Tundra 7 442

[Tundra 7]

Hi guys Steve Chovan here from Green Bay, WI. Steamfitter and welder by trade for Local 400. I saw this car on Top Gear and after some research found out you can build these things, how cool. After being on the site for a few months and I felt I had enough pictures and more knowledge of where this build is going. So far the research has been unreal up to this point. I have never done anything like this so I'm giving myself a conservative timeline 3-4yrs. I started this in mid Sept, '14. I have really enjoyed getting ideas off this site, their are some really talented people on here with really nice cars. I wanted to start this and see what the upload was like using this site I feel like I have to contribute now. I don't have a donor no room for that kind of stuff.

442 Design with a '93Ford Escort GT engine 1.8L
'99 Miata 5speed
'03 Mustang 3.27 rear end

[horizenjob]

Welcome, looks like you're on the way! Are you thinking of doing the locost frame in round tube? IT sort of look like it in the picture. If you do that, using 1.25" tube would weight the same as 1" square tube and be twice as stiff, maybe.

Keep us posted!

[trialsmangasgas]

Come to the Midwest Se7ens Gathering in Galena, IL in late spring and get some ideas. Russ

[Tundra 7]

Yes round tube. Round is all I know with the piping industry, and seemed to fit with this. some of the miters are easier to do because you don't need the compound cuts of the square, just swing the tube around an axis.

[Tundra 7]

Come to the Midwest Se7ens Gathering in Galena, IL in late spring and get some ideas. Russ

Really in Galena? thats not that far. Thanks for the offer. Do you guys have any dates yet. God i need warm weather! Always looking for ideas.

[Tundra 7]

Mock up of drivetrain took me through November as well as tubes.

[Tundra 7]

Added engine mounts, and tunnel is 99%

[Tundra 7]

OK bringing the whole thing up to date the 4 bar going in. I'll finish the 4 bar this weekend and hopefully start on the panhard bar.

[rx7locost]

Welcome to the site. It looks like you are well on your way.

[carguy123]

Looking good, but that 3.27 rear axle ratio may give you some grief. That's a LOT lower than factory which means you'll give up a lot of grunt even on this light of a vehicle.

The upside is that if you do any freeway driving you won't be that much above a fast idle at cruising speed.

What thickness is your tubing?

[Tundra 7]

I know the 3.27 is on the edge. When I ran the tranny and tire size 24" the range of rpm through the calculator didn't look all that bad. Its an open diff. I couldn't find a posi around so I'll try it. I'am sure ill pull it and swap out for a post anyway. But I've seen this gear set for sale in a posi. The tube is .083 DOM and .125 dom in 1" and 3/4". the .125 is under the motor and I will be making lower A arms from that as well.

[locofinn]

Nice looking welds.

[egoman]

Nice to see another UA hand making use of the skills we learn on the job to entertain the masses.
Shawn Wedge Instructor Local 254 Winnipeg Mb.
Don't give them too much to look at in one day, these guys wont leave you alone.

[Acerguy]

Welcome to another Wisconsiner! I'm definitely planning on going to the Midwest 7s Gathering this year. Here is the LINK. Hope to see you there. Also, you can see what they did last year at the Midwest 7s Gathering.

Looks like you are making great progress.

[Driven5]

How thick is the strap of sheet/plate that the trailing arms bolt to on the chassis?