| Jo
McKenna
Just a little over a year ago I started my own Diablo build by purchasing
my 1984 Fiero donor and began the necessary prep involved to be able to
mount my body, but I found out rather quickly that the body was going
to be the biggest hurdle to overcome! I researched every manufacturer
and all methods used to install the different bodies and my long search
kept bringing me to the same final conclusion... D&R or NAERC. I found
that the most accurate bodies came from these manufacturers, and I really
like the way they were built from the donor Fiero... clean and precise.
This is however just my opinion.
Once I decided that it was going to be either one of these two bodies,
I set out to build up my donor as much as possible to get ready for the
body.
My first source of information for building the donor up for the NAERC
body came from Paul Clack of Exclusive Motor Sports in Kamloops, B.C.
Paul lives only a 45 minute drive from my home here in beautiful Merritt,
B.C. so needless to say, I had a GREAT advantage! Paul is a very skilled
builder and his work on the NAERC body is absolutely beautiful, as well
as first class! I had the opportunity to help Paul stretch a Fiero on
a weekend so I would be able to stretch my own car when the time came.
Again, his work is top notch! The stretch took 4 hours from start to finish,
and this included stopping to allow me to take 170 photos of the stretch!
My work put me through a BOC welding and product knowledge course soon
afterwards, and it was then I brought my brand new demo welder home to
begin my welding training. I work for a company called Titan Supply (formerly
Strongco Supllies) that specializes in power transmission and hydraulics,
and as luck would have it, we deal with three very reputable welding and
fabrication shops here in town. Alpha Design played an essential role
in my learning to weld by giving me endless pointers and hands on training
to make my welding experience both fun, as well as EXTREMELY rewarding!
That being said, I stretched my donor!
When it came time to build the rear sub-frame structure I went to the
best source for the D&R method of chasis prep, Robert Proulx of Exotic
Glass. Robert without a doubt has to be the most talented D&R builder,
bar none! For those builders planning on having a D&R turnkey built
for them go here... www.exoticglass1.com your search will end with this
one man, I promise! Robert knew from the very start that my build was
going to be a NAERC body and it did not sway his decision in the slightest
to pass on his knowledge to me as best he could to make my build both
fun and accurate. Robert had helped so much and given me such a positive
experience with his honesty and willingness to help another fellow builder,
that I was once again undecided on which way to go...
Still undecided, I contacted Ken Esler of NAERC to check measurements
and make sure my build was still acceptable either way I decided to go,
and once more I was met with a very honest person with the willingness
to help out where ever possible to best serve his possible future customer.
Ken Esler is a great guy to talk with and do business with. He answers
e-mails with telephone calls and ALWAYS follows up!
Trying to make a long story short, here is where the notion to build
one chasis that would pull double duty. After all of the time researching
the different methods from both manufacturers, it occured to me that both
bodies were extremely similar in chasis prep demensions. My welding has
become top notch and I knew it was completely possible to jig the car
after seeing the custom tube chasis that RKS offers on their website.
Although my chasis is very different to the RKS chasis, their chasis and
jig were the sole inspiration for the "method" I am using, and
full credit belongs to RKS for this!
So, here it is. The chasis is being "based" on the original
Diablo chasis with the exception of the Fiero control arm mounting locations
and the McPhearson style rear suspension. The chasis is being triangulated
as is the Diablo chasis in EVERY area that it can be, and gusseted according
to the original chasis as well. This is NOT a Diablo replica chasis, but
I believe it's going to be a very valuable option to other builders, here's
why....
Each chasis is built from 1-1/2"X1-1/2"X1/8" tubing, as
well as 1" and 1"X2" tubing of the same thickness. Gussettes
are built from 3/16" and 1/4" thick plate in all of the appropriate
areas, including master cylinder mounts, control arm mounts, steering
column mount, etc. 1/8" sheet metal will be used to seal off the
wheelwell areas and the front firewall, as well as the upper portion of
the rear firewall. Each chasis will also come with 1/4" thick fiberglass
molded floor pans in the passenger and drivers tubs sealing off the complete
tub area.
Each chasis is designed to easily bolt on all necessary parts from a
1984-1987 Fiero donor. The parts that will be required from the donor
are master cylinder, pedal tree, shifter assembly and cables, rack and
pinion, spindles, hubs, brakes, swaybar, stock Fiero control arms front
and rear OR the tubed a-arms from Held Motor Sports. Fuel tank, rear hubs
wiring harness, etc. Basically, the builder will no longer have to look
for a Fiero in the appropriate year in immaculate condition. Any Fiero
in even the ugliest condition with all necessary parts to complete the
chasis can be used, making it much more cost effective! All mounting locations
will be complete and tested for a perfect bolt on fit by myself, I personally
gaurantee it!
The engine compartment will NOT have a removable cradle as the Fiero
does, making it just as the original Diablo chasis. There is more than
enough room to remove the engine from the top as the original, should
it need to be removed for servicing at a later date. Each chasis will
be set up for a long mount 350 SBC and Audi transmission. For builders
who may want to use the 350 SBC and Porsche transmission, the engine compartment
will be left without mounts in place, and fabrication of the mounts will
be left to the builder to complete. The reason for this is because I do
not have the ability at this time to complete my jig with the Porsche
transmission location jigs. This may come as a standard option at a later
date.
Each chasis will also have the appropriate mounting location for the
300 ZX headlights. A builder will simply locate the headlights after the
body is mounted, and weld the tabs in the appropriate locations later,giving
the headlights the full adjustment they were designed for.
The build time will be drastically reduced by allowing either the NAERC
or D&R to simply sit on the chasis right from the start! There will
be very little welding required to complete the chasis except of course,
for the rollcage and other basic things like the radiator mounts and rocker
sills and the bracing of the roll cage once it is located and welded to
the chasis.
Any other inquiries regarding the chasis's can be directed to my e-mail
at mybuild@ocis.net
All other required information to finish ANY manufacturers body can be
found right here at the Lambo Longe! Cheers! ;-)
Jo Connor McKenna |
