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Filip
USA
84 Posts |
 Posted - May 20 2002 : 03:02:51 AM
Which is better (cheaper or more reliable), building from a torn down Fiero and adding some supports, or just building your own space frame chassis? I have seen a lot more builders use the first approach... but there are others who insist on making their own frame out of 4130 ss or something. They argue that the stock Fiero frame has too many limitations when expanding to a V8 or V12 and will also twist under the new load because it wasn't designed for that stress. To me, it seems as if the Fiero chassis has a lot of extra weight and that strengthening it will just add more. Does anyone have any comparisons on weights (replica vs actual)? Of course, using the donor car means you will have alot of extra parts on hand that you might be able to reuse. I would like to build my own exotic from scratch - something of a cross between a Saleen S7 and a McLaren F1. Yes, I know it will be quite the challenge, but this is more of a lifetime goal for me than something to check-off in a year. I've been developing the design for a few months now but the chassis is still a fuzzy area for me. Thanks in advance,
Filip |
richard migliori
USA
61 Posts |
Posted - May 20 2002 : 8:32:17 PM
filip,
If you have little no experience in tubular chassis construction, DON't DO IT! Purchase one that is road proven. 1. safety of others on the road and your own general safety. I have built several stock car and midget chassis and I would not attemp to build one for a kit car. If you sell it to anyone and something happens, well I really don't know what happens. I would stick to a proven theory or package where all the gliches have been worked out by previos owners. Starting from scratch in your garage is really starting from scratch! It seems that it is not economical or time smart. Not to mention all the extra tools and equipment and space you need for templates, jigs, and storage or lack of. We saw a guy with a 500s lambo kit at the knott's show and he built his on his patio and spent 10,000 just in eguipment. hope this helps, richard
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Filip
USA
84 Posts |
Posted - May 21 2002 : 12:20:09 AM
Richard,
Thanks for your input. I was thinking the same thing (safety and cost of bulding my own). It's just that I am set on building my own body design and I thought that since I will be sculpting the (male) molds for the fiberglass, that I should also create the chassis to match.I am about to graduate with my BS in mechanical engineering and we did do a few semester's worth of structural design with trusses, so I thought I would at least be a LITTLE informed about it. I was also planning to take some welding classes at a local cc before I would start. The tools are of course another question. Perhaps I will look around for a chassis that I can modify for my design... I think a few kit co's sell the chassis by itself. Thanks again for your experienced insight. By the way, how much more efficient (weight/space) is a space fram vs. a VW or Fiero chassis (what most ppl use now)?
-Filip
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Admin
USA
224 Posts |
Posted - May 21 2002 : 1:10:03 PM
You might investigate http://www.3-3sportsracer.com/main.html , they are a sponsor of KitCars.com and make a racing capable chassis that might suit your needs. Unfortunately they don't have much information about the chassis on their site yet, you might want to email prosportsracer@aol.com for information.
KitCars.com
Mitch
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donor vs. scratch builds
