Project: Chevette Turbocharged Ecotec...

[K-Gene]

OK, first post after being a member for almost 2 years..

I subscribed to this thread a few years ago, and it was around page#2 of posts in this thread that I realized the likelyhood of this ever seeing the light of day was slim-none. I'm sorry I am likely right about this.

This might actually be a good poster-child sticky for those looking at starting a project.

1) Develop a plan
1b) determine what your capabilities are, and figure out what will need to be farmed out.
2) Set a budget.
3) Compare plan-budget. REalize that you will likely underestimate the cost of your plans by 20% (at LEAST) under reality.
4) Iterate on plans vs budget in 1 of two ways. a) budget to to the whole project, or b) what are reasonable chunks of the project to break it up over a longer period of time, but with the ability to run the car and stay inspired.

Buying the powertrain, then buying a tube frame kit without evaluating the stock chassis, or what's involved in suspension design/fab install for a one-off tube frame, then blow $$ on carb fiber wrapping headlight bezels while the motor sits in the corner... sad signs of a project never to see the light of day. Having $7-8k of parts piled up, a pile where more $$ will be needed to complete any 1 phase of the project is a bad idea.

After screwing around with a project for 9 years (!!!) and realizing that what I wanted for a car now is different than what I wanted 9 years ago was a tough enough pill to swallow. But I got the car done... then sold it ..

I think this is fallout from people watch the Power Block on Spike, or Overhaulin.. or blah blah blah show where they built a car in a 1/2 show...

[98ssnova]

OK, first post after being a member for almost 2 years..

I subscribed to this thread a few years ago, and it was around page#2 of posts in this thread that I realized the likelyhood of this ever seeing the light of day was slim-none. I'm sorry I am likely right about this.

This might actually be a good poster-child sticky for those looking at starting a project.

1) Develop a plan
1b) determine what your capabilities are, and figure out what will need to be farmed out.
2) Set a budget.
3) Compare plan-budget. REalize that you will likely underestimate the cost of your plans by 20% (at LEAST) under reality.
4) Iterate on plans vs budget in 1 of two ways. a) budget to to the whole project, or b) what are reasonable chunks of the project to break it up over a longer period of time, but with the ability to run the car and stay inspired.

Buying the powertrain, then buying a tube frame kit without evaluating the stock chassis, or what's involved in suspension design/fab install for a one-off tube frame, then blow $$ on carb fiber wrapping headlight bezels while the motor sits in the corner... sad signs of a project never to see the light of day. Having $7-8k of parts piled up, a pile where more $$ will be needed to complete any 1 phase of the project is a bad idea.

After screwing around with a project for 9 years (!!!) and realizing that what I wanted for a car now is different than what I wanted 9 years ago was a tough enough pill to swallow. But I got the car done... then sold it ..

I think this is fallout from people watch the Power Block on Spike, or Overhaulin.. or blah blah blah show where they built a car in a 1/2 show...

Thanks for the Tip. Hey this guy had a vision started out and realized that he bit alot more than he could chew. But we should be blocking his motor we should be guiding his motor( a little super badd fo ya). I think that htis guy need to let us know what he has left and what parts are ready to go help him build a budget. The car onl dies if you give up on it not everybody can drop off there car to a builder and tell him color and motor combo and say i'll be back in 6 months or whoever long it takes. So off the soap box hopefully this posts up and lets help him out if he wants it.

[Doober]

Thanks for the Tip. Hey this guy had a vision started out and realized that he bit alot more than he could chew. But we should be blocking his motor we should be guiding his motor( a little super badd fo ya). I think that htis guy need to let us know what he has left and what parts are ready to go help him build a budget. The car onl dies if you give up on it not everybody can drop off there car to a builder and tell him color and motor combo and say i'll be back in 6 months or whoever long it takes. So off the soap box hopefully this posts up and lets help him out if he wants it.

Agreed. Because he hasn't finished it doesn't mean he's given up. Life happens, and not everyone has a budget to do their car as fast as some others on here. It's all matter of time & money, and I'm not going to be a naysayer just because it takes longer than others. Being a hobby means the car could sit for 5 years before anything happens, it did for me, and it will likely be years before my car reaches some semblance of what I want it to be.

[79-TA]

Awesome. This is my first time going over this thread. Please keep making progress on that thing, it'll be killer when you're done! (or near done . . . nothing is really ever done)

[chavezdel]

Lovely build... go with the vette wheels....

[Brad1970]

cool build... No matter how long it takes, don't let it die. There is no time frame on finishing these things...

[ed1le]

cool build... No matter how long it takes, don't let it die. There is no time frame on finishing these things...

Amen to that!

[twosaturns]

this thread has been revived at least twice now- check the posting dates guys!
the OP started it in oct '07, and last posted sept '09. almost a year now, no posts, no updates.
that's what you call a dead thread unfortunately.

[absintheisfun]

that's what you call a dead thread unfortunately.

so sad. I remember watching this one a long while back, and then again when it was revived...it was a helluva cool concept!

[XLexusTech]

Well either the car is sitting in his garage or someone else owns it... either way if their is a car their is hope ...!1

Glass half full my friends.!

[67camaro*z]

Was a great idea!

[PhillipM]

I hinted around to him on PM a year or so ago about buying the GXP motor from him. He wasn't iterested so I'm guessing he plans to finish it someday. Ended up ditching the 4cyl idea and just slapped a LS in there for darn near the same money. Scary. Anywho, I hope he does come out cause this project was cool.

[linkstar69]

shame this one hasn't progressed any further.

[dafabricata]

Well as I'm sure most of you have guessed, Project Ecovette has been discontinued...by me anyway.

I ran out of money and plan to move out of state so I need to sell it.

This really sucks as you guys have been absolutely amazing with all your positive feedback, and encouragement!! Thank you all! Great community here!
With the economy and other factors that life has thrown my way, I feel its best to let someone else have a go at it and will hopefully be able to finish what I started or better yet, improve on it!

I have a TON of time and more money in it than I care to admit.
It will come with everything I purchased for it and I'll be taking a big loss here.

ALSO WILLING TO PART OUT.....Chevette with all related parts / GXP Drivetrain / Vette Rims

These items include:
1978 Chevette 2 door body with all original glass and mounted to 2x3 frame jig (Title Included)
Body is in amazing condition for it age with minimal rust and a dent on the passenger side quarter panel.
Jegs Jegster frame kit- modified with roll cage specifically for this body. Also a decent amount of box and tube steel for misc additions
2009 Pontiac Solstice GXP engine/ trans/ wiring harness with electronic gas pedal
Basically brand new drivetrain.
Drivetrain has ONLY 12 MILES on it...THATS RIGHT 12 MILES!! Pulled from a new car who's rubber seals were bad resulting in interior flooding and insurance claim.
Also comes with a Sparco front mount intercooler and pipes that is already set up for the mounting on the custom bumper brackets.
Drivetrain was purchased from Shrams Auto Parts in Mason Michigan. They deal with only late model GM vehicals.
New Clear headlights with new adjusters.
All misc. nuts and bolts and anything else I forgot to mention.
C6 Corvette 5-star rims. VERY LOW MILES (less than 500 miles) and in almost new condition.

It pains me greatfully to have to sell this, but given my current finanial situation, it would sit for many years before I could realistically move forward with it.

I'm willing to take my time selling it as I'm not looking to "Give it away" but I will offer everything for a reasonable price.

Please contact me to discuss price and details.

Email : dafabricata (at) yahoo (dot) com

[craigs73]

oh CRAP!! sorry to hear this i was wanting to see this happen would be a fun car

[absintheisfun]

damn man..sorry to hear your going through a tough time. Good luck with the sale--just make it conditional that the buyer keep adding updates to this page!

[dafabricata]

Thanks so much for the kind words guys!
It is rather sad that I'm not going to be able to finish it, but it was a good time and an excellent learning experience.

The Drivetrain is SOLD PENDING FUNDS, and it sounds as though the gentleman purchasing it has some VERY cool plans for it!
He's a member here and will no doubt have his own thread when the time is ready!

The Body, frame and frame jig are all still available, along with the seats, and C6 vette rims.
Please feel free to email me if interested!

[TomT]

14 hours of driving today - Kentucky to Michigan and back. A long day but worth it. The ecotec made it safely to its new home. We're sorry project Ecovette has been discontinued but excited about the possibilities of project EcoVega (hopefully we can think of a better name than EcoVega). We have to finish the Chili Pepper first but the wheels are already turning on the Vega. Thanks for everything Tim and good luck with your move and best wishes otherwise.
Tom

[The Stickman]

14 hours of driving today - Kentucky to Michigan and back. A long day but worth it. The ecotec made it safely to its new home. We're sorry project Ecovette has been discontinued but excited about the possibilities of project EcoVega (hopefully we can think of a better name than EcoVega). We have to finish the Chili Pepper first but the wheels are already turning on the Vega. Thanks for everything Tim and good luck with your move and best wishes otherwise.
Tom

Project Vegotec? Good luck with it.

[TomT]

Project Vegotec? Good luck with it.

Vegotec...not bad.

Jeremy Clarkson calls environmentalists "eco-mentalists." Maybe project "Eco-mental" which has many levels of meaning (like you'd have to be mental to even own a Vega let alone pour money into one, or in-your-face to all the tree huggers out there this is a hot rod that has a 4 cylinder and gets over 30 MPG and yet is fun to drive and wickedly fast). Maybe I'll even paint it green...