good idea to seam weld the chassis during the build for added rigidity.
Re: instructions on cutting/ welding. Yes, this is in process. In fact my car is being used to document a lot of the prep that needs to be done for the conversion. If you ordered one now I would expect robust instructions to be available by the time you received your kit.
Re: NA vs NB. I don't think there is any difference between the two for purposes of this conversion.
Re: hours for the conversion. I'll tell you when its done
It took me 2-3 months to strip the car and sell off all of the parts needed to fund the project.Yeah man! I was going to note that our garages are quite similar! What color is your Sup'? Mine is Alpine Silver - had it since 1999.
Reply
0
0
11-20-2015, 06:22 PM
#28
Senior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (5)
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 646
Total Cats: 36
Regarding cost, here is just a sneak peak at a few of the things I've sold on eBay; will post a more comprehensive list later. You can see how quickly some of this stuff adds up:
Reply
0
0
11-20-2015, 06:58 PM
#30
Elite Member
iTrader: (14)
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Birmingham, AL
Posts: 2,101
Total Cats: 180
Nick you're cheating by having Alan do it! No sawzaw for you!
I will say, if you plan to do this yourself - it WILL take time. The cage comes pre-welded for the most part, but YOU have to prep and paint/seal it, prep the car with the instructions that will come with the kit, weld the cage to what's left of the car, then finish up with suspension (you'd better upgrade over oem), install seats and harnesses.... my rough guess that the diy guy (unlike me) will spend about 30hrs total - if/when on adderall
I will say, if you plan to do this yourself - it WILL take time. The cage comes pre-welded for the most part, but YOU have to prep and paint/seal it, prep the car with the instructions that will come with the kit, weld the cage to what's left of the car, then finish up with suspension (you'd better upgrade over oem), install seats and harnesses.... my rough guess that the diy guy (unlike me) will spend about 30hrs total - if/when on adderall
Reply
0
0
11-22-2015, 08:33 AM
#33
Senior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (5)
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 646
Total Cats: 36
Headlights/ brake lights/ turn signals are critical to being street legal. This car will have all of those.
In Georgia it's not totally clear if fenders/ windshield/ etc are required for street legality. I don't know of any of the current Eliminator owners having any issues with police, but I won't be totally surprised if I got pulled over even if just for questioning.
Reply
0
0
11-22-2015, 09:50 AM
#34
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Lambertville, NJ
Posts: 1,215
Total Cats: 74
This very much depends on the state.
In PA for example you would likely title this as a "specially constructed vehicle". SCVs need the following that current Eliminators don't seem to have:
- Fenders
- Hood
- Windshield (minimum 12" tall)
So it looks like an Exocet with an additional windshield can get titled in PA, an eliminator needs a little bit extra work.
In PA for example you would likely title this as a "specially constructed vehicle". SCVs need the following that current Eliminators don't seem to have:
- Fenders
- Hood
- Windshield (minimum 12" tall)
So it looks like an Exocet with an additional windshield can get titled in PA, an eliminator needs a little bit extra work.
Reply
0
0
11-23-2015, 02:02 PM
#35
Senior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (5)
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 646
Total Cats: 36
To follow up on the question about costs/budget, here is what I've sold so far off of the car. Grand total = $4758. Back out ebay/ paypal/ shipping and I'm still at $3900. I think I have about another $1200 worth of parts to sell, so I should come in right around $5k in parts sales.
So, I'll backing out the $1500 I paid for the donor I'll end up with $3500 in cash and a solid donor that has everything I need for the conversion (solid motor/ tranny, AGXs, RB Header, intake, RB sways, etc.
Spare Seats $560
Convertible Top $550
Finish panel $314
Trunk lid $239
Front left fender $239
Door panels (pair) $179
Spare transmission $150
Wheels and Tires $150
Bumper mask $100
Springs - OEM $89
Boot/ Tonneau $85
Lifters $79
Turn signal control with cruise #2 $65
Cockpit Brace $65
Altezza tails $55
Side Mirror - Driver (powered) $55
Side Mirror - Passenger (powered) $55
Headlight motor - right $45
Headlight motor - left $45
Floor Mats $45
Glovebox $35
Headlight - Driver $65
Leather steering wheel $112
Tombstone/ Bezel $45
Side Mirror - Driver (manual) $60
Center Console with shift boot $45
Side Mirror - Passenger (manual) $65
Window glass - driver $66
Window glass - passenger $49
Miata Trunk Carpet $85
Taillight - Left Side $68
Seats $400
Cabin cover $63
Taillight - Right Side $58
HVAC Heater core assembly/ box element case $70
HVAC Blower Housing Assembly Heater Air Conditioning AC Box $39
Seat belts & receivers $80
Body Kit - Rear Bumper, Side Skirts $100
Speaker Box/ Carpet $40
Windshield trim/ weather strip $29
Stock flywheel $20
Your results may vary. I think this car was a great deal and it included a stack of spares which I was able to turn into cash. Still, find the right donor and these things can basically pay for themselves.
So, I'll backing out the $1500 I paid for the donor I'll end up with $3500 in cash and a solid donor that has everything I need for the conversion (solid motor/ tranny, AGXs, RB Header, intake, RB sways, etc.
Spare Seats $560
Convertible Top $550
Finish panel $314
Trunk lid $239
Front left fender $239
Door panels (pair) $179
Spare transmission $150
Wheels and Tires $150
Bumper mask $100
Springs - OEM $89
Boot/ Tonneau $85
Lifters $79
Turn signal control with cruise #2 $65
Cockpit Brace $65
Altezza tails $55
Side Mirror - Driver (powered) $55
Side Mirror - Passenger (powered) $55
Headlight motor - right $45
Headlight motor - left $45
Floor Mats $45
Glovebox $35
Headlight - Driver $65
Leather steering wheel $112
Tombstone/ Bezel $45
Side Mirror - Driver (manual) $60
Center Console with shift boot $45
Side Mirror - Passenger (manual) $65
Window glass - driver $66
Window glass - passenger $49
Miata Trunk Carpet $85
Taillight - Left Side $68
Seats $400
Cabin cover $63
Taillight - Right Side $58
HVAC Heater core assembly/ box element case $70
HVAC Blower Housing Assembly Heater Air Conditioning AC Box $39
Seat belts & receivers $80
Body Kit - Rear Bumper, Side Skirts $100
Speaker Box/ Carpet $40
Windshield trim/ weather strip $29
Stock flywheel $20
Your results may vary. I think this car was a great deal and it included a stack of spares which I was able to turn into cash. Still, find the right donor and these things can basically pay for themselves.
Reply
0
0
11-23-2015, 04:42 PM
#38
Senior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (5)
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 646
Total Cats: 36
I've shipped out two trunk lids now - the first cost $24, the second was $29.
UPS charges a good deal less if you ship to a business address vs residential, so on the bigger items like seats I've asked the sellers to get them delivered to a business if possible.
Reply
0
0
