Hi, I'm confused ... I plan on building a Diablo replica but split between a Fiero based project or an approach I've considered using a website Lamborghinireplica.com This company used a early 70's Eldorado front assy w/engine/trans the entire fron end with the radiator complete in the rear coupled to a 1/2 ton Chevy front end in the front. It seems like a more economical approach
. What I've seen these based on the Fiero chassis can get quite expensive. For ex; brake/suspension upgrades not to mention converting to a V8 using a 5-speed Fiero doner. I don't plan on going racing like some of these 6 figure guys out there. I'm looking for a budget minded project that doesn't get out of hand with your limited finances. I put appearence as priority one and performance right behind.. Any insight or help would be really GREAT...

The word economy and lambo replicas rarely go together. Most of the cost ends up being body, interior and authentic lights etc.

Welcome to the forum.

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Seriously, you have enough with the Lambo body stuff.

I'd look for an Archie converted SBC Fiero, and start with the mechanical work already done. Cheaper in the long run, and alot less messy.

Arn

You could always build your replica with the stock V6 and upgrade later. I saw a very authentic Diablo kit that was done this way. You can also buy an engine cover that makes your stock V6 look like an authentic Lamborghini engine. I saw these at Carlisle and if you aren't paying very close attention it will fool you. The one thing you really have to decide with a Fiero Lambo kit is wether to go with a streched wheel base or a stock wheel base kit. Most of the stock wheel base kit look stubby, but there is a Diablo kit that fits on the stock frame and looks pretty good. Im sure other will chime in with their reccomendations. Good luck.

[This message has been edited by avengador1 (edited 06-24-2004).]

How much $$ are you willing to invest in this project?

Start with a good DOnor Fiero- ?
Body kit - $5,000
Lights, brakes, motor modifications, windshield and other glass
paintjob, etc...

I'd say you're looking at $10-$12,000 for a decent looking replica.

I could be wrong...Just an estimation...

-FieroRumor

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"Got wings?"

[This message has been edited by FieroRumor (edited 06-24-2004).]

A Lambo kit is the hardest and the most pricey! Your looking at more of $15,000 to $20,000 unless you can do everything.

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Bobby from NW Indiana
86 Fiero GT, Looking to ad a 93 Northstar soon
thespeedshop@sbcglobal.net

A friend had the Countach with the caddy components. He ran a 454 BB and it was wicked fast. It was always breaking down though, rad one day, alt the next.....

I did a Diablo from IFG or whatever its called and it was on a stretched Fiero frame. It was a total piece of s**t. All the glass had to have major reconstruction to fit together. Ill never mess with another one, and Im pretty well experienced with kits and fiberglass vettes. The guy who has it now dont know how to do anything at all so he farms it out. Still has no carpet or upholstery in it and no side windows. Hes got close to $60,000.00 in it now and its still a money pitt. Dale even done a few thousand dollars worth of work on it. You want a Lambo, buy a turnkey one and redo what you dont like. Youll save $$$$$$$$$$$$$

quote Originally posted by rogergarrison: A friend had the Countach with the caddy components. He ran a 454 BB and it was wicked fast. It was always breaking down though, rad one day, alt the next..... I did a Diablo from IFG or whatever its called and it was on a stretched Fiero frame. It was a total piece of s**t. All the glass had to have major reconstruction to fit together. Ill never mess with another one, and Im pretty well experienced with kits and fiberglass vettes. The guy who has it now dont know how to do anything at all so he farms it out. Still has no carpet or upholstery in it and no side windows. Hes got close to $60,000.00 in it now and its still a money pitt. Dale even done a few thousand dollars worth of work on it. You want a Lambo, buy a turnkey one and redo what you dont like. Youll save $$$$$$$$$$$$$

lamborg1, I'd listen to RG's advice... he's had several kitcars, and build that one like he said...we all felt his "pane" when he was trying to get everything to fit. It ended up looking sweet, but It didn't sound like it was too much fun...
Turnkeys may be the way to go, unless you have a lot of space, equipment..and , oh yeah, $$$...

-FR

[This message has been edited by FieroRumor (edited 06-24-2004).]

Check out the kits here http://www.euroworksltd.com/MirageX/

You can also check out The Kit Cars Forum !

Also on a side note, DO NOT buy plans from lamborghini replica .com - building a diablo body from scratch that you can actually complete is basically impossible. The site is basically a fraud in that many of the people whose information your buying never even completed the body themselves. The scratchbuilt body shown on the site is significantly different then the completed body.

[This message has been edited by Adrift (edited 06-24-2004).]

Here is a picture of the Lambo engine cover I saw at Carlisle.

Here is the kit it was in.

Check out this link too.
http://www.kitcarmagazine.com/Featured-Article/V12Cover/Disguising%20your%20Lambo%20replica.htm

[This message has been edited by avengador1 (edited 06-24-2004).]

Lamborg1

Building a Lamborghini replica is the most difficult "kit" you can build. I can guarantee you that it will cost you more than expected , take longer than planed and be more difficult than you though. I will suggest that you do a lot of research on this before you consider it.
Check out Lambobuilder.com, and read everything it will give you a good idea of how long it takes someone to build one but you have to take in to account that the builder had build two kits before and he is a pretty gifted guy.
Also have a good look around Lambolounge.com that is one of the best sourses of info when it comes to building Diablos.

I am in no way trying to discourage you, I am only trying to paint a realistic picture of what you can expect.
BTW, don't even consider Lamborghinireplica.com unless you are an excellent fabricator. The fastest way would be to build it on a Fiero platform, fastest being a relative term compare to building your own frame.
One thing you might consider is buying an unfinish project that someone started and got sick of it ( if you start to build one you will get sick of it to, must builders do ).
I hope some of this helped.

quote Originally posted by FieroRumor: How much $$ are you willing to invest in this project? Start with a good DOnor Fiero- ? Body kit - $5,000 Lights, brakes, motor modifications, windshield and other glass paintjob, etc... I'd say you're looking at $10-$12,000 for a decent looking replica. I could be wrong...Just an estimation... -FieroRumor

I looked for over a year into doing a diablo replica These figures would not even get you close.
if you do plan on buying a diablo look at D&R they have alot of the work done and alot of the parts you will need included in their kit .......which runs around $15k.. Sounds like alot but it would be like buying a $2500 cory davis 355 replica and buying a $7500 Air Dynamics kit
Any reasonable figure I could come up with and got from talking to others building or have built diablos were $30k+ for just something decent
the mirageX more of a diablo styled kit would be more cost effective but doesnt really come close to any demension of a true diablo but could be built alot less than a more accurate kit.

quote Originally posted by GSXRBOBBY: A Lambo kit is the hardest and the most pricey! Your looking at more of $15,000 to $20,000 unless you can do everything.

I think a decent Diablo kit with V8 would probably be more like a minimum of $25,000. It seems like you should be able to do it for less but the little things add up.
A lot of peopl don't like the non-stretch Diablo but I think it looks great. That might be an option. I don't know what it would cost to complete one of those.

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Rick Lord
http://www.KingdomCustoms.com