LamboClone - The Premier Site for Lamborghini Replica Builders
How To - Tips => Frame => Topic started by: DUBUC SLC on February 07, 2013, 04:44:01 PM
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What`s the real cost when your building your own chassis?
Plans? Steel? fabrication?
And weight??
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I got more than enough tubing for $500 but I guess it depends where you are.
You can download NAERC replica plans from various places on the internet for free.
Mike O. sells his chassisworks plans on ebay http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lamborghini-Diablo-Murcielago-Kit-Car-chassis-plans/321067380434?ssPageName=WDVW&rd=1&ih=011&category=6762&cmd=ViewItem (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lamborghini-Diablo-Murcielago-Kit-Car-chassis-plans/321067380434?ssPageName=WDVW&rd=1&ih=011&category=6762&cmd=ViewItem)
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it cost way more then $500 in material,I paid over 3 big ones just for the the laser/ brake bend work. it's not just the bunch of tubes welded together.
and after the chassis is done you still need more metal to buy.20 here 30 there it adds up very quickly. and do not forget about Mig and gas. total???
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it cost way more then $500 in material,I paid over 3 big ones just for the the laser/ brake bend work. it's not just the bunch of tubes welded together.
and after the chassis is done you still need more metal to buy.20 here 30 there it adds very quickly. and do not forget about Mig and gas. total???
$500 for the tubing is correct.
3k! Yikes. We had some issues with the chassis works drawing. They may have charged you programming fees to redraw parts.
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You don't have to have fancy equipment to make all the parts it just makes it look nicer. I'd rather make something myself if it costs me hundreds otherwise.. I didn't spend 3k on most of the chassis minus wheels. Maybe I did and I just don't want to add up my receipts but I know I'm not the richest person here!
Will admit I get to use my mig welder and gas at work so can't say much about that.
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I am will torn. I have amazing plans for a great chassis, I can get the metal locally and cheaper than normal, my problem is I have a fiero already cut up. Eh. Not sure.
I rather use the fiero than jump through hoops with DMV. I have welder, metal brake, grinders, you name it, only a lack of space, although I can build a frame holder in the space where the fiero is parked. Hmm. Not a bad idea! I gotta thank bottlefed for his chassis base!
Anybody know which states in the northeast or Mideast coast can register cars as per what they resemble on the title and registration, on a custom chassis?
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ok I just checked my invoice chassis only $650 tubes only.
laser cut and bend two skids of metal and aluminum fuel tank ( not welded together) $2700. there are many parts that have to be fab cut and brake .
can you bend extact for instance the floor panels, center cover bottom shields,I could not. etc etc. oh I did not use Mike Orlando plans.
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I have plans for both chassis I was thinking about making a second one from naerc.
I asked John Watson about fuel cell he said he's just going to use a fiero tank and system as it would fit nicely in the center of the murcie chassis. I don't think I could do that with the CW chassis, though. There's alternatives for most things. For floor you could cut it manually. Mock it up with something and trace it out.
It's possible to build your own breaks and things like that as well.. we are, after all building cars.
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yeah could if I was 9-5 worker. me doing average 14hrs a day 6 days a week. anyway Brakes are not meant as braking a wheel to stop, I meant the rear hub tingy alone is 1/4" plate, one piece bend into shape and then welded. and drill out hole for hub bearing, blah blah. certain job should not be done on your Home Depot bench , my opinion.
Fiero tank is what 10 gallons?? Naerc fuel tank is what 25-26 Gal.
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I don't know that the OP works 14 hrs a day or not... or how much fuel they want to carry around.
It's 12 gal I think. I'm sure the guys using fiero chassis don't mind. Talking about chassis and it's options to save money not how long we drive before we run out of gas.
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I think the chassis works plans say 450lbs for the chassis alone (no suspension ect). It Sure seemed heavier to move around in the shop though ::duh
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Here is my take form experience depending on how you set it up,
Chassis cost from fabricator 8,500.00
Powder Coating 1,600.00 This includes prepping
Brakes Complete 2,700.00 Includes E brake
All the Lines (bradied) 1,400.00 All lines except AC
Fuel Cell 450.00 To set up for operation
Coil Overs 1,200.00
Chassis Gap seal 75.00
Heat Lining 300.00
Steering 1,450.00 Includes Appleton Rack
Pedal Assy 275.00
Total 17,950.00
I am sure I left a few things out, bolts and stuff like that are crazy cost wise. Not saying that everyone will have this much but the topic was what is the cost so just thought this may help some guys that are going the chassis build way, hope it helps...
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You would probably be at 20k if you bought from a builder I bought my chassis in bare steel from the orginal buyer but I think you are correct on the hassle part for sure, I will be more then happy to share any info from my build with anyone interested.
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Do you need to have every car fully inspected in Cali? Why not just put the fiero vin tag on the tube chassis and register it as a modified fiero? Here the DMV wouldn't know the differance or care either way. You would only need an inspection if your attempting to get a title for a vehicle that hasn't ever been registered.
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Why do you have to register it as a Fiero? The truth is, here in California nobody cares, and the DMV never checks, unless you ask them to. They wouldnt know what they were looking at anyway!
I have an '02 Tahoe that has been registered as a commercial vehicle since I bought it new at the dealership. I never thought about it before, even though I had commercial plates on it until my wife asked me why my registration was so high on it (3X what she pays on her '02 Suburban).
I went to the DMV and asked why my car was a commercial vehicle and they told me because it has a "bed" and can carry loads. I said it was an SUV and they said it didnt matter, and I would have to have a referee look at it (lol). Needless to say, its now registered as a passenger vehicle, no commercial fees.
My point is, the DMV couldn't care less what you wanna register your car as.
Lets say you wanna have a 3800SC in your Fiero kitcar. Fiero's never came with a 3800, so thats gonna be a problem with smog, but not the DMV.
To get around the smog, find out what year and model vehicle the engine you're using came out of, and register it as that. The easiest way to do it is to have a VIN from the same model/year vehicle (salvage or not).
Nobody (DMV, CHP, Insurance, etc) is gonna question the vehicle if it displays the proper VIN, and nobody will ever know if its a custom chassis or a donor vehicle. If the engine you're using comes out of a '02 Pontiac Grand Am, then your car (as far as they are concerned) better be built on what you call a modified '02 Pontiac Grand Am, and have a VIN to match. It can be a tube chassis, it only needs to have the VIN!
In California, it really is just that simple.
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Do you need to have every car fully inspected in Cali? Why not just put the fiero vin tag on the tube chassis and register it as a modified fiero? Here the DMV wouldn't know the differance or care either way. You would only need an inspection if your attempting to get a title for a vehicle that hasn't ever been registered.
The problem is the nazi smog laws we have. Your not allowed to swap the engine unless its "CARB" approved. In Theory you can't unless your doing the LS3 Erod swap. Even then the nazi's still want to inspect your car. The only way you can possibly do it is if you get the vin from a Fiero and do it that way but even then your gonna need a decoy car just for smog check and pray to go the cops don't harrass you and force you to pop your hood. Oh well I guess that's what engine covers are for right? :D
Smog/engine laws here in California state that only an engine model that came with the vehicle originally can be replaced in the vehicle. If the VIN decodes as a '86 with a 2.8L, then thats all that can be in that vehicle. You couldnt even put a 4 banger in it, even though Fieros came with those. The VIN says V6, so it better be a V6 like the car came with.
Yes, you could attach a Fiero VIN to a tube chassis build (nobody would ever know) but the car you're registering as a Fiero better have a Fiero engine it that matches the VIN number.
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or,if you own property in another state have your car registered there, I was thinking about having mine done in Florida even though I live in TN, which ever one is easiest is where my car will be born..
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No matter how you slice it up a tube chassis fully built will be around 13k, Yes the tube steel is probally the cheapest component but everything else will eat $$$$
Registration is pretty much the same across the board. Save all your reciepts, get state inspection done, apply for special contructed title.
Why in the world would anyone want to register a tube chassis as a fiero?
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Why in the world would anyone want to register a tube chassis as a fiero?
Easier... Cheaper... Except for in Cali.
Why wouldn't you register it as a fiero?
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No matter how you slice it up a tube chassis fully built will be around 13k, Yes the tube steel is probally the cheapest component but everything else will eat $$$$
Registration is pretty much the same across the board. Save all your reciepts, get state inspection done, apply for special contructed title.
Why in the world would anyone want to register a tube chassis as a fiero?
Yeah, for a custom chassis that sounds fair.. it's not enough to say "you might as well buy a real lambo."
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Be very careful about removing a VIN tag from one vehicle and installing it on another one. In some states that will get your vehicle taken away and you might find yourself in jail or at least with a hefty fine.
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Tallon, greatly said, the cost of doing custom is high regardless of the customization, it seems to be never ending with parts, custom chassis build is not the cheapest way to go or easiest...
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so we got Fiero VIN and registered as Fiero so we can save a buck . after that it can be like this.
http://www.kitcentral.com/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=viewtopic&t=11093&sid=c99491661c9cd65451bdc5b4bf6a79f6 (http://www.kitcentral.com/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=viewtopic&t=11093&sid=c99491661c9cd65451bdc5b4bf6a79f6)
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so we got Fiero VIN and registered as Fiero so we can save a buck . after that it can be like this.
[url]http://www.kitcentral.com/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=viewtopic&t=11093&sid=c99491661c9cd65451bdc5b4bf6a79f6[/url] ([url]http://www.kitcentral.com/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=viewtopic&t=11093&sid=c99491661c9cd65451bdc5b4bf6a79f6[/url])
Exactly!
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So you pay cheap insurance and pay the differance to fix your car, or you pay very expensive insurance and they fix your car. Either way your paying for it. And from my experience in a body shop, the insurance wants everything half butt so it's as cheap as possible. Every quote was refused when we ask for oem fenders ect. They want everything aftermarket china junk parts. So good luck having them hire a fab shop to rebuild the damaged tube chassis.
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This has always been my nightmare, having someone else hit me and then their insurance only wanting to pay me Fiero bluebook on my replica.
Heres what I did. First, I got an independant appraisal on my car. I told them I was looking for around $80K and they said no problem, the apprasial came back at $81.5K
I have my car listed as a classic with my insurance, and have full coverage (liability, comp, collision, uninsured motorist). If my car ever gets hit and is considered a "total" loss, I get $80K, whether its my fault or not.
I also have it stipulated that if the car is considered totaled, I get to keep possesion of the car and not pay a buyback fee. My 6 month premium for all this coverage is $212, and I have State Farm Insurance.
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I too am in Auto body biz, as you can see what happened to me ( read Kitcentral Guywithlambo) I got 14K for bumper and repaint both 1/4s. that is why you need appraisal and go with good insurance comp.for me it paid off well spending 160bucks a month. oh guess what, it was a Fiero based too ,but registered as home build and 50K no
depreciation.
re :the after market panels here in Canada if insurance gives you a OEM part they want to re inspect after. not all cars are checked but in random.
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This has always been my nightmare, having someone else hit me and then their insurance only wanting to pay me Fiero bluebook on my replica.
Heres what I did. First, I got an independant appraisal on my car. I told them I was looking for around $80K and they said no problem, the apprasial came back at $81.5K
I have my car listed as a classic with my insurance, and have full coverage (liability, comp, collision, uninsured motorist). If my car ever gets hit and is considered a "total" loss, I get $80K, whether its my fault or not.
I also have it stipulated that if the car is considered totaled, I get to keep possesion of the car and not pay a buyback fee. My 6 month premium for all this coverage is $212, and I have State Farm Insurance.
::thumbup
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I'm sure insurance is slightly different everywhere, but seems to be along the same general idea.
My insurance company said when the car is done it will be insured as a "modified mr2" and if I want replacement value greater than the mr2, just get an appraisal. I intend to, and I'll have to wait and see what my insurance comes in at but I'd be surprised if it was more than $100/month. That's how much my new truck is, and my car won't be valued at that much (if it is I'll even surprise myself ;D )