SL-C Manual: Introduction

The Superlite SL-C (SL-C) can be built as a formidable street weapon, as a dedicated track day terror, or as a serious race car capable of performance at the highest levels in amateur racing. 

This manual shows the preferred way to assemble the car kit.

Your build will probably be different in some ways than the standard build- and that’s what makes these cars interesting. However, for safety critical items, please contact us or get expert advice before making changes or deviating from the build directions. Not all aspects of a build are included in this manual as some areas are, or should be, obvious to the builder. Because the SL-C is normally delivered in kit form, some materials necessary to build the car are not included. For example, the builder should expect to provide things like adhesives, painting supplies, miscellaneous fasteners, battery, terminals, hoses, fittings, and similar items.

It is also important to have realistic expectations about the process of building a car. 
No kit car is like the model cars of our youth, where you have a hundred pieces that just glue up together.  A part may need fitting, trimming, a mounting bracket made, hardware to be acquired, or other work to make it fit the way you want it. 

You will make thousands of decisions about the car as you build it. It’s all part of the experience, and the fun of the build process. But don’t begin thinking it will assemble itself. You have to build it! However, you don’t need to have specialized machine tools, a welder, etc. The car is designed to be assembled with just basic tools. And except for the exhaust system, there is no need for welding.

There is also an expectation that the builder has basic automotive skills.  If you’ve ever changed a clutch, or a timing belt, you already have what is needed. On the other hand, some builders with no real car experience have built cars that are very well done. It’s probably more important to have a logical, organized approach to solving problems than years of automotive experience. But experience helps. Where additional components are sourced, their proper selection and use is the responsibility of the builder. It is also the responsibility of the builder to determine the method of construction used and its appropriate use. Not all parts on the cars pictured in this manual are a standard part of the kit. Some parts shown in some of the pictures were custom-fabricated by the builder. The packing list is the controlling document for what is supposed to be in the kit. You should receive a filled-out packing list with your kit when it arrives.

It's a good idea to become familiar with the SL-C-specific reference materials on the web (including this manual and this wiki) to assist with the construction of the vehicle. General kit car construction and mechanical books are very informative and helpful building a complex vehicle such as the SL-C.

Schedule your build time, so that no matter how busy you get, you always spend some time on your build. The secret to not losing momentum is to keep it progressing, no matter how small a time you have to spend on it at any given moment.

When you are done, you’ll have an incredible car that will provide years of driving enjoyment!