LocostUSA.com

Hi all.
I started my build a while back but due to an injury I'm finally posting what I've done. The build is a bit unique, it's a awd platform from a subaru forester/outback. This required me to modify the front of the frame to accept the boxer engine and front diff and cv joints. The goal is a track/auto cross car with minimal suspension travel (like 1 to 2 in) and light weight. Due to living in the great white north(WA) it will be an enclosed cockpit with detachable gull-wing doors. If you all have any questions, comments or suggestions let me know!

My next few steps are to finish the control arms and work on the suspension. Due to my injury I'm not allowed in the garage for a week or two, so I'm ordering the remaining parts. Thanks for looking.

I should mention I've been very inspired by some of the build logs of other members, you all make it look so easy!
Cheers
John

Welcome, I would never have thought you were a great white north guy, somehow you seemed more of a beach type!

Is the tube from the high point in your chassis going towards the motor for a support or motor mount or something? It will need another diagonal to actually provide strength.

Looks nice so far, we love us our pictures so keep'em coming!

_________________
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.

Seat angle is to high ? Just kidding. Great start.
Randy

_________________
American 7 5.0 T5
Lotus 15 ish?
914/H6

Well, he really isn't Marcus, he just thinks he is cause he doesn't know any better.

Looks good so far John, AWD is an ambitious project. Welcome aboard, good luck, and I hope the recovery goes as planned.

_________________
Trochu Motor League

Looks great so far, this is certainly one to follow!

_________________
Ford 5.0 into an M3
mikaelvroom.com | @MikaelVroom

Firstly, I am a beach man but there are no real engineering jobs where I was raised (hawaii). Living in wa has greatly dampened my surfing and tan so now I'm trying my hand at a locost.

The seat angle is exaggerated as the seat pictured is too wide for the driver or passenger compartment. Need to find or make some skinny seats (at most 17 in wide).

The front bar is to hold the tranny in as I continue to frame in the engine bay. It will eventually bolt up to the detachable engine/suspension/frame stiffiner. This is required due to the open front of the frame to get the big boxer engine and tranny in and out. I'm still working g on the exhaust routing from the turbo and that's causing some issues with where I want to put frame stiffiners.

Thanks for all the support! As soon as I can get back to the garrage I will. Any photo angles you guys want to see?

Not sure why it double posted so here is a rough layout of the rear left bottom control arms with no cross support. Working on making the upper bracket and the front control arms as I am recovering.

Cheers

Nice I was looking forward to a 4wd build.

_________________
2015 & 2016 EMod Florida State Autocross Champion
2013 & 2014 DSP Florida State Autocross Champion

Scrap Metal Build Log viewtopic.php?f=35&t=14558

Looks like you're off to a great start!

Although, WA is more like the Great WET North.

Where abouts are you located in WA? There is a handful of us in the Seattle area that get together from time to time, and are always on the lookout for others to join us.

_________________
-Justin

"Orville Wright did not have a pilots license." - Gordon MacKenzie

I am located in the Arlington/smokey point area. I would love to meet up to get ideas and see beautiful cars.

Here are some mock ups of the rear roll bar and if I go full cage my ROUGH idea of a windshield and roof line.
Comments/suggestions?

Personally I'm really liking the idea of open cockpit with no windshield at all resulting in having to wear a helmet. It just looks so much cleaner without the front windshield. Or fitting a tiny wrap around windshield for street driving.

What is all that stuff around the engine? Could you shrink that package and lower it a bit if you junk the turbo? Shrinking should be high on your list. Making your own manifolds might be a good place to put effort.

_________________
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.

Thanks horizenjob,
That's just how subaru turbo motors look, boxy and kinda ugly. Most of the weight is low, it's just the intake and intercooler that stick up so high. Can't ditch the turbo! Besides its mostly in the rear and the intercooler only adds a 2in hood scoop. The exhaust and intake manifolds are decently small as it is, but the underside has the oil pan that has already been shrunk to fit in as low as possible. Due to the AWD trans axle it's currently as low as I can mount it before it starts sticking out the bottom.

This build is trying to not go too overboard (very hard for me). This is mark 1, prove I can do it, tune it and work out the bugs. Also to have a fun car, not a record maker just a hoot that sometimes scares you. Mark 2 will focus on weight distribution and better placement of major parts.

That big sheet metal is the hypothetical hood line from the intercooler back. Any idea what to remove? I have no ac, just power steering and a brake booster. And basically nothing else.

Cheers

Another local...Fantastic!

Yeah the Subaru engines are kind of an ungainly looking lump. As best I can tell from the on pic of you in the car, I don't think engine height really looks like that much of an issue though...Certainly no more so than those of us running modern DOHC I4's face.

On the windshield front, I think you'll want one if you ever hope to have a top that allows you to drive the car without wearing a poncho in the spring/fall. There's nothing saying that it can't be easily removable, and maybe even interchangeable with a much lower profile wind deflector.

_________________
-Justin

"Orville Wright did not have a pilots license." - Gordon MacKenzie

Posting here because I feel it is more aesthetic than aero. Just food for thought.

Curved glass such as from a super beetle. Removed forward overhang which can be a problem on real roads and culverts.

Chose colors for contrast.

_________________
Miata UBJ: ES-2074R('70s maz pickup)
Ford IFS viewtopic.php?f=5&t=13225&p=134742
Simple Spring select viewtopic.php?f=5&t=11815
LxWxHt
360LA 442E: 134.5x46x15
Lotus7:115x39x7.25
Tiger Avon:114x40x13.3-12.6
Champion/Book:114x42x11
Gibbs/Haynes:122x42x14
VoDou:113x44x14
McSorley 442:122x46x14
Collins 241:127x46x12

Out of curiosity, what is your wheelbase?

_________________
-Justin

"Orville Wright did not have a pilots license." - Gordon MacKenzie