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 Post subject: High MPG Locost.
PostPosted: June 29, 2012, 2:37 pm 
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Joined: September 5, 2006, 11:00 pm
Posts: 769
Location: Columbia SC
I'm about to bite the bullet... Found a drive train that will be revealed once it's in my hands.

Another Locost in the works soon, a little smaller than a book frame (shorter). Been on paper for a while. So, decided I need another project. Haven't finalized the build, but ditching the High HP middy in favor of low weight and efficiency.

Sub 1000 lbs about 75hp should get over 60 mpg. ( hopefully)

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Volvo 240/P1800 Based Locost
2004 Aprilia Mille Factory
1988 Volvo 240 5 Speed ( For Sale)
2002 Toyota Tacoma
1999 BMW M3


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 Post subject: Re: High MPG Locost.
PostPosted: June 29, 2012, 3:52 pm 
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Joined: July 29, 2006, 9:10 pm
Posts: 3160
Location: Oregon, usually
Sounds reasonable enough. What's the powerplant? I found it was a struggle to get 70 mpg with a 32 horse diesel and the traditional body, but streamlining did it a world of good, and bumped me up to 100 mpg with a few minor tweaks...I think if you see 60 mpg with the se7en body, streamlining would get you nibbling at 90.

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 Post subject: Re: High MPG Locost.
PostPosted: June 29, 2012, 5:38 pm 
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Joined: September 5, 2006, 11:00 pm
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Location: Columbia SC
Suzuki F6a Turbo. They get 40-50 MPG in a Suzuki Carry. 660cc turbo gas engine VERY lightweight. About 62 HP stock with a broad torque band.
Made to be very fuel efficient. Probably a little better than the Kubota out of the box.

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Volvo 240/P1800 Based Locost
2004 Aprilia Mille Factory
1988 Volvo 240 5 Speed ( For Sale)
2002 Toyota Tacoma
1999 BMW M3


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 Post subject: Re: High MPG Locost.
PostPosted: June 29, 2012, 6:46 pm 
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Location: Oregon, usually
That's an excellent idea! I don't know that you'll out-econo the Kubota, but it looks a heck of a lot easier and less expensive. Can you get a rear axle too?

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 Post subject: Re: High MPG Locost.
PostPosted: June 29, 2012, 11:16 pm 
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Joined: September 5, 2006, 11:00 pm
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Location: Columbia SC
Thinking about Miata front spindles and rear end. A samurai rear axle would work, but I think it has some offset.

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Volvo 240/P1800 Based Locost
2004 Aprilia Mille Factory
1988 Volvo 240 5 Speed ( For Sale)
2002 Toyota Tacoma
1999 BMW M3


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 Post subject: Re: High MPG Locost.
PostPosted: July 1, 2012, 12:42 pm 
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Joined: September 5, 2006, 11:00 pm
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Location: Columbia SC
Looks like a tracker rear axle and sammy driveshaft will work.. Still might want to go with IRS for this one. I did win this on Ebay.

76,000 KM's looks very clean. F6a Turbo from Jimny JA11 (Samurai) . Comes with all manifolds, sensors, ECU, wiring harness, Alternator, even a AC compressor,

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Volvo 240/P1800 Based Locost
2004 Aprilia Mille Factory
1988 Volvo 240 5 Speed ( For Sale)
2002 Toyota Tacoma
1999 BMW M3


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 Post subject: Re: High MPG Locost.
PostPosted: July 1, 2012, 2:42 pm 
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Joined: September 5, 2006, 11:00 pm
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Location: Columbia SC
Got a few engine weights.

Long block no manifolds with flywheel 115-120 lbs
Full motor with trans and everything plus ECU. <240 lbs shipping weight on pallet!!!

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Volvo 240/P1800 Based Locost
2004 Aprilia Mille Factory
1988 Volvo 240 5 Speed ( For Sale)
2002 Toyota Tacoma
1999 BMW M3


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 Post subject: Re: High MPG Locost.
PostPosted: August 27, 2014, 6:07 pm 
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Joined: August 9, 2011, 11:27 pm
Posts: 11
Might be a better idea than anyone realized.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=1316199


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 Post subject: Re: High MPG Locost.
PostPosted: August 27, 2014, 6:18 pm 
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Joined: August 19, 2014, 5:17 pm
Posts: 685
Location: England
Does no one remember this? 65mpg 120hp westie.

http://westfield-world.com/pics_paulr.html

Bob

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 Post subject: Re: High MPG Locost.
PostPosted: August 29, 2014, 7:36 am 
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Location: Oregon, usually
bob wrote:
Does no one remember this? 65mpg 120hp westie.
We might better remember if we were in England, where few people remember individual US builds (such as my own 2008 Escape From Berkeley diesel Locost which hit a peak of 72 mpg before I streamlined it, and that was on teenie little US gallons). Does everybody remember Dave's F6a Turbo Locost (which was inspired by this very topic, and predates the Caterham version...proving once again that great minds think alike). viewtopic.php?f=35&t=14652

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 Post subject: Re: High MPG Locost.
PostPosted: August 29, 2014, 1:16 pm 
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Joined: August 19, 2014, 5:17 pm
Posts: 685
Location: England
JackMcCornack wrote:
bob wrote:
Does no one remember this? 65mpg 120hp westie.
We might better remember if we were in England, where few people remember individual US builds



Twas Rods build that got me interested in my project :) Dont let the pond stop you looking :cheers:

Bob

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