New Locost Project

[MickCTR]

Hi guys, my name is Mick as you may have guessed from my username. I'm a long term reader of these forums but i haven't been a big contributor, however I feel that is all about to change. I am currently trying to sell my E46 M3 to clear a space in my garage to take on a Locost 7-a-like project. It will be my first kit car but as a mechanical engineer with a good deal of experience I think i'll be ok. At the moment I am trying to gather as much info as possible to help me get started, i've bought 'The Book' as well as a good suspension book but are there any more reads that you would recommend? Also are there any good web resources that I may have missed on my google trawl?

One last thing, my love of the 7 came about after a few drives a couple of years back, the last being in a wide bodied Caterham which suited my height and build far better than the standard vehicle. I have found loads of info regarding the chassis dimensions for a standard Locost and some good tips to add extra rigidity to the chassis but I have found no dimensions for a wide body. Does anyone have any advice?

Thanks
Mick

[rdodger]

Hi Mick

Get yourself over to locost builders. I'm sure you won't have a question that hasn't been asked and answered before.

If you need a bit more space then the Haynes chassis may well be the one for you as it is 50mm wider than the Locost. You then have the choice of MX5 or Sierra main donor. Sierra is the more well trodden path but many people have built MX5 and prefabbed parts are available.

Are you going to build your own chassis etc?

[MickCTR]

Thanks for the reply mate. I had found locost builders so I will join up. The plan is to build my own chassis, I am currently weighing up the pros and cons. I really fancy an S2000 based project too, a bit more money I know but I loved my S and the engine/gearbox would be amazing in a 7

[rehab71]

rdodger said:

Hi Mick

Get yourself over to locost builders. I'm sure you won't have a question that hasn't been asked and answered before.

If you need a bit more space then the Haynes chassis may well be the one for you as it is 50mm wider than the Locost. You then have the choice of MX5 or Sierra main donor. Sierra is the more well trodden path but many people have built MX5 and prefabbed parts are available.

Are you going to build your own chassis etc?

A mate of mine spends a lot of time on the locost forum and it helped him out a lot when he was building his bike-engined Stuart Taylor, so I'd head over there.

[rdodger]

MickCTR said:

Thanks for the reply mate. I had found locost builders so I will join up. The plan is to build my own chassis, I am currently weighing up the pros and cons. I really fancy an S2000 based project too, a bit more money I know but I loved my S and the engine/gearbox would be amazing in a 7

There are quite a few guys on locost that gave used the S2000 engine, so loads advice on fitment of that.

The height of the engine may be an issue but if you start with that in mind should easily be overcome.

[MickCTR]

Thanks for the replies chaps. I'll check out locost builders. I didn't realise the S2000 had been such a popular choice, its good to hear that there'll be some help