Nickt93's Eliminator (formerly Ghettocet) Build (Like I Need Another Project)
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (5)
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 646
Total Cats: 36
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
A few months ago - amidst a major lack of free time - I decided to take on yet another build. My addiction knows no end.
I've had it tucked in the back of my mind that I wanted to do a ghettocet type build for quite some time. I peruse craigslist daily, but never really came across anything inspiring enough to move on. In July I found the perfect donor - a well-maintained 1995 Miata that had some front end collision damage. The next day it was in my garage and we were off to a nice start.
My target car was one that already had some nice mods (suspension mainly), as I knew that would keep the total cost down. I was also targeting a car that either had light collision damage or was cosmetically undesirable, as I figured the asking price on these would be closer to my price range. The car I found was the perfect candidate – lovingly maintained, nice modifications, a pile of spares, and a reasonable asking price. We settled on $1500 for the car + spares. Some screen shots of the craigslist ad:
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/155312-nickt93s-eliminator-formerly-ghettocet-build-like-i-need-another-project-80-img_2506_f9603b4cc552399df5600d865ce0418186d4755c.png?dateline=1447880486)
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/155313-nickt93s-eliminator-formerly-ghettocet-build-like-i-need-another-project-img_2507.jpeg?dateline=1447880486)
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/155318-nickt93s-eliminator-formerly-ghettocet-build-like-i-need-another-project-img_2508.jpeg?dateline=1447880486)
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/155319-nickt93s-eliminator-formerly-ghettocet-build-like-i-need-another-project-img_2509.jpeg?dateline=1447880486)
First Impressions - On first glance I could tell the car was in great overall condition. On closer inspection it only got better – the attention to detail was unbelievable. Other than the collision damage this is one of the cleanest cars I’ve ever owned.
Mega-clean engine bay
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/155320-nickt93s-eliminator-formerly-ghettocet-build-like-i-need-another-project-80-img_2539_jpg_jpeg_11b2d3e142ef8707228f4496dc50fdf647b45d4e.jpg?dateline=1447880486)
All the suspension stuff looks new
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/155321-nickt93s-eliminator-formerly-ghettocet-build-like-i-need-another-project-80-img_2544_jpg_jpeg_d0e4b9828379b8380c29000a5e49f6ebac5ec879.jpg?dateline=1447880486)
Racing Beat Header
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/155322-nickt93s-eliminator-formerly-ghettocet-build-like-i-need-another-project-80-img_2540_252520_2525281_252529_jpg_jpeg_fe5e7f783ece251603327783bdff4d2ef693e48a.jpg?dateline=1447880486)
Clean fluids are never a bad sign
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/155323-nickt93s-eliminator-formerly-ghettocet-build-like-i-need-another-project-80-img_2543_jpg_jpeg_a33dae46f7f0d66040cda741dfeacd6db9986bb7.jpg?dateline=1447880486)
Oil filter relocation kit with braided hoses
I've had it tucked in the back of my mind that I wanted to do a ghettocet type build for quite some time. I peruse craigslist daily, but never really came across anything inspiring enough to move on. In July I found the perfect donor - a well-maintained 1995 Miata that had some front end collision damage. The next day it was in my garage and we were off to a nice start.
My target car was one that already had some nice mods (suspension mainly), as I knew that would keep the total cost down. I was also targeting a car that either had light collision damage or was cosmetically undesirable, as I figured the asking price on these would be closer to my price range. The car I found was the perfect candidate – lovingly maintained, nice modifications, a pile of spares, and a reasonable asking price. We settled on $1500 for the car + spares. Some screen shots of the craigslist ad:
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/155312-nickt93s-eliminator-formerly-ghettocet-build-like-i-need-another-project-80-img_2506_f9603b4cc552399df5600d865ce0418186d4755c.png?dateline=1447880486)
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/155313-nickt93s-eliminator-formerly-ghettocet-build-like-i-need-another-project-img_2507.jpeg?dateline=1447880486)
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/155318-nickt93s-eliminator-formerly-ghettocet-build-like-i-need-another-project-img_2508.jpeg?dateline=1447880486)
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/155319-nickt93s-eliminator-formerly-ghettocet-build-like-i-need-another-project-img_2509.jpeg?dateline=1447880486)
First Impressions - On first glance I could tell the car was in great overall condition. On closer inspection it only got better – the attention to detail was unbelievable. Other than the collision damage this is one of the cleanest cars I’ve ever owned.
Mega-clean engine bay
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/155320-nickt93s-eliminator-formerly-ghettocet-build-like-i-need-another-project-80-img_2539_jpg_jpeg_11b2d3e142ef8707228f4496dc50fdf647b45d4e.jpg?dateline=1447880486)
All the suspension stuff looks new
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/155321-nickt93s-eliminator-formerly-ghettocet-build-like-i-need-another-project-80-img_2544_jpg_jpeg_d0e4b9828379b8380c29000a5e49f6ebac5ec879.jpg?dateline=1447880486)
Racing Beat Header
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/155322-nickt93s-eliminator-formerly-ghettocet-build-like-i-need-another-project-80-img_2540_252520_2525281_252529_jpg_jpeg_fe5e7f783ece251603327783bdff4d2ef693e48a.jpg?dateline=1447880486)
Clean fluids are never a bad sign
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/155323-nickt93s-eliminator-formerly-ghettocet-build-like-i-need-another-project-80-img_2543_jpg_jpeg_a33dae46f7f0d66040cda741dfeacd6db9986bb7.jpg?dateline=1447880486)
Oil filter relocation kit with braided hoses
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/155324-nickt93s-eliminator-formerly-ghettocet-build-like-i-need-another-project-80-img_2538_jpg_jpeg_0bac520fc47a8a4b1bf4f44de908524805ef2667.jpg?dateline=1447880486)
#2
Senior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (5)
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 646
Total Cats: 36
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
My initial plan was to do some sort of super low budget, super light weight (a "ghettocet" if you will). Something like these:
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/155325-nickt93s-eliminator-formerly-ghettocet-build-like-i-need-another-project-80-17169477681_07f8554d90_o_jpg_jpeg_478e4684e4d42c89b30ca235b3914c1f72a7b0f0.jpg?dateline=1447880985)
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/155326-nickt93s-eliminator-formerly-ghettocet-build-like-i-need-another-project-80-16549923723_7ebc03a750_o_jpg_jpeg_0200a3d496c30d24328afb3abdcc66b5c1edf46f.jpg?dateline=1447880985)
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/155331-nickt93s-eliminator-formerly-ghettocet-build-like-i-need-another-project-80-11289392_817595051659654_5295827592295841102_o_jpg_jpeg_10d7889d2a4d284192b0eaf0d3388ae08b493.jpg?dateline=1447880985)
As I started to do more and more research that became less appealing. Perhaps that would be different if I was willing to build the cage myself, but welding really isn't my "thing". Quotes for decent cages came in around $2,000-2,500, and even then I wasn't sure I was going to be happy with the results.
Eventually I linked up with Alan at SalvageWon. He educated me on his experience leading up to and building the Eliminator. I was sold from our first conversation. He has learned a considerable amount about how to build these cars right, and the incremental expense of building an Eliminator vs a Ghettocet is worth every penny. First, their design takes full advantage of the space made available by eliminating the body of the car - provides a ton more room inside so that you aren't cramped against the cage. Second, their design allows you to remove as much weight as possible while still maintaining/ improving rigidity. Third, the end product is much more aesthetically pleasing than something cobbled together using an off-the-shelf cage (to me at least; your opinion may vary
). All of these would have been major compromises in the ghettocet.
If you aren't familiar with Eliminators, here are a few pictures:
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/155327-nickt93s-eliminator-formerly-ghettocet-build-like-i-need-another-project-80-11258129_838549406230885_5931269861707666136_o_jpg_jpeg_219243b98b2e04740996c6b6b1c197c5f842e.jpg?dateline=1447880985)
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/155328-nickt93s-eliminator-formerly-ghettocet-build-like-i-need-another-project-80-10620475_742186515867175_23862019671144782_o_jpg_jpeg_5917b430547c6bc13bf9c5e10b252780c26fd46.jpg?dateline=1447880985)
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/155329-nickt93s-eliminator-formerly-ghettocet-build-like-i-need-another-project-80-01aed0ea2f55d5b4f2474c0a6df03b9da3b0ff95dd_jpg_jpeg_f3f0b610b1b4f170e58b15332136783f30f8ccbd.jpg?dateline=1447880985)
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/155325-nickt93s-eliminator-formerly-ghettocet-build-like-i-need-another-project-80-17169477681_07f8554d90_o_jpg_jpeg_478e4684e4d42c89b30ca235b3914c1f72a7b0f0.jpg?dateline=1447880985)
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/155326-nickt93s-eliminator-formerly-ghettocet-build-like-i-need-another-project-80-16549923723_7ebc03a750_o_jpg_jpeg_0200a3d496c30d24328afb3abdcc66b5c1edf46f.jpg?dateline=1447880985)
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/155331-nickt93s-eliminator-formerly-ghettocet-build-like-i-need-another-project-80-11289392_817595051659654_5295827592295841102_o_jpg_jpeg_10d7889d2a4d284192b0eaf0d3388ae08b493.jpg?dateline=1447880985)
As I started to do more and more research that became less appealing. Perhaps that would be different if I was willing to build the cage myself, but welding really isn't my "thing". Quotes for decent cages came in around $2,000-2,500, and even then I wasn't sure I was going to be happy with the results.
Eventually I linked up with Alan at SalvageWon. He educated me on his experience leading up to and building the Eliminator. I was sold from our first conversation. He has learned a considerable amount about how to build these cars right, and the incremental expense of building an Eliminator vs a Ghettocet is worth every penny. First, their design takes full advantage of the space made available by eliminating the body of the car - provides a ton more room inside so that you aren't cramped against the cage. Second, their design allows you to remove as much weight as possible while still maintaining/ improving rigidity. Third, the end product is much more aesthetically pleasing than something cobbled together using an off-the-shelf cage (to me at least; your opinion may vary
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/smilies/smile.gif)
If you aren't familiar with Eliminators, here are a few pictures:
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/155327-nickt93s-eliminator-formerly-ghettocet-build-like-i-need-another-project-80-11258129_838549406230885_5931269861707666136_o_jpg_jpeg_219243b98b2e04740996c6b6b1c197c5f842e.jpg?dateline=1447880985)
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/155328-nickt93s-eliminator-formerly-ghettocet-build-like-i-need-another-project-80-10620475_742186515867175_23862019671144782_o_jpg_jpeg_5917b430547c6bc13bf9c5e10b252780c26fd46.jpg?dateline=1447880985)
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/155329-nickt93s-eliminator-formerly-ghettocet-build-like-i-need-another-project-80-01aed0ea2f55d5b4f2474c0a6df03b9da3b0ff95dd_jpg_jpeg_f3f0b610b1b4f170e58b15332136783f30f8ccbd.jpg?dateline=1447880985)
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/155330-nickt93s-eliminator-formerly-ghettocet-build-like-i-need-another-project-80-2015_02_23_25252014_38_03_jpg_jpeg_20282e49f30750c761fc8bf8a7e92049c480110c.jpg?dateline=1447880985)
Last edited by nickt93; 11-18-2015 at 04:17 PM.
#6
Senior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (5)
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 646
Total Cats: 36
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Those aren't my welds! I've only owned one welder and it was a sh*tty Harbor Freight one. That probably didn't help.
#11
Senior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (5)
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 646
Total Cats: 36
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Final pricing hasn't been determined yet, but think somewhere in the neighborhood of $5k. That includes the cage, a pair of seats, headlights/ taillights, a radiator and fan, and the front grille/ bodywork. I think it is a good value considering everything you get.
Speaking of cost, if you do this right you can build one on a tiny budget. I bought my donor for $1500 and have sold $4700 worth of parts off of it on eBay. The seats sold for $500, the top was another $500, the finish panel was $300, etc. Even after paying eBay/ PayPal/ UPS their share I'm still way positive on this car.
All in all I think I'll have about $2-3k in this build.
Speaking of cost, if you do this right you can build one on a tiny budget. I bought my donor for $1500 and have sold $4700 worth of parts off of it on eBay. The seats sold for $500, the top was another $500, the finish panel was $300, etc. Even after paying eBay/ PayPal/ UPS their share I'm still way positive on this car.
All in all I think I'll have about $2-3k in this build.
#12
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Lambertville, NJ
Posts: 1,215
Total Cats: 74
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Speaking of cost, if you do this right you can build one on a tiny budget. I bought my donor for $1500 and have sold $4700 worth of parts off of it on eBay. The seats sold for $500, the top was another $500, the finish panel was $300, etc. Even after paying eBay/ PayPal/ UPS their share I'm still way positive on this car.
All in all I think I'll have about $2-3k in this build.
All in all I think I'll have about $2-3k in this build.
#14
I identify as a bear.
![](/mt2011/images_td/ranks/supporter1.gif)
![](/mt2011/images_td/ranks/smod.png)
iTrader: (8)
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Chicago. (The less-murder part.)
Posts: 33,206
Total Cats: 6,707
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Most of the Ghettocet-like vehicles I've seen just stick the OEM filler neck up in the air, coupling it to the gas tank with a short length of hose.
Basically just like the stock design, only without the body around it.
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/155377-nickt93s-eliminator-formerly-ghettocet-build-like-i-need-another-project-151817d1443984801-ghettocet-build-20140824_171640.jpg?dateline=1447969226)
Basically just like the stock design, only without the body around it.
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/155377-nickt93s-eliminator-formerly-ghettocet-build-like-i-need-another-project-151817d1443984801-ghettocet-build-20140824_171640.jpg?dateline=1447969226)
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/155378-nickt93s-eliminator-formerly-ghettocet-build-like-i-need-another-project-a370c371.jpg?dateline=1447969226)
#18
I identify as a bear.
![](/mt2011/images_td/ranks/supporter1.gif)
![](/mt2011/images_td/ranks/smod.png)
iTrader: (8)
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Chicago. (The less-murder part.)
Posts: 33,206
Total Cats: 6,707
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Specifically, vibration of a very low period.
Unlike frame-transfer CCDs, the CMOS image sensor in most cheap digital cameras scans the frame from top to bottom a line at a time, just like old analog video equipment.
Thus, side-to-side vibration present during the exposure will manifest itself as waviness in the image.
Unlike frame-transfer CCDs, the CMOS image sensor in most cheap digital cameras scans the frame from top to bottom a line at a time, just like old analog video equipment.
Thus, side-to-side vibration present during the exposure will manifest itself as waviness in the image.
#20
Elite Member
iTrader: (14)
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Birmingham, AL
Posts: 2,101
Total Cats: 180
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Correct - this is Robert Russom's first build - i helped cut on it years ago. There's a build thread on it somewhere here. Since version one - I'd have to say the current V3 is much more stylish thanks to Alan's input.