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.
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.
I knew the US guys would want to swap in anything but a standard engine. I don't think they believed me.
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.
There is no less accurate statement on the internet than "shut up and take my money".
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
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.
This kit is amazing! I would love to take one to a track day.
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
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
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
In reply to fanfoy :
that's a good walk through, fun to look at their engineering decisions.
This gives me the tinglys...