This is my build log -
I'm building an Atom-style semi-locost mid engined car. I started at the beginning of the summer of 2007. So far:
June-August 2007:
Summer job to raise money
Reverse engineering of pictures
Learning of Cad
Building of Cad Model
Learning to Weld
Reading books on suspension
etc.
August-September 2007: working with a friend doing FEA analysis on the frame to determine the results of a crash.
September 2007: front and rear box built, beginning to learn how to effectively tack weld and use a tubing notcher
October: College Applications
November:
Four main tubes bent
Frame progress
December: frame nearing completion. Hopefully I'll be done by Christmas.
The Project Plan:
January-Feb: Acquire and disassemble donor car
Feb-March: a-arms/suspension and mount motor
March: get motor working
April: Begin composites and get pedals/brakes/radiator/gas tank/steering working
May: troubleshoot
June: troubleshoot/finish composites
Things I've Decided:
Frame: mostly ERW tubing, roll bar components DOM
A-Arms: 1" DOM tubing
Shocks: Koni drag shocks
Donor Car: 2002-2004 Civic SI (160 HP, cable shift, rear-facing exhaust)
Knuckles: stock with fabricated steering arm
Brakes: stock
Pedals: Tilton pedals/ MCs/ with balance bar
Accelerator: stock
Clutch: stock
Seats: F1Spec type 2 seats - great for the price, two fiberglass seats, mounts/sliders for 400$
Steering Wheel: Momo Race
Steering Rack: Sweet or Woodward manual rack (whichever comes up on ebay)
Gas Tank: 10X30 10 gallon tank from Dansperformance parts, with sender/sump/fuel return/larger holes/remote fill
Exhaust: custom with stock muffler
Many thanks to JonW and the rest of LocostUSA for ideas!
For those interested in what I've done so far, check out my flickr acct at
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25435483@N00/Mate, what an impressive achievement and it looks great too.
Kudos to your effort on this as well as the Solar powered car. Coincidentally, I am based out of Victoria
I am delighted to see this and it definitely serves as an inspiration for me personally.
While I am quite new to this and have just started on the plans of my own build, I am assuming I would need a lot of support to make it happen especially with the frame and suspension. I already have a Suzuki donor engine (front wheel drive with MT) which i will have a find a way around.
I am not sure if you would have it handy but I would deeply appreciate if you could share or email me (
) your frame dimensions with CAD/SW/blueprint and suspension setup. Maybe few guidelines from your experience would be great help too.
Hope this would not be too much of a hassle for you.