Well it has been a short while since I have posted so I decided to give an update.
Today I started purchasing the vast quantity of sourced parts
My focus currently is on the front end components.
This past week I made a major decision on the wheel/tire combination. Instead of going with a 4X100 PCD +35 Enkei RPF1 15X7 wheel I decided to go with the Smart 3X112 PCD +23.5 15X4.5 wheels up front.
My main reasons for making this decision were the fact that the original GT6 wheels were 13X4.5 and had an +24 offset. So by staying true to the width and offset for the most part would virtually guarantee me I will have no issues rubbing with these wheels. Even if I made no custom composite body I would still be able to use these wheels with the stock GT6 after of course the correct wheel bolt pattern was drilled out of the blank alloy hubs.
The Smart wheels are less than 1 lb heavier than the Enkei RPF1 wheels but because they are only 4.5" wide instead of 7" I can mount a much lighter tire to these wheels for a big weight savings advantage in unsprung weight.
Due to the fact that the Smart wheels are much slimmer than the Enkei this should give me a reasonable advantage as it pertains to less rolling resistance as well as (PMOI) Polar moment of inertia, since again I can use lighter tires.
The cost of the wheels were much less with little effort locating suitable options. The Enkei wheels would have been at the lowest price $180.00USD the Smart wheels I found for $100.00 USD. So there was a nice little cost savings there on this component.
This cost savings advantage did not only end at the wheels this also carried over into the tires as well. Although the cost savings was not that noticeable initially I think having a 12lb tire vs an 19lb tire will save me pennies every day they are used
The wheel/tire combination weight for the Enkei/Ecopia was 28.82lbs and for the Smart/Continental it is 22.5lbs for a 6.32lb unsprung weight advantage per side. I know at first this does not really sound like much but every pound of unsprung weight has a major effect on handling and fuel economy so if you are trying to cut weight in a build this is the one area that you really want to focus on and do the best job you can as you will get the biggest bang for your buck initially and down the road
By the end of this month and early into next month I should have all or very close to all of the front end parts purchased and in route. This is the goal that is but the majority of the parts will be coming from overseas in Europe so shipping time will play a factor.