Originally posted by DOHC3L:
David can you tell us about how much install/paint cost you for the kit? Thanks
I can't give you an accurate estimate of the installation, as I had it done under special circumstances. I was bumped on the freeway in the rain and the car spun into the guard rail, hitting every body panel twice. They were not damaged very much, mostly creases, but it was enough that they all needed to be replaced. The CT kit cost less than the factory replacement parts for my situation, so I got it instead. Ended up costing me about $2K out of pocket after USAA paid for the estimate to put it back to stock. The kit itself cost me $7K.
It bolts into the stock points, but you also need to bond it. Fiberglass does not have the same torsional strength as aluminum, so you want to mount it using all of the contact area. On a bodywork scale of 1 to 10, I would rate it as an 8 in difficulty. Any really good shop used to working with glass could do it, but I wouldn't trust your corner collision specialist. One of the main things to do (as with any fiberglass work) is properly prep the panels so they take paint well. The last thing you want is to be messing with pinholes after the first coat of paint.
I have not done anything else to lighten my car except lose the spare. I have a pretty light exhaust, however, as it is just pipes and a turbo. That probably helps a bit, but the air to liquid intercooler and the extra oil system parts probably offset most of the gains from the exhaust.
As far as the few mph it might lose at top speed, that is just not relevant to me. I rarely run the car over 150 mph and if I was after absolute top end, I would not have put in the R&P. Also, I think I have enough hp to make up the loss that would appear on a stock car.
[This message has been edited by David (edited 01 April 2001).]