DC Plasma Build Thread - 9 Second Fiero (Page 1/10)
dcplasma JAN 15, 05:34 PM
Well, I thought I would start a thread on my build as it is rather unique car. (and someday someone else may try to do the same crazy thing)

I documented the entire thing with pictures, that are all over in various locations, I will try to link them all in here if anyone has a specific request for a particular shot.

I was originally going to build a Diablo kit and bought an Oklahoma car that had sat dead in Austin for a long time (17 years?) 88,000 miles Red 2M4 for $1000 on ebay. I finished thrashing the leaky 4 cylinder for about 30 minutes until the heads blew all the way through and the bulk of the radiator fluid got in the oil system. Right after that I spent 8 months in Alberta and watched them racing electric snowmobiles and became convinced that the off the line torque of an electric motor was tremendous. I then saw some electric car drag racing in Vancouver/Portland area and I was hooked. Very easily you can have sub 4 second 0-60 mph times and like my car we do 0-60 in 2.4 seconds with the drag radials.

I decided to build to the National Electric Drag Racing Association classification called MC which is Pro-Modified Street Conversion.
I also occasionally race in SCCA slalom racing courses but they haven't found a category for me yet.

From the beginning we targeted putting the batteries in the trunk do to the nice "water tight" nature of the compartment.

Our target was to beat the White Zombie at 10.25 seconds, and we are getting close.



Here is one of the more recent shots we took with the Norm's Fiberglass front clip in Red Oxide primer.


you can see a video of the build here...


Some of the main modifications:
Replacement of the engine cradle with a Lincoln Mark VIII rear end and suspension.


Removal of the gas tank and substitution of a slightly wider (1" each side) torque tunnel into which we inserted two Netgain Warp9 motors, each capable of sucking 400 battery HP. Fiero was amazing this way in that the large what looks like a transmission tunnel down the middle is the gas tank area (A lot of people are surprised to learn that) worked out perfectly for the motors. Everything is to the rear of the original front "firewall" so we can maintain "mid-engine" status.


Nearly direct coupled, (really a short coupled DANA Spicer 1350 driveshaft) the motors to the differential. Installation of a 1200HP Gear Vendors overdrive so we have two gears (really 1.5).

Installed a five point roll cage.


Firestone Air bag rear suspension
12" Corvette brakes in front by West Coast Fieros thanks Chris West
Two motor controllers, good to supply 425 battery HP to each motor by Cafe Electric
Controller cooling system
LiPo battery pack by Lithium Start 2400A 375V (peak ratings) 6P90S
LiPo Battery Management System by Elithion
KYB shocks all around
Sport Edition CD 16X7.5 wheels 5X100 on the front, 5X108 on the rear
BFG Drag Radials 255/50R16
Eagle GT's 225/60R16 for running around town and the slalom courses

Catchin some rear wheel air...on the slalom course in the Macy's mall parking lot in Hagerstown MD


Catchin some front wheel air at Houston Motorsports Park in Houston


More front wheel air at Royal Purple Raceway in Baytown Texas.


One of my favorite shots index racing in the 7.0 1/8th mile Brandt Nationals at Lonestar Motorsports Park in Sealy TX

Best times so far...
60ft 1.55
1/8 mile 6.55 106mph
1/4 mile 10.43 128mph

[This message has been edited by dcplasma (edited 04-29-2012).]

jw3 JAN 15, 05:43 PM
Any pics of the engine compartment now?
Amida JAN 15, 05:47 PM
very interesting. Can you recommend an EV forum/site where one can learn how to build an EV?

dcplasma JAN 15, 06:00 PM
Well there is really nothing in it other than the IRS suspension and the motor controllers. and unfortunately I have this piece of plexilgass keeping the rubber and smoke from getting up into the controller area. I have some shots during the build showing it before the controller and plastic if you want.


Here is a shot before I added the second controller.




Here is the second controller.

[This message has been edited by dcplasma (edited 01-16-2012).]

dcplasma JAN 15, 06:05 PM

quote
Originally posted by Amida:

very interesting. Can you recommend an EV forum/site where one can learn how to build an EV?



Well, these two are a couple of the most popular.
http://www.diyelectriccar.com/
http://www.evdl.org/

Unfortunately I didn't come by these until well into my build, it is nearly from scratch.

For performance...
National Electric Drag Racing Association
http://www.nedra.com/
http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/NEDRA/
jw3 JAN 15, 06:08 PM
I don't understand all that but it looks pretty cool.
I like your car.
nosrac JAN 15, 06:59 PM
Approxmately how much $$$ ???
MstangsBware JAN 15, 08:43 PM
Man...out of all the Fieros I have bought none of them ever came with a chick in the back....must been a rare option...
BlackThunderGT JAN 15, 08:55 PM
2 X
revin JAN 15, 11:00 PM
I'll have to come watch ya run in Ennis some time.