grafmiata wrote: Nocones makes a good point. While I was hoping for a lowesr curb-weight, it still weighs more than half of a ton less than the car that donated the drive-train. Not a bad deal IMO.
This^^
A real track warrior would have half as many seats, and a lot less wheel. Probably room for improvements elsewhere (lexan?), but overall this thing would flat out walk away from most of the "racecars" piloted by others here. Im really interested to see one do its thing on track.
I'm not gonna bitch about 1918lbs on a tube-framed car with full-featured modern factory seats in it that's 1 panel away from being reasonably weatherproof.
Yes, the target all along was 818 kg, or 1803 lbs, and I think they almost hit that with the track version. Even the street version can probably get there with a few tweaks.
It's pretty obvious where the weight is. That's one really beefy chassis.
Talking about tops, is there a plan or an option for a soft top of some sort?
When considering the weight, also remember that we're running all donor parts such as stock seats, steering wheel, e.t.c. I'd say with aftermarket parts you could get it down a bit more. Still quite light for a full bodied car.
There has been a buzz about an available top of sorts, not too sure what Factory Five will come up with though.
Just happened to see this on the FF forum, top information within:
http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?11838-The-New-818-Continues-to-Pick-up-Speed!
nocones wrote: Any finished interior pics? Everything seems to be in various states of repair. Looks pretty good on the road and the weight isn't bad for something with Doors, windshield, lights and such.
Here is how the interior looks now, we'll be finishing it in some way in the near future.
That actually looks really nice. I like the way the aluminum comes together in the footwells/door sills and the simple dash. The armrest/shifter area needs work but otherwise doesn't look to much different than a Elise
The base kit doesn't come with the Stack dash, does it? I'm pretty sure I saw the Subaru gauge cluster in the video.
The reason for the lighter weight in the Lotus and every other car (or "car") mentioned earlier is the clean-sheet they started with other than the powertrain. Those companies were able to consider each and every part individually in order to make them lighter and reasonably strong.
With this car, at least half the engineering is done by a company (Subaru) whose main concern is cheap manufacturing of a million examples. If I recall, I saw some very common suspension arms made of sheet steel, steel driveshafts, fat stock seats, a transmission case that doesn't need to be as big as it is in this application, etc, etc, etc.
If Colin Chapman were alive, he might remove some of those frame braces. However, he did go overboard a few times and a few chaps are no longer with us because of it. I don't think Ff wants to reproduce that aspect of the light roadster experience.
The weight is fine. Anyone desiring a lighter car can fabricate his or her own lighter pieces out of exotic materials or have them done. Then you'll see how much the roadster would really cost were they to engineer a greater amount of the content.
More Videos! Jstein, the clutch video you wanted to see is live:
Loose ends: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEc7tWX-NfA
Building the exhaust: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qEHcdE85dQ
Clutch issues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btw41et2o_Q
Door installation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLjFx5TYYFI
Front bodywork: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2YNS9n1Wfs
Dyno Pull: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0xgoJJGIHI
Did I hear correctly? 11.6:1 A/F across the operating range? Kinda fat, no?
Jerry From LA wrote: Did I hear correctly? 11.6:1 A/F across the operating range? Kinda fat, no?
Not positive, I will say it smelt rather rich when I drove it though. :)
I think I'll be going with something other than Spec when it comes time for clutch replacement.
jstein77 wrote: The base kit doesn't come with the Stack dash, does it? I'm pretty sure I saw the Subaru gauge cluster in the video.
Sorry I missed this post. Stack dash not included, that is just what we went with. You can use the stock cluster with no problems.
Jerry From LA wrote: Did I hear correctly? 11.6:1 A/F across the operating range? Kinda fat, no?
Kinda-fat-but-mostly-just-conservative under boost. That's about where i try to land my daily driver under peak boost. (And certainly where i'd try to keep a Subie)
Now... if it's cruising at those AFRs, then that's pretty balls.
I just saw the opening article in the new GRM. I must say, I like the contest-winning style better than the way it turned out. I can understand FF's direction, especially since the custom headlights and taillights in the concept would have been cost prohibitive. I still want one some day.
Regardless of the outcome, I'm still impressed Factory Five even asked.
In reply to Jerry From LA:
I agree-ish. I dont want to open that can o worms again, but I could understand where a lot of people might think it was a publicity stunt
New soft top that will soon be available. This makes it much more practical for Florida with its frequent afternoon thunderstorms. I'm happy!
jstein77 wrote: New soft top that will soon be available. This makes it much more practical for Florida with its frequent afternoon thunderstorms. I'm happy!
Zip-up plastic windows though, at least for now. From the scarcity of kit cars with roll-up windows, I'm assuming that proper windows are really hard to design.
A bit hard to design, VERY hard to produce affordably in small numbers.
And heavy.
Hello everybody, here's part 30 of the video series: time for some lights!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJBYY759Wq0
I'll be your connection to the build from here on out. What questions do you have for me?
What are your plans for autocross shakedown runs? If you're going to take it out in January, I'll be there. I always enjoy the Deland events that month anyway. I'm also hoping to put a Palm Bay event on the schedule for January.
We're tentatively planning on running it at the Challenge's autocross. Not certain yet, though.
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