LocostUSA.com

I should really have posted my build as I went along, but I didnt...so here it is as it sits now.
Anyway, I hung the rear fenders last night and said to myself, that looks sort of like a car. I should post it.
Its a Toyota 20V 4AGE mated to an SR5 T50. Alfa Spyder rear with Miata disk brakes. Miata front spindles and steering. Some leftover Lotus Europa parts here and there. Megasquirt.
Next jobs…clean, paint and hang the front suspension. Harass my friend to bend the tubing for the roll bar. Weld up roll bar. Suspension and shock mounts on the rear axle. Headers. Plumb the rest of the brakes. Fuel lines. Rear brake caliper mounts. Figure out some kind of dash. Much wiring. Get engine running. Buy shocks (last expensive item)…lots of other little stuff.
If I ever do this again, it will be with a single car donor!
If I stay at all winter, it could actually be able to move under its own power next summer.

Looks nice, thanks for posting. What no black and gold pinstripe paint (JPS)?

Only one car per color scheme. The Black and Gold Europa is hiding under the car cover.
Paul

Looking really good. You will love that 20 valve, great little motor. Is it a kit?

Very nice looking build, looking forward to seeing it a roller. By the way please post a pic of the size of the cat that uses that scratch post!

Well take pictures of that build log too! I'm sure lots of folks would like to see a Europa, if that's what it is.

BTW, when you get running we have a great local club in New England you can run with for track events. They already have one regular who owns a Locost he built and one of our builders on this site, Rad, has a wonderful build and he's an ex-member that I used to run with back in the 80's. Here's their site and they run in New Hampshire at the speedway and also other tracks in the North east and Canada. It would be really great to se three Locost builds show up at one event, so I will get my hopes up for next year!

http://comscc.org/

I hope you can make it and if you plan on an event let me know and I will come up and give you hand everything from changing tires to fetching hamburgers!

Sweet looking build,give us some more detail shots we all love to see peoples solutions to various problems. David

not a kit...its a take-off on the book chassis. +4 width, a few other mods. I will add some detail shots as assembly continues.

Someone asked about the Europa, so here is one picture of it.
As far as the Seven goes...painting front suspension bits when I get a few minutes here and there. Finishing up the rear axle is next.
New insulated garage doors today...WooHoo!!!!
Paul

It has front suspension...that looks like progress! Also that is the last of cleaning up and painting any grotty parts.
Front fenders are not mounted, just put them there are further encouragement and to get a better idea how it will all look. I think mount the starter next, then finish up the exhaust system.
I tried to cut notches in 2x2 square tubing for the rear axle mounts...2.5 inch dia. My drill press vise...actually my entire drill press, was not happy about the process. I think that is going to the machine shop to be done before someone (me) loses an eye or some other bodily part.
Paul

Paul
If you're using a 2.5" dia hole saw, you need to slow the drill press speed down to about 350 RPM and use coolant. The other option is to drill out the arc using a small drill bit around the perimeter and then grinding the edge back to your scribe line. [a lot more work] Nice build! How about a photo of your steering shaft, I'd like to see how to fitted it around the 20V exhaust header.
Another 4AGE fan, Dave W

Another way is to drill a lot of small holes in the circlular pattern that almost touch. On the next pass, step the drill size so that the holes do connect. Remove the plug. File down the "points" with a curved file and you have your hole.

This same process can be used to cut out irregular shapes too.

It may seem labor intensive, but it goes pretty quick once you figure it out.

I've used this technique for stuff from sheetmetal to 1/4 inch.

Oh yeah, use a punch to place dimples where you want the holes to go.

I guess I am sort of cheating on the exhaust system. I bought a stainless exhaust from OBX for a rear drive Corolla. I am going to run straight pipes over the top rails angled up slightly for clearance attach a flange to them, then bolt the nice shiny header on the outside of the car. It will then run into a motorcycle exhaust. I have mocked it up and it looks really cool. the steering shaft is then easier, although I still have to use a remote filter in order to provide clearance.
Thanks for the tips on notching the big tubing.
Paul

Paul

Thanks for the photo. I had my fringers crossed that you had designed a steering system that fit over or thru the exhaust with a higher steering shaft position Vs the lower route and around the header that I took.
Thanx Dave W

MegaSquirt done except for installation. Added circuits for wasted spark, PWM idle, dual VR to support the Denso cam wheels and VVT actuation. I am working on the wiring now and the rear is coming along. Brake adapters for Miata disks and calipers on an Alfa Spider rear are being machined.
Progress feels good.
Anyone have some good Locost tips for running the coolant lines from the rear water outlets 4AGE 20V to the radiator? Like maybe some hose part numbers.
Thanks,
Paul