Bubbajoe, have you considered doing a cantilever (sp?) style suspension instead? It shouldn't be too hard would it? If not, how are you going to eliminate the rear tie rods? Great work!!!
Simply incredable! I am among the throngs awaiting the completion of your project, not to metion gleening as much as possible for application on my own Fiero! With a N* motor, Porsche tranny, 'Vette suspension, and new interior I have to wonder, have you thought about entering your car in the Sport Compact Car Street Car Challange? I guarantee you'll get the vote of every member of this board to say the least!
Best of luck and keep up the good work! oh, and, when does the kit come out?! ;-)
American car & parts, German tranny, Canadian evil genius.
There appears to be some Italian designing in there as well. Hey Bubba, you can probably make a little off your creation by charging a fee for a one mile drive in it, I know I would pay to be seen driving the car.
and this mite be my next if I ever have the money the ultimit rebody for a Fiero Know as the worlds sexiest car rear engine transverse mounted here is a pic
perfectly souted for the Fiero platform with a 5 inch front stretch
never been a fan of the miura(sp?) myself. i've alsways thought of it as the lambo that wasn't cool looking, lol. but it did get sexiest car on discovery channel
I think it's a very attractive car, but it's also very similar to the GT40...
That transverse powertrain had its share of problems...
I do agree that the Fiero should have had the front wheels pushed further forward and had bigger fender bulges. That would also have freed up room in the footwells... maybe even for a pedal set that could be heel-toed.
[This message has been edited by Will (edited 12-18-2004).]
I've been looking around and you can use an Audi 01E transaxle from a 2000 and up turbo or S series . It's a 6spd getrag and is suppose to hold 450 to 500 HP & torque uses the same shift linkage as the Fiero getrag ( works the same way ) and rewires no modification. One model in particular is best suited. It has a wider and hardened 1st gear set
Originally posted by bubbajoexxx: for being built with is style in 1966 it was ahead of its time and the first rear engine transverse car of its kind
Actually, the Miura may not have been the first rear engine transverse car of its kind. The transverse mounted rear engined Unipower GT was initially produced as a sideline project by a truck conversion company in England and was introduced at the 1966 London racing car show. I was a tube frame design with a Mini Cooper drivetrane moved to the rear, effectively creating a midengine design.
The Unipower GT was one of the better looking specials and was quite expensive for its time, due to its having a fibreglass body bonded to a space frame chassis. A unique feature was the gear lever, mounted on the driver’s right side (on right hand drive cars... on the driver's left side on left hand drive cars). If you think that’s odd, the change pattern was back to front, resulting in first gear being where fourth normally is and vice versa. Now that would be interesting at the lights! (Took about 20-30 minutes of driving to get used to it.)
These models were renowned for their road holding and performance and continued the tradition established by the Mini, the donor of the good bits. A range of six versions was available starting at a basic kit and progressing to a race ready model. A total of 75 were made. The Unipower GT inspired other builders to release similar types of vehicles and some became quite successful in later years. Only a few of the Unipower GT's made it to North America.
I happened to find one in the early 70's. Kept it for about 4-5 years before I sold it. There is a guy from the Lakeville, MN area that races one in vintage races. A photo of his car can be seen here: http://www.minichallenge.minimania.com/entries/entrypix/LombardJ.jpg I have recently made contact with the owner of this car and determined that it is the same on that I used to own.
For additional photos, see: http://www.unipower-gt.com/ENG/36837_eng/36837_eng.htm The car depicted in these photos is purportedly the only left hand drive Unipower GT ever made. This is not accurate as my car was also left hand drive (VIN 96725) and I have seen photos of at least one other left hand drive model.
Remember, like the Miura, the Unipower GT was designed in the mid 60's. Mine was built in 1967. IMHO, very nice looking for its time. Looks a bit like a 3/4 size Lotus Europa. However, I must concede that the Miura was a better looking car... hard to beat those Italians when it come to design. BTW, if you want to see some nice shots of a Miura in action, check out the original version of "The Italian Job"... lot of early Mini Coopers as well.
FierOmar production of the Miura was started in mid 65 for the 66 model year and was stated as the first of it kind as a production veicle and I have both copies of the Italian Job the first being my favorite
[This message has been edited by bubbajoexxx (edited 12-19-2004).]
Originally posted by bubbajoexxx: FierOmar production of the Miura was started in mid 65 for the 66 model year and was stated as the first of it kind as a production veicle and I have both copies of the Italian Job the first being my favorite
Since the Unipower was unveiled at that 66 London show, I can only assume that it had been in the process of production for some time prior to that, particularly since it was a sideline for the company that actually produced it. I know that the Unipower was never mass produced... only about 75 in total. I don't know about the numbers for the Miura.
I also have both copies of The Italian Job, and the first is also my favorite (except that I prefer not to be left hanging at the end of a movie). Glad to see that we think alike... now if only I had your fabrication skills!
I seem to recall that the film critics gave the first version of The Italian Job a 5 TON rating when it was released. Always wondered what happened to the Miura.
------------------ FierOmar
[This message has been edited by FierOmar (edited 12-19-2004).]
The transverse mounted rear engined Unipower GT was initially produced as a sideline project by a truck conversion company in England and was introduced at the 1966 London racing car show. I was a tube frame design with a Mini Cooper drivetrane moved to the rear, effectively creating a midengine design.
The Unipower GT was one of the better looking specials and was quite expensive for its time, due to its having a fibreglass body bonded to a space frame chassis. A unique feature was the gear lever, mounted on the driver’s right side (on right hand drive cars... on the driver's left side on left hand drive cars). If you think that’s odd, the change.....
When you cut and paste 3/4's or more of your post it's probably a good idea to link everyone to your source(s)..
FierOmar the Miura was actualy send down that cliff and was distroyed It was an original wreck purchased for the movie and there wasto the best of my knoledge 750 Miuras made
Quote from a noted lambo site
Lamborghini ended production of the Miura SV when it built s/n 4822 on October 12, 1973. Just over 750 Miuras were built.
The Miura came into the world as a chassis, and was first presented at the 1965 Trino Salone dell'Automobile (Turin Automobile Show) in November. That the reception was immediate and overwelming is not hard to understand. At that time the mid-engine layout was new; it had taken hold as the chassis of choice in various European racing classes, and had recently been introduced to fans of the Indy 500. As a road car, while not unheard of, it was rare; as a high powered road car it was nothing short of revolutionary.
FierOmar the Miura was actualy send down that cliff and was distroyed It was an original wreck purchased for the movie and there wasto the best of my knoledge 750 Miuras made
Quote from a noted lambo site
Lamborghini ended production of the Miura SV when it built s/n 4822 on October 12, 1973. Just over 750 Miuras were built.
The Miura came into the world as a chassis, and was first presented at the 1965 Trino Salone dell'Automobile (Turin Automobile Show) in November. That the reception was immediate and overwelming is not hard to understand. At that time the mid-engine layout was new; it had taken hold as the chassis of choice in various European racing classes, and had recently been introduced to fans of the Indy 500. As a road car, while not unheard of, it was rare; as a high powered road car it was nothing short of revolutionary.
However, based upon the information you have provided, it appears that the Miura was the first transverse mounted. I can't think of another transverse mounted mid engine car prior to 64-65.
FierOmar I would agree with you that there were other rear engine apps but Miura was the first tranverse I have been a fan of the Miura as long as I can remember and when the Fiero came out I bought one and have owned them since
I will be mounting the cradle solid no rubber at all and the upper arms will be mounted to a renforced center frame rail with new mounting tabs and the shock towers removed and a new chassie stifener installed in there place
< sorry wasnt sure what was meant here at first.
i was thinking an engine that big directley mounted to the frame would do nome nasty frame twisting, not to mention shake you to pieces. i had an old ford i descided to mount without the rubber due to lack of space it was like the engine was in my lap. althought cool at first it became annoying for long drives quite fast.
ezramore the trans axle is mounted to the center frame rail and the engine to chev mounts on the cradle the cadle will be mounted with aluminum bushings in the front and the rear solid to the center frame rails to eliminate twisting this is the rear trans mount
[This message has been edited by bubbajoexxx (edited 12-21-2004).]
well I dont think I will get much done over the hollidays as we here in TO got snowed on 10 inches in my yard all cleaned but freezing rain has started now have to deal with the ice in the drive way . Guess i will have to wait till it clears up know
I'd like to see a power sunroof mod. Staying with the Skull theme? Wish I was your neighbor, I'd be putting in all the hydraulic lifts for the front rear trunks, window rollup/down remote light show stuff (holograms, lasers, fog, skeleton hands popping out of consoles, flames of hell, whatever) This car is speshul. How 'bout the audio system?You're gonna polish those control arms, right?
------------------ Take a deep breath... smell that? It's a cleaner, fresher PFF! ***Custom 85 under construction, 87 Coupe in the driveway. The fun never ends!***
SO
