LamboClone - The Premier Site for Lamborghini Replica Builders
Build Diaries => Murcielago => Topic started by: pparker on February 14, 2014, 10:23:42 AM
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Hello, my name is Phil and am posting my first Lambo build. At 67, I have built and restored at least 30 cars over the past 50+ years as a hobby. I recently sold my Factory Five Cobra and wanted a new project. I decided to tackle building a Lambo from scratch which has proven to be by far the most difficult and time-consuming project I have ever taken on.
I bought the Murcie I body, 88 Fiero chassis, a low mileage 95 GTP motor and trans from a forum classified ad and had it shipped from Florida to Maryland for $700.
After more research and reading everything on Mad Mechanics, Pennocks, Kit Central, and others, I decided I wanted all the Pontiac GTP options (HVAC, wiring, radio, heads-up display, etc.) so I purchased a wrecked 04 GTP and completely stripped it, thus my folly began! I will emphasize that I am not attempting to duplicate a Lambo. I am building a car that will be fast, good looking and will have all the creature comforts plus resemble a customized Lambo. In other words, I am building it to suit myself.
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You got one heck of a good deal on that first package! That was just the shipping cost right? Welcome to the forum! ::wave
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Welcome, Phil, to Lamboclone.com.
Tons of info to be had on this site. Carlisle Show coming up in May 16,17,18 . Swing over and meet some of the guys. You may find some useful info in my Diablo build diary. You may want to add some bracing on your side framework. see attached pic. YOUR GARAGE IS TOO CLEAN!!
Jim
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Phil, welcome to the club!
You are in good company. Jim (01Lambiero) and I are late 60's too and would like to meet you at Carlisle. We hope you can make it. Where are you located?
I like your personal desire on how to build. I think too much emphasis is put on being an exact replica. After all, this is YOUR build. Build it as you please.
Looks good so far.
RT
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Welcome Phil. I think you're a decade off on that engine/ trans. I never saw a gen 5 blower with electronic throttle on 95!
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Phil, I'd like to add, be careful how you suspend the body. If you hang it for a long time with few supports it will deform.
Try to support it at many locations to prevent distortion Keep even tension at all points.
RT
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Thanks for the tip RT. I will keep that in mind myself.
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Very nice work so far. Welcome to the forum. I am really anxious to see a clean, well built Mercy 1.
Mitch
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Keen eye -- jrule78. When I purchased the kit, a 95 engine and trans came with it. I decided I wanted all the Pontiac stuff, HVAC, heads up, radio, etc., so I purchased a wrecked low-mileage 04 Pontiac GTP. I will soon have a 95 engine and trans for sale.
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Great minds think alike! Maybe we can share ideas on our builds.
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The Fiero was almost completely rust free and was semi-stripped when I bought it. I did the Fiero stretch per the B&B Customs web site and many other helpful build libraries recommendations and it worked great. I reinforced the chassis, sides, front, and rear with $350 worth of steel. It is very rigid. I originally planned to run an X frame under the car but didn't think it was necessary. A jack on one corner will lift half the car with absolutely no sign of flex or stress.
Mild engine mods, small pulley, nice stainless headers, and paint. May do more later. A Champion radiator was mounted in front with a big fan. Went with early rebuilt Chevy power steering rack.
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The Fiero was almost completely rust free and was semi-stripped when I bought it. I did the Fiero stretch per the B&B Customs web site and many other helpful build libraries recommendations and it worked great. I reinforced the chassis, sides, front, and rear with $350 worth of steel. It is very rigid. I originally planned to run an X frame under the car but didn't think it was necessary. A jack on one corner will lift half the car with absolutely no sign of flex or stress.
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I studied the options for mounting the engine and auto trans and decided to go all standard Pontiac. I used both Pontiac mounts and welded in the dog bones. I had to notch the chassis on the right side and extend the flat area for mounting. Then I fabricated a new bracket for the left side and bolted to the cradle. The engine oil pan sits about ¼" above the cradle bottom. Very easy and cheap to do plus with factory mount, I should have no vibrations, etc. Axles are modified Gran Prix on the right and Fiero manual on the left. To my surprise, the Grand Prix dash fits perfectly in the Fiero, but the HVAC required major cutting and fabrication to fit. The end result will be massive heat and really cold A/C. My wife does not like my seats! Front and rear suspension has been completely rebuilt to stock 88 Fiero standards with all-poly bushings. Did my first powder coating on the springs and arms. It worked well. My wife would not let me use her oven so I bought a double oven from Craig's List and converted it into a single large oven which works great. It's large enough to bend or melt my Lexan door windows plus coat some pretty big stuff. Body work, doors, and glass cutting are next on my list! Of course, I have helpers!
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That powder coating oven is great, do you have any plans on how you made it?
Everything else on your car is looking very good, nice and clean job!
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No plans for the oven. I simply bought a double oven off Craig's List, cut the center section out, put it back together with sheet metal, rivets, and insulation. Same with the double doors....combined them into a single door. Works great and heats up to 400 degrees in about 15 minutes.
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Finally got the doors done and fitted. As previously stated on forum sites, the doors are a difficult job. Had to remodel, cut, and fiberglass to fit. Used Pontiac Grand Prix rear door motors and gears, front door tracks and rubber seals which have nearly the correct curvature. Works very well and doors are designed so everything is accessible from the inside. Had to adjust the doors, hinges, and latches at least 15 times to get the correct fit and function. McMaster adjustable shocks are great, but I learned the hard way to tighten the gas release valve firmly as I lost gas in one shock.....$$$$$!!! It's just money!
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Easy way to do the batwings....I had some leftover stainless sheet metal and put a flange on it in a metal brake and bonded it to the rear. May leave the stainless exposed? Have not decided whether to activate or use in an open, fixed position. Any advice or opinions would be appreciated. The wing is hinged per the forum thread by No Bull. Easy to do, works well. My brother says the sanding mask interferes with smoking!
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I put my oven to work bending Lexan. Bought the mar-resistant (expensive) 1/8" for the side windows and ¼" for the engine covers. I pre-tensioned the Lexan to the desired curvature and baked for 30-40 minutes at 350 degrees. Worked fine except for one that fell down on the burner. I also fashioned an under-nose panel with scoop for radiator cooling. Am almost ready for paint.
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More pictures...
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Did you have a pattern for the rear hatch and quarter window parts? Or are they guesstimate that will fill the application?
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Your build is going great!!! Just wanted to suggest: dont adjust your gas door lifts until everything is done. I adjusted mine before I got the finished door panels and speakers in and it ended up too soft to lift the doors the way I wanted.
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.For the lexan windows i cut poster board to the correct size and used that as a pattern Slight bow in the hatch covers to prevent sagging due to heat
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Finally have a "go kart"! Wiring of all the stock Pontiac stuff was much more difficult than I expected, but (with a dealer's rep helping), I now have all the stuff working (HVAC, On Star, XM radio, air bags, door and window controls, etc.). The 3800 s.c. with the headers and pulley upgrade is really strong. I ordered an exhaust from EBay which was small enough to fit the limited space. By dumb luck, the thing sounds fantastic, not too loud, a low growl. Next task is to finish off the interior and paint. Hope to be done by the end of the summer.
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Phil your build is looking very good!
Anthony
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Finally got the interior done. Busted the budget! As has been recommended on this site, when you do a budget with your best estimate of costs, double it! I used all Alcantara suede on the interior, ordered two yards at $110/yard....not enough so I ordered another yard....not enough so I ordered a fourth yard. Have just a little left over. With the suede and a few carbon fiber trim pieces, I have about $1,000 in the interior upholstery, excluding the seats. Overall, I am happy with the results.
The go-cart is completely ready to go....everything works....runs great. Anyone working on door hinges, don't make the same mistake I made. I installed the doors and shocks, welded in the hinges.....all with the stock Fiero tires and wheels. Fitted the large wheels and tires.....not enough clearance......had to cut the hinges out and redo the whole thing! Cost me about three days labor.
Ready for final sanding and paint......hopefully, it will be on the road by the beginning of winter.
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Looks like you are getting close!
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Speechless. ...... that's awesome! Beautiful.