The ECOCAT is a project car that is unlike any previous vehicle featured in KIT CAR. It is the culmination of ideas and bench racing session between certain magazine editors, their respective magazines, a very talented designer, and a group of manufacturers that see its uniqueness for the market place. Before we expound on the car itself, readers of KIT CAR may remember Eric Geisert's editorial (see "In the Lupe," July 2004) where he laid out his plan for the future of KIT CAR, which included "follow along buildup" articles of popular replicar manufacturers. The ECOCAT project is the first of those vehicles.
The ConceptThe concept for the ECOCAT started within the confines of another magazine in the PRIMEDIA fleet of publications: Chevy High Performance. Chevy High's editors had gotten their hands on a lowly Cavalier from Chevrolet to see what could be done to a 2.2L Ecotec to build horsepower. Results from some test sessions (and prior to adding superchargers or turbo chargers), the Mini-Mouse was putting out some impressive numbers nearing 300 hp. The result was: If you leave a couple of motorheads to bench race long enough, the "what ifs" will start bouncing off the walls. With all this horsepower and a lightweight power plant, we knew we could turn the rear wheels, but in what? It had to be different!
One editor remembered an article about the new Cheetah body 'n frame combo that was featured in KIT CAR (see November 2002 KC) from Shell Valley. Shell Valley's Rich Lacy was contacted and given an overview of the project, loved the idea, and soon we had our starting foundation. Most everyone remembers the Cheetah from the past, while few ever actually had a chance to see one race or even see one in person. Wanting this car to be a bit different, and because of its unique powerplant, the choice was made to do a little body modernization to enhance the Cheetah's original great lines.
We contacted automotive illustrator Thom Taylor to get his expertise on the project and he was immediately interested. Pen and pencils in hand, Thom produced our concept drawing that shows how the windshield would lay back, how the lower valance and rear deck should look, what stacked projector beam headlights would look like, and other slight modifications.
The end result is a car that represents Chevrolet's racing past in an entirely new and updated light. Those changes will be featured in their own build-up articles in future issues of KIT CAR as the project progresses. If it turns out as good as Thom Taylor's drawing, it should really twist some heads!
The ECOCAT represents a successful melding of the new with a little of the old to produce a truly unique ride. The new technology of the Ecotec 2.2L, with yet determined power adders, will be taught to drive the rear wheels. Keilser Automotive Engineering is our partner in this phase of the project and is currently building all the necessary engine adapters to transfer the power through a Tremec Five-Speed and back to a Moser-equipped third member (look for this portion of the project in a future installment).
QA1 Precision Products coilover shocks at all four corners have been tuned for the Shell Valley tubular front suspension and four-link rear set up. With over 300-plus hp planned at the go pedal we needed to improve a way to rid excess energy in a hurry with the whoa pedal and Wilwood came to our rescue with their 11-inch 6-piston brake system.
We then took the car to Tracy Tichenor of T&R Auto Body (Hammond, Indiana) as Tracy is our consummate professional, and able to take all these bench-racing ideas and convert them into a completed car. The idea is to be able to kick this car around on the street and dance with the best Snake at the track. Future ECOCAT story installments will include body modifications, mechanical buildup, paint and body work, and then a complete feature and track-thrashing session.