Today is 11/15/25. One year ago I registered my car for the road. I have driven the car almost daily whether running errands or going for a “spin” and have racked up 2,808 miles and enjoyed each and every one. Over the year I fiddled with the alignment a number of times and believe I now have it dialed in as it drives and handles great. I was a little surprised I had to lube the front suspension at about 11 months and 2,200 miles as it was becoming stiff. Initially I thought I had a steering rack, or steering column issue, but traced it to needing a front end lube. Over the year the only glitch was the ignition switch wire that came loose and caused a failure activating the starter motor. I roll/bump started in that instance and made it home without further issues. I reconnected the wire and it’s been flawless since. I have been caught in the rain twice and got the customary soaked left leg, but was able to keep it rolling and very little got in the cockpit.
The clutch cable stretched some in the early days and had to be adjusted. I also needed to add a quart of oil at around 2,000 miles, but since that time engine break in has reduced oil consumption. My approach has been to drive and get used to things rather than feel I wanted to immediately change them. For instance the tach bounced initially but that gremlin has disappeared. I also felt the seat and steering wheel being offset warranted change, but have grown accustomed to it and will leave it alone. I didn’t install carpets and wanted to wait and see if I would change my mind. So far I’m happy with the simple aluminum and it’s unlikely I’ll add carpet. Sun glare reflection off the center console did bother me so I covered it with black vinyl window material. I’m pleased with that. I do want to move the T5 shifter forward to the mid position and likely will build a link of some kind. A S10 tail swap may be in my future, but for now I want to leave the engine/transmission undisturbed.
I haven’t decided on paint color yet so am still driving in the black gelcoat. I did knock the parting lines down and smoothed them and blended black paint with the gelcoat and I get lots of compliments as people don’t seem to notice or care. I like the fact that I don’t worry and fuss over protecting an expensive paint job. It is not in my nature to polish or wax so show quality paint doesn't interest me and I will most likely set up a paint booth in my garage and paint it myself. Odds are I’ll go with jet black gloss and maybe some vinyl film roundels or other removable decals to jazz it up once in a while.
For me the stock exhaust pipes are fine, not too loud and I find them enjoyable to the ear. You can’t sneak up or sneak away, but that’s of little concern to me. There have been no complaints from the neighbors…………well there is that one neighbor with several electric vehicles, but they commented only once. There are a few clunks and rattles that take some getting used to, but none appear to warrant further concern.
Overall I’m very pleased. I have really enjoyed the build and the first year of driving the car and look forward to year 2 and beyond and as my confidence in the car’s reliability and dependability continues to increase I plan to drive her more.
Congrats on your build! Definitely post some pics.
Since you have our attention. Has anyone considered or have found headers and/or J Pipes that position the side pipes a little more under the car? I think the original FIA/USRRCs had them a little more inboard. Or at least they appear to be. And I don't mean the slab sides. Or are the pipes just fine as they are? Any thoughts?
I'm feeling a little sheepish..........baaaah as I don't have many pictures, drove it more than I took pictures of it. Here's a few. IMG_2439.jpgIMG_2445.jpgIMG_4790.jpg
Last edited by FRM; 11-15-2025 at 07:28 PM.
Reason: wonky pictures
Thanks tundra2050. I went with the j pipes and side pipes in the kit. I haven't had any issues with them either rattling or giving a leg bbq, but I do recall, as you said, pictures where they are under the car. Likely that would reduce ground clearance and the side set up that I have puts the pipes really low as it is. I haven't scraped over speed bumps, but I think about it any time I go over a speed bump. My 2 cents.
One thing I noticed is I don't see any of the fiberglass mold lines. Did you sand and match a primer? Or is it just the photos and angle? Just curious.
I ground down the parting lines with a DA sander and then put on rage gold, sanded that, applied more and sanded, etc, etc. then I used black rattle can primer followed by black rattle can paint then wet sanded and it all blended together fairly well. To the untrained eye it looks decent. Far from professional, but I'll apply more elbow grease in warmer weather and do up a better job with feather fill and then acrylic urethane shot from a gun. That's the plan.......time will tell. I enjoy driving it so much I don't like the thought of it being off the road for paint..........but a really nice paint job does look fantastic.
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