it's now June, only a few months till the challenge, and I haven't even started on a car for this year like I swore I would. I guess as long as I don't wait till the week of the challenge like last year all will be good, so where to start, I've got a 400$ donor shell sitting in the yard, an engine and trans, where to go, what to do, hmmmmm. You know I've always wanted to try my hand at building a locost. I know there is a book out there that gives a general guideline on where to start etc. anyone know the name of that book? I think I might grab it friday. Just some light reading. I've got a friend who said I'm not nuts, well maybe a little but he's willing to help. hmmmmm it's that or try and track down a miata and gut it, oh wait the wife says she get's the next running miata I get my hands on. damn that means I gotta find two, or maybe a v8 rx7....first gen bigggggg motor sticking through the hood, with turbine boosters and ....... oh wait not supposed to give that much away..... anyway about that book anyone know the name of it?
Thanks
http://www.amazon.com/Build-Your-Sports-Little-%C2%A3250/dp/1859606369/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1244559732&sr=8-1
(ISBN 1859606369 )
wow, that book has gotten EXPENSIVE.
to be honest, it isnt worth that much money, its mostly inspiration. you can find the info online for chassis plans that are better then that. I bought my copy several years ago (had to have it shipped from england) for less then half what its going on amazon for now, INCLUDING INTERCONTINENTAL SHIPPING
look at the locost usa forums and get keith tanners book (hes on this forum)
http://www.amazon.com/Build-Cheap-Sports-Motorbooks-Workshop/dp/0760322872/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1244559941&sr=1-2
<------ get this book
you might also want some books on suspensions like some of these http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_b_1_7?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=carroll+smith&sprefix=carroll
dont plan on finding this type of book locally, the internet and shipping are your (only) friend here
There's also the "Build Your Own Sports Car on a Budget" AKA the "Gibbs book" or "Haynes roadster book"
Good luck on keeping in a Challenge budget.
sorry to be the rain cloud, but isnt there a challenge rule that states the only tube frame vehicles allowed are Zamboni's? Zamboni? whatever...basically, a locost is not allowed in the challengs IIRC...but Im often wrong. Correct me if I need it.
Damn. A bill for used. As I have said before, that book is more inspirational than educational. Like when he says "How to build a nose cone: Get some fiberglass and start laying it up. Stop when it looks like a nosecone." Then he shows a picture of a store-bought Lotus S2 nosecone, complete with medalion bulge.
Download the PDFs from mcsorley.net. Subscribe to the Yahoo Locost North America group. Get your steel, get a donor and start cutting and welding.
4cylndrfury wrote:
sorry to be the rain cloud, but isnt there a challenge rule that states the only tube frame vehicles allowed are Zamboni's? Zamboni? whatever...basically, a locost is not allowed in the challengs IIRC...but Im often wrong. Correct me if I need it.
They're allowed in the Special Class, for exhibition only. Still, it'd be cool.
"5. Only Production-based passenger cars are allowed in the regular competition. All Locosts, kit cars, Zambonis and the like are allowed only in the Special class (See Rule #27)."
"27. A Special class for Locosts/Kit Cars/Specials will be run for exhibition only. It will be scored independently from the rest of the competitors. These cars can be home-built, road-worthy vehicles that meet all Challenge rules and safety regulations. The Special class competitors will only be eligible for the Special class trophies, unless one of them explodes spectacularly. Then we might reconsider. "
$2009 Challenge Rules
Buzz Killington wrote:
Apexcarver wrote:
http://www.amazon.com/Build-Your-Sports-Little-%C2%A3250/dp/1859606369/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1244559732&sr=8-1
(ISBN 1859606369 )
wow, that book has gotten EXPENSIVE.
oh, the irony.
I guess the 250 pounds didn't include a hundred bucks for the book.
But all those pictures of things like files, pliers and hacksaws are really important. "Here's some pliers that you might use whilst building your car."
Can I share my pain.
First- I need to admit that I'm far too deep into two other cars that NEED done, plus one more.
But.
I've got some really fun donor parts that I've dreamed of making a Locost with. It's from a Giulietta Spider- basically, I bought a Veloce with enough parts to make a second car- powertrain, suspension, ect. Or more than enough cool donor parts to make a pretty old school version of a car- cast a arms, Alfin drum brakes, '56 Alfa 1300 + tunnel case trans, and the original live axle. Darn it.
I wish I could stop thinking about it at night, sleep would be a LOT easier.
Thanks for listening. Good luck with the project- and remember to think about the next 3 cuts/ welds, and not the complete running vehicle. It's not nearly as overwhelming as it appears, from what I hear.
Eric
thanks again for the answers, while it won't be a zamboni, and I refuse to wear a mullet wig, it should be spectacular, brainstorming the idea has lead me to a few goals, one being sub 1500lbs with driver.considering the donor was 3800ish lbs it's going to be alot of cuttibg, but seeing as how theres alot of aluminum in the stock suspension I think it's doable. powerplant wise it's a tossup I've got a 283/turbo 350 setup in the shed, as well as a big block mopar/4speed setup, both were "former race engines" and both cost me about 200$ for engine and trans. I figure the stock suspension would be fine with the weight goals I've got in mind, though the big block weighs in around 650ish so I might be a bit optimistic weight wise with that setup. Any thoughts? Big block is supposedly cammed to the moon, 283 isn't much better but I was thinking the auto trans would soften the hit come drag launch time, but at the same time the big cam in the big block is going to limit things down low. gah my head hurts! 
and yes theres room between the stock shock towers for the big block. gonna have to ponder that some more.
