Project Preview

I've been swimming in ideas involving buying second-hand cars, and then I came across a book on how to build a car from scratch. They are called "Locosts", which are basically replicas of the Caterham 7 that use Ford Escort parts.

So here I am again, wild with ideas, thinking of a tubular space frame chassis with a transverse mid/rear-engine, rear-drive setup. Suspension design will be double wishbone for both front and back (although I am tempted to go with McPherson struts at the front). It will seat two people, and will have enough luggage space to fit a small toolbox, a doughnut spare tire, and an attache case (or laptop bag).

The project is divided into the following phases:
1 - Construction Study
2 - Feasibility Study
3 - Design
4 - Realization
5 - Testing
6 - Road and/or Race Use

Since we love Mitsubishi, the engine to use may be a 4G63 DOHC from either a Galant GTi or a RVR, the latter being the favored one. The Honda B16A is also a tempting option, but turbocharging may become a future option.

In case you guys have valuable inputs, please share! Thanks in advance!

Oh... and if someone has a mid/rear-engine, rear-drive car (i.e. Toyota MR2, VW Beetle, Porsche 911), could I set an appointment for a test drive? (Of course, you have to be in the Philippines.) Pizza and gas are on me!

A little bit of inspiration won't hurt: http://www.absurdcars.com/page3.html?AID=1...635&PID=3515665

This is going to be exciting!!!

Tip from Clubmitsu:

"john, there's this shop called automax along bautista st, makati. may bibubuo na caterham doon... and that place is also flooded with RR cars. go take a look, they are very accomodating. "

Field trip!!

would a Toyota Lite-Ace be considered a mid-engine?

would a Toyota Lite-Ace be considered a mid-engine?

Mind if we chopped off the upper body first?

For your viewing pleasure;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZcTMEX2_-4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qfy1VO4ePlA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6hjM1VrElE

Thanks for the videos!

Right now, I'm warming up to the idea of placing the engine at the front provided that the transmission/transaxle is at the back. That way, we won't have ~230kg resting on the front axles; instead, we distribute ~160kg at the front and ~70kg at the back.

I have been studying the Lotus Evora. It should've been great if it didn't weigh too much (~1300kg).

I then set my eyes on the Honda NSX -- which only had two seats (I want 4). I also looked at the S2000, which had an X-bone chassis.

And so the research continues...

Here's a nice site with car cutaways: http://www.cartype.com/pages/230/car_cut-aways

Just had to ask, you wanted 4 seats or 2? You said the NSX only had 2 seats but you want 4, but your first post said you wanted 2? Maybe I am confusing myself? haha.

I am not sure how common these cars are in your area, but the Porsche 944 (and it's predecessor and successors, the 924 and 968) had the trans/diff assembly in the rear to help with weight balance. Same for the Alfa Romeo 75 (sold as Alfa Milano here in the states). It'll be loads easier if you can just pull one of these existing units out and integrate it into your design. But really depending on how much you are sticking to the original Super 7 design, the engine is quite far behind the front wheels and your weight distribution is quite good.

I considered a Locost 7 build but for now that will have to wait. The biggest question you should ask yourself is how much resources can you devote to this project? Money's a big resource, time's probably an ever bigger one if you don't have much money. Knowledge and tools, and/or friends and a few cases of beers also have significant weight. From there you can really start to scale how your project will unfold.

Or you could just wing it. Just be prepared to encounter some expensive lessons, haha.

I'm right here John

OTT-Lite,

I was thinking of having a road car; hence, a 4-seater would be the most practical build (although this concept is starting to fade out already in favor of a 2-seater).

There are barely any Porsche 944s, 924s or 968s here. Alfa Romeos are almost extinct here as well.

Regarding the layout, I'm quite stubborn with the mid-engine, rear-driven setup. It's just cooler when the engine is grumbling behind you. I'll move the driver/passenger seats a bit more forward, though. Batteries, brake components and steering (of course!) will be up front as well.

Budget? What budget? I'll be assessing that with the CAD design. Most parts will be second-hand, anyway. That should drive down cost, although I'm already expecting Php150,000 (US$3,000) to be the minimum cost of the project.

Kidding aside, there'll be beer, BBQ pork belly, and homemade pizzas.

Phil,

Got a BBQ grill?

Oh... and the MR setup uses less moving parts between the engine and the wheels.

Ah okay, that's cool. Since you're going locost-style, another option could be to use an existing FF powertrain and modify it to your needs, unless MR setups are abundant there.

A 4-seater sounds pretty challenging, I'd be interested to see how it works out for you. When you mention road car, you're planning to drive it on the public roads, right? What are the regulations on vehicles in your area? Just curious. California is quite mean, haha.