LocostUSA.com

Ok here goes, I figured it was about time to post some pics of my build to see what kind of feed back I will get, kind of scary to see what others think ?. maybe I screwed it all up ? but am looking for constructive criticism.[url][/url]This was the start about two years ago, almost sold it as it was in storage for two years before moving into new home, my daughter and another member (George)convinced me to keep it so I gave it a month, got the rear axle.
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Set her down and set engine in, now it kind of resembles a car, too me anyways, wife calls it a pile of junk, but now I have to keep it.
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If you look at this last pic you will notice the rust on the lower tube like some big kid was bouncing on it with wet feet, don't know who that could be ??(LOL), it did feel good.

Looks good. I'm sure you're glad you didn't sell it.

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-Andrew
Build Log
Youtube

Nice. I always like Toyota builds.

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+442 - Miata

sorry for having pics all over, first time posting pics, heres a few more

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at this point I have the engine and trans mounted,trans tunnel done ,widened nose cone 2 inches, started on scuttle, pedal box started and ajustible, no front suspension yet but it is back on the build table to work on it.

Congratulations on getting back on the horse! Its a long road to build a car, but you just have to keep with it.

I see that you live in Burlington! I live in Guelph, and you are welcome to come see my build in a couple weeks. My car is almost on the road. All I need is an appraisal for my insurance company, then I can drive it (That will happen next week). This should help you get inspired. My build log: http://www.locostusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=3054&start=150

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"The decision to build a car is not one reached through a rational mindset. It is a decision that is made because we have to do it! It makes no sense, but neither does love, children and taxes" -Sam Buchanan

My Build Log: http://www.locostusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=3054

Thanks guys.

It has been a challenge but I am glad I continued on, I wish it would go quicker but working most weeks 6 days and same pay so little time for car and little money but it;s getting there.

Jon keep me in touch when your up for me to come up sometime to check out your car, been watching your build for awhile, great inspiration for me, looks great, and your built went so quick.

Added some more pics of my lower A arms and spindals.

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The jig I made for lower A arms.

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One A arm done with chrysler screw in balljoint

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A arm with the balljoint installed, coilover mount to be welded when I get to that point.

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Chevette spindal reamed out with chrysler balljoint installed, now to install lower mounts to car.

Nice build!

I have two things:

First: I recommend mounting your shocks like I have done here. It is the way Caterham does theirs now, and gives you almost a full inch and a half more travel than "the book" way.

A counter-bored and threaded sleeve is machined and welded through the rearward tube and welded to the forward tube. The shock portion is removed, and a 3/8" Allen-head capscrew is used. You may need to re-thread (and re-drill) the holes after welding.





Second: What are your plans for engine management? I'm using a bigport bluetop, GSXR/600 ITB's, and Ford EDIS all on MegaSquirt II v3.0. I've got a pretty decent tune right now, it might be enough to get you off the ground quite nicely.

Oh, and third: you will want to source a limited slip for that axle. Oh yes. You do.

G

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The Lethal Locost
The Lethal Locost 2 - Even More Lethalerer

Thanks skinny
I do like the way you mounted the coilovers and would like to copy if my coilovers are long enough as they are very short, will post pic with measurement tomorrow, and as for a limited slip it is in the plans but was wondering what your thoughts were on a spool as they are much cheaper, ya I know more tire wear but it's not a daily driver, anyhow
as you were posting your post here I was writing a post to you in the Completed Builds Showcase about your setup , I have copied and pasted it here.

Looks great Skinny

I'm Doing pretty much what you are doing, I have a 4age with 20v ITB and building a megasquirt for it but I had it running in the donnor car before I removed it, had it running with a map conversion and jap computer, didn't tune it or even try, just wanted to make sure I had it all hooked up right, It did sound ausume but did run very ruff at low rpms.

Anyhow I have a question, how do you have your map sensor vacuum hooked up and where ?, one from each throttle body then Tee'ed to gether ? or from the intake tubes ?,
why I asked is because I have been told that the vacuum should be taken as close to the head as possible in each intake runner then run to a vacuum tank then a sepreate vacuum line run from tank to the map sensor, was told that if this was not run to a vacuum tank the map would have a very eractic reading as it would read pulses and not run smooth at low rpms, the vacuum tank would equalize the pulses, hope this makes sense and I am only going by what I was told by someone else from club 4ag and thought if you had not done this that it may help with your tunning as I will be following right behind you, and thanks for your web site, can't count how many time I go to it for referance.
Thanks John
John

Hi John, always nice to see another GTS in the works.

Don't ask Greg too many questions, he's almost worn out from answering all mine.

You're making good progress and having your engine sorted out already is a real plus.

Wish I had ITB's and those wheels look great.

Ron

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They say a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. By the time you finish the car it'll feel like you've done it on your knees.

Hi John.

I used the ports and hoses (all tee'd together) that came with the GSXR. I heard and read the same thing you did, but I figure that if it worked for Suzuki without the reserviour thingie, I might as well give it a try and see what happens.

The map ports on the ITB's have a very small metered orifice in them, which probably helps filter any fluctuations, as my mapDOT is far FAR more stable than the TPS (and I even bought a brand new one yesterday - $93 from Suzuki). I don't see anything weird in the datalogs - the MAP signal seems just fine.

Don't get a spool or a Lincoln Locker. It will go freaking straight or sideways, no in-between. I'm using an OEM Toyota lsd with a T3 rebuild kit in it and it's perfect. A TRD unit would be stronger, and in which case I would just buy used, disassemble it, clean it, and reassemble it. You don't want anything really grippy like a KAAZ or Cusco - you just won't turn under power.

I don't mind the questions at all - cars are all I think about. Seriously. It's that bad. Perhaps it's the savant side of some mild aspergers. I can talk about it for freaking hours, days even. Without medication.

(edit for spelling mistaks)

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The Lethal Locost
The Lethal Locost 2 - Even More Lethalerer

Thanks Ron, been following your build as well and every other toyota built as I,m sure we are all doing the same, must be nice to see your car all wrapped in aluminum, can;t wait to get mine just on four wheels right now.
and thanks Skinny on the info on the spool and lsd, the lsd is now on my the wish list.

Posted some pics of my coilovers.
I bought them off of a builder that picked them up in England and then got a divorce and sold everythig off, I,m not sure I can use them as they are very small 10 7/8" open and
8 1/2" closed, thats only2 3/8 of travel and they take a 1 7/8"IDx7" spring, not easy to find, talked to Dennis Burton to see if I could get springs from him, very helpful, told me it would be best to buy some 8" springs and cut them down as if he had to order me springs they would cost a lot as he buys all his coilovers with springs, anyhow not sure if I have enough travel in them, what do you guys think.

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closed 8 1/2"

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opened 10 7/8"

added pic of my top chevette ball joint

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the ball joints are slotted to give you a little ajustment, will be ajustible on other end as well.

John

I've bought springs from Suspension Spring Specialist, Inc. Great service, friendly. I'll buy from them again. No 7" (an AVO specialty, it seems), but you could cut smaller or maybe shim larger.

http://www.pagedezigner.com/bluecoil/coil-over2.htm

G

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The Lethal Locost
The Lethal Locost 2 - Even More Lethalerer

Thanks Skinny
supose to be getting a used set of 8"springs from guy at race car shop, going to cut them and try them first and then figure if I need to go stiffer or not, then buy what I realy need,.
Got invited this week to meet with a bunch of metal bangers for sunday afternoon, they want to start me working on making my nosecone out of aluminum but i think thats diving in to quick, just want to finish car first than will tinker with replacing the nose with a ali one, looking very forward to learning metal forming



John

I agree with your thinking that you'll get the car functional first before going off on a tangent like making the nosecone from alumium. But it would be a shame to waste available talent wanting to shape some ali. Why not get them to help you with the back piece or the side pieces. They can be mostly completed, except for the final rollover bends and then you'll have one more thing to cross off the list of things to do.

Ron

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They say a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. By the time you finish the car it'll feel like you've done it on your knees.

Exactly what I was thinking Ron, but will have to wait till car is a roller as still working on the front suspension , going to bring my scuttle and see about wrapping it and rolling the edge for the hood .
John