Mendeola SDR-5

I had a chance to check on the Mendeola SDR-5 transaxle. This is the transaxle designed for the GTM. Mendeola has a online catalog that is populated with photos of the GTM and Superlite SLC. They state that the SDR-5 was "Based on a mid-engine 2 seat, 2 wheel drive sports car with a wheelbase between 92" and 102" which weighs between 2400 and 2800 lbs. Front to rear bias: 45%F - 55%R. Rear tires P295 - P325 on 18" or 19" wheel."

Mendeola SDR5 transaxle. This was designed for the GTM.

Sounds like a GTM to me! There have been a lot of numbers thrown around about the SDR-5 transmission. These are the published numbers from Mendeola:

• 650 horsepower
• 600 foot-lbs torque

The knock on Mendeola has been their failure to deliver the original SDR transaxles to Factory Five customers on schedule or even a little behind schedule. My understanding is the original orders have been fulfilled. I inquired of Factory Five what kind of deposit and lead time they required for future SDR orders. Factory Five indicated they were not taking any SDR orders at this time.

The Mendeola website is running a banner ad indicating the SDR is coming soon. The online catalog that opens for the banner ad lists the SDR5. Page 7 has the following pricing:

• SDR5 Transaxle - $10,950
• GTM Mount - $475
• Master Shift Setup - $2400
• Gear Dash Indicator - $295           

There are probably some other things I need, so the entire transmission and shifting setup could cost somewhere north of $16,000. This is $4000 to $5000 over budget. Not good news on the money front, but great news on the durability front for a transaxle that is brand new and can handle the HP and torque coming off a LS 376/525 EFI engine.

The Great Parts Round Up Begins

At my birthday party last night, the guys from my small group asked me what I was up to. I mentioned that I was planning to do a GTM build. It was very reassuring to hear Don give his stamp of approval to Factory Five and the quality of their products. Don is a gear head from way back. Most of the guys were wondering if they could come over and turn some bolts. Certainly! One of the things this kind of project needs is friends.

Don asked if there was much welding. I don't think there is, but he has a spot welder I can use if it comes to that. Again, it is good to know there are friends there to help when (not if) I get into trouble.

I purchased the first real parts for the build: Porsche 930 CV Joints. Porsche OEMs are still making these parts even though they appeared in the 1979 Porsche 911 Turbo (model 930). The Mendeola SDR transmission requires these parts to hook the back wheels into the gear box. These aren't the biggest piece of the car, but it has to start somewhere. Besides the love of my life told me I had to make sure the wheels stayed on the chassis.

Are you crazy or something?

I didn't go to bed one night and wake up the next day with the dumb idea that I am going to build a car. This is one of those year long conversations that results in waking up and saying, "Yeah, I think I can build a Factory Five GTM super car."

Build a car or buy a car? Of course, it is much easier to buy a car. I had my eye on a Ferrari 355 Spyder. I could probably swing the purchase price, somewhere between $45,000 and $65,000. I did not have qualms about purchasing a used sports car. I already had purchased a Corvette C5 Convertible and a Porsche Boxster 986. The prospect of digging into the car and mapping out modifications did not daunt me. However, the idea of a $10,000 engine out service every 3 years gave me pause.

I can come up with space for one more sports car. My preference is a Ferrari, however, my wallet is not quite up to the task of Ferrari maintenance. So if not a Ferrari, what kind of car compliments a Corvette and a Boxster. It has to handle like a Boxster, roar like the Corvette and have the Ferrari's wow factor. The performance specs for the GTM are as follows:

• 0 - 60 in 3.0 seconds
• 0 - 100 in 6.6 seconds
• 1/4 mile in 11.0 seconds @ 132 mph
• Curb weight 2350 lbs
• Corvette suspension
• LS Series engines
• Either a Porsche G50 or Mendeola transaxle
• 245/40/18 front tires
• 335/30/18 rear tires
• Z06 Big Brakes
• Koni coil over shocks

The GTM looks fast and drives fast. It is exotic and fits the current definition for a super car.

So it begins.