backofthepack Junior Member



Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 15

Turning a 2000 Eclipse into a dirt car



DAY:1 This is the way it sat when I got it, full interior and everything, it was someone's daily driver before they got arrested and sent to prison I think.













Girlfriend helping me tear it apart





DAY:2 Almost everything out









DAY:3 Inside is empty









Dogs laid around and watched











UPDATE:



Day:4





So I swapped out the 15in aluminum wheels for 16in steelies since they are stronger and cheaper to replace. I had a few rubbing issues but I'm pretty sure I got them worked out. I also riveted on some aluminum to cover the holes where the headlights were, which was a lot more difficult then I had thought. Next step is building an aluminum housing to cover the shifter, e-brake and fuel pump wiring.











Had to cut out a piece of the hood reinforcement on each side to fit the covers



























Update: DAY: I don't even know



Ok so it's been a little while since the last update and I have made a good amount of progress on the car.



Update: DAY: I don't even know



Ok so it's been a little while since the last update and I have made a good amount of progress on the car.



Got the car sanded and ready for paint.





The Girlfriend giving me a hand.





Me





Done with the white





50 cans of paint later



















I didn't like the way it turned out so I sanded it down a bit.









Changed the oil and went to change the plugs and wires and discovered this





So I pulled the plugs and every plug was dripping oil it was terrible. Replaced the plug gaskets and v/c gasket along with plugs and wires.







After looking at it for a few days it still didn't look good so I scrapped the camo idea and just went with black





Done









Starting the cage





























And its done





About 2 weeks away from hitting the track with it.









UPDATE:4



So we've relocated the gauge pod, down to the right of me.





We built a rectangle bracket to hold it and welded it to the crossbeam. We also relocated the fuse box to the top and cleaned up the wiring harness.





I wanted the cage to pop, so I painted it florescent green. I was covered with paint from having to crawl around in the car to reach everything.





It was bad





I'm very pleased with the way it turned out









Got the seat and harness bolted in





Finally finished with it. I got to race it last night and the car did better then expected. I got some footage from my GoPro also. on with the pictures and video.



Added some reinforcement to the back and front bumpers













Made hood and trunk pins out of bolts laying around the shop





Done and stickered (That's my daily in the back, I'm a Honda guy at heart. It's a 09 civic si)





Relaxing in between races





And the in car footage. A Saturn and I mix it up a bit out there. It was a blast and I can't wait for the next race.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3P47ccnuWqQ I am turning this car into a dirt track oval car for the Pro 4 division. I'll update this post as work gets done to the car. Right now the inside of the car is gutted except for the steering wheel, pedals, e-brake, and shifter. The car is an automatic which sucks, but I'm going to leave it, because I don't feel like swapping it right now.DAY:1 This is the way it sat when I got it, full interior and everything, it was someone's daily driver before they got arrested and sent to prison I think.Girlfriend helping me tear it apartDAY:2 Almost everything outDAY:3 Inside is emptyDogs laid around and watchedUPDATE:Day:4So I swapped out the 15in aluminum wheels for 16in steelies since they are stronger and cheaper to replace. I had a few rubbing issues but I'm pretty sure I got them worked out. I also riveted on some aluminum to cover the holes where the headlights were, which was a lot more difficult then I had thought. Next step is building an aluminum housing to cover the shifter, e-brake and fuel pump wiring.Had to cut out a piece of the hood reinforcement on each side to fit the coversUpdate: DAY: I don't even knowOk so it's been a little while since the last update and I have made a good amount of progress on the car.Update: DAY: I don't even knowOk so it's been a little while since the last update and I have made a good amount of progress on the car.Got the car sanded and ready for paint.The Girlfriend giving me a hand.MeDone with the white50 cans of paint laterI didn't like the way it turned out so I sanded it down a bit.Changed the oil and went to change the plugs and wires and discovered thisSo I pulled the plugs and every plug was dripping oil it was terrible. Replaced the plug gaskets and v/c gasket along with plugs and wires.After looking at it for a few days it still didn't look good so I scrapped the camo idea and just went with blackDoneStarting the cageAnd its doneAbout 2 weeks away from hitting the track with it.UPDATE:4So we've relocated the gauge pod, down to the right of me.We built a rectangle bracket to hold it and welded it to the crossbeam. We also relocated the fuse box to the top and cleaned up the wiring harness.I wanted the cage to pop, so I painted it florescent green. I was covered with paint from having to crawl around in the car to reach everything.It was badI'm very pleased with the way it turned outGot the seat and harness bolted inFinally finished with it. I got to race it last night and the car did better then expected. I got some footage from my GoPro also. on with the pictures and video.Added some reinforcement to the back and front bumpersMade hood and trunk pins out of bolts laying around the shopDone and stickered (That's my daily in the back, I'm a Honda guy at heart. It's a 09 civic si)Relaxing in between racesAnd the in car footage. A Saturn and I mix it up a bit out there. It was a blast and I can't wait for the next race. Last edited by backofthepack; 08/18/2013 at 12:37 AM . Reason: Update