LocostUSA.com

hey, Riteh formula student car... nice..

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Building a single seater middy BEC with GSXR 1000 power
build log: http://locostusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=36&t=5899

day job: http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v723/turbolimac/portfolio/

From my home town

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My You Tube channel. Cars, bikes - track days, motorsport, sim racing and more http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNfdsS80-5KNzAzRtTRQwFA

Hi all,

I've been working steady on this project and finally things are starting to take shape. Construction has started on the chassis and its going surprisingly well. Here's a rendering of the chassis and front suspension in their finial form. The rear sub frame and suspension still needs a bit of work. Update tomorrow with pictures to prove this is actually getting built.

Thanks
Grant

Chassis

Front Suspension

Rear Suspension

Mock up : Please don't judge me on the body model it was only a QUICK model for motivational purpose, haha also its got two roll cages and running previous gen front suspension but ignore those bits.

Why do you want such a long (104.5") wheelbase? You could eliminate the compartment between the engine and cockpit and save 12-15" and the accompanying "road hugging" weight.

Lay back the seats and place the fuel tank in the trianglular space like the A_tom. Or, add more 6 more inches of length and make it a 4-seater.

ah thanks for pointing that out jonw. The long wheelbase evolved out of my concerns about leaving room for the exhaust. Im going to take your suggestion and reduce the wheelbase to 99" by removing that section and routing the exhaust under the engine. I may need to use a custom muffler but thats no biggy. Construction pics tonight

Grant

My Civic-based middy has an 89" wheelbase. You can shorten more if you want. See my build log (Locost EFR VTEC) for exhaust/muffler ideas.

Hi guys heres the evidence that this thing is actually getting built.

Chassis base welded and clamped to the build table. Square and level to within cuoee
Flat

Coming together

Front Subframe

3d

Shocks

Front Upright

Roll cage

Rollcage side bars

If you don't mind a comment,I'd suggest laying the hoops back instead of being vertical.When I was drafting my project I started with the main/dash hoop vertical but it didn't look right,once I layed everything back 10 degrees it took shape and looked much much better.
I carried the theme to include both ends of the car as well so when viewing in profile nothings out of place.



Other than that congrats on getting started!.

Thanks for your input L8 apexr, Bit late now to go changing my design. Im hoping the with the full fibre glass body the car will look alright.

One of the opportunities you just can't pass up. 160hp Engine and gear box + drive shafts + etc for $350
What ya gunna do?

No worries,I bought a civic siR new in '99 when they 1st arrived on these shores and loved the noise out of that B16.Before I built the new car I was considering sticking one with a turbo in the back of my AE86 track car.

Love the MTB shock idea, I bet it saves weight too - wanted to do the same but got flamed on the Yahoo list. A street bike shock does not see what a MTB rear shock see's - I have the same shock and blew it out (250lbs and my disks glow red at night) - have gone to an even lighter air shock. Have bottomed out 6" travel fron forks also (Downieville) The rear suspension on a MTB is designed for BIG hits (you tend to float the front over stuff, legs take hits better than arms), very small/compact location & light weight. The MTB shocks are designed (I believe) by the same guys who do moto-x shocks. And you can get a various springs at reasonable prices.

Hi All,

The chassis is just about ready for final welding. A handful of tubes to go in the rear sub-frame and its done.






Exams are over on the 11th so expect to see a lot more progress in the near future
Cheers
Grant

Hi all,

I have been working 6 days a week all summer, inspite of this there has been lots of progress although mostly in theoretical understanding and design work. Tumbling further down the rabbit hole so to speak.

The front suspension is almost ready for fabrication. Just awaiting final design of inboard mounts and then they will be laser cut.



Part of the reason for the slow physical progress has been due to time spent writing our own program to model the suspension geometry.



Rear suspension

Still work to do here.

Building a shock dyno too


Thanks for the interest!
G

you could also look to fdick bears build, he uses a mid mounted honda engine in his car