LocostUSA.com

A 12,000 rpm V10 - that lasts - will cost a bloody fortune.

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Midlana book: Build this mid-engine Locost!, http://midlana.com/stuff/book/
Kimini book: Designing mid-engine cars using FWD drivetrains
Both available from https://www.lulu.com/

these are high rev engines, stock they can handle up to 7500 before they start breaking things (programmers don't let them go over 6300, and the stock computer limits it to just over 5500)

this engine won't be cheap to build no matter how I do it:
$1500 for the cams
$650 for Keith Black pistons/rings
$700 for connecting rods
$400 for the valvetrain
$1300 for the ignition
$500 for the trans adapter
machining and engine balancing
and all the rest of the goodies like a new radiator, alternator, oil filter relocation setup, flywheel, etc

luckily, this is an easy engine to balance, since it has a balancing shaft in each head connected to the cam

Following your question about approach to engine development I will echo what's been said elsewhere: Bolt the engine back together, put the appropriate gearbox on it and build the car. If I think back to Rod's Ford V-8 build, I believe that he got it on the road before he started playing with his engine - fuel injection in his case. Whether before or after, Rod's car is pretty potent.

It may be that you can't start with the stock induction system, but far better if you could, if a car is your goal. I look at my own woeful progress, and imagine where I would be if I'd added engine building to the process! Of course there are lots of hot rodders out there who prove otherwise, and many even view the car as the excuse for the engine (which may not be bad either).

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Warren
Isuzu Pickup/SR20DE, +401 COLD frame
Build Log: viewtopic.php?f=35&t=11601

That's a big lump of an engine, I cant see it not taking control of a small light car like a 7, make a small mistake and you wont have no choice but to go where the mass of the engine is going irregardless of any driving skill sets.
Though I have to admit, it will definitely have a 'wow' factor.

Al

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Super Seven 3.4

I want to add to my earlier comment, but in a different vein. This could be a more modern equivalent of the Roofus special in the unconventional builds section of the site - maybe that more modern Roofus might be something like an Allard J2 with front suspension that works or a Cunningham. Yes, they weren't '7's', but they were sports cars in their own way. And your V-10 Ford is probably as light (lighter?) than Roofus' DOHC Jag six, or the flathead Fords or Cadillacs in the Allards or Cunninghams. Years and years ago, when I was little, my Dad took me into a garage where he worked, and there under a dust sheet was a colleagues Cad-Allard. My memories of it are dim, but I do recall being impressed!

It will be an interesting build.

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Warren
Isuzu Pickup/SR20DE, +401 COLD frame
Build Log: viewtopic.php?f=35&t=11601

No matter what order those dimensions are in, the engine won't fit a standard Locost chassis in length or height. And probably not width either without hanging over the front end of the chassis. Maybe a sectioned '32 Ford but not a Locost.

The engine alone weighs 64% of what my whole car weighs.
One postitive thing about the engine weight, you won't have as much a problem with unsprung weight as the typical Locost.

I understand using the space frame in your construction but it's the Locost body concept that has me wondering. i.e. how you are going adapt it to the engine size.

I sort of get this picture of what the V-10 will look like if the body was a Locost instead of a Honda,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18Vmhj_3AVU

But don't despair, I think the guys are encouraging you to build it because we'd rather watch this build than do it.
But I'd worry more about the engine fitting into the chassis before rebuilding it.

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"My junk is organized. At least is was when I put it wherever it is." -olrowdy
Completed building GSXR1000 CMC7, "Locouki"
Website: http://projekt.com/locouki/

I think it will just look a bit like Cruella DeVille's car:

I'd like to see someone come up with some bodywork for a locost that was older that what we usually see. Maybe 30's or 40's style roadsters...

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Marcus Barrow - Car9 an open design community supported sports car for home builders!
SketchUp collection for LocostUSA: "Dream it, Build it, Drive it!"
Car9 Roadster information - models, drawings, resources etc.

Hmmmm... So you're gonna stuff a big ol' Ford engine in an itty-bitty space frame? Never heard of such foolishness... Other than in my build log... I'd agree with the advice to leave the motor stock until you get the car going, work out balance of chassis, get the trans and driveline and brakes and steering sorted out, etc, etc. You can build a 9 million HP motor later. (After you get those brown pants...)

Bodywork that resembles a 7 may be a trick, but you can do something along the lines of a 7 or an older (30's vintage) roadster. Or something. Or nothing. With some foam core and fiberglass, you could build Cruella's car, or Johnny Cash's Cadillac, and why not? Them what don't like it can just look the other way.

I say, "Good on ya, Mate!" Build the damn thing and have fun!

JD Kemp

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JD, father of Quinn, Son of a... Build Log
Quinn the Slotus:Ford 302 Powered, Mallock-Inspired, Tube Frame, Hillclimb Special
"Gonzo and friends: Last night must have been quite a night. Camelot moments, mechanical marvels, Rustoleum launches, flying squirrels, fru-fru tea cuppers, V8 envy, Ensure catch cans -- and it wasn't even a full moon." -- SeattleTom

I think with 3/4 race cams and twin 2" SU's you might stretch that out to 13K.

Your wish is our command. Here is where it all started.

http://austincar.co.za/images/pictures/ ... rt_Big.jpg

http://austincar.co.za/a7info.htm

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"My junk is organized. At least is was when I put it wherever it is." -olrowdy
Completed building GSXR1000 CMC7, "Locouki"
Website: http://projekt.com/locouki/

Like a 1939 Lagonda V-12 perhaps? It might need to join the Roofus Special in unconventional builds, but boy oh boy, what a couple of head-turners!

Aside: or how it sounds ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vvd-kZxVByY

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Warren
Isuzu Pickup/SR20DE, +401 COLD frame
Build Log: viewtopic.php?f=35&t=11601

I am beginning to sound like an advocate. How about a Kurtis? Althought the Kurtis had a ladder frame it's shape is entirely suitable for a Locost type frame, albeit with heavier scantlings to deal with the V-10.

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Warren
Isuzu Pickup/SR20DE, +401 COLD frame
Build Log: viewtopic.php?f=35&t=11601

Scantlings... Ain't that what the Victoria Secret models wuz wearin' on th' TV the other night? TWWTFM made me change the channel, for some reason...

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JD, father of Quinn, Son of a... Build Log
Quinn the Slotus:Ford 302 Powered, Mallock-Inspired, Tube Frame, Hillclimb Special
"Gonzo and friends: Last night must have been quite a night. Camelot moments, mechanical marvels, Rustoleum launches, flying squirrels, fru-fru tea cuppers, V8 envy, Ensure catch cans -- and it wasn't even a full moon." -- SeattleTom

Sorry JD, that's my shipbuilding upbringing coming through: scantlings loosely means the size of the structural components - 16ga. 1 inch RHS won't cut the mustard here!

End of hijack?

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Warren
Isuzu Pickup/SR20DE, +401 COLD frame
Build Log: viewtopic.php?f=35&t=11601