Installing body kit

[Zrracer]

5th week.......
I waited months for the place that was going to install my kit. In all fairness a couple weeks delay to Erma included.
It was all so comfortable. His knowledge of fiberglass and a stingray on the sign.
I decided to start with the rear fender cover as I understand it is the most challenging. I also wanted the gas tank replaced while we were at it. We had much discussion about which light to use as a third brake light.
I had given him more money last Thursday. The third brake light was to have come in today.
Then........
The email, no call just an email stating he was not working on the car any more. He had put it outside the back door and would I please pick it up today. He would refund non used money.
I went over and talked to the owner who was frustrated with the fiberglass kit.
This is the guy who said he had vast fiberglass knowledge.
He put the rear cover on. 2if the rear lights were not installed along with back up lights and lic plate light and off course the third brake light.
End of round one.
I am thinking off taking the remaining pieces to a fiberglass shop and then to a body shop for adjustment and instal.
This is not going to be easy I think!
Aaarg......

[A26B]

The rear bumper cover was the best piece on mine. The gill/rocker pieces required the most modification to align with the new lower door panels. The front bumper had Lots of air bubbles under the gel coat. We poked & probed for hours & still missed a couple. No worries, they will show up after its painted & you can redo the nose :-(
All in all, I would do it again.

[Zrracer]

Thanks Jerry
I guess I am in for a long haul with this kit.
I also have just decided to use a standard resprayable paint. For the repaint.
I will pick the car up tomorrow and the rest of the body kit parts. I talked with a fiberglass place today. They want to c the pieces. Hope this new idea works out. I would like to get this finished and back on the road after 10 years.
Robin
:cheers:

[cvette98pacecar]

Please, Keep us informed on your progress. I will be installing my body kit on the LPE the week of Thanksgiving.

[Zrracer]

This is the LPE kit I am installing. I have done a Shinnoda/means kit years ago. As it was going to be done at the factory it was very straight forward and very well done. It fitted the car and used the existing attachment points. I will try and include a picture below.
Today I went from boat shop to boat shop looking for someone who has had great experience with fiberglass. I finally was directed to a car guy with lots of experience. He then referred me to another shop. I took the quarter panels to him. One was good one was bad. We made a deal for Him To start tomorrow. He is an older guy like me. He does not want to do the install of the kit. He is willing to take the rear cover off and redo it and get it right though. I suspect he will do the instal though. Even if he does not I can have the rest of the kit installed and have him do the necessary adjustments. He is going to prime it also.
I want the kit primed and hung on the car first. Jerry had problems with pin holes on his front piece. My quarters have the same issue. My conversation today put me at ease with the pinholes. He claims he will do 2 coats of polyester and that will stop the pinholes. I hope so.
He does want to do the paint when I am ready. He promises zero tape lines anywhere on the car. Hand sanding everything from blocking to 4 coats of clear.
Oh well,
I just hope after the costly first try I can get the kit whipped into shape and problem free. Oh yea, I am going to have the OEM pieces removed to allow him to fit the kit pieces.
I will post pictures as the kit gets done and hung.
I then will be addressing the engine which has not run for 10 years. I will then Yank the interior and get that all done while the painting gets done. I suspect I will then need a lot of final touches to get it done.
I now have to redo my timeline which was a foolish 6 months to do to a I have no idea when it’s getting done.
Robin

[Zrracer]

I can’t upload pictures. The site says that the connection is lost.
I will try later.

[A26B]

Bret Henderson would be the best for the job, but I doubt he has time for that type of work. If anyone would know someone to do the job for you, Brett would. You might reach out to him and ask for a referral.

[GOLDCYLON]

This is the LPE kit I am installing. I have done a Shinnoda/means kit years ago. As it was going to be done at the factory it was very straight forward and very well done. It fitted the car and used the existing attachment points. I will try and include a picture below.
Today I went from boat shop to boat shop looking for someone who has had great experience with fiberglass. I finally was directed to a car guy with lots of experience. He then referred me to another shop. I took the quarter panels to him. One was good one was bad. We made a deal for Him To start tomorrow. He is an older guy like me. He does not want to do the install of the kit. He is willing to take the rear cover off and redo it and get it right though. I suspect he will do the instal though. Even if he does not I can have the rest of the kit installed and have him do the necessary adjustments. He is going to prime it also.
I want the kit primed and hung on the car first. Jerry had problems with pin holes on his front piece. My quarters have the same issue. My conversation today put me at ease with the pinholes. He claims he will do 2 coats of polyester and that will stop the pinholes. I hope so.
He does want to do the paint when I am ready. He promises zero tape lines anywhere on the car. Hand sanding everything from blocking to 4 coats of clear.
Oh well,
I just hope after the costly first try I can get the kit whipped into shape and problem free. Oh yea, I am going to have the OEM pieces removed to allow him to fit the kit pieces.
I will post pictures as the kit gets done and hung.
I then will be addressing the engine which has not run for 10 years. I will then Yank the interior and get that all done while the painting gets done. I suspect I will then need a lot of final touches to get it done.
I now have to redo my timeline which was a foolish 6 months to do to a I have no idea when it’s getting done.
Robin


Wow where did you find an LPE kit?

[cvette98pacecar]

This is the LPE kit I am installing. I have done a Shinnoda/means kit years ago. As it was going to be done at the factory it was very straight forward and very well done. It fitted the car and used the existing attachment points. I will try and include a picture below.
Today I went from boat shop to boat shop looking for someone who has had great experience with fiberglass. I finally was directed to a car guy with lots of experience. He then referred me to another shop. I took the quarter panels to him. One was good one was bad. We made a deal for Him To start tomorrow. He is an older guy like me. He does not want to do the install of the kit. He is willing to take the rear cover off and redo it and get it right though. I suspect he will do the instal though. Even if he does not I can have the rest of the kit installed and have him do the necessary adjustments. He is going to prime it also.
I want the kit primed and hung on the car first. Jerry had problems with pin holes on his front piece. My quarters have the same issue. My conversation today put me at ease with the pinholes. He claims he will do 2 coats of polyester and that will stop the pinholes. I hope so.
He does want to do the paint when I am ready. He promises zero tape lines anywhere on the car. Hand sanding everything from blocking to 4 coats of clear.
Oh well,
I just hope after the costly first try I can get the kit whipped into shape and problem free. Oh yea, I am going to have the OEM pieces removed to allow him to fit the kit pieces.
I will post pictures as the kit gets done and hung.
I then will be addressing the engine which has not run for 10 years. I will then Yank the interior and get that all done while the painting gets done. I suspect I will then need a lot of final touches to get it done.
I now have to redo my timeline which was a foolish 6 months to do to a I have no idea when it’s getting done.
Robin


There is no mistaken the rear body clip.


Robin, I have two contacts below. Like Jerry stated Brett is the best choice, But he unfortunately is buried with life and C1.


Paint Spot in Addison, Illinois. Mark H introduced me to Vince years ago, He does excellent work.


Carravagio Corvette in Concord, ON. John is currently building my Shinoda Spyder. I am hoping to get it back before the snow flies.

[Zrracer]

Here r the Shinoda/means pics.

[Zrracer]

I spent yesterday with the “new guy”. He showed me some of his work which was very nicely done. He worked at a highly respected area rod shop for 20 plus years and did side work painting motorcycles. Since his retirement he has a small shop where he works on cars.
We made a deal to do the kit repair and install. He has another body guy who is going to help him with the fitting of the kit on and off the car. He came to my house to c the work that’s been done on the car. I was impressed with what he told me he saw. What the problems were,what went wrong and how to correct.
We talked about the fitiment of the Toledo hood on the red car after he pointed it out without me mentioning it. He also went over the fix with me.
Their r 2 issues left to solve.
1 Jerry, your car has both of the rear indentations on the rear side pieces cut open.
2 the red LPE car has the side markers in the upper indentation.
I like the look of Jerry’s car but am a little afraid of braking some lighting law? Anyone know the answer?
My kit is the one without the Lingenfelter name across the rear. I have decided to maybe ghost the name under the paint or go without it. I will decide that one later.
That just leave those fog lamps in the front. Someone told me,I can’t remember who, that I would have to find some aftermarket lights to fit.
Robert,
I asked for lots and lots of pictures to pass on to you.
Robin

[cvette98pacecar]

Here r the Shinoda/means pics.


Robin, I have about 30 photos of your Shinoda GS.


Thanks for asking for photos, I am just installing the body panels so they are installed correctly. Once I get the Shinoda Completed I will determine where the Lingenfelter is going for final completion.

[Zrracer]

I might sign one of those pictures for a free beer sometime😉

[cvette98pacecar]

My rear fascia has the center mount exhaust notch. Here is a link to the muffler and tips I think I am going to use. I am going to measure the opening once I get the car on the lift.


Muffler
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Magnaflow-Muffler-SS-D-D-5-X-8-inch-oval-dual-3-inlet-outlet-18-body-12469-/391167676005


Tips
https://www.carid.com/corsa/pro-series-tip.html?relationshipId=1018362653&childId=622815599&utm_source=microsoft&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=53463042&utm_content=4181287663

[A26B]

I spent yesterday with the “new guy”. He showed me some of his work which was very nicely done. He worked at a highly respected area rod shop for 20 plus years and did side work painting motorcycles. Since his retirement he has a small shop where he works on cars.
We made a deal to do the kit repair and install. He has another body guy who is going to help him with the fitting of the kit on and off the car. He came to my house to c the work that’s been done on the car. I was impressed with what he told me he saw. What the problems were,what went wrong and how to correct.
We talked about the fitiment of the Toledo hood on the red car after he pointed it out without me mentioning it. He also went over the fix with me.
Their r 2 issues left to solve.
1 Jerry, your car has both of the rear indentations on the rear side pieces cut open.
2 the red LPE car has the side markers in the upper indentation.
I like the look of Jerry’s car but am a little afraid of braking some lighting law? Anyone know the answer?
My kit is the one without the Lingenfelter name across the rear. I have decided to maybe ghost the name under the paint or go without it. I will decide that one later.
That just leave those fog lamps in the front. Someone told me,I can’t remember who, that I would have to find some aftermarket lights to fit.
Robert,
I asked for lots and lots of pictures to pass on to you.
Robin

Robin,
I made a cardboard template of the "fog lamp" opening 7 drove around shopping mall until I found a light that would work. I can't tell you the year model, but it came from a Jeep Cherokee, probably in the 80s or 90s. They didn't change much from year to year, so you can probably find it easily enough.
Jerry

[Zrracer]

Thanks guys.
I will be happy to buy u beer.
😀

[cvette98pacecar]

Robin,
I made a cardboard template of the "fog lamp" opening 7 drove around shopping mall until I found a light that would work. I can't tell you the year model, but it came from a Jeep Cherokee, probably in the 80s or 90s. They didn't change much from year to year, so you can probably find it easily enough.
Jerry


Thanks Jerry.

[Zrracer]

Jerry,
Can u help with another question. The front bumper cover is almost done. We are talking about placing the side lights in that prepared area. It looks like you and LPE mounted the side markers behind the kit? My guy is going to pull the front cover off and fittin the new one on the car Monday. He is winning about all the air holes close to the edges where they did not roll the glass into the corners properly. When he sanded those corners he ended up having to roll them a little, fix the glass and re roll. Robert I suspect u also will have this problem. He also had to reglass the flat piece that sits under the front bumper cover.
He is not at all concerned about making a nice fit between the bumper and the car and working everything to come together nicely. He has the rockers done. He said they were much easier than front piece. The under panel piece for the door on one side has a big vertical bludge on in it. He is a little concerned about the piece. Maybe having to sand and it be to thin. That’s a latter problem though.
Robert I will take pictures for you.
Happy turkey day to both of you.
Robin

[Zrracer]

the Problem areas are the top opening area at the 90. Glass was not rolled well in those corners. The second area is the flat bottom area u can see. He had to totally re glass both sides to get them to look as they should.

[cvette98pacecar]

I am sure the gelcoat on my kit is crap as well.

[A26B]

Jerry,
Can u help with another question. The front bumper cover is almost done. We are talking about placing the side lights in that prepared area. It looks like you and LPE mounted the side markers behind the kit? .................................................. ........
Happy turkey day to both of you.
Robin

We used a 2 part, black epoxy to glue studs to the back side of the panels, to be used for mounting the cornering lamps, vent grills, etc.

Happy Turkey Day to both of YOU!

Jerry

[Zrracer]

Robert,
Here are some pictures for you.
Where you see the white areas is where voids were found. Actually anywhere you see a non glass colored area has been worked on. The bad areas we have found are typically near the corners where roller did not get to.
Robin

[Z51JEFF]

No offense but why would you stick your foot on the car and how long did it take to buff out the scratches in the bumper?

[cvette98pacecar]

PM me your email address, I have a folder that I forgot about, It has everything that you want to know about installing the LPE body kit.

[cvette98pacecar]

Here is where I currently am in the build.

[Zrracer]

No offense but why would you stick your foot on the car and how long did it take to buff out the scratches in the bumper?

Is this directed at me? If so I am not sure what u r talking about?
:cheers:

[mjn76]

I might sign one of those pictures for a free beer sometime😉
I think he is asking about this post

[Zrracer]

I got it now.
Hahaha
“ no cars we’re injured during the production of those pictures “
=D>

[Zrracer]

The body kit is installed.
Here are the finished pictures. It’s just primed for now. We want the kit to settle or show any problems before it’s painted.
I am taking it up North for the engine work at one of our gurus. Just can’t decide which one with a stop at Carsile for the first time.
Not going to get excited until it’s running and on the way to paint.
:)

[Z51JEFF]

Is this directed at me? If so I am not sure what u r talking about?
:cheers:

Isn’t that you with your foot on the GrandSport?

[Zrracer]

Yes it is my foot.
But, as I said no cars were injured during the production of that picture.

[GOLDCYLON]

Wow where did you find an LPE kit?

Well is been a year I figured I'd ask again. Can I assume LPE since there is no LPE logo on the rear panel ?

[Zrracer]

Here is my understanding of why no emboss on the rear.
This was supposed to be the last kit made. The mold was not good enough for the emboss. The original buyer would not accept it or they made another to make the customer happy.
I bought this kit from an owner in the Atlanta area. I bought it from him through Lingenfelter.
This was years ago.
Robin

[GOLDCYLON]

Here is my understanding of why no emboss on the rear.
This was supposed to be the last kit made. The mold was not good enough for the emboss. The original buyer would not accept it or they made another to make the customer happy.
I bought this kit from an owner in the Atlanta area. I bought it from him through Lingenfelter.
This was years ago.
Robin

I believe that is correct. Thanks GC