LocostUSA.com

I have not had much experience with engine builds so it never fails to elate me when they fire up the first time. Congrats!

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Larry in Seattle

Significant progress has been made. The brake system installation has been completed and bled. The shocks and springs have been installed and roughly adjusted. The rocker panels have been installed.

Fabricated a splitter. The nosepiece fg had to be trimmed up 2 1/4" to fit.

Nice as always. Is the splitter wood or fiberglass? What are they typically? They get a lot of abuse.

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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

This one is made from the OSB that was used on the build table. Others that I've made have used oak (on the Locost) and aluminum on the (GT2 RX7s). Others that I've seen have ranged from plywood, to honeycomb sign aluminum, to polymer sheet, to carbon fiber. How much beating they take varies depending driving skill on one hand to how aggressive the design (how often does suspension compression result in contact with the ground).

The nose, fenders and quarter panels have been fitted and attached with most of the dzus fasteners that are going to be used. The rear flare taper pieces that attach to the doors have been epoxied on. The exhaust pipe ventilation opening in the right side door has been cut.

That baby is really looking cool. Great work.

Cheers,

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Damn! That front slip angle is way too large and the Ackerman is just a muddle.

Build Log: viewtopic.php?f=35&t=5886

Thanks Lonnie.
Removable headlight doors have been added as well as a replacement panel for the stock ventilation panel at the base of the windshield. The hood is awful ratty (and heavy), but it will function until I can make something lighter (maybe aluminiumminum). The only aftermarket hood available is carbon fiber (expensive) and then I'd be cutting it open for the intercooler exit.

I always wanted those panels on a street car! Could not afford to race but loved the look.

Okbuckethead, I agree that it would look good as a street car. Maybe someday, if I get tired of the race setup, I'll convert it to street trim and get it registered.

Completed the intercooler exit ducting metalwork. Installed pushbutton hood latches. Started fab on the rear windows.

Completed the rear hatch. Funny thing about brand new glass, no scratches so it's hard to see that it's even there. (a few reflections give it away). The hatch weighs 6 pounds vs the stock 26 pounds. I'm going to stick with the stock quarter glass pieces.

Replaced the Miata diff housing with the stronger one from an RX7. Installed the new driveshaft. Fabbed a rear anti-roll bar and associated mounts/ links.

Always impress with your build speed Ron.
Car is looking great !!

Thanks Fred.

The front ARB is mostly done. I was originally going to fab this bar from 1" round bar, but I got to looking at the stock RX7 bar (0.9" OD) and realized that it would work also by just using a slightly shorter arm length.

The car was put on a level area of the garage and weighed. Ugh, at 1905 pounds it makes weight limit without the driver and I still have to add sunroof, rear spoiler, rear bumper and diffuser. At some point there are some weight reduction actions that can be taken. Then took it outside for some photos before driving it around the block to test load it on the trailer. It would be nice if it can be done without having to remove the splitter. After some additional 3/4 inch planks, it looks doable. Then moved the tie down position of the car around to get the right tongue weight.
Good weather forecast for next week, so time for some white and blue to go on.