Hello everyone! Guess who decided to join community after 10 years of lurking.
Me!
Few words about myself:
My name is Victor. I moved to the US 6 months ago. So please forgive me my spelling and writing skills.
I'm full-time equipment design engineer working in big automotive parts supplier company located in IL.
I'd build few track-day cars in Russia with my friend. The first live axle book sized with Lada engine/transmission was finished in 2009.
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2008.jpg
The second IRS/Type 9/Zetec-swap-c20xe-swap-Lada turbo was never actually finished for many reasons.
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Locost_2.JPG
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2o950xmDiywIn 2015 things just got real. We started company called "527". In 6 months was designed and build 2 first cars called "Shortcut". This is book sized live axle locost utilizing mostly Lada and other Russian cars parts. The engine is NA 1.6 Lada. Roll cage with side protection. All drivetrain offset a little to the passenger side for better weight distribution. Speaking of weight, the car is pretty light. In the race trim with all fluids and 1/2 gas, it was slightly above 1100lbs.
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2016.jpg
2016 we make lots of track testing and finished our first 4-hour endurance race. The car was developed and modified during the season. Including new bodywork, sheet metal uprights, custom rear axle and more.
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shortcut.jpg
In 2017 company DK Racing starts production and sales of the Shortcut.
If you ever wonder what is locost on ice looks like you can check
http://www.instagram.com/dkracing.ru/ or
http://www.instagram.com/shortcut_527/After moving to US whit my wife and 3 yo son I decided to stop this 10-year garage madness.
But once you are in locost-madhouse your life never be the same again I guess. 6 months without tools and oil on my clothes and I gave up. I NEED to build and own this car!
So, here the plan.
I want track-ready/road-capable locost. No crazy SCCA Auto-x dedicated solutions. No 14" wide race slicks and huge wings. I want a car that looks more like modern road lotus 7. Even if it does not goes around cones 3 hours faster.
When I first start thinking about building a car from scratch here in the US I was thinking to use laser cutting for sheet metal/tubes and CNC aluminum parts like I used for Shortcut.
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lasercut.jpg
After I got few quotes from local shops I realize why everybody uses angle grinders and hole saws to build chassis and panels. It's INSANELY expensive for average US builder to use 21's century techniques.
The other option was to buy Kit. The "Shortcut" was my first thought.
Pros:
It is proven race-grade LHD chassis.
It has nice bodywork to match.
The price is lower than any comparable kits on the market.
I have complete CAD model for modification and new parts.
Cons:
It uses Lada parts that are not available in the US
I need to pay for the shipping from Russia and some Import Taxes.
So here the deal. I decide to go with Shortcut chassis.
I contacted my old friends from DK Racing and ask for Shortcut Kit with my own modifications to fit US market parts. The quote with good and good discount made me seal the deal. I have few weeks to make my own tweaks before production of my chassis begins.
Attachment:
Chassis.JPG
I don't have blogging experience but I'll try to keep you updated and make some contribution to locost builders community. I hope your brain doesn't hurt after reading this. Stay tuned.
Vic.