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I've watched endless videos like these. My idea is to keep the front suspension pivot /mount points the same as the deon just reducing the centre chassis distance by the required amount. The deon uses a mini rack with extensions screwed on to the steering arms which are used to eliminate bump steer. I can screw these further onto the threaded steering arms to keep the set up the same.I intend to use a billet upright designed around the fiat 124 upright so kingpin/inclination and camber will be the same as the deon.
It's at the rear where I was looking into using a strut,mainly to give me more room in the engine bay.
I've a spare v6 engine that I'm mating to a toyota mr2 turbo box too and this will be my starting point. Just got to get my adaptor plate machined up and the start with an engine bay.If I can work it with double wishbones I will but my problem here is the engine and box will be 25mm wider overall than the deon v6 set up with the chassis reducing by 40mm (I think) so a 65mm reduction of space overall.
Hi Ian,
I stumbled across this site with incredible detail. Dave, a retired engineer,has a blog detailing his project to put an alloy V8 into a Fiero Ferrari F355 replica. The level of engineering and detail, including converting suspension systems is amazing.
One step closer to starting my chassis build. I've just received back from the cnc shop my engine / gearbox adaptor plate. Bit of fettling required for the starter motor and driveshafts to do then hopefully bolt the lot together ready to start on the engine bay.
Just an update. I've finished machining my adaptor plate so it now fits on to the Toyota MR2 Turbo gearbox. I've also finished fitting it to the V6 crankcase. Hopefully at the weekend weather permitting I'll get the engine crane out and have a go at bolting the gearbox to the engine.
With the power unit now built up I've started construction of my chassis. I'm building it in wood first to make sure all is well before I cut any metal!! Basically I've copied the deon chassis dimensions to start with and will adjust it as I go on. I've built it in three bits,front section,middle or cockpit and rear or engine bay.
I'm going to build a flat table and place the chassis on it and start by positioning the engine and then I can work from the engine drive shafts centre line.
Hopefully I'm going to get to measure the 246 shell and original chassis sometime in feb.
Photo 1 and 2 show engine bay frame
Photo 3 is front frame
Photo 4 is the cockpit
The cockpit requires a centre tunnel building in but I need to purchase the 246 tunnel moulding and gearshift moulding to get accurate measurements.
The centre section still requires a centre tunnel building and also cross bracing for the mounting of seats.The two cross pieces of timber and the diagonal piece seen here are spacers and a cross tie bar to keep the frame square.
Also where the front frame fixes there will be another frame to take the dash/steering mount and door hinges, but I'll leave this until the shell is on.
Front and rear crash structures will be designed to support the front of the car and mount the front rad and bumpers,the rear being used to support the boot floor and rear bumpers. My plan was to have these bolt on.
I intend to have 75 x40mm and 40x40mm box section steel tube.
Can you share the Deon chassis info you are building off of? I'm in the states and looking to get started on a chassis. Looking for a good starting point. I will be using a Ford Duratec V6.
What deon do you have? Is it the one with the lancia engine that takes the whole engine/gearbox and subframe? The later one where it bolts in? Or the ford 2.9 v6 option?
Either way you'll need to drop the engine (lancia) or remove through the top (ford engine ) and offer up your new power unit. You'll need to fabricate new engine/gearbox mounts and position the who unit so the drive line stays where is it now-height and position front back.
You'll need a new exhaust system,water and fuel hook ups etc-big job but anythings possible. Good luck.
Not much progress really. I've mocked up the chassis in wood and found a source for all running gear. I'm trying to persuade my brother to let me borrow the corner of his workshop so I can construct a build table for my chassis. Purchased 400 quids worth of steel box sections, bought the engine mounts. I had been in contact with TTV racing about a flywheel but never heard back.That's up to date-unfortunately my other half wants some decorating done in the house so projects on hold till I've done that
Finally I've picked up my 246 body shell from cascu, before he upsticks and moves lock stock and barrel to france.. Next up is to put the three wooden mock up deon chassis parts together and sit the shell on top to see what's happening. The deon chassis is 1 and a quarter inches wider than the 246 chassis which isn't a lot. I'll see how it fits but the 246 floor is some 8 inches shorter than the deon!!! I know the 246 engine bay is bigger but 8 inches bigger? I'm not surehwell:
I'll see how it fits but the 246 floor is some 8 inches shorter than the deon!!! I know the 246 engine bay is bigger but 8 inches bigger? I'm not surehwell:
Hi Ian
I seem to remember reading somewhere that the 246 is 4 inches longer than the 206 but all the additional length is in the engine bay. This is borne out by my engine and rear boot lids which I think are from CASCU and which I had to cut down by a couple of inches on each to get them to fit my Classic replicas Dino.
As for the other 4 inches, I have compared my rear bulkhead to pictures of the 246, mine looks to be much closer to the vertical than the original, which, assuming that the rear window is in the same place in both, would give an extra few inches of floor space behind the seats.
Finally had a day off from work. So I thought I would sort out my garage and put most of my moulding/panel away for safekeeping. But this got me thinking. Now I know the origins of the 246 cascu body shell and panels and thought about offering them up to the deon 206 shell. Some surprises lads.
1. The engine cover is identical in size/width and length- except 206 has 6 vents.
2. The boot again is exactly the same width but some 70mm longer.
3. The bonnet is exactly the same width and the top and shape at the scuttle is identical. BUT it is 20mm shorter! Is this to compensate for the deon droopy nose? meaning deon bonnet was lengthened?
4. Door skin is different at the A post suggesting the 246 window screen is wider. Body swage line in door skin 2 inches lower than deon and door skin also 15mm longer than deon. Rear profile almost spot on with deon.
Funny comparing the two cars
Ian
Wow, some interesting measurements! A couple of points about Deon and CASCU that might explain some differences:
DEON is a mould of a mould of a mould taken from a genuine Ferrari Dino 206 (wheelbase 2280mm) but the position of the wheel arch was altered on the original mould to match the owner's chassis - which was from a Lotus Europa (2311mm).
I believe CASCU's was moulded from a genuine Ferrari Dino 246 (wheelbase 2340mm) 2340-2311=29mm difference.
Some other points: I read recently that the chrome trim over the side glass of the 206 matches the 246 and that windscreens are interchangeable.
Sun out, wife out, tinkering time!
I've been out with the measuring stick again. I've took a point from the centre of the wheel arch on the cascu 246 and used some redundant gallows brackets after checking they were square. I've used my level to ensure they where upright and used packers were needed. I've measured across both the front and rear of the 246 shell. I've done the same with the deon shell but only at the front as I can't get to the back just yet without moving a gearbox,spare engine, engine crane and tig welder!!
Very surprised here as the are identical, both are 64 3/4 inches. If the back is the same then I think I'll backward engineer the deon suspension set.
Very surprised here as the are identical, both are 64 3/4 inches. If the back is the same then I think I'll backward engineer the deon suspension set.
ian
They should be the same Ian, as the 206 and 246 are the same width, it is one of the few measurements which are the same. I should think the rear will be the same as well, although it is interesting as the track is supposedly 2" wider both front and rear on the 206. This could be due to the wheel offset as the 246 tyres are wider. I wouldn't have thought the wishbones are different as the 246 has the same basic setup as the 308, unless the chassis is quite different. I have never had anything to do with the 206 other than the engines. It is amazing how different the 206 and 246 are as most people just see a Dino.
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