I wish I had more money, time, and garage space.

[Aaron]

Since I have to stay awake tonight again, trying for 7am tonight, I've got time to ponder and type out some of the crazy shit that runs through my head. I really am disappointed so far. I have so many ideas, so much shit running through my head that would sound crazy to everyone, that I want to try. Really want to try. Goals, if you will. But I simply don't have to money or space to do them. It kinda sucks. I got my Fiero done, which actually met most of my goals for the car. I'm happy with it. I got a lot of stuff done that I wanted to, and it all worked so well. But there's so much more I want to do.

I want to build my own car, from the ground up. No expense spared, top shelf build throughout. Exotic, small, and minimalistic. If it isn't absolutely needed, it won't be on it. The only steel in the entire car would be in the driveline. I'm talking carbon fiber frame, LSX engine on a diet (Carbon fiber valve covers, titanium headers), minimal body work, etc. It'd be a street legal race car, that can be driven sanely on the street. I'd give it power windows and a radio, but useless shit like windshield wipers, emergency brake systems, and the like, wouldn't be found. Target weight 1500lbs.

I want to to a TGP engine swap into a Fiero. Except not using a TGP kit, building my own, more superior kit. But the basic premise being response, and midrange torque. I got the chance to drive a TGP 5-speed on 15psi, and I was really impressed. Although my mostly stock factory freak Z34 ripped its ass at the track, it was fun as hell to drive, and felt much quicker than my Z34. I loved that engine. So I'd do a 3400/3500/3900 turbo, with well-designed log manifolds, either a small single GT28R or a twin setup, and not much else after that. Just a fun as hell, 300+rwhp, reliable torque monster turbo V6.

I want to build a Fiero, for daily driving capacity, with an emphasis on gas mileage. Keep all of the daily driving comforts, but spend way more than it will ever save me trying to get great mileage. Ecotec Getrag, lightest, skinniest rim/tire combo I could find, serious diet, custom PCM tuning (DFCO modification, eliminate power enrichment), cut the idle speed in half, tuned equal length header, and a good exhaust. I'd build the motor for premium fuel if it was economically plausible to do so. I can't think of much else I'd do. Oh yah, one more thing. I'd aero out the front end of the car, and implement a thermostatically controlled radiator blocking plate. Basically, a fiberglass piece that slides down from the nose, and limits airflow to the radiator, making the car more aerodynamic when that much airflow to the radiator isn't needed. Probably wouldn't do much, but I've always wondered. It certainly helps on the NASCARs.

So yah, those are a couple of my crazy ideas. I just think I can do better than any car manufacturer, for what I want.

Oh yah, I also want a Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8. I will buy one of these.

[p8ntman442]

if yopur sparing no expense to build a top shelf custom exotic, then why the fuck do you care about MPG for a daily driver.

if you drive 15k miles per year, with a 30 mpg car aand fuel at $4/gal thats $2k in fuel. a 50 mpg car that cost 5k to build will cost $1200 in fuel per year. for a difference of 800/year so 5k/800= 6.25 years to payback the build cost of the fiero. AND THATS AT $4/gal. It gets much worse when gas is cheap.

please use this plugin

/retard.exe

[CincinnatiFiero]

I've always laughed at light weight valve covers. My dad used to drive an EVO VIII, when the IX came out mitsubishi mailed him a pamphlet. They went on for a page about how the IX had a magnesium valve cover that stripped like 1.5 lbs. Like wow! Lets go buy it now!

SRT8 Jeep is a sick ass truck, sound sooooo cool. Super fast too.

I don't get the TGP swap... do you want the 3.1 turbo or the 34000/3500/3900? I am confused. I thought all the McLaren TGPs were autos and the issue with the swap was that the turbo wouldn't work with the shifter linkage in a stick fiero. But that info came off Old Europe so I am probably wrong.

[THE PUNISHER]

#1) You need to take a welding course.

#2) just build a Locost.. it's basically what you are describing.

[Aaron]

if yopur sparing no expense to build a top shelf custom exotic, then why the fuck do you care about MPG for a daily driver.

if you drive 15k miles per year, with a 30 mpg car aand fuel at $4/gal thats $2k in fuel. a 50 mpg car that cost 5k to build will cost $1200 in fuel per year. for a difference of 800/year so 5k/800= 6.25 years to payback the build cost of the fiero. AND THATS AT $4/gal. It gets much worse when gas is cheap.

please use this plugin

/retard.exe

They'd be two different projects dumbass. Two different cars.

And as you so clearly forgot to read:

but spend way more than it will ever save me trying to get great mileage.

I've always laughed at light weight valve covers. My dad used to drive an EVO VIII, when the IX came out mitsubishi mailed him a pamphlet. They went on for a page about how the IX had a magnesium valve cover that stripped like 1.5 lbs. Like wow! Lets go buy it now!

SRT8 Jeep is a sick ass truck, sound sooooo cool. Super fast too.

I don't get the TGP swap... do you want the 3.1 turbo or the 34000/3500/3900? I am confused. I thought all the McLaren TGPs were autos and the issue with the swap was that the turbo wouldn't work with the shifter linkage in a stick fiero. But that info came off Old Europe so I am probably wrong.

Ounces before pounds. Laugh all you want, but if you only save weight in high weight areas, you won't save anything on a car like this.

I guess I worded that poorly (It was written at some ungodly hour in the morning). I want a swap that gives the performance characteristics of a TGP motor, just bumped up 100+whp. So 5500rpm redline, instant turbo response, and a midrange to die for. The 3X00 would be the best starting point for this.

#1) You need to take a welding course.

#2) just build a Locost.. it's basically what you are describing.

I would be, along with buying a really nice TIG. I'm already planning on doing this actually.

I never liked the way they looked, they weight too much, and I want a rear engine car. There isn't a car made that would even come close to the level I'd be aiming at. If there was, it'd be a half million dollars.

[The Dark Side of Will]

I've been musing about executing a car along the lines of a Locost, but with the engine in the rear... basically a Formula car with motorcycle fenders and a cockpit (barely) wide enough for two.

If you want to drive the thing on public roads, it's going to have to have windshield wipers, parking brake and all that other crap. Consider yourself warned.

[Aaron]

I've been musing about executing a car along the lines of a Locost, but with the engine in the rear... basically a Formula car with motorcycle fenders and a cockpit (barely) wide enough for two.

If you want to drive the thing on public roads, it's going to have to have windshield wipers, parking brake and all that other crap. Consider yourself warned.

It only has to have that other crap on the original inspection :thumbleft:

[THE PUNISHER]

I like your idea of building a car ..but 1 thing..


the Ultima GTR is pretty Damm fast and so is the ariel atom.

What is a TGP motor? please don't say turbo grand prix..


Yes there have been mid engined Locosts Built.


locosts weigh 1500 Lbs or less.. I will be helping a buddy work on his tomorrow, and by help i mean drink beer and make suggestions with no intent of actually working.


Build a mid engined , V-12 BMW powered tube frame car. Leave it nekid
make it AWD. Not sure what tranny to use here .. but it would be badass. I know hobart Kennedy (kennedy engineering) built an adapter for the BMW V-12 to a Porsche tranny. Then Run 4 turbo's , you love turbo's so this works well.

run 305's all around...


and take me for a ride in it


Get a bumpersticker that says "Veyrons are for bitches"

[Aaron]

That was the best post ever.

The Ultima GTR is good, but I think it's ugly, and has too much body work. I really like the Atom, but it has a couple things that bug me. First, I hate the almond shape frame, how it comes to a point in the front. Gay. I also don't like the 4cyl part. The biggest thing is, that no matter what I bought, if I bought something, I would constantly be knowing that I could have done it better. And witht his caliber of a project, I don't want that. I want to build it, and know that there's no way it could have been any better. There are some sweet ass low production cars out there, but it isn't for me.

Yah Turbo Grand Prix. Have you ever driven one? Sweet ride, that made the 3.1 fun! But as I said, I'd use a newer 3X00, and it'd have 100whp more to play with. But still midrange torque monster. It'd make for a fun Fiero, there's no doubt about that. Much like Shaun's, but with more torque, and a much better responding system.

The Locosts are ugly though, they look like they're technology is from 1960. I admire your idea of assistance, that's almost signature worthy.

That's my plan. Except the BMW is too big, too heavy. I can't think of a motor better than the LSX. It'd only need 400hp or so to be scary fast (Ok maybe 500), and that's done easily, quietly, economically, and reliably with the LSX. And done lightweight too. I'd like to leave it naked, but I also like the idea of having an enclosed cabin with a heater/radio and shit. So I may have a naked front and rear, but use some form of door skins, windows, and a targe top. I'd love to make it AWD, but would it be worth the added weight, and the cost/complexity of finding a suitable driveline? Although I love turbochargers, they are heavy, and when a LSX can easily make the same power as a turbo V6, yet be better in every other way, it's hard to ignore.

As for the ride, as long as you help build it. And by build I mean provide beer. I'd buy that bumpersticker before I even finished the car!

[lucky]

Uh, the Atom has a V8.

[Aaron]

Uh, the Atom has a I4.

[THE PUNISHER]

both of you are right...


Originally built with Honda type R civic motors , The a SC option , then a small V8 (I forget what from)


Now they use an Ecotec Turbo from what I have heard

[The Dark Side of Will]

Didn't they use one of the couple of Hayabusa-derived V8's that are on the market? Those are pretty sweet. 260ish#, 2.6-3.0 litres and 360+ HP at over 11,000 RPM.

[p8ntman442]

ffr gtm

you build it
its light
looks bad ass
uses lsx drivetrain
rear engine
corvette suspension.

looks like a half a million bucks if you put a spoiler on the back.

[emod19]

http://www.derondausa.com/

Steve

[lucky]

Caterham built the V8 for the Atom.

EDIT: It's ~2.4L, all aluminum & makes ~395hp NA and ~500hp SC

[Aaron]

ffr gtm

you build it
its light
looks bad ass
uses lsx drivetrain
rear engine
corvette suspension.

looks like a half a million bucks if you put a spoiler on the back.

I can't argue its looks, spectacular.

But it isn't light. It's very heavy actually. Maybe not heavy compared to other cars, but its much heavier than it needs to be. So I'd basically be redesigning the entire chassis/body. Why not just start from scratch and avoid that cost?

http://www.derondausa.com/

Steve

Also a pretty good looking car. But it's too Formula 1 racecar for me. I also want this to be a street car.

I think you guys missed what I said earlier. I don't want to buy someone else's design, because no matter what it is, there will be a lot about it that I would constantly be thinking, I could have done better. I want to design my own car, and build it.