LamboClone - The Premier Site for Lamborghini Replica Builders
Build Diaries => Murcielago => Topic started by: No Bull on August 16, 2012, 07:00:30 PM
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Ok guys, I've finally decided that it's time to share my build diary. The first thing I need to come clean on is that I'm really in no rush to build my car and I'm going to enjoy the journey as much as the finished product. As I've wrote in my Bio, this has been my dream since a teenager and it's always been an important motivator in my life to do better and be able to finally afford to build the car of my dreams.
I bought my car as a partial project from Ebay and I've spent the last three years examining it closely and deciding on what style it'll be and what parts of the build I'd redo to my standards. What I've decided to build is a LP640 GTR-FX Roadster which is a fantasy car that Lamborghini never built but I think should be.
Basically the R-GT was the Lamborghini born racing coupes and the FX stands for Factory Experimental since it's a roadster and mine will be powered by a V6 rather than a V12. My vision for the car is to create a street version of a Lamborghini roadster "race car" that looks like it just stepped off the track. Peggyontherunireland is building a GTR coupe and I've heard of others thinking of building a Diablo version.
I'll go into more detail later about the build, but here are the high level details:
- G28L Roadster body improved with a combination of OEM, Watson and body panels from Rob.
- OEM grills, emblems, taillights, third brake light, horns, rear spoiler and various other little parts.
- OEM bolt pattern aftermarket rims from an actual LP640.
- Functional door handles
- Spare (race inspired) interior with lots of toggle switches and carpet delete.
- Integrated roll hoops in the headrests.
- Pontiac F40 six speed manual transmission.
- Super Charged 3800 engine (350 - 400 HP at the wheels)
- Fully functional rear spoiler and bat wings.
- Rear mounted radiators.
- Custom build rear frame (Fiero rear frame is gone).
- Headers with Borla Boomer mufflers.
- Vinyl wrapped body with racing decals, racing number and racing stripe.
- Carbon fiber accents on the bat wing openings, rear muffler panel, headlight brows and drivers side rocker vent.
- Folding side mirrors.
- Detachable Momo steering wheel.
- Racing fuel cell.
- Racing inspired quick fill gas cap.
- Full harness seat belts.
- Integrated radar detector.
- 14" discs with dual piston calipers
- HT widened front suspension.
- Air assisted front lifting shocks.
- Custom reinforced front frame.
- Rollers under the nose and functional toe bar connector in the passenger grille.
- Rear mounted camera.
- External "pod style" racing gauges.
- Bad weather top for emergency use.
- Plexiglass "bolt on" side windows with small slider windows (big enough to pass a drivers license thru) ::police
As it stands, I have a budget of around $55,000 set for my car of which I've spent roughly $30k of that so far. I'm building my car to own and drive for a long time and the quality is important to me from both a safety and reliability standpoint.
More to come... ::headbang
Chris
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This is to give you an idea what a R-GT looks like.
Chris
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This is how I bought my project. This was Rob's first build and he did the best he could and it wasn't a bad first build. There were many parts that I decided to change so I tore it down and removed the body from the frame.
Chris
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Nobull, you are da man ::headbang There are those who fictionally dream and there are the rest of us who set attainable goals. Sounds like a plan. Don't be overcome with the difficulties along the way. Take each item as a challenge. You're gonna have a real Head Turner for sure. ::thumbup
Jim
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I've said it before and I'll say it again, the quality of the CarKit Inc. fiberglass on my car is really poor. It's very thin and all chopper gun. I have several areas that will require major reinforcement and and repairs due to splitting and cracking. My goal is to replace all of the "stress" parts like the rockers, bumpers, doors and engine cover with better quality parts and more accurate parts and reinforce the portion of the main G28L body that I'll try to save. I considered going with another body (may still) but for now I'm wanting to save some of what I have and stick with a roadster. I've heard good stories about the Carkit Inc. bodies from other builders and I'll give them the benefit of doubt that this might have been one of their first and the quality has improved. Personally I would've preferred to have started out with an $8,000 body and save my money and time trying to make what I have work. I figure my paint and wrap will be around $5,000 which could be jeopardized if the fiberglass underneath doesn't hold up. Moral of the story, do your homework and start with the best foundation you can. Add up the numbers and look at the total cost of ownership when it comes to the body since your time, materials, repairs and the longevity of your finish is not cheap.
Chris
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I removed the body from the frame and reinforced the front end with custom bracing to provide additional safety and strength, but also provide adequate bracing for my door hinge mounting points and brackets for misc. parts (horns, wiper motor, trunk liner, battery tray).
- Before Pictures
Chris
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New front bracing and windshield frame.
- After (more to come, in progress)
Chris
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Links to my door hinges and bat wings.
Door hinges:
http://lamboclone.com/index.php?topic=14.0 (http://lamboclone.com/index.php?topic=14.0)
Bat wings:
http://lamboclone.com/index.php?topic=101.0 (http://lamboclone.com/index.php?topic=101.0)
&
http://lamboclone.com/index.php?topic=68.0 (http://lamboclone.com/index.php?topic=68.0)
Chris
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Nobull, you are da man ::headbang There are those who fictionally dream and there are the rest of us who set attainable goals. Sounds like a plan. Don't be overcome with the difficulties along the way. Take each item as a challenge. You're gonna have a real Head Turner for sure. ::thumbup
Jim
Thanks Jim, you've been a big help in keeping me motivated, sharing ideas and helping my with my door hinges. ::thumbup
Chris
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Last year I bought a 27,000 mile SC3800 last year that came mounted in a Fiero cradle and with an automatic transmission. It came with a reprogrammed ECU and a awesome set of headers. At first I thought about just doing a standard SC3800 swap using these parts but after a lot of consideration, I decided that we are going to hack off the extended portion of the Fiero's rear end and build a new frame that will hold a six speed F40 transmission, SC3800 and the suspension and modified cradle from a Pontiac GTP. The cradle is already designed to hold the SC3800 and when
turned around moved to the back of the car, it will push the car from the rear vs. pull it in a front wheel drive layout. The modifications to the cradle so it'll hold the F40 is a little extensive but Archie has a kit for around $1700 that makes it a little simpler. My car was originally an automatic so I'll be converting it over to a manual by using a combination of stock Fiero and modified parts. I'm going to start two new topics for the engine and transmission and link them here so they stay connected to my build diary.
Engine: http://lamboclone.com/index.php?topic=238.0 (http://lamboclone.com/index.php?topic=238.0)
Transmission: http://lamboclone.com/index.php?topic=237.0 (http://lamboclone.com/index.php?topic=237.0)
Last week I purchased a GTP donor car. It runs great for 137,000 miles and as you can tell by the pictures, the previous owner had a very jealous girlfriend that decided to lower the value of his car for me. ::tongue I'll basically remove the four bolts that hold the cradle in the car and unbolt the shock towers, cut some unwanted connections and try to remove as much wiring harness as possible before dropping the entire assembly out of the bottom of the car. The SC3800 from this car might be for sale along with the transmission or I may hold onto it for spare parts.
Chris
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I've ordered the following body parts from John Watson.
1. Front LP640 bumper
2. A pair of LP640 rockers
3. Left side unassembled scoop (there are 6 pieces to this thing!)
4. Right side scoop
5. Muffler cover
For those of you not familiar with John Watson, he builds some of the nicest OEM correct parts that I've seen and several guys here are very happy customers. In case you are wondering what a "Muffler cover" is, it's the trunk lid looking panel at the rear of the car that holds the spoiler on the real car. They call it a muffler cover because its the removable (not hinged) panel for getting access to the mufflers and other areas in the back of the car (attaching a picture of a yellow OEM panel for reference).
One very interesting thing that I found out is that a OEM panel and spoiler is exactly the same size as the panel and molded in spoiler on a G28 and the panel for a roadster and coupe are exactly the same size. For those wanting an operational rear spoiler, you might consider buying the entire panel with spoiler from a salvaged car and simply mounting it on your car. I had an OEM spoiler so I'm combining this with the OEM sized panel that John is making me and I'll have a very authentic and operational rear spoiler.
USMC Butler has shown us that the OEM sized rockers and scoops can be fitted to the G28 with some minor modifications and I'm hoping the same for the front bumper. The OEM style bumper will make mounting my OEM grilles much easier and I'll get rid of the G28 sag at the same time. It's also important to me that these parts are removable for repairs but also get away from the one piece bodywork that can cause other problems down the road. Since these panels have factory flanges, building my flanges (on my body) should be made simpler since I have something to go from.
I'm still waiting for the underside hood panel that Bart is making for us (he said it'll be soon) which leaves only one last big body part.... a quality roadster engine cover. There is one on Ebay that looks really nice but I can't afford or justify the $2000 asking price.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/221075217108?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/221075217108?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649)
I made an Ebay offer up to $700 (instantly kicked back) and I finally gave up. ::sad I want a warp free panel that is strong and has all the OEM mounting locations and openings for my OEM grilles and third brake light. I still need to confirm if an OEM roadster engine cover will fit perfectly on a G28, anyone know?
Chris
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Looks great! As if a lambo isnt cool enough, a race version will cause serious rubber knecking on the road.
Are the race car bodies different and who makes them for the race team? It may just be the stance,but they look wider or something. I can't put my finger on it exactly. Well I could put my finger on the screen, on the car, but I wouldn't be able to point at the differance, I feel like I see but I'm not sure where I see it.
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Looks great! As if a lambo isnt cool enough, a race version will cause serious rubber knecking on the road.
Are the race car bodies different and who makes them for the race team? It may just be the stance,but they look wider or something. I can't put my finger on it exactly. Well I could put my finger on the screen, on the car, but I wouldn't be able to point at the differance, I feel like I see but I'm not sure where I see it.
From what I can tell, the bodies are the same and there are some added racing bits. The R-GT has a rear diffuser under the rear bumper and they often have a tall rear spoiler and air intake on the roof and sometimes they have a widened front spoiler.
The car might look wider because they sit much lower than a street version and I'm sure the rims and tires are the widest that you can squeeze in the wheel wheels. Here are some more pictures and I'll ask Peggyontherun to add additional comments because I'm sure he's studied pictures of these cars many times and has identified many other differences. ::study
I totally agree with what you said about it being a head turner. Seeing a Lambo on the road creates a lot of attention and seeing any race car on the road would do the same. Combine the two and I'm sure it's going to earn many ::thumbup and I'm sure it'll be pulled over once a month by the ::police just to see who is driving it and if it's street legal. 8)
Honestly I don't really care about drawing all this attention and I really worry about creating an accident by making to much of a distraction (especially with the younger drivers) but I think it's to be expected and it's fair game if you plan on building something this exotic.
Chris
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More pictures of some different R-GT spoiler and interior styles.
Chris
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Here is a picture of some of the parts that I intend on enhancing with either carbon fiber replacements or using a carbon fiber overlay. It's not shown in the picture but I also want to do the sides of my bat wings so the carbon is exposed only when they are in the "up" position. The goal is to create some darker contrasting areas in carbon to accent the white wrap. I think that a little carbon fiber might go a long way and look at home on a race inspired build.
Chris
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USMC Butler has shown us that the OEM sized rockers and scoops can be fitted to the G28 with some minor modifications and I'm hoping the same for the front bumper.
murcie-me has an oem front bumper on the old forums he showed the little modification he needed to do. pic is gone though. should be easy.
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The 5th picture that shows the carbon body without paint looks really cool. I wish the show "how it's made" would do an episode on how to mold carbon that well around parts such as a fender. I've be learning to vacuum bag and mold carbon lately and it's not as easy as expected. ::duh
Will you be doing the vacuum method or a wet lay up similar to laying fiberglass?
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Ya know I was gonna ask you a couple days ago when you were going to start a build thread on your car! After all you can't keep it in the dark forever ::tongue It looks very good and well planned! I know you will keep us updated, looking forward to seeing more ::headbang
On another note did anybody see the guys door open in the second to the last picture?!?! Somebody got fired that day :'(
(http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j219/dustin_butler/Screenshot2012-08-17at92755AM.png)
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You are doing fine, Nobull. In talking about installing the GTP cradle, you don't turn the cradle around. Just install it in the same configuration as the front installation. Use the front struts (install coilovers) and Lower A-frames off the GTP also. For the strut towers, you can make your own like I did or you could weld 2 pieces of locating tubing from one tower to the other (after you have removed the engine of course). Take a measurement from (a scribe line on the caps or RH nut to LH nut) prior to cut. and then cut them off of the car. Being welded together would retain the proper camber angle for the struts. I installed my caps with 0 degrees caster (straight up and down). Install on your rear framework and voila! see pic. Jim ::thumbup
(http://i873.photobucket.com/albums/ab295/lambeiro/9999556/Lambo%20Pictures/StrutTowers.jpg)
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About the wide body: The racing LPs use the Hamaan racing body panels which are wider to cover the tires, correct? They sell the Hamaan Kit for about $11,000 usd. I'd buy one of those, Nobull!!! ::headbang
Jim
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Great to see another person doing a race car Lambo hats off to you sir ::salute ask any question you want or need to know about the GT-R i have studied this car alot and based it around mine
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In talking about installing the GTP cradle, you don't turn the cradle around. Just install it in the same configuration as the front installation.
I had to really think about this but you are absolutely correct, I wouldn't need to turn it around but rather slide the engine and cradle down the length of the car to the back. For some reason I was thinking it had to be turned around and I'm sure we would've caught this sooner or later (hopefully sooner than later). My buddy Jeff built his G24 around this configuration and here is a couple videos of his car.
Chris
Lamborghini Murcielago replica 3800 SC idle and rev up (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0zUxfp-i8Y#ws)
Lamborghini Murcielago Supercar replica test drive 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DO96G4BIm4#ws)
Lamborghini Murcielago Supercar replica test drive 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOyMWJ5WQYw#ws)
Lamborghini Murcielago Supercar replica test drive 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OrzhjVsmAs#ws)
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(http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b138/italianknightrider/MURCIEGTRR-1.jpg) Concept
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We really need some updates here Bull ::tongue and I REALLY need to see some pictures of the parts you got this weekend!!! Im heading over to see John the weekend of the 3rd and 4th to get my parts ::toothy
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Ah really?? I wish I could go up there soon I'm probably 5.5hrs away
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I'm like 12 hours and 730 miles away from him ::duh gonna be a long day! Id be there every weekend if I was only 5.5 hours away ::tongue haha
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The trip took about 20 hours round trip but after I seen the parts and met John, it was worth every mile. I can't say enough about the quality of the parts (AMAZING!) so I'll say it in pictures later this week and and get some posted. These are my general observations of the OEM style parts that I picked up.
1. Quality, Quality, Quality! The parts are a very consistent thickness and very strong. The gel coat is super smooth and free of voids or defects. I was surprised how little the parts smelled compared to other fiberglass parts that I've bought. We carried about half the parts in the cab of our truck and rode with them for about 10 hours without any noticeable fiberglass smell at all.
2. The original spoiler that I bought last year from a wrecked Murci fits perfectly in the muffler cover panel. The cover fits perfectly on the back of my G28 roadster. I'm going to make this spoiler fully functional with a linear actuator just like the original. I would've had a couple of days in fabrication work invested in making my G28 panel operational and even then the fit and finish wouldn't even begin to touch the OEM appearance that I have now. Little details like the step down flange on the front of the panel will make a major difference in the final fit and appearance of all the panels put together.
3. The rocker panels appear to be the same length as the G28 panels. Everything looks like it'll be a direct replacement with some minimal finish and blending work with the body. Johns parts have all the OEM mounting points which will make locating and fabricating the mounting brackets much easier.
4. The drivers side rocker scoop consists of 6 pieces. When everything is bonded together, it forms a box that holds the transmission oil cooler. The box also doubles as a duct to route the cool air to the radiator. I won't know until I have my old rockers off just how far it extends into the rear frame area. I'm building a custom frame so this won't be are much of a problem for me but for others retaining a donor frame, this might go too far into the frame area and something will require changes.
5. As soon as I got the front bumper on a cart in my shop, I grabbed my OEM front grills and tried fitting them into the openings. They fit with surgical precision and all the mounting holes lined up perfectly including the "tow plug". The bumper has all the factory edges which will make locating and building the bumper separation flange on my body much simpler and exactly like factory. I picked up a set of headlight washer brows while I was there and they dropped in and fit perfectly into the bumper. When I think of all the time and materials I would've had separating the bumper from one piece body and then building all the edges, mounting tabs for the grills and then reworking the grill openings so the grills fit exactly... this is time and money in the bank in my opinion and I'm going to end up with a OEM style bumper that can be unbolted and replaced in the future if it's ever damaged.
Before everyone starts asking me questions about Johns prices, I'll ask that you work this directly with John. With the costs of materials going up and his availability, he might charge different prices at different times and maybe even to different people. I can tell you that I spent four figures for my parts and I can tell you that they are worth every cent I spent on them. ::salute
Pictures to follow later this week guys.
Chris
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Sweet Chris! Total motivation cant wait to get my parts ::beers. I totally agree with the time saved and the precision of Johns parts, the final outcome will be worth every penny!
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That is something I noticed too, all glass parts I buy smell bad usually but johns didn't and they look nice and clean black on the back side you can tell a big difference between the cheap stuff and the high quality stuff, although I didn't buy anything that big yet, still debating on a front bumper.
Those flanges are a hassle to do, and don't forget having to fix the sag, I did it but not happy with it.
I can't wait to see how you guys attach the rocker panels. I wish the g28 sill area was like oem.
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Some pictures of my new parts from John Watson.
Chris
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So are you going to cut that bad boy up this weekend :P Chris? Have you decided on the mechanism for the rear spoiler to raise and lower? I was thinking of using the same setup as they use for the Porsche 996.
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It's already starting to get too cold around here to commit to any big projects in my unheated shop (like bodywork). I've thought about setting up a ventilated "tent" in my basement and trying to knock out some of these smaller fiberglass projects this winter. If I cut off the front clip (just the body) from my car, I could drag it home and finish my hood and work on my front bumper in warm comfort. Since I'm wrapping my car instead of painting it, I could also go as far as basically completing many of these smaller pieces now and setting them aside so they are ready for assembly once I've made my frame / engine / suspension / transmission changes next Spring.
Onto the rear muffler (spoiler) panel. I learned that the G28 panel is exactly the same as an OEM panel therefore if you are able to find one from a wrecked car, you can almost bolt an OEM panel onto your car. The only modification I found you'll need to make is cutting out a section of ledge on either side of of the car where the panel rests to make room for section on the panel that holds the spoiler (see the picture). I'm using a panel from John Watson combined with an actual ::LAMBO2 spoiler that I picked up a couple years ago for less than $300.
The spoiler has the brackets that allow it to pivot correctly. I'll use flat stock steel and bend up 3" on each side to use for the pivot points on the panel. This flat bar will be bonded to the panel so there is plenty of surface area for keeping the spoiler attached to the car. Raising and lowering the spoiler takes less than 4" of travel from a linear actuator therefore I'm going to keep in simple and use one instead of two like the factory, and it will be simple to add the second one if one is not enough.
All that is left is figuring out how to raise and lower it based on vehicle speed and it sounded like Dustin was volunteering his services to help figure this out using a small controller and GPS module. ::thumbup
Chris
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I was playing around today with Photoshop and electronically added my new bumper to my car to see what the differences would be.
Chris
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I went down to my shop today to find a part and I had to take a snapshot of everything just sitting there waiting for me and a couple warm days. 8)
Enjoy
Chris
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Is that an OEM bumper?
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Is that an OEM bumper?
Technically OEM would mean Original Equipment Manufacturer and would imply that the part came from the Lamborghini. This bumper is actually a John Watson (AD) LP640 fiberglass bumper that was made from original shaped and sized molds. Many of his panels have ended up on original Lamborghini's needing replacement parts. The AD bumper will fit on a G28 body with some trimming and slight modifications which include cutting the one piece bumper from the G28 and creating mounting flanges on the body to access the bolt on bumper. I'm also using AD rockers, side vents, bat wings, rear bumper and rear spoiler panel. I have someone making me a OEM splashed roadster engine cover (inside and outside panels) and we'll see if he wants his identify shared after it's done (has ended up being more work than expected). Bart made the G28 guys a inner panel for the front bonnet which means that panels will look as finished and complete open as they do closed.
With so little of the G28 body left, if doing it again, I would've went with a custom frame and bought a complete AD body package. I really wanted a roadster so I decided to combine the best of both and base everything around the G28.
Nothing beats using OEM grilles in a panel that is made to hold them perfectly and even has the places molded in to hold the clips and screws. :)
Chris
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Chris, where will you be getting your engine cover from? I really had considered this part, since the G28 one is so labor intensive. I would really like this engine cover to look nice and especially if I could use the OEM grilles I have and actually fit the holes they were designed for. This and the front bumper were the ones I have considered replacing. Can you PM me the info?
Thanks
Mitch.
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I can't wait for my bumpers, John has had so many health issues he never got to them. I've been wanting a new engine hatch but there's no suppliers.
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Wanted to show everyone the gauges I bought today and an idea for my interior. I want to do a cross between mild OEM and Track Car.
The gauges are from SpeedHut.com and all three with shipping was around $775.00
I went with these for the following reasons:
1. Cost
2. 4" GPS speedometer (highly accurate and no calibration or extra cables)
3. Digital + Analog readouts.
4. High contrast colors (fully customizable on their site)
5. 160 - 200 or 260 MPH Speedometer (Yes.. I plan on driving this fast! ::tongue ) Can order in KPH also.
6. Large 4" tach that goes with the speedo.
7. Hi beam indicator, turn signals, shift light, all included and integrated in one package.
8. Single multi gauge for oil pressure, voltage, fuel and water temp.
9. Night glow is built in (no overlays etc).
10. Low profile gauge design that will fit nicely into a modified Lambo cluster (between 1" - 2" tall).
11. You can add your own logo and that's how I turned mine into ::LAMBO2 gauges. ::headbang
12. Can order in clockwise or counter clockwise needle operation.
Or yes.. did I mention that they are easy to install? ::toothy Everything is standalone and they don't require connections to factory wiring harness or ECU connections when you use separate temperature, oil pressure sensors.
Attached is a picture of an idea I have for my interior and a video that shows more details on the speedo.
Speedhut Inc. GPS Speedometer Demonstration (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgHV3v7ZYDM#ws)
Chris
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Pictures of my OEM splashed roadster engine cover that I bought from Cliff. The last picture is obviously of a painted OEM panel on a Lamborghini, and I posted it for reference.
Chris
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More engine cover pictures.
Chris
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Looks sweet Is he still around to make more engine hatches?
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Updates on ur build Chris ??
And .. Where did u get that removable top from? Any pics of it you can share?
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Looks sweet Is he still around to make more engine hatches?
Tommy is still selling them on EBay.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lamborghini-Murcielago-Engine-Deck-lid-/221236840361?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3382be47a9&vxp=mtr (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lamborghini-Murcielago-Engine-Deck-lid-/221236840361?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3382be47a9&vxp=mtr)
These parts were splashed from an OEM cover which is made of carbon fiber. Since these parts are pulled in fiberglass, you'll need to expect the part to be a little thicker than a OEM panel would be and this does affect how the grilles sit in the openings (not as flush). If you buy one of these panels, make sure you ask if the panel is bonded together (two parts) and if it is, was any hinge reinforcements put inside the panel before it was bonded together. I didn't buy my panel from Tommy so I'm not sure if he adds anything in there or not or if he even sells the parts already bonded together.
Chris
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Updates on ur build Chris ??
And .. Where did u get that removable top from? Any pics of it you can share?
No updates other than working on some of the electrical stuff (postings to follow soon). I've been busy with an investment property and work. The top is actually a splashed aftermarket top for an OEM car. I bought it as part of a package deal and realized how different it was from a G28 after I got it home. I've been working on a deal with another member who has the molds to pull one for a G28 and I hope it fits better than the one I have. I'll probably end up picking which of the two I like best and having it covered in carbon fiber.
Chris
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Update on my build.
Frank (aka Digibeam) sent me a couple new carbon fiber parts for my car. I've attached pictures of them. The scoop is a carbon fiber overlay on top of fiberglass and the headlight washer covers are a composite material. I asked him to try and match the carbon fiber pattern of my rear spoiler and he did a really good job. They really shine and have a nice depth to them in the light. I took a picture of the small scoop inserted into one of Watson's parts and it fits pretty good. It will fit even better with some trimming (it's supposed to stick out more).
I've also been working on my instrument cluster and I'm converting my separate Speedhut gauges into a single customized cluster. The main reason for this is that I've picked up a carbon fiber cluster surround from FGP (pictures attached) and I've decided to go with more of a OEM appearance. I'm attaching a picture of the new cluster layout so please feel free to make suggestions.
I now have OEM door hinges that I found at a really good price and I picked up a OEM drivers side LP640 mirror and looking for a OEM passenger side mirror. I continue working on my headlight buckets (pictures to follow soon) and I'm working on a factory appearing rear view camera that will sit inside the OEM rear grille.
That's it for now guys.. ::thumbup
Chris
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Those carbon pieces are really well made, they are going to look very nice on your car.
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For guages u can also use this guys.
http://www.blackcatcustom.com/custom%20design.htm (http://www.blackcatcustom.com/custom%20design.htm)
I will be using these guys to complete the top part of my reventon guages.
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For guages u can also use this guys.
[url]http://www.blackcatcustom.com/custom%20design.htm[/url] ([url]http://www.blackcatcustom.com/custom%20design.htm[/url])
I will be using these guys to complete the top part of my reventon guages.
Yep... that's who I plan on using also. They have a quality process that is more than just an overlay and can do any custom designs. They also provide the lexan and cut / drill it to whatever shape you provide them with.
Chris
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Those parts look amazing! Excellent work there Digi the carbon looks Perfecto!!! :drool
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thank you. :)
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Guess who bought a set of black chrome LP640 Hercules rims tonight?
That's right... this guy! ::tongue
I wasn't looking for a set of rims however I told myself that if a set of these came around at the right price, I would buy them and probably sell the rims I had.
Chris
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Beautiful bro!
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Finally something worth clicking on!!! Very nice rims they will look exceptional on your car!!! ::headbang
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Killer man first dibs in your old set!!!!
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Killer man first dibs in your old set!!!!
Here is the old set.. Lamborghini bolt pattern.
Chris
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Oh I like them...! :occasion
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nice, Mr Admin where you located? a desert area?
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nice, Mr Admin where you located? a desert area?
Ohio, the outside pictures were taken of the car by the previous owner and lives out West. There isn't going to be much left of that orange G28 body when I'm done with it. ::thumbup
Chris
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beautiful rims !! i have the same in gloss black... ::K
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That car looks exactly like the one from robslp640 video a few years ago? sunset pearl orange! :drool i love those wheels will you sell them?
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That car looks exactly like the one from robslp640 video a few years ago? sunset pearl orange! :drool i love those wheels will you sell them?
The car was bought from Rob about four years ago (his first CarKit Inc build). It was a decent car that someone could've finished if they were ok with the issues with the body or just wanted something to "knock around" in. I wanted more from my build so I've been changing around the various pieces and made the decision a year ago to start over with a Watson body and switch to a 3800SC and six speed manual transmission (information in previous diary posts).
I've tossed around the idea of selling the body and frame as is and just starting over with a custom frame or another Fiero but I would need a solid offer on it to justify starting completely over. The rims could be thrown in on that deal (update - Rims SOLD) but again it would need to be a solid offer and I'd insist that who ever bought it came and looked at it first so they understood exactly what they was buying.
Thanks,
Chris
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I knew that car looked familiar! does it have a fiero motor? can you post more pics of the car up close and of the interior, tail/headlights, glass and motor? Can you give me a price for the car just the way it sits i havta admit i watched Robs video of your car at least 50 times and id love to buy it and fix it up :drool Im a heating and a/c contractor would you be interested in a beautiful new high effeciency lennox furnace and air conditioner package installed plus cash? (just thot id throw that out there) ::thumbup
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A couple new pictures of the Hercules rims on the G28. Many of you guys have wondered what the size difference is between an OEM dash and a G28 dash and I think these pictures will help answer that.
Chris
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It also explains why the vents stick out to far on a g28 dash. The OE dash has a nice recessed area for the vent to set in.
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Awesome pictures Chris that is one of my wonders of my build how a OE dash would fit! BIG thanks for posting this :notworthy
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It really doesn't look too bad, do you think it will take a lot of work to make it fit?
Love the wheels they look awesome ::thumbup
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Many of you have sent me messages or posted notes on my "for sale" postings. I appreciate the support from each of you and it's more obvious than ever what this site means to many of you. You have me rethinking my plans of selling everything. Maybe taking a little time away from everything will do me some good. I've deleted my for sale posts and I'd decided to sleep on this decision for a while.
Many of you have asked "why?" therefore I think I owe you an honest answer. I have a lot going on right now at work and any free time this summer is going towards an investment property that I'm remodeling from the studs up. This leaves no time to work on my car during the four or five good months that we have here in Ohio. It's also very frustrating waiting on parts from so many different guys (some parts have been out for over a year now). I'm practicing what I preach and leaving the details off the site for now and weighing my options for legal action on a couple of them. I'm second guessing myself and why I took this project on. I'm wondering how I've spent so much money on something that still feels so far away with so much more left to spend before completion. There is a cure for this but the treatment involves extra money, time, good weather or suitable working conditions. My project is 100% paid for therefore it's not like holding onto everything for another year is going to hurt anything other than possibly more depreciation on the OEM parts.
More to come and thanks guys!
Chris
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Time off will make you feel better. Glad to see you at least taking some time to think it over. I for one hope you take a breather and then come back hard at it so you can enjoy this project once again. Good luck ::beers
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Glad you are re thinking it. Give your self a break. This is an awesome hobby and you would hate to see your build pull up next to you at a red light. Don't give up, just give your self a break. Keep on Keeping on.
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No Bull, this site is the reason I started my build! There is lots of advice when you have a question, and we are all super car guys!
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Ah I've gone over a year without touching mine :) I just tell myself that it will eventually get done and I will have my dream car, even though I don't make as much as a lot of guys here.
I have to say, Chris has helped me get some major parts of John's, leaving him without those parts. I am grateful but I hate to think it resulted in you suffering from it.
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Awesome news bud!
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Chris, I think if you let it go without finishing it you will definitely regret it. If its paid for....then just sit on it and work it when you can. I know exactly what you mean when you say so much has gotten in the way for your progress....Look at mine. Seems every time I devote time to mine and get moving, something in life comes at me hard and puts me at a dead stop....but I've just decided to work it when I can and enjoy the time. I know If I give in and sell it, I too will regret it. So much hard work and time, You just cant lose all of that! Sooner or later things will line up for you and you will get to enjoy your dream car. In my opinion, its not going to be how long it takes, but the experiences and memories of the build is whats going to make it special in the end! Thats the true value of our cars!
Good luck to you in your investment and with your work.
God Bless,
Mitch
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Thanks Guys! ::thumbup
Chris
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Selling something you poured your time and energy into is a difficult thing. I owned a 1971 Chevy Camaro for over 20 years. I bought this car when I was 18, it was a painted rolling chassis. Some friends and I built a 427 for it. During my divorce I sold the drive train to help pay for my lawyer, I ended up selling the car after my divorce. I REGRET SELLING THE CAR! Chris I think you will regret selling your Murci too.
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Selling something you poured your time and energy into is a difficult thing. I owned a 1971 Chevy Camaro for over 20 years. I bought this car when I was 18, it was a painted rolling chassis. Some friends and I built a 427 for it. During my divorce I sold the drive train to help pay for my lawyer, I ended up selling the car after my divorce. I REGRET SELLING THE CAR! Chris I thing you will regret selling your Murci to.
Regret is always a risk of change 8)
Change is what I need more than anything right now and this is one of several decisions intended to simplify my life a little and refocus on other and new priorities. A short term goal (three years or less) is to have a real Gallardo or Murcie sitting in my garage and the money I'm raising from the sell of my project will serve as part of the down payment on that car.
It's all good! ::thumbup
Chris