So I had been thinking of joining this forum for a while, have been reading many topics last couple months, but hadn't due to my lack of advance in my project. (now at least I have some pictures)
First off I'll introduce myself, I am Fernando Leal from Monterrey, México and have a great appreciation for cars, just as all of you have. I am studying to become a Mechanical and Electrical Engineer at ITESM and have a great sense for design. As of last year my family inherited some old cars from my grandfather and now my father and I are into restoring and toying around with them. I also have a brother who is not so much into restoring, but more into tuning, turbochargers and stuff like that. I think that's enough about myself...so my project;
A Mid Engined MG Midget, probably the first of it's kind (been googling for more with no success).
Why the Midget ? well, my father and uncle had bought this car when they graduated college 25 to 30 years ago to restore it, just as many other projects it ended abandoned and unfinished (almost unstarted). It had no engine, no transmission, no seats, just the shell. Last year I found the car in my uncle's warehouse in Celaya, Guanajuato (pretty long trip to bring it here) and he just let me take it in the hope of me being able to finish it.
Why mid engine? well, the mid engine idea was seriously inspired by Kurt, his Kimini and his newer Midlana, and then the inspiration was reinforced by the mexican Mastretta MXT (which I had the chance to visit the factory last november). Altough the main reason for it, being the mechanical sense it makes to put an engine back there. It looks to me like a mechanical nirvana in there.
Too many words, I'll just put a picture here.
Attachment:
DSC09916.JPG
This picture was taken a day or two ago, and is only the begining as you can see. The engine is a Nissan GA16DNE from a Tsuru (mexican, cheaper variant of the Sentra). I chose this engine because parts for it here in México are everywhere and at a very affordable price. Also my brother has a turbo'ed Sentra so I have a very good guidance down that road.
Another picture here. BTW my camera has been taking some funny, out of center, pictures.
Attachment:
DSC09912.JPG
I hope that's enough intro, please feel free to ask and comment anything on it.
Now that I feel I have introduced myself and my project, I would like to ask something regarding design and some ideas floating in my head;
First, suspension travel. The Midget is a tiny, light car and I don't really have the measure for the original travel (would be great to know it) and I was taking the 6" in the Kimini (correct me if wrong) as a reference point, altough I think it would be next to impossible to fit that much travel into the car. My thoughts are now wandering around 4" and 5", but I have no other reference for this values. Any help here would be great.
Second, SPACE ! , there is none, the car is incredibly small, so has anyone ever cut a car in half (lengthwise) and widened, let's say 10cm or so. Just a wild idea in my mind that needed to be expressed.
I dont know about a third question, maybe something regarding a removable rollbar, any thoughts on it ?
Any comments and questions are not only welcomed, but encouraged. BTW if something in my post doesn't make sense, please let me know, english is not my first language.
Edit: Hope my pictures are now working correctly.