Willies modifications to the Little Red Rocket

[JimIsbell]

Two weeks ago my brother and I were privileged to visit in Campo CA with Willie and take a ride in his Little Red Rocket. Needless to say, I was really impressed. Also impressing was his neighbors home made Dyno that Willie tests his dune buggies on. My brother and I are considering making one...not because we need it, but because its just so cool....after all, who do you know that has a dyno in the garage?? Its worth it for the bragging rights!

But I also learned something else from Willie.

He had added 1/8" spacers on both rear wheels which effectively widens the stance by only 1/4" at the back. "So what", you ask? A quarter of an inch sure isnt very much. Well it seems that the standard rain groove in the interstate concrete highway is spaced just so that in a stock Insight the rear wheels get "caught" in the track and cause some mild steering problems. Nothing major, but a bit disconcerting every now and then. I am sure you have experienced it if you have driven much in the US Interstate highway system. And it also seems that widening the rear stance by 1/4" is just enough to cure that problem. AND, the spacers can be had for just $10 a pair on EBay. Dont go wider because the lugs are not long enough!!!!

A side benefit, for me, was that I discovered that one of the skirts was not hooked on ALL the places where it should have been. Its a little fiddly with the flexibility of the skirts, but its worth the trouble to get them all hooked because a lost one is expensive to replace.

The second modification Willie taught me was his "rain shields" on the tops of the door windows. They allow you to crack the window an inch so air can flow...it really increases the airflow through the dash vents....and yet the wind noise and any rain are effectively kept out. There are none stock for the Insight but the ones for the 1998-2000 Honda Civic 2dr will fit by a little trimming on the front end to get around the mirror mount. The first one I didnt trim just right but the second one came out perfect. A little black silicone seal and made it look like factory. They do look factory when installed and really increase ventilation without affecting the aerodynamics like an open window would. And, I think they actually improve the looks of the roof line! The rain shields are available on EBay for about $35 plus shipping. Be careful when you apply them, the sticky tape is "gottcha". Once it touches it wants to stay there so be careful and have it in the right place when applied.

Thanks, Willie, both are great ideas.