LocostUSA.com

I maybe shouldn't have started a new thread. But, I've gone to a completely different designed frame so I thought it should warrant a new thread.

With the first frame I was trying to keep it simple and was using 2x3 main frame rails. I wanted to hang a lightweight body skin on a skeleton frame. As a result the frame was kind of a hybrid.

When I really looked at the original frame I wasn't happy with it. I started over and this time built more of a locost style frame. The frame is mostly constructed of 1.5 by 1.5 by .083 tubing. I realize that I could have built it lighter but I got a great deal on the steel and ultimately being the lightest possible wasn't my goal.

The suspension is C4 Corvette. The engine is a mild approx 300hp 305 Chevy V8 connected to a Richmond 4 speed. The diff is the most common C4 ratio of 2:59 to 1.

I wanted the frame to taper from wide in the rear to narrow in the front to keep the Hot Rod style. I was able to make this work and have good leg room and comfort. The main issue was enough foot box room for a clutch pedal. Limeykid (Stewart) gave me a brake/clutch bracket from an MG. It fits great and solved the problem. THANK YOU STEWART!

There is more work to do on the frame but I'm happy with the progress. I got sculpting foam and resin delivered today. I'll start on the body tomorrow.

Well it sure looks like it ought to be strong enough! And you sure do work fast!

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Locost builder and adventurer, and founder (but no longer owner) of Kinetic Vehicles

I'm glad those pedals worked out. I thought they would. I've used the triumph pedals before and the MG they're both neat setups which one you choose depends on where you want the masters to go.

Yeah, you've been busy. Looks very stout.

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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

Thank you. By the way I put the frame on my race scales. 194lbs. After full welding and a couple of more tubes it will be right at 200. That's pretty heavy. But, heck, I'm 230lbs!

I've been buying at insurance auctions lately and have seen a few t buckets that were pretty mangled. Well worth the weight in this day and age of road combat!

_________________
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

I hear you.
I live in the Adirondack Mountains of upstate NY. It's very rural with very little traffic. The mountain roads here and through VT, NH, and ME are great for cruising and having fun. I have no desire to be where there is traffic.

That being said, I look at the T Sport Rod as a 4 wheel motorcycle.

Now that frame I like. I wasn't trying to be a butthole before, but this is way better. My next bitch would be the fuel tank. Any place to put it down low? 70Lbs of sloshy fuel up high would affect handling. I love the idea of the C-4 components in a street rod style build. Nice thing is you can add more ponies or gear at a later date and it will bolt right in. Get it running and get bored and then you slap a LS motor in and go crazy all over again. Tons of potential and a chance to play with the road race guys. THEY HATE getting beat by something that looks like a hot rod.

_________________
The biggest thing in motocross.

Thank you. I agree about the fuel tank being high. For this build I wanted the Hot Rod look. I'm looking at this frame and the C4 suspension as the basis for different builds. For track I would do a full roll cage, sheet metal off the passenger side and mount a fuel cell in the passenger seat. Or, an extension past the rear suspension can be incorporated, and a fuel tank can be positioned low as it is in a Locost/7.

I recently sold a Cobra tribute that I built. I used all C5 Vette suspension, LS engine and Tremec T-56 trans. It was a great car and I like the LS engine. But, for this build I wanted to keep it simple and cheap.

In the past I sculpted a body inspired by the 1958 Lister. I cut it up and I'm going to try and modify to fit this chassis. I hope to do this next winter. The idea is that I'll be ale to remove and switch bodies. It uses Mini Cooper headlights and a Porsche 356 windshield.
Forgive the mess in the picture. It's all cleaned up now!

I didn't work on the body today as planned. Instead I made brackets for the steering shaft, rear shock mounts, and continued to work on the frame. I had ordered a chopped 32 radiator for the Chevy engine. It arrived today. I was happy that it fit inside the frame, behind the front axle center line and that I had space for the electric cooling fan and engine accessories.

I hope to start on the body tomorrow.

I decided to not use the body that I purchased for this project. I cut it up to fit the frame. It would take a lot work to piece it together. And, I want a smooth, seamless body.

I purchased some 2 by 4ft by 2 inch thick foam sculpting boards. I'm going to make a temporary way to attach them to the frame and then sculpt the body. Once I have the shape I'll fiberglass it then use body filler to finish it out. In prep for this I put a layer of glass on one side of the panels today. The fiberglass side will be mounted frame side. I hope the result will be a lightweight, foam filled body that can be easily slid on and off the frame.

I plan to start the sculpting tomorrow.

I take a week off, you build a whole new frame, and are now going to build your own body for it. I feel like such a slacker! I love the Lister based body. Can't wait to see what you do with it. Well done on the progress.
Oh yeah, glad the pedals worked out.
Cheers,
Stewart.

Ditto. Looks like you used urethane or polyiso foam for polyester resin compatibility? This should turn out great!

_________________
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

Today's progress.

I am using polyisocyanurate foam so that I can glass directly on it. I hope to have at least 1 side shaped by tomorrow. My goal is to have it glassed and ready for final body work by Monday.

I applied clear tape to the frame so that fiberglass wont' bond to it. I ran strips of glass at right angle from the inside of the body to the top of the top frame rail. This flange is what will mount the body to the frame. With the removal of some fasteners the body, in 1 piece, will slide on and off. The dash will be recessed and be a separate piece. It will bolt to the frame and the body will conform to the top of the dash. That way the body can be removed with out messing with wiring.

Where'd you get the chopped mat?
I order bulk from boat builders, sometimes scraps.

_________________
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