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 CONCEPT
The 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.
From its inception, the goal of this project will be to drive this car, and we don't mean just down to the corner grocery. While you may love or hate our design, you have to admit it is different. But the ECOCAT also provides another way to look at replicar building, in both power plant options and body modifications, which personalizes your project. Have we got you thinking? Ed Zinke is the publisher of Chevy High Performance, Muscle Car Review, and Hot Rod Engines magazines, and can also make one helluva cup of coffee, too.
|
 Automotive designer/illustrator...  Automotive designer/illustrator Thom Taylor started to apply subtle changes to Shell Valley's Cheetah to modernize its appearance. We even looked at how the end result would work with a convertible top should anyone ever not want to drive in the open air. With agreed upon body enhancements, the final touches where put to our concept drawing. Changes will include a laid-back windshield, lower side panels, modified headlights with projector beams, and rear deck alterations (including built in headrests). |
 Planned power will come from...  Planned power will come from tweaked 2.2L Ecotec with supercharger. Besides compact and lightweight, GM says it'll produce 205 hp at 5,600 rpm and 200 ft-lbs at 4,000 rpm. You can find these engines in the Saturn Ion Redline. |
 When you order a rolling chassis...  When you order a rolling chassis from Shell Valley, they are all over it. As an example, the entire suspension assembly is bolted in and completed right down to the brake lines. The 2x4-inch rectangular steel frame is an extremely solid foundation to work from. |
 Front suspension receives...  Front suspension receives the same care and expertise prior to shipping a rolling product to a customer. All Cheetahs come with tubular control arms and our ECOCAT was delivered with QA1 coilover shocks and a Wilwood 11-inch disc brake system with six-piston calipers that will provide plenty of stopping power. |
 This is the level of completion...  This is the level of completion that our Cheetah arrived to become ECOCAT. We immediately unloaded the kit directly to our rack so we could take measurements for the big-inch wheels. |
 The tilting hood and doors...  The tilting hood and doors are hung and aligned prior to delivery. With the front end tilted forward, the QA1 shocks and Flaming River rack-and-pinion steering assembly are visible. Frames will come painted or powdercoated from Shell Valley and, since we will be welding special frame engine mounts, we asked that the car be delivered in raw steel. |
 This is the most important...  This is the most important area we have to work with. Ample engine space is provided, as we checked our engine specs with a rented Cavalier to measure from. We found that the 37 1/2-inch Ecotec setting 3 inches from the firewall will still only come up to the rear upper control arm bolt. |
 Up front, the 17-inch mock-up...  Up front, the 17-inch mock-up wheels did pretty well at filling the wheel opening. We plan to add an inch to that size and run 18x8 to keep everything under the fender and still provide clearance in road course situations. |
 We used a set of 17-inch wheels...  We used a set of 17-inch wheels that were at the shop and we started measurements for the big meats. Planned are 20x10-inch rollers with 6-inch rear offset to fill the wheel wells. Up front, the 17-inch mock-up wheels did pretty well at filling the wheel opening. We plan to add an inch to that size and run 18x8 to keep everything under the fender and still provide clearance in road course situations. |
 This is the last photo of...  This is the last photo of the stock body and windshield shape, as next month we will begin the body modifications by laying the windshield back, the body side panels, and a host of other alterations. |