Lotus 7 / Locost Pics & Builds

^^ I didn't know you were building another one. Doesn't #1 have (motorcycle-sourced) ITBs?

In reply to JoeyM:

Yes. #1 has 4AGE, GSXR ITB's, EDIS and MSIIv3.0 running Alpha-N.

Lethal Locost 2 will have 2.0L Duratec, likely mated to a 240SX transmission, and I may try casting my own ITB's. #2 is more "dimensionally correct," and uses much more 18ga instead of 16ga, more 3/4" instead of 1", and more round instead of square. Hopefully more efficiently laid out. While 99% of the population doesn't know what #1 is, much less that it's a fake, 99% of the "Locost" appearance annoys me. So I'm "correcting" my mistakes by starting over.

Build #2 is here: http://www.gwellwood.com/project-cars/the-lotus-seven/

It's on pause, as I need to finish the red car beneath it: a V8 RWD Pontiac Firefly (Chevy Sprint) that likely will only make the $2850 challenge....

In reply to SkinnyG:

Is the bell housing on the Duratec and the 240 the same?

Not the same at all, but in my preliminary measurements, by fabricating a 9/16" adapter plate and using the Hardbody clutch disc with a Focus flywheel and pressure plate, it should fit perfectly.

SkinnyG wrote: In reply to JoeyM: Yes. #1 has 4AGE, GSXR ITB's, EDIS and MSIIv3.0 running Alpha-N.

Your 1st one just showed up for me in the Featured Rides part of the sidebar, so I'm going to link to it:
http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/reader-rides/131/

SkinnyG wrote: Lethal Locost #2 today:

Just the other day I was wondering how it was coming - I was going to shoot you a PM. I really like the path you've gone down with #2.

Regarding the book Locost lines being incorrect - I really screwed up my original scuttle/dash by making the top too flat and the sides of the windshield too vertical. Its amazing how those little things really change the overall look. As a result, the 2/3 shot from the front just didn't look right.

Great looking car. I wonder why they didn't place the engine considerably more rearward? Also, are there bump-steer implications to having the steering rack at that angle?

The rack that far forward should reduce the amount of ackerman. Assuming the rack is adequately located, fore-and-aft should not affect bumpsteer.

With respect to engine placement, rotaries have this hefty starter located where your feet want to go.

I purchased ModernBeat's old car recently,this is what it looks like after I painted it and added some improvements.. The best spray can paint money can buy!! Honda CBR1000 powered-dedicated autocross car. First autocross is this weekend. [URL=http://s259.photobucket.com/user/spitfun/media/FTD_zpsglxmxzen.jpg.html][/URL] [URL=http://s259.photobucket.com/user/spitfun/media/Locost%20SCCA-1%20-%20840_zps5j7vc93l.jpg.html][/URL]

JoeyM wrote: My car doesn't count, since it is modeled after a 1930s datsun instead of a 1950s lotus, but I'll toss a couple build pics in here since I did use a locost-like construction for the chassis. This is what the chassis looked like before the transmission tunnel was built. (drivetrain donor in background)

Your car counts a lot. Don't you know the Datsun car was a licensed (argued some) copy of the Austin 7. Which is the car that Colin Chapman based his early designs on. If it wasn't for the Austin 7, we would have not have the Lotus 7. The 7, in Lotus' case, is the design Mark and actually doesn't have much to do with the Austin's 7.

I made an album for this one: Cosworth L7

330 hp SuperStalker, in race trim but also Street Legal

Flight Service wrote: The whole basis to this post is to get ideas for mine. It is #2 on my project list. I can't decide with going Ranger donor with a 2.3/2.5 Duratec or a RX8 donor.

For the love of god, Bike Power and boost! Turbo, busa powered 7 would be epic. Super light weight, compact, with integrated charging system, sequential six speed, 12,000 rpm and 300hp for very reasonable money, seems like such a good plan to me.

Agreed - for the track. For the street, not so much, but that's just my opinion.

The only real concession you'd be making would be reverse right?

RossD wrote:

JoeyM wrote: My car doesn't count, since it is modeled after a 1930s datsun instead of a 1950s lotus,

Your car counts a lot. Don't you know the Datsun car was a licensed (argued some) copy of the Austin 7.

Thanks. I still feel like it is a bit of a stretch to include me, but I'm happy to belong among the locosts.

All you bastards are making me want to sell a kidney and start on one of these. I saw 2 of them in Wilmington that were s2k powered......DROOL.

I have it in the back of my mind to build one of these things. Zetec and a turbo seems like a nice combo. I'll have to thin the herd a bit before I don't have any room to work though.

I actually got mine out of the garage for the first time in four years recently. Engine problems had it pushed into the trailer, and I just had too many other things to work on. It's been fun getting used to it again, it needs a very different driving style to the "heavy" Miata.

One piece of advice. Don't go turbo. These cars are all about instant response, they work much better naturally aspirated. The turbo ones are fast, but not as much fun.

Gotcha. I've been also wanting to do a turbocharged project but I suppose it'll have to wait for a different project.

Picture(s) of your '7' ?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYtT_ECcZ1I

Only more lightness.