The Firebrid Hybrid Convertible Project (Prius platform swap)

[Doc Joe]

What program are you using?? I have worked with and just finished Catia classes. I worked for Cessna for 17 years and a total of 25 years in aircraft. I can tell you are an engineer by the way it is laid out and dimension. Great work...
Doc

[Xist]

So far, we have suggested simulating the throaty roar of a real V8, a TARDIS, a blow-off valve, TIE fighter, stampede of horses, theremin, playing cards in bike spokes, and bagpipes. I also suggest the sound effects from "The Six Million-Dollar Man!"

Now, rebuild it better...stronger...faster?

[Bill the Engineer]

Originally Posted by Doc Joe

What program are you using?? I have worked with and just finished Catia classes. I worked for Cessna for 17 years and a total of 25 years in aircraft. I can tell you are an engineer by the way it is laid out and dimension. Great work...
Doc

These are drawn in AutoCAD. I have Creo (Pro-Engineer) available to me too, but that is mostly for solid modeling and is a pain to get good drawings from.

Bill the Engineer

[jgatl]

Originally Posted by Bill the Engineer

These are drawn in AutoCAD. I have Creo (Pro-Engineer) available to me too, but that is mostly for solid modeling and is a pain to get good drawings from.

Bill the Engineer

Bill
Curious, are you creating any cardboard or 3D printed versions of the brackets to test fit, or will you just machine them on the job after you get them manufactured? The AutoCAD drawings are very detailed and I'm curious how you determined the dimensions for each bracket (especially since you are having fun doing it).

[Bill the Engineer]

Originally Posted by jgatl

Bill
Curious, are you creating any cardboard or 3D printed versions of the brackets to test fit, or will you just machine them on the job after you get them manufactured? The AutoCAD drawings are very detailed and I'm curious how you determined the dimensions for each bracket (especially since you are having fun doing it).

Good guess! Photos of the cardboard mock-ups of the brackets mounted to the car will be coming this weekend. They are being made by gluing full-scale plots of the AutoCAD part prints onto cardboard, then cutting them out with an X-acto knife.

I reverse-engineer competitor's parts as part of my day job. I think in 3D and can visualize where things will fit together in my head. It is a gift, but it also means I am a lousy speller! My process is thorough and well proven, and heavily depends on detailed measurements in three dimensions. I have also had lots of "practice" in the past doing model railroad "Kitbashing" projects for Railroad Model Craftsman magazine, taking pieces of other models and combining them to make an exact replica of a different prototype. Now I have graduated to 1:1 scale.




Bill the Engineer

[V6MustangFTW]

Thought those trains were real for a second... can't wait to see the Firebird finished

[MightyMirage]

great project and looks like your getting it along quite nice.

reminds me of my dad, he did this with a 50s Studebaker and (at the time) modern camaro about 15 years back. turned out great and my uncle drives it to this day.

this is a tough project, kudos for going so far. not only is the mechanical aspect daunting, but the looming threat of electrical nightmares ices the already well frosted cake.

wish you luck sir!

[Bill the Engineer]

Originally Posted by MightyMirage

great project and looks like your getting it along quite nice.

reminds me of my dad, he did this with a 50s Studebaker and (at the time) modern camaro about 15 years back. turned out great and my uncle drives it to this day.

this is a tough project, kudos for going so far. not only is the mechanical aspect daunting, but the looming threat of electrical nightmares ices the already well frosted cake.

wish you luck sir!

Many thanks for the kind words. My project is very much a modern version of the old street rod genre. The challenge is part of the fun!

Bill the Engineer

[Bill the Engineer]

Cardboard mock-up bumper brackets created using a 1:1 plot of the AutoCAD drawings. Step by step process worked well, but I am still waiting for the glue to dry. Photos of them mounted to the car will have to wait until tomorrow. :-(





Bill the Engineer

[me and my metro]

When we mounted the original Firebird bumper on our stock car we reinforced it. We were accused of building a battering ram with that point in the middle. LOL
I love what you are doing with this build!