RTz's Turbo 7 w/CNC cut Frame

[RTz]

After largely constructing two other frames and selling them to friends, I’ve decided to build another, this time making use of more technology. It’s partly to speed the build process along, but also to scratch an itch and see how it goes.

I started off by scanning the Miata drivetrain to have something accurate to bring into a CAD model. More information on the scanning can be found here: viewtopic.php?f=4&t=17614

A model was then created to fit the point cloud…









The model and supporting documentation were sent to VR3 Engineering for quotation on CNC cutting and bending the tubes. The price was acceptable so I pulled the trigger. According to UPS tracking four packages should be showing up this week. Don with VR3 has been a pleasure to work with and their expediency is impressive.

The pan and various shear panels will be laser cut by a local vendor that I work with regularly.

[BRAAP]

As always, excellent attention to detail and first rate craftsmanship.

[Tongboy]

absolutely fantastic, as always.

The day you finish is the day the rest of us in PDX hide our cars because they'll be ugly in comparison!

[benny_toe]

Will follow this project with great interest!

[johnzracer]

Looking forward to an education with this build!

[mgkluft]

Looking forward to that, Ron.
I had looked extensively into VR3 when I bought a Bearhawk project. They are first rate. Alas, I changed my mind and built the 7. Sold the project, but kept a lifetime supply of hardware, tools and bits that come in handy when you least expect it.

[RTz]

Thanks for the kind words, guys.

VR3 order arrived this afternoon...

[Trochu]

Probably took them more time to print the decals than it did to actually cut the tube. Hopefully it fits together like a glove.

[rx7locost]

Kinda late to ask...... did you have them ship an extra stock of tubing just in case Murphy is on the payroll?
They look great!

[RTz]

Chuck, the material is common low carbon steel and easy to acquire locally. I even keep some of it around the shop for odd projects so I’m not too concerned if Murphy twinkles his nose. Also, I’m confident VR3 would correct any errors made on their end. I’ve been nothing but impressed with them so far.

[botbasher]

VR3 order arrived this afternoon...

Wow... I thought I'd seen it all, but now...

Locost in a Box! Too Cool!!

Do you mind disclosing (in round numbers) what a LiaB costs? As much as I have enjoyed cutting and shaping my pieces, my next build (a BEC) would be much easier if the steel just arrived ready to go!

Cheers!

K "no black snot" S

[geek49203]

Weren't there a few "locost in a box" vendors back in the day?

[RTz]

Locost in a Box! Too Cool!!

Do you mind disclosing (in round numbers) what a LiaB costs? As much as I have enjoyed cutting and shaping my pieces, my next build (a BEC) would be much easier if the steel just arrived ready to go!

Liab. I Like it. A co-worker called it a car-in-a-box, but your acronym is better

I don't feel that I can publicly disclose the pricing. This is the best way I can think of to express it: It wasn't cheap, but if someone asked me to cut/miter/bend 143 tubes to .005" for the same price, I'd turn it down. And that was part of my justification for choosing to go down this path.

[botbasher]

Weren't there a few "locost in a box" vendors back in the day?

Yeah, but the frame was pre-built IIRC. This one is a bit more "boxed" than those were! Maybe I missed others that offered before my time (mid-08).

KS

[rx7locost]

I believe that CMC, early on, made U-Weld frame kits (my term).