Two Grabercars La Bala's at Carlsile 2010

CARLISLE...

I hope it's ok if I post a quick message about my plans to attend the Import-Kit/replicar Nationals at Carlisle, Pa on May 21-23. If you are planning to attend then I would be very happy to show you what a DIY 1,500lb, 260hp mid-engine La Bala looks like in person!

There are 14 La Balas either under construction or finished (street legal) now. Two La Bala builders will be attending Carlisle this year with cars that they built from my plans. Captain Jim's Supercharged Ecotec will be participating in the auto-X, and I understand that he may be giving a few ride-alongs. (Jim if you are reading this then be sure to bring some decent tires!)

For my part I have been working hard on several fronts. My main focus has been on developing a new chassis with integral 6 point cage and full side impact protection as well as a large number of other enhancements. This new chassis will not be available as plans, but will be directly from Grabercars.

The Grabercars La Bala platform will now accept more engine/driveline configurations. The original design criteria was FWD drive transplanted to the rear, but recent design changes now allow various other configurations. Longitudinal V8 (N and Audi 4.2) as well as full electric have been modeled. Bill Strong of www.mr2oc.com fame is currently working on a N version at www.ochobalas.com.

The 320v AC direct drive concept uses a 29Kw/h LifeON pack with 150KW motor and theoretically achieves 80% of the Tesla range at a fraction of the cost. The total weight is less than 2,000lbs.

This is an example of the adaptability of the new La Bala frame with the EV version shown. Note the red chassis tubes can be removed for the upcoming door version of the car which you can see in person at Carlisle this year.

If you are curious to see a video of my 'Street' La Bala at Firebird International Raceway doing some laps, here is a video on youtube - Tage Evansons drives and gives a little critique at the end. The car needed fresh rubber... :) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWBP_tjyQMs

I was just thinking about your car the other day. Are the current LaBalas being sold as kits or just plans?

Wally wrote: I was just thinking about your car the other day. Are the current LaBalas being sold as kits or just plans?

Hi Wally, good to hear from you again. I still sell the plans for the hardcore builders, so depending on your skill level you can still build my gen I chassis from the plans and that will work with the no-doors bodywork.

The gen II chassis is available now but not from plans, and can be had starting from bare chassis and suspension, all the way out to a full roller minus engine. Of course bodywork kits are available too. In addition, the Gen II chassis and can be delivered with our without the door bars so you can build a car with doors or not depending on the purpose. I've never really missed the doors on my own prototype. It's so low I just hop over the side and drop in. I have over 25,000 miles on the yellow Bala and it is still running great with no issues whatsoever. I did change from a Watts Link rear to a Panhard bar to lower the rear RC but otherwise no changes.

My newest car being built in the shop is powered by a Variable Vane Turbocharged 2.0L Direct Injection Ecotec from a 2009 Cobalt SS. I recently acquired the ability to use the factory GM ECU 'unlocked'. This eliminates the need for the body control module and the factory ignition tumbler but still allows me to use most of the stock wiring harness. Essentially the factory ECU is now functioning in standalone mode. Plus the ECU can be re-flashed any time. I do not have it running yet as the engine is not in the car, but the tune in my re-flashed ECU is supposedly pushing upwards of 320hp. That should heat up the tires a bit!

Glad to hear this is still moving forward!