Just days away from it's anticipated SEMA debut, Fausto Merida's carbon widebody GTI project is coming along in leaps and bounds.
The widebody was designed by Extreme Dimensions but since it was so close to crunch time, they decided to opt out of the carbon widebody and build it in fiberglass. However, the hood, tailgate and rear wing will be genuine carbon/kevlar from Carbon Creations.
After the body kit was fitted, the car went to Jim Desmond at Sleeprz in Santa Ana, CA. He re-finished the body kit and blended the rear arches to the car. He also shaved the moldings, door handles, tinted the tail lights and did a variety of other work to the car.
Once he was done, VIP Forged test-fitted a set of wheels. With the GTI being so wide, they decided to make a custom set specifically for it. Yokohama then graciously provided a set of massive Advan Sport tires.
Finally the car was transported back to Evolution Racewerks in City Of Industry, CA where it had originally received a custom FMIC. Now Fred Su installed the Megan Racing coilovers, RPI/Wilwood brakes, GHL Motorsports turbo-back, quad-tip exhaust, Injen Technologies intake, and also fabricated seat brackets for the Status seats.
Hopefully the next time we see this car is under the lights at SEMA...
This month's In The Garage section is shorter than normal because everybody's rushed off to SEMA. However, we hope to return to its normal format next month. If you're building a car and think it could be included, email hi-res images and details to eurotuner@primedia.com. And it doesn't have to be a new, widebody, turbo car provided it has some interesting elements.
With VW's GTI Tuner Challenge looming (see p46) and SEMA just around the corner, WRD was pulling out the stops to prepare its Time Attack GTI.
First they installed the APR K04 turbo with integrated exhaust manifold. Apparently the fit was perfect, "The easiest and best-fitting turbo install I've ever done. And it makes good power. The flash took 30min and started right up," enthused WRD's John Gardner.
Next up was APR's 3" exhaust system. During the installation, WRD took out the resonator and made a 3" mandrel-bent replacement piece using a new RMD bender.
For the chassis, WRD constructed a four-point rollcage using 1.5" tube with 0.095" wall thickness to SCCA specifications, since the aim is to race this car next year. Furthermore, they added WRD Track coilovers. The front feature custom-valved Koni double-adjustable shocks and WRD billet upper spring perches, as do the rear.
By now you may know the car suffered a catastrophic drivetrain failure during the GTI Tuner Challenge but WRD is hoping to have it repaired and the car completed in time for its SEMA debut.