Under the 51% rule you get absolutely no credit for a salvaged parts like fuse, legs , engine mount , wings
even though they can be modified even greatly, you get no credit under the rules
kitsets are different because you get the % points for building up assembling the fuse, legs , wings etc.
The rules are quite clear under FAA AC20-27G
What I have done is purchased some homebuilt Falconar wings and tail with virtually the same specs as the pacer.
That makes my project about 60%, well over the 51% rule.
My Experimental will still look like a Pacer except for the tail.