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 Post subject: Opinions
PostPosted: May 11, 2017, 7:07 pm 
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Joined: May 14, 2011, 9:04 am
Posts: 37
I am in the planing stages to build a three wheeler (2F1R). The layout would be a basic 3-4 cylinder longitudinal mounted front engine driving the rear wheel, same as the Polaries Slingshot. Front suspension/steering would be Locost (Miata). I will need a ninety degree drive to go from the drive shaft to chain drive to the rear wheel. I am not real interested in using the rear wheel of a drive shaft motorcycle. The only thing that I can think off is using a locked IRS differential with a sprocket mounted on one side, maybe Miata. I have seen some industrial boxes usually expensive and probably not useful at high rpm.
Any ideas? Also suggestions on differentials smaller the better.

TIA
Tony


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 Post subject: Re: Opinions
PostPosted: May 12, 2017, 10:57 am 
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The voice of reason
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Joined: January 10, 2008, 4:47 pm
Posts: 7652
Location: Massachusetts
How about a VW bug engine or Subaru and front wheel drive? The VW would be simple with air cooling.

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 Post subject: Re: Opinions
PostPosted: May 12, 2017, 12:16 pm 
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Mid-Engined Maniac

Joined: April 23, 2006, 8:26 pm
Posts: 6410
Location: SoCal
Packaging and styling is a real challenge with 3-wheelers. Agree with above suggestion, as that should be short and low enough to style somewhat reasonably and also puts all the weight over the driven tires. That solves both traction and tipping issues, plus makes it a plug-and-play solution instead of having to deal with routing power to the back.

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 Post subject: Re: Opinions
PostPosted: May 12, 2017, 3:08 pm 
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Joined: May 14, 2011, 9:04 am
Posts: 37
Thank you for the replies. The VW solution is a definite proposition. Specially after I found out that inner CV's on the bug transmission are the same as the early VW Rabbit. I could do the whole front end from Rabbit parts. I have actually considered having the motor behind the the suspension instead of hanging out in the front. It will not place quite as much weight on the front wheels but it would help with the body design and not having to reverse the differential (not really a big deal). BTW this is my inspiration: http://www.malonecar.eclipse.co.uk

Kurt I am going to bug you one more time. A long time ago you gave me the company that made your windshield for the Midlana. I off course lost it. Could you send it over again? Sorry.
Tony


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 Post subject: Re: Opinions
PostPosted: May 12, 2017, 3:13 pm 
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Mid-Engined Maniac

Joined: April 23, 2006, 8:26 pm
Posts: 6410
Location: SoCal
Any glass shop with access to laminated glass can make one (after all, it's flat) but to answer your question, I got it from https://www.sandersreproglass.com/

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Midlana book: Build this mid-engine Locost!, http://midlana.com/stuff/book/
Kimini book: Designing mid-engine cars using FWD drivetrains
Both available from https://www.lulu.com/


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 Post subject: Re: Opinions
PostPosted: May 12, 2017, 5:52 pm 
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Joined: May 14, 2011, 9:04 am
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Thanks a bunch
Tony


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