Project Build - Elise GT: Honda Swap / Widebody Conversion

[BiggestNizzy]

I really like the headlamps, the rest aint to shabby either.

[smitstui]

I've just read your post from start to finish. Your project is absolutely amazing. Some people are just gifted with a vision and courage to make that vision a reality!

Keep up the good work that helps inspire many more projects and keep posting updates!

Best regards,

Stuart.

[Dominic]

We must be due another update soon

[MacLotus]

Thanks Stuart. Much appreciated. I plan to post another update soon, but its hard to see all my new work (although running your hand over the fender speaks volumes). Paint shop soon!

[MacLotus]

Just received the wing support system back from the CNC shop. I loosely bolted it up for a test fitting before it get's anodized black. You can also see that the rear venting has been cut out. I've got the metal mesh (matches factory OE) for these vents and those are currently being tig welded at a buddy's specialty shop.

The wing assembly is easily removed (3 minutes) for a clean street-look. Here, you see the wing in its lowest position.









Here you can see the wing is easily moved up into the clean air for optimal track performance.



If you notice, I put a tab just under the clam spoiler. A small aluminum bracket will be fabricated to prevent/stabilize any lateral (side to side) movement at speed.









Again, loosely fitted at this point.

[Scotty C]

Looks way better at its lower setting, but will be a lot more effective at its higher setting. Do you guys have corners on the road?

[MacLotus]

I agree. Wings way up in the air look hideous, but serve a purpose. Down low, less effective... but looks menacing.

[Ferg]

Really impressed with the back end now you've got the vents cut, it looks great. Was that your original vision or has that developed as you've gone through the project?

[MacLotus]

I have to be honest... I grappled with the rear end design up until the point I put the saw blade in the cutter. Originally, the plan was to have a dual exhaust with tips on both sides of the vents, but the wing supports and rear sub-frame just made that more difficult. Not impossible, but added complexity where it wasn't needed. Air should move through the engine bay easily now!

While the raw aluminum looks rough, it will be covered with carbon fiber to match the wing. The 6 fin lower diffuser will also be covered with carbon. Should look good! Thanks!

[Dominic]

Coming along nicely.

[Ferg]

Maybe a silly question, but are there any regulations regarding obscuring the brake lights in anyway? I notice those wing posts could obstruct a fair bit of the brake light from some angles.

[MacLotus]

While these cars are illegal for use on the street here, I may try to get it licensed as a kit car. That's why the wing assembly is easily removable with 3 bolts on each side for a cleaner street look. But I would also add that both of the new LED lights on each side are tail/brake lights with amber signals in the centers.

[campbell]

I knew you'd have it handled!

[MacLotus]

Just an update on the progress. Most of this final phase has been to coat the green filler (a fiberglass-filler that's super strong, but will not sand fine enough for paint) with a fine filler that sands very smooth (but lacks strength (so a very thin layer coat sanded with 180 grit).

I finally had the opportunity to lower the car on its new wider wheels/tires after nearly a year up on jack-stands. While I was very careful to calculate tire sizes, wheel widths & offsets, and full turning clearance, there is always a chance for error.. so a little anxiety is to be expected. Better to catch that now rather than after paint... right?

No unexpected lemons here. Tight, very precise, but works as expected. I will adjust the front ride-height up just a little, but the overall look is what I was after. Funny how after the car is 18" in the air for a year, it seems about 2 ft. high after it's lowered back to the ground.









Here is a view of the rear when the wing assembly is removed. These brackets will protrude just a little through the mesh vent, but they will be black anodized with carbon fiber on the flat sides.



You may also see that I had several holes drilled in the brackets just aft of the sub-frame. There will be a cross-brace between the two brackets that will support the exhaust system.

The 67" APR wing is added in these next photos and I'm happy to say that even in it's 'lowest setting' (as shown), it gets quite a bit of clean air bite over each rear fender (due to it's extreme width). It's MUCH wider than the EP Sport Wing I had previously, which allows the air foil to sit directly over each rear wheel (longitudinally speaking).

[MacLotus]

Just an update...

Bodywork (on my part) is complete and ready to go into final finish (except cutting-in my side marker lamps). Currently, I'm finishing custom metal grill work fitment prior to final finish. Grill work will get black powder-coating and all aluminum bits will get anodized and then the some carbon fiber detail on the surfaces. Under the headlamp lenses will also be carbon fiber finish (where the dual HID beams are).

Very excited to start seeing this come together! For now, I'm off for a two week holiday to the Caribbean, so things will have to wait for my return at the end of the month.

Thanks for tuning in! Here's a few pics where I took a little photoshop liberties... but for the most part is authentic.

Mac