Hello

[KNG SNKE]

Figured I would finally create an account and say hello since I have been frequenting the forums for about 2 years off and on now. I am a current Viper owner and have been looking for a project and the GTM from what I have seen best suits me. I live in Rhode Island, not far from FF so I plan on taking a ride up there in the near future to see what I will be getting myself into. I have finished working on the Viper and the only real thing left for me to do would be build he motor and go for crazy HP but it really is unnecessary so I have been really considering picking up a kit. I have done a lot of work to my car so the mechanics and electronics side of the house for the GTM would be easy for me. The main concern I have is the body of the car since I have zero abilities in that catergory so that is what I plan to see when I head up north. I have read a lot about the doors cracking on the vehicle though so I plan on doing a little more research.


The Viper
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q270/pollup/Photoshops/th_ViperPS3.jpg (http://s138.photobucket.com/albums/q270/pollup/Photoshops/?action=view&current=ViperPS3.jpg)
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q270/pollup/Photoshops/th_ViperPS2.jpg (http://s138.photobucket.com/albums/q270/pollup/Photoshops/?action=view&current=ViperPS2.jpg)
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q270/pollup/t3i%20Viper%20Shots/th_IMG_7078.jpg (http://s138.photobucket.com/albums/q270/pollup/t3i%20Viper%20Shots/?action=view&current=IMG_7078.jpg)
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q270/pollup/t3i%20Viper%20Shots/th_IMG_7070.jpg (http://s138.photobucket.com/albums/q270/pollup/t3i%20Viper%20Shots/?action=view&current=IMG_7070.jpg)
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q270/pollup/t3i%20Viper%20Shots/th_IMG_7052.jpg (http://s138.photobucket.com/albums/q270/pollup/t3i%20Viper%20Shots/?action=view&current=IMG_7052.jpg)
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q270/pollup/t3i%20Viper%20Shots/th_IMG_6848.jpg (http://s138.photobucket.com/albums/q270/pollup/t3i%20Viper%20Shots/?action=view&current=IMG_6848.jpg)

[sk7500]

Hi KNG SNKE,
Welcome to the forum. It sounds like you already have some of the skills required for building a car. Body work is like anything else, the more you do it the better you get. The new gen 2 bodies seem to have a lot of the challenges seen on the gen 1 bodies already corected. I'll bet you know someone who has some body working skills that could help you. Not to mention the people on this forum are some of the best. I'm not familiar with the cracking doors condition you are referring to but I'm sure there is a solution. Good luck and remember, the building is half the fun.:rolleyes:

[Kalstar]

My car is at paint stage and only 45 mins from you. Feel free to pm me and I would be happy to show you a car that is at the stage that concerns you most.

Where there is a will there is a way, proper planning and you will have a GTM of your own.

Get the right donor.
Stripe and replace damages parts
Order kit
Clean/recon parts before kit is picked up. Start selling unneeded parts from the donor.
Build away.
When you get to paint decide if you want to do it of leave it to a body guy.

[fact5racer]

By all means sub outhte bodywork if you are not a professional bodyman! I compare it to building a house: Why take all your time making everything strong and level and then have a gypsie come in and do a hack job on the siding? As mechanically perfect the car will be, it will still look like crap. There are many reputable bodyshops around and if needed others in the area on this forum can direct you to one including myself.

[fact5racer]

P.S. let me know when you are going to FFR, I could possibly meet you there with ine.

[riptide motorsport]

Welcome!!

[The Stig]

Welcome "King Snake". There are lots of people who will be around to help you along, if you need it. Have fun at Factory Five. If you've never been, it'll get you in the right frame of mind to take the leap into the world of Factory Five projects. You will not find anyone more passionate about his company than Dave Smith. Gary Cheney's a hoot also. Great people, and lots of fun. Enjoy!



P.S. let me know when you are going to FFR, I could possibly meet you there with ine.

Mr. Cheney! It's good to see that you're still here with us. I haven't seen you here in a while.

Must have been out burning up the roads of New Hampshire. Good for you.

Take care.

[KNG SNKE]

Thanks for the warm welcome. I believe I met Kalstar tonight at Patriots Place. I had heard about this meeting spot so I decided to take a trip up there. Great meeting you and I am definitely going to take you up on your offer to check out your car.

What is considered the "right" donor car? I stripped and sold a fully decked out Viper in 1 week so I am all about finding a donor Vette and ripping it apart. I don't necessarily need 600whp but after talking to Kalstar it seems he has a friend who does hair dryers for a good price so that might be an option.
http://s138.photobucket.com/albums/q270/pollup/Salvage%20Viper%20Parts%20PIctures/?start=all

One main concern of mine would be where to house everything. I am only temporarily living in New England. I should transfer in roughly 1.5 years so I will have access to a 2 car garage then. Currently I only have a single car garage and I can't put the Viper out in the cold so I am wondering how soon I should jump into this project. I am definitely willing to strip a Vette now though and have been searching local craigslist and ebay to find a decent one for me to rip apart.

[docglock]

Welcome.

I just want to say that there are plenty of people on the forum more than willing to answer questions and point you in the right direction. As to the body work, look up Fastthings GTM on Youtube. He has an incredible archive up there. I've been incorporating his videos in my build journal.

Here's an example:

http://supercarbuild.blogspot.com/2012/09/rear-hatch-fitment.html