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Build Diaries => Diablo => Topic started by: RStaggs on February 04, 2017, 11:21:37 PM

Title: Project 6.0 NAERC M120
Post by: RStaggs on February 04, 2017, 11:21:37 PM
Finally have a rolling chassis! Big accomplishment. Its so nice be able to push it around. I know you guys like pics...so here`s a few!

Chassis: NAERC
Body: MMBrazil
Engine: Mercedes V12 6.0 M120
Transmission: OEM Lamborghini Diablo VT
Title: Re: Project 6.0 NAERC M120
Post by: ActiveLife on February 05, 2017, 10:09:38 AM
RStaggs,
Looks great! Nice progress, I imagine you're very happy to be to this point!  How did you end up repairing the body from shipping damage?

Keep the pictures coming if you can, progress pictures are the inspiration for many builders.

-Active
Title: Re: Project 6.0 NAERC M120
Post by: RStaggs on February 05, 2017, 10:55:55 AM
@Active. Fixing the front fender was easy. The rear driver side is still all jacked up in multiple places. I'm going to have to separate the entire rear panel from the deck lid area, because it was bonded together incorrectly. It's really misshaped! 
Title: Re: Project 6.0 NAERC M120
Post by: ActiveLife on February 06, 2017, 10:58:29 PM
The project looks good now that the body and chassis are together, any small "adjustments" are just part of the fun of the journey, I'm sure you'll sort it all out just fine!

Keep smiling and having fun with your build...

-Active
Title: Re: Project 6.0 NAERC M120
Post by: autopro on February 07, 2017, 09:47:44 PM
That looks so good, congratulations on getting it to this point.  Too bad about the shipping damage but at least fiberglass is a little bit easier to repair.  Definitely going to be following your build  ::thumbup
Title: Re: Project 6.0 NAERC M120
Post by: RStaggs on February 18, 2017, 11:44:17 PM
Installed the rear coilovers. I used QA1 shocks w/ Eibach springs. 4x QA1DS404 (rear) 2x QA1DS402 (front), Eibach springs 4x 10"x350lbs (rear) 2x 10"x500lbs (front). The plan is to install front coilovers next weekend.
Title: Re: Project 6.0 NAERC M120
Post by: ActiveLife on February 19, 2017, 10:03:49 AM
Rick,
Clean progress... looks good!
Title: Re: Project 6.0 NAERC Upgrades
Post by: RStaggs on April 20, 2019, 01:17:14 AM
Picked up a few new parts. Wanted to simplify my build, with more of a plug and play setup. No longer am I going w/ the Mercedes M120 engine. I got a complete 06 Lamborghini Murcielago 6.2 V12 engine (less than 7k miles), ECUs, rear diff, axles, 6 speed manual gearbox, complete wire harnesses for the entire car, plus more!!!
Title: Re: Project 6.0 NAERC M120
Post by: Neils88 on April 20, 2019, 08:48:27 AM
Congratulations! Fantastic purchase! Should we ask what that all cost you?
Title: Re: Project 6.0 NAERC M120
Post by: RStaggs on April 20, 2019, 03:39:13 PM
Thanks! Super excited!!! I want to keep the cost private. I’ll say this... less than market value, and not much more than a new built LS1 complete setup.
Title: Re: Project 6.0 NAERC M120
Post by: AdrianBurton on April 25, 2019, 09:20:34 AM
SWEET!!!!!
Title: Re: Project 6.0 NAERC M120
Post by: RStaggs on June 02, 2019, 10:52:02 PM
Painted the ugly yellow intake plenums. Bead blasted, VHT wrinkle paint. First 3 attempts... major failures! Had to have them re-blasted several times. I think... a lot of the trouble, was due to Lamborghini`s piss poor casting, geez! Shaved and Finished! Pleased with the end product!
Title: Re: Project 6.0 NAERC M120
Post by: RStaggs on June 02, 2019, 10:57:14 PM
Engine installed!!!
A Murcielago V12 engine almost fits a NAERC chassis... Its close, but had 4 issues.
1) Stock headers don't fit. (Chassis to narrow)
2) Top removable cross bar is obstructed by the power steering pump. (Engine cradle to low)
3) Reinforcement gusset under the right side rear diff, needed to be cut out.
4) Motor mount bolts lined up directly above the main chassis tubes.
Top to bottom engine clearances are good, w/ 1/2'' -3/4'' from top of the intake bolts, to bottom of deck lid. Rear Diff lines up perfect w/ rear hubs. Not sure on axle lengths yet?
Title: Re: Project 6.0 NAERC M120
Post by: RStaggs on June 29, 2019, 11:08:42 PM
Started working on the oil cooling system. I`m using a Setrab 50-934-7612 9 Series 34 row Oil Cooler. It close to the stock Setrab cooler, Lamborghini uses. Just at a 1/6th of the cost! Made mounting brackets for the cooler and oil tank. Still need to make one more bracket, for a top mount point (oil cooler). Also did a little plumbing.
Title: Re: Project 6.0 NAERC M120
Post by: RStaggs on August 02, 2019, 11:49:04 PM
Dry sump and oil cooling system done. With the exception of remaking oil cooler backrests (had to move it). Initially I was going to make custom lines w/ AN fittings but, converting AN to metric was problematic and expensive. Its was cheaper and easier to go with used OEM fitting and oil lines. The connector/filter was extremely difficult to get. In short, had to buy anther oil tank, just for the part!
Title: Re: Project 6.0 NAERC M120
Post by: RStaggs on September 02, 2019, 07:54:16 PM
Started Headers. Tubing is, 1.75'' OD SS, equal length. Not much chassis clearance. Going to be a big challenge to get them to fit!!! Last pic is not mine. Its what I`m building.
Here`s a link to an awesome tool for exhaust templets:
http://dogfeatherdesign.com/ttn_js/ (http://dogfeatherdesign.com/ttn_js/)
Title: Re: Project 6.0 NAERC M120
Post by: AdrianBurton on September 03, 2019, 07:14:06 PM
Header fab is a REAL pain, especially when you have to take into consideration maintenance
Title: Re: Project 6.0 NAERC M120
Post by: RT on September 03, 2019, 09:28:35 PM
RStaggs, you are doing a beautiful job!  Making headers is complicated.  There are so many things that have to be considered.  Even after you tack weld the pieces in place, you have to be able to weld them all together AND make sure they don't leak!
I give you a lot of credit for taking this on and doing such a nice job.

RT
Title: Re: Project 6.0 NAERC M120
Post by: RStaggs on September 03, 2019, 10:41:56 PM
Thanks RT! This is my first time making headers, so the lack of experience also complicates things. Did a lot of research...  and people who have put after market headers on their murci`s have had negative results. Reading that gave me great pause! I couldn't use the stock header, because the NAERC chassis is to narrow (didn`t want to mod chassis). I'm replicating a set of Reiter Engineering LMGT1 headers (8k), who design F1 headers. So, I`m not engineering anything, just replicating. With the headers and a tune people have gotten 70-100+ hp gains. We will see?? The worst part may be... having to pull the engine to install them! But that first world problems. lol
Title: Re: Project 6.0 NAERC M120
Post by: RStaggs on October 27, 2019, 10:47:35 PM
Moving forward!
Title: Re: Project 6.0 NAERC M120
Post by: AdrianBurton on October 28, 2019, 10:01:01 PM
they are coming together nicely!!!
Title: Re: Project 6.0 NAERC M120
Post by: RT on October 29, 2019, 08:41:59 AM
That is artwork!
Beautiful.

RT
Title: Re: Project 6.0 NAERC M120
Post by: RStaggs on February 18, 2020, 10:02:04 PM
More progress on the exhaust, and gearbox test fitted.
Title: Re: Project 6.0 NAERC M120
Post by: RStaggs on February 18, 2020, 10:05:15 PM
Shotgun style exhaust.
Title: Re: Project 6.0 NAERC M120
Post by: diablodoc on February 19, 2020, 04:13:02 PM
Are you planning on using a Lambo transfer case to get the drive back to the rear wheels?  Or perhaps a v-drive?
Title: Re: Project 6.0 NAERC M120
Post by: RStaggs on February 19, 2020, 06:18:55 PM
Diablodoc, The gearbox has a rear transfer case integrated. The input rear driveshaft is inside the bellhousing (see attached pic). There`s a driveshaft that runs along side of the engine block, to a rear diff, that mounts to the engine block. All I need to do now... is have adapters made for OEM axles to C5 hubs. The output shaft in the front, is for FWD. Which I`m going to delete. Need to make a mounting bracket in place of the front driveshaft. Otherwise (without front driveshaft) the gearbox will bounce on the chassis. FWD delete drops 200lbs, less horsepower loss, and adds 30% more to clutch life.
Title: Re: Project 6.0 NAERC M120
Post by: RStaggs on May 31, 2020, 02:34:56 PM
Exhaust almost finished. Gearbox installed.
Title: Re: Project 6.0 NAERC M120
Post by: RT on May 31, 2020, 03:06:16 PM
This build just keeps getting better.

RT
Title: Re: Project 6.0 NAERC M120
Post by: RStaggs on July 31, 2020, 09:59:35 PM
Installed acceleration pedal, steering column, e-brake. All parts are OEM. Fabbed up the FWD delete bracket (gearbox), and shift gate bracket. I bought the wrong steering column. It`s from a LP640, which has the updated ignition and added security. Might be a problem?
Title: Re: Project 6.0 NAERC M120
Post by: RStaggs on July 31, 2020, 10:08:37 PM
Installed HVAC unit. Had to mod the chassis firewall for fitment. Also modded the tunnel to clear the gearbox. 
Title: Re: Project 6.0 NAERC M120
Post by: RStaggs on July 31, 2020, 10:27:36 PM
Fuel cell made from .125 aluminum with Aeromotive, fuel pump. Using OEM VDO sending unit with OEM fuel gauge. Radiators are for a VW Golf GTI. Core size are, 17''x12'' OEM core size is 17''x13''. Using 12'' Spal puller fans (P# 30103202). Had to Mod the rear of the chassis (wing area), in to the rads in the horizontal positions.
Title: Re: Project 6.0 NAERC M120
Post by: RStaggs on September 12, 2020, 10:44:37 PM
Made Stainless steel pie cuts with K&N filters.