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Keith Tanner
Keith Tanner MegaDork
12/28/20 2:58 p.m.

Weirdly, they never weighed the prototype before it was torn down for powdercoat. I'd guess somewhere around 1300 lbs wet with a stock Miata drivetrain. My Locost was 1200 but had less body.

More info is coming up on the site. They've sold a LOT of kits already and are now taking deposits for Q3 delivery at £8500.

MadScientistMatt
MadScientistMatt UltimaDork
12/28/20 3:34 p.m.
Keith Tanner said:

I knew that random alternate engines would be discussed, and thank you GRM for not just going K24! No, LS3! Hurr durr durr. Mated supercharged bike engines, that's what I'm looking for.

I expect this thing may very well have a rear weight bias empty, and certainly with occupant. That engine is pushed back a looooong way.

I was thinking the obvious choice would be a Buick Fireball 8. The correct number of exhaust pipes, on the correct side, and very popular at vintage inline racing events.

Keith Tanner
Keith Tanner MegaDork
12/28/20 4:24 p.m.

I knew the US guys would want to swap in anything but a standard engine. I don't think they believed me.

Jesse Ransom (FFS)
Jesse Ransom (FFS) UltimaDork
12/28/20 4:40 p.m.
Keith Tanner said:
They've sold a LOT of kits already and are now taking deposits for Q3 delivery at £8500.

That makes me really happy. So many good things just don't quite... sell, to put it bluntly.

Keith Tanner
Keith Tanner MegaDork
12/28/20 5:58 p.m.

There is no less accurate statement on the internet than "shut up and take my money". 

Tom1200
Tom1200 Dork
12/28/20 7:39 p.m.

If I used a Datsun A12-A15 motor and trans I could take another 200lbs versus the Miata motor and trans. 120hp at the wheels in a 1000-1100 pound car would do the job.

Beardy
Beardy New Reader
12/29/20 2:42 p.m.

How about a Ford 1.6 Sigma/'Zetec SE' Fiesta motor on throttle bodies?  Plentiful, cheap and super light and used by Caterham in standard options to 150bhp.

 

Even capable of connection to Miata box

https://www.vitesse-ltd.com/products/morgan-44-5-speed-mazda-gearbox-conversion-kit-morgan-44?variant=21482024271955

I keep thinking this is the answer to drop 100lbs off the front off an NA wiht modest power increase.

 

maschinenbau (I live here)
maschinenbau (I live here) SuperDork
12/30/20 8:29 a.m.

This kit is amazing! I would love to take one to a track day.

fanfoy
fanfoy SuperDork
9/20/23 7:37 a.m.

I'm bringing this thread back from the dead because the assembly video showed up on my feed this morning. I don't know if it was posted anywhere else, so:

 

stroker
stroker PowerDork
9/20/23 8:45 a.m.

What we need is a good old-fashioned test with complete performance documentation like they used to do in Road & Track, not some subjective "driving impression".  

wspohn
wspohn SuperDork
9/20/23 11:30 a.m.

A guy I know made something very similar from scratch. His choice of engine was perfect - it was a straight 6 Alfa DOHC engine used in the 2600 sports model in the 1960s.

See https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1884122075164014

accordionfolder
accordionfolder UltraDork
9/20/23 12:15 p.m.

In reply to fanfoy :

that's a good walk through, fun to look at their engineering decisions. 

Recon1342
Recon1342 SuperDork
9/20/23 1:46 p.m.

This gives me the tinglys...

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