’96 Sunfire Widebody Progress

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Forum Name: Fiberglass, Fabrication, and Interiors
Forum Discription: Fiberglass Kick Panels, Subwoofer Enclosures, Plexiglas, Fabrics, Materials, Finishes, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=95476
Printed Date: April 26, 2024 at 2:31 PM

Topic: ’96 Sunfire Widebody Progress

Posted By: slimmatic
Subject: ’96 Sunfire Widebody Progress
Date Posted: July 09, 2007 at 10:21 PM

I just picked up another car, '99 Toyota Solara, so the real work can begin on the fire.

I will be updating this thread as I progress through the project. I really have no timeline, but I just plan on working on this in my spare time. All comments/criticisms welcome. Also, if anyone feel ambitious and would like to do some photoshops, that would be great.

I am still working on the design. As of right now, I am planning on making a slighty modified mold of the Streetfire front bumper I have now. The fenders will be widened as they go back, and will be blended into the front bumper. The sideskirts will be widened and a line will run up to the rear window, with the rear quarter panel behind the line being widened. The rear bumper will be custom and not stick out.

Here are a few very poor photoshops that I did

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Here is the car as it started

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Some slight design changes to the front bumper

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Working on a design

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One dilemma that I have right now is weather to make the sideskirts smooth on the bottom like in my first photoshop above, or to make a mold of the bottom part of the Type-J skirts which in the picture below you can see has it's own line that I could extend.

posted_image

I am going to mess around tonight with some different designs, and will be back to doing some more work tomorrow. Thanks for looking.

Replies:

Posted By: slimmatic
Date Posted: July 09, 2007 at 10:24 PM

I taped up and started making a mold of the rear quarter panel today. I finished just before it started raining.

posted_image

I'm at a little bit of a standstill until I finalize the design. I should be able to do some more work around the middle of the week. Hopefully I figure out more of the design the then.

I also need to make a list of what else I will be needing and need to put an order in at US Composites. I've only used Bondo brand resin since I can get it locally, but for a project like this I think I will start ordering the materials online.

Posted By: slimmatic
Date Posted: July 09, 2007 at 10:27 PM

Well, I wanted to work on the design a little more but it kept raining off and on, so I pulled the car in the garage and continued.

posted_image

Posted By: slimmatic
Date Posted: July 09, 2007 at 10:29 PM

Well, I got 1 layer of glass on the front bumper today.

posted_image

Posted By: e36rok
Date Posted: July 10, 2007 at 12:27 PM

I'm not trying to bust your balls or anything but why spend all that money on the Sunfire + materials and end up with an odd-looking Pontiac when that money would have gone towards buying a half-decent car worth owning? I hope it turns out even on both sides so it doesn't look like one of those "did-it-in-the-garage-with-a-buddy" Civics/Cavaliers/Sunfires running around.

What are your plans for paint?

Posted By: slimmatic
Date Posted: July 10, 2007 at 5:20 PM

e36Rock - I like the Sunfire and enjoy modifying it, which is why I am doing the widebody for it. As far as cost goes, I will be selling my existing bodykit, which will cover much of the material cost for this project.

--

Well, today I removed the quarter panel and did some trimming. I then just hung it up to get an idea of how it looked.

posted_image

It took a while to get it off of the car, which makes me worried about how hard it will be to get the mold off of the front bumper. I added one more layer of glass to the bumper today. I am wondering if it will be easier to remove now with only 2 layers of glass, or after adding a few more layers.

I also did a few layers on the passenger side quarter panel.

posted_image

Posted By: huber
Date Posted: July 11, 2007 at 9:18 PM

Looks like a great idea for a project.....I am very interested to see how it turns out!

By the way....Have you worked with fiberglass before this project?

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Posted By: bellsracer
Date Posted: July 15, 2007 at 12:29 AM

e36rok wrote:

I'm not trying to bust your balls or anything but why spend all that money on the Sunfire + materials and end up with an odd-looking Pontiac when that money would have gone towards buying a half-decent car worth owning? I hope it turns out even on both sides so it doesn't look like one of those "did-it-in-the-garage-with-a-buddy" Civics/Cavaliers/Sunfires running around.

What are your plans for paint?

I mean not to sound rude or anything, but why are you against it? I go to several car shows every year and I am always happy to see a vehicle that a person has put effort and time into. The Sunfire is a good car... it's nothing to be snobby about. I myself am using a Saturn ION as a base for my designs. Are you going to call my project not so decent too?

Before you post something like this again, please DON'T!

I commend this project. It's not some overlypriced crazy project that has tons of companies sponsoring it or whatnot. It is also a project that not just anybody can do in your words "half-decent".

I don't mind reading criticism on the12volt, but seriously, this is a complete flame in sheep skin.
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Slimmatic, keep up the work and keep us posted. I'm rooting for you 110% ^-^

Yokudekimashta! Ganbatte ne!

Loves Keiika

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Never send your ducks to eagle school.
The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra.
The 3Ls of life: Learn from the Past, Live for the Present, Look to the Future.

Posted By: e36rok
Date Posted: July 15, 2007 at 2:03 AM

^^^ Easy there turbo... there are so many "home-made" Sunfires and Cavaliers running around my city that look like crap. I just said make it even on both sides.

And by my "half-decent" comment I meant instead of spending money on the car + materials (and time) to get an end result of a batmobile that has flappy bumpers at 50mph like the ones I've seen so many times before, the same amount of money could have gone towards an awesome car.

GL on the project if it turns out great you have my respect, if it turns out like the ones down my street I will kick you in the balls :P

Posted By: bellsracer
Date Posted: July 15, 2007 at 10:32 AM

Ok... I'll let this one slide except for one part:

e36rok wrote:

the same amount of money could have gone towards an awesome car.

Any car can be an awesome car and to the people who love their car enough, it is an awesome car. I think that anyone who says that has no real respect for other people. For me, it just feels like they say it out of obligation then rather than from the heart.

e36rok wrote:

^^^ Easy there turbo... there are so many "home-made" Sunfires and Cavaliers running around my city that look like crap. I just said make it even on both sides.

Come to my city then, you'll see LOADS of civics with poor installs and lots of Suns and Cavis that rock. Then there is that insane Saturn that, I joke you not, has I think 6 wings all over it... o____o yeah.... There is that point where you go from stylin' to wth... (2 wings on the hood with some phony stick on pipes on the hood, 2 wings mounted on the roof, 1 on the trunk, 1 off the rear bumper)

e36rok wrote:

GL on the project if it turns out great you have my respect, if it turns out like the ones down my street I will kick you in the balls :P

Oh come now... I think that anyone truly willing to go where slimmatic is and actually do the work should be given the chance to reproduce ^-^

The world could use more go-getters and people willing to go the extra mile... If I wasn't already married, I would jump on a guy like that... oh wait >.< I did ^-^;

I'm sorry if I seemed a little snappy in that last post. I guess for me, I'm just a bit short tempered about that after dealing with a LOT of rude people over the past few days. Forgive me?

Arigatou!

Posted By: e36rok
Date Posted: July 15, 2007 at 4:18 PM

bellsracer wrote:

Come to my city then, you'll see LOADS of civics with poor installs and lots of Suns and Cavis that rock. Then there is that insane Saturn that, I joke you not, has I think 6 wings all over it... o____o yeah.... There is that point where you go from stylin' to wth... (2 wings on the hood with some phony stick on pipes on the hood, 2 wings mounted on the roof, 1 on the trunk, 1 off the rear bumper)

I meant any riced up Civic/Accord/Sun/Cav/Neon....I can't stand ricey cars but it especially wizes me off when I see any of these with giant wings on the back 'cause they're EVERYWHERE.

/End rant.

Posted By: slimmatic
Date Posted: July 15, 2007 at 7:26 PM

huber - Yeah, I have some fiberglassing experience. Here are a few pics of the door panels I made.

posted_image

bellsracer - Thanks a lot for the comments. It's nice to hear people appreciate the work that is going into this. I really appreciate going to a show and seeing someone who has put custom work into their car, and not just installed a lot of pieces that anyone can buy.

e36rok - Please don't stereotype my car. If you don't like what I am doing with it that is your opinion, but do not just lump me into a group of "sunfire/cavaliers that look like crap". Just because someone else did a not install stuff correctly does not ave any relevance with my car. Also, this project will probably end up costing me $1500-$3000 when it is all said and done. I have a nice daily driver, a Toyota Solara, so this is my fun hobby car.

--

I got a few layers of glass on the front bumper.

posted_image

Took the mold off and did a quick fit to see how it would look.

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Started making the mold on the other side.

posted_image

Took the mold of the bumper off. I then put down wax paper/tin foil so I could reattach it to finish glassing it and not worrying about trying to remove it later.

posted_image

Posted By: bellsracer
Date Posted: July 16, 2007 at 3:28 AM

slimmatic wrote:

huber - Yeah, I have some fiberglassing experience. Here are a few pics of the door panels I made.
~snip~

Wow... It could be just the photos or me being very tired, but that looks really slick, pun intended. Great sanding job on the skins. Still look wet!

slimmatic wrote:

bellsracer - Thanks a lot for the comments. It's nice to hear people appreciate the work that is going into this. I really appreciate going to a show and seeing someone who has put custom work into their car, and not just installed a lot of pieces that anyone can buy.

You are very welcome. There are tons of cars out there and not everybody can afford a "professional" custom job. Anyone who at least attempts to do what you are doing gets an A and huggles from me along with the respect. A+ for a good install

slimmatic wrote:

e36rok - Please don't stereotype my car. If you don't like what I am doing with it that is your opinion, but do not just lump me into a group of "sunfire/cavaliers that look like crap". Just because someone else did a not install stuff correctly does not ave any relevance with my car. Also, this project will probably end up costing me $1500-$3000 when it is all said and done. I have a nice daily driver, a Toyota Solara, so this is my fun hobby car.

My point exactly! I have seen more than my share of custom jobs and every one of them both good and bad have a unique touch to them that usually sets them apart (note: usually >.<) The point here though is the love of the idea and concept of making one's car their own. Anyone who can't appreciate that is a lot of hot (or cold) air. oh wait, airheads ^-^;

slimmatic wrote:

--

I got a few layers of glass on the front bumper.
~snip~
Took the mold off and did a quick fit to see how it would look.

~snip~

~snip~
Started making the mold on the other side.

~snip~

Took the mold of the bumper off. I then put down wax paper/tin foil so I could reattach it to finish glassing it and not worrying about trying to remove it later.

~big snip~

Hehe... keep up the good work! I hope to see your Sunny sometime IRL. Best wishes for you!

Posted By: huber
Date Posted: July 20, 2007 at 5:24 PM

No matter what....It will be custom at the end of the day...And that is what we live for right? posted_image

.....You are making great progress

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Posted By: slimmatic
Date Posted: July 20, 2007 at 8:12 PM

Got some packages in the mail today...

posted_image

I can't believe how much better this resin is than bondo brand. Thinner, longer work time. And using a roller makes a big difference in the smoothness.

Got both molds off of the rear panels, so adding some extra layers on the inside for strength. I have a wedding tomorrow, but will hopefully get some more done Sunday.
posted_image

Posted By: huber
Date Posted: July 20, 2007 at 8:19 PM

The front bumper looks SICK

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Posted By: hub_n_hun
Date Posted: July 21, 2007 at 3:39 PM

Nice job! Widebody's FTW. Here, I am going to post a link of another sunfire widebody thread I have been following. Very impressive stuff.

https://www.j-body.org/forums/read.php?f=46&i=240319&t=240319&p=61

Posted By: slimmatic
Date Posted: July 22, 2007 at 6:34 PM

huber - Thanks. I really like how it looks too, especially with the evils eyes on the hood over the headlights. Make the front end look "mean".

hub_n_hun - Thanks for the compliment! I have also been following the progress of that thread. When Vince started it last summer, I could not wait to get a daily driver so that I could start mine. He has given me a lot of motivation.

--

Small update... got up early before the wedding this morning, laid tinfoil down on the sideskirt and did the first few layers of glass. Hopefully this mold will come off easier than the others with masking tape. Gonna add a few more layers tomorrow after I get back.

posted_image

--

Well, I've got about 4 layers on the driver side sideskirt. I'm still amazed how much better it is using tinfoil, and how great this resin is. It will make my job MUCH easier when I get to the sanding stage.

I also got 4 layers on the driver side fender. It is a little smoother this time. :)

posted_image

My birthday is next Saturday, so I decided I would treat myself to a few days off of work. So I will have Wednesday/Thursday/Friday of this week off, and will hopefully make a lot of progress!

Posted By: bellsracer
Date Posted: July 22, 2007 at 8:42 PM

Well let me be the first to beat everybody to it....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!

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Bit by bit, your lovely creation comes to life... I thank you for the progress reports. Keep up the good work. My prayers are with you... best wishes!

Keiika

Posted By: huber
Date Posted: July 23, 2007 at 11:13 AM

Ya happy birthday!!!!!!!

Question about your project??? When you said you are useing tin foil.....How are you using it? like layers of fleece??

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Posted By: slimmatic
Date Posted: July 23, 2007 at 4:43 PM

bellsracer - You were the first, thanks!

huber - when I first started I paid down masking tape and put the resin on top of that. as you can see fromt he pics, that did not work out so well. the tape sticks to the piece, and the resin sticks to the tape, so it was a pita to get off.

I am now laying down a layer of tinfoil over the piece I want to make a mold of , and applying resin on top of that. The resin sticks to the tinfoil, but the foil does not stick to the piece. So the mold literally pops off.

Posted By: slimmatic
Date Posted: July 24, 2007 at 8:17 PM

Well, after adding a few more layers and letting it cure, I removed the drivers side sideksirt. Oh how easy it came off with the tinfoil! I love it!

posted_image

I then removed the sideskirt, only to find a mess of rust.

posted_image

So I will either need to learn how to weld or find someone locally who can fix this for me.

I just laid a few of the pieces together to get an idea of the design. It was getting dark, but you can get an idea.

posted_image

Posted By: huber
Date Posted: July 25, 2007 at 12:52 AM

That sucks about the rust....I am LOVIN IT!!!! <project that is

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Posted By: slimmatic
Date Posted: July 25, 2007 at 7:37 PM

Got some more glassing done today.

Glassed the bottom of the sideskirt now that it is off the car. So much easier when you are not fighting gravity.

posted_image

Also started glassing the passenger fender and added a few more layers to the driver's side fender, which should almost be done.

posted_image

Posted By: huber
Date Posted: July 25, 2007 at 7:54 PM

Now when you get this all done.....If a little rock hits the bottom of the front bumper will it crack or bust?

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Posted By: slimmatic
Date Posted: July 25, 2007 at 8:52 PM

huber] wrote:

Now when you get this all done.....If a little rock hits the bottom of the front bumper will it crack or bust?

It will be no different than anyone who buys a fiberglass bodykit for their car. The nice thing about fiberglass though is that if at some point it does get messed up, I can fix it.

Posted By: huber
Date Posted: July 26, 2007 at 8:11 AM

Ya that is true

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Posted By: hessdawg
Date Posted: July 28, 2007 at 1:37 AM

wow you are ambitious

great job

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hessdawg out

Posted By: mjwood0
Date Posted: July 28, 2007 at 5:38 AM

Keep up the great work! It's gonna look really nice when it's done.

Couple questions for you if you don't mind:

1. How do you plan on attaching the fiberglass pieces to the existing body?

2. (I've always wondered this...) How do you go over speed bumps with such a low front end? I barely make it over a few around here with my Contour with the stock SVT body kit...

Again, I'm most impressed!

Posted By: huber
Date Posted: July 28, 2007 at 6:07 PM

At a angel?????

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Posted By: artsar
Date Posted: August 02, 2007 at 5:12 PM

I'll be following this build up. I need to get an idea of how hard it will be to make myself a body kit from my stocks and half of a different cars bumper... keep up the good work

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Currently: Alpine 9813, Alpine MRD-M1005 and Alpine 12" Type X. Future Plans: Alpine MRV-F545, Focal for the front and Alpine Rs in the rear

Posted By: bellsracer
Date Posted: August 03, 2007 at 11:33 PM

Well that will depend on your experience with FG and ability to plan the project from beginning to end. If you are fairly to moderately experienced and are pretty good with planning, then you should not have many problems, but if you are new to FG or not very skilled at planning, I would not reccommend this project until you are familiar with how FG will cure in your area/environment. (ie shrinkage, distortion, etc)

If you have any other questions please do not hesitate to ask.

Ganbatte ne!

Posted By: huber
Date Posted: August 09, 2007 at 6:49 PM

Any updated pictures??????????

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Posted By: huber
Date Posted: August 17, 2007 at 9:18 PM

Bump for an update? posted_image

I am excited to see more! lol

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Posted By: slimmatic
Date Posted: August 26, 2007 at 10:18 AM

Well, the last few weeks I have been really busy, but I have squeezed in some time to work on the car. Not much to update as far as pictures go, but I have added several more layers to the fenders, and along the underside of the driver side sideskirt. I will be starting the passenger side sideskirt soon (probably this week).

posted_image

The whole rust problem has kind of held me up the past few weeks as well. I need to start looking around to see who can weld in some new metal for me.

At some point I will be getting expanding foam and start to build the rear. I did a quick pic of what I kind of want the rear to look like. Comments appreciated.

posted_image

Posted By: jlord16
Date Posted: September 04, 2007 at 3:30 AM

Mate that build up is wicked. Cant wait to see what the finished product looks like

You have some amazing skills

Any more pics of those door cards/pods that you made?

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Clarion DB36MP
Infinity Kappa Perfect 10"
Respone 800w Mono
ALPINE MRP-F250
*Custom fabrications*

Posted By: irocsound
Date Posted: September 09, 2007 at 11:53 PM

Hey its looking good.

I like the idea with the rear end. I am going to do something like that with my camaro. I am going to use the cobalt tail lights tho.

Posted By: jvillefinest
Date Posted: September 17, 2007 at 2:39 PM

i looked throughout the thread and didnt see the answer to this one...what kind of resin and hardner did you decide to choose...i saw you have used bondo before and i agree its not the best....just wondering what kind you got and where ya got it

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2007 Acura TSX
SQ setup in the works

Posted By: sotexcustomz
Date Posted: October 16, 2007 at 3:56 PM

man thats a very intresting project i hope everything turns out well for you lots of time involved

Posted By: brian layton
Date Posted: November 10, 2007 at 11:29 PM

nice job any up dated pics

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One fist like a rock, the other made of steel. If the first one dont hit you the right one will!

Posted By: /\/\arco
Date Posted: November 12, 2007 at 1:24 AM

any updates? Looks like a great start

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-Gryphon Indash 6.5 DVD-
-Precision Power PCX 2400-
-JL 10 W6-
-Alpine V12 / Type R-

Posted By: white22
Date Posted: December 12, 2007 at 2:46 PM

Any new pics??

Posted By: p&gcustoms
Date Posted: December 18, 2007 at 6:27 PM

looking good keep up the good work. any updated pics

Posted By: rj_archer
Date Posted: December 25, 2007 at 11:13 PM

very nice mate, keep up tha great work, how much has the cost been so far? im going to have a crack at makin new side skirtz on my r31 skyline

Posted By: KPierson
Date Posted: December 26, 2007 at 12:35 AM

It's definately time for an update.

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Kevin Pierson

Posted By: joyrydn
Date Posted: December 27, 2007 at 1:20 AM

I gotta say man you got some talent, great work. can't wait to see more. as for the negative comments made to you earlier in this thread, forget them, I'd like to see what they drive. I admire those who put alot of work in there ride. you gotta take pride in it. I gotta 2003 f150 im workin on and its turning out awesome, you all should check out my thread, need some input(must see 2003 f150 dash and headliner...) so come on get those pics up bro. props!

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Make it Euro'n!!!

Posted By: joyrydn
Date Posted: December 27, 2007 at 1:32 AM

couple tips

i think lambo doors would look killer on that car, and when u do the back expanding foam build up, leave the foam in there, i did my guage pillar pods with 2" pvc on the factory a pillar and used the foam to shape it up, and it worked great. plus you'll get some added support in case sum1 smacks ur ass! lovin the progress tho, keep up the good work

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Make it Euro'n!!!

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