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I was gonna do a poll, but decided that your written views/opinions count much more on the "Book" vs "+442" chassis.

I was planning to do a +442, but since I have a 4AGE and T50 tranny, and I'm sure at 5'7" (and 165 lbs... okay, okay... 180lbs), I won't have trouble fitting in the "book" chassis.

So, book or +442, and why?

Book is smaller and will be marginally lighter. Building a book chassis keeps you closer to Colin Chapman's original Lotus 7 design principles. Book size is smaller and easier to dice through and autocross course. (in theory) Who knows, there may someday be a locost racing series here that requires a book sized chassis.

If there was any chance in hell that I'd fit in a "book" chassis, I'd go that route. If nothing else, for the authenticity. At 6'3" 240 pounds I'd need to butter my hips to get into a book chassis.

I'm 5'9" and I fit in Derf's book car perfectly. I had plenty of room but I can see how a tall person would be cramped.

What Joker said. Also the original design is over 50 years old and there have been some improvements.

go 442 is the drivetrain or driver fits in better. Otherwise book size would be simplier to get "off the shelf" body parts. I suspect the wider track at the auto-x might make up for the marginal weight gain.

It seems the consensus is pro-"book", unless it's a drivetrain/driver fitment problem.

Getting "off-the-shelf" parts is a non-issue for me, as there are no "off-the-shelf" parts where I'm from (the Philippines... hey, I know this is LocostUSA, but hey!)

Actually, what I was really concerned about was the performance hit, if any, of going with the _marginally_ bigger chassis.

Thank you very much, all youz guys, for your valued opinions!

I thought SCCA only allowed book-sized locosts, along w/a specific exception for the Stalker....I'm on dialup though, so I can't download the 3.6M rulebook to check right now.

They allow nearly anything to race, but I do remember hearing (sorry I don't know the specifics) you may be classed unfavorably if your car isn't the same wheelbase as the original super 7. I'll try and find out the specifics for you.

True...it could always run A-Mod. I should have referenced my post to D/E-Mod where all the other 7's & Stalkers are allowed.

From what I've read on the D/E Mod list, you can go wider/longer than the original, it just has to have the minimum floorpan area of the original, and still somewhat look like the originial.

--JOsh