I've been here for years and only just now saw this sub-forum... sigh. Okay, "Midlana" was completed earlier this year after a five-yr build. Here are some of the highlights:
Drivetrain is a 2004 turbocharged Honda K24 producing approximately 400 hp. Dry car weight is 1550 lbs.
Probably the best thing to do is start here, Midlana and I'll answer any questions. A book is in the works which will contain plans, with a planned release date of around November.
Damn! I like it!
Glad you started this, I've looked at your website off and on.
One questions, how much width do you have in the engine bay?
(Or will my flat 4 fit ?)
From the forum:
The drivetrain must fit the following space, with a couple caveats:
Width: 45" Height: 24" Depth: 20"
Caveats: Width is absolute max including engine mounts off the sides.
Height is flexible; it depends how much you're willing to allow the valve cover and intake to extend above the horizontal tubes around the engine's "shoulder line." It also affects the CG and aesthetics.
Depth, fore/aft. 20" as measured from the backside of the cylinder head to the firewall, and is also flexible. My engine has the intake on the forward side of the head and the exhaust on the rear, extending under a lateral cross tube. If your engine is reversed, with the intake on the rear, that tube can't be used. Also, chassis tubing is negotiable around the transaxle, where it is understood that a portion of the transaxle will extend further aft and houses the differential. This section is not part of the 20" depth - within reason.
As for flat-4s, the problem is the engine outline versus the car. The transaxle sticks way out toward the rear . It came down to either designing the car to fit most any tranverse engine out there and still sort of look like a Seven. Or, design the car around a Subaru flat-4 from the start, but I didn't want to force people to use only one drivetrain.
Mid engine, 1570 lbs, 400 hp... sounds like a monster! What's it like to drive?
The only "supercar" that I've ever gotten a ride in was a Nissan GTR. When the owner got on the gas, it was like being a pebble in a slingshot. No spinning tires, no screaming engine, it just... went. The feeling was one of, "hey, watch me drive up the side of this building" and then doing so.
It's like that. In second gear It doesn't spin the tires, it just... goes. Kinda wish I had more power, actually! Haven't gotten round to doing a hard 0-60 time yet.
Awesome! That thing is sick!!
That car is gorgeous. 400 hp too? I'm stunned...
Im so excited to see the book, I think I just peed a little
4cylndrfury wrote: Im so excited to see the book, I think I just peed a little
+1
Great work! Waiting for the book. Have you gotten past the I hope something doesn't fall off and blow up all my hard work, point yet?
Yes, but I'm still flirting with the OMG-I'm-going-to-shift-this-dog-box-wrong-and-grenade-an-expensive-tranny phase.
Ugh, your avatar... ewww.
U should start a preorder for the book sobi can really piss off the wife. Lol.
I'm already collecting a list of email addresses of people who want to be notified when it's released 
I am in amazement over this car. My dad has been trying to figure a way of designing a mid engine 7 for years!
kb58 wrote: I'm already collecting a list of email addresses of people who want to be notified when it's released
So... where do we get added to that list? I enjoyed the Kimini book, and look forward to this one.
send an email to kiminicooper1@y-a-h-o-o.com and I'll add you to the list. And yes you have to fix the spelling.
kb58 wrote: send an email to kiminicooper1@y-a-h-o-o.com and I'll add you to the list. And yes you have to fix the spelling.
Emailed.
By "fix the spelling", I first thought you were referring to the book. I have an earlier test run version of the Kmini book and "fix the spelling" applies!
Hasbro wrote:kb58 wrote: send an email to kiminicooper1@y-a-h-o-o.com and I'll add you to the list. And yes you have to fix the spelling.Emailed. By "fix the spelling", I first thought you were referring to the book. I have an earlier test run version of the Kmini book and "fix the spelling" applies!
Yeah I always felt a bit bad about letting those out in the wild, forever serving as reminders to all how me suckz at speeling.
Great work! That looks like a ton of fun. (Well 1550 lbs)
I would totally abandon my Willys pickup project to build one of these.
I'll put my name down for a tubing kit!!
Very nice. Congratulations your efforts have produced a stunning result. Enjoy.
I wish I had your patience, dedication and fab skills. I love this car.
UTCC for the Trifecta of awesome kit cars?
What an awesome and well-executed build!
You'll need to log in to post.
