LocostUSA.com

Learning how to build Lotus Seven replicas...together!
It is currently March 28, 2024, 4:09 am

All times are UTC - 5 hours [ DST ]




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 365 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 ... 25  Next
Author Message
PostPosted: April 21, 2011, 12:46 am 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: March 19, 2011, 10:22 am
Posts: 2386
Location: Holden, Alberta, Canada
Hi Everyone
Name is Perry, from Holden, Alberta, Canada. I was looking for a project after completing a 5 year build project late last summer when a co worker told me about the Locost car that could be scratch built from plans. That evening I researched the Locost and I was hooked! I am an automotive mechanic by trade although I have been out of the auto industry since 1988. I work on stationary Natural Gas compressor engines ranging from 600 to 3000 HP from '88 to present.
Back to the Locost--I live in the country and am fortunate enough to have a fully equipped shop(which took years by the way) which includes arc welder, mig gas welder, 8" swing lathe, 48" metal brake, air comp, gas axe, pnuematic shears and nibblers, full tool box, blah blah blah, you know the story.
Back to the Locost--My intention is to use a donor car in it's entirerty, steering rack and column, spindles, brakes and proportioning valve, pedals, engine, trans, drive shft, rad, diff, wiring harness, instruments, seats?, rims, windsheild wipers, heater, blah blah blah, you know the story. I am using this philosophy becuase I want to be able to take 1 donor and build the 7 around it, use it for a fairweather cruiser, and becuase nobody said I can't. I realize there will be challenges, but after my last build there is no challenge that can't be overcome(and Spiced Rum helps too).
Back to the Locost--So I picked up a 83 Chevette and am in the process of stripping it down, blah blah blah. I will be going with McSorleys' 7+442. So the first hurdle is the Chevette track width-too narrow for the 7+442, I figure I will be using 1 1/2" billet wheel spacers which will bring the track into workable dimensions.
So back to the Locost--timeline--I am giving myself a realistic build time of 5 years or less. One must realise that the last 10% of the build takes 90% of the time, and I plan to be a 10%'er. $$$$$??--I figure the build should come in under $10,000

_________________
Perry

'If man built it, man can fix it'
"No one ever told me I couldn't do it."
"If you can't build it safe, don't build it."

Perry's Locost Super Che7enette Build
Perry's TBird Based 5.0L Super 7 L.S.O
Perry's S10 Super 7 The 3rd
Perry's 4th Build The Topolino 500 (Little Mouse) Altered
Perry's 5th Build the Super Slant 6 Super 7
Perry's Final Build the 1929 Mercedes Gazelle


Last edited by horchoha on May 15, 2011, 8:22 pm, edited 4 times in total.

Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: New to LocostUSA
PostPosted: April 21, 2011, 8:22 am 
Offline
We are Slotus!
User avatar

Joined: October 6, 2009, 9:29 am
Posts: 7651
Location: Tallahassee, FL (The Center of the Known Universe)
Quote:
(and Spiced Rum helps too)


Welcome to the group, Perry!

Quote:
Back to the Locost--


Hell, I thought we wuz talkin' about rum???

Good luck with your build, do keep us posted on progress and don't forget the pictures!

:cheers:
JD Kemp

PS- "Captain and Coffee" is the only way to face Disney World. Trust me...

_________________
JD, father of Quinn, Son of a... Build Log
Quinn the Slotus:Ford 302 Powered, Mallock-Inspired, Tube Frame, Hillclimb Special
"Gonzo and friends: Last night must have been quite a night. Camelot moments, mechanical marvels, Rustoleum launches, flying squirrels, fru-fru tea cuppers, V8 envy, Ensure catch cans -- and it wasn't even a full moon." -- SeattleTom


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: New to LocostUSA
PostPosted: April 21, 2011, 10:50 am 
Offline
spindlefied
User avatar

Joined: November 8, 2006, 10:54 pm
Posts: 700
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Hey, small world, my Mom was born in Holden. But I think the population was around 38 when that happened....

Welcome to the board! Chevette isn't a bad choice for an all-in-one donor, especially if you're not looking for a track burner. But I can't comment on the rear track width. My Celica rear fits perfect in my book frame and I have to think a Chevette wouldn't be as wide. I could be wrong, but they look awfully small.

_________________
A man must keep a little back shop where he can be himself without reserve. In solitude alone can he know true freedom.
-Michel de Montaigne

Scratch built book frame with an 83 Celica donor 22RE. SHE'S A ROLLER!!!


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: New to LocostUSA
PostPosted: April 21, 2011, 11:09 am 
Offline

Joined: February 14, 2009, 1:34 pm
Posts: 17
Welcome aboard, good to see another Albertan.

The Chevette steering rack should work well; this is what the Stalker uses and is a good track car. This said I do not know how the 7+442 compares to the Stalker in width.

Stewart


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: New to LocostUSA
PostPosted: April 21, 2011, 4:04 pm 
Offline

Joined: July 26, 2010, 10:37 am
Posts: 752
Location: Tennessee
Welcome. Holden, Alberta. Is that where they make the cars for Australia?


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: New to LocostUSA
PostPosted: April 21, 2011, 7:07 pm 
Offline

Joined: June 24, 2007, 6:04 pm
Posts: 1521
Welcome, even though I was born in BC I grew up in the Peace River area, so I guess part of me is always going to be Albertan.

Al

_________________
Super Seven 3.4


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: New to LocostUSA
PostPosted: April 21, 2011, 7:26 pm 
Offline

Joined: February 11, 2010, 1:45 am
Posts: 45
Hi Perry and welcome, from Calgary, Alberta.
Nice plane by the way.

Bill.


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: New to LocostUSA
PostPosted: April 21, 2011, 11:23 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: March 19, 2011, 10:22 am
Posts: 2386
Location: Holden, Alberta, Canada
Thanks guys.
Removed the trans tonight. Did some rough measurements from the front of the bell housing to the stick shift - 23.5". If the bell housing is at or ahead of the firewall, this looks like the stick might be a bit of a reach from the seat and close to the dash. Nothing a tranny stretcher won't fix.

_________________
Perry

'If man built it, man can fix it'
"No one ever told me I couldn't do it."
"If you can't build it safe, don't build it."

Perry's Locost Super Che7enette Build
Perry's TBird Based 5.0L Super 7 L.S.O
Perry's S10 Super 7 The 3rd
Perry's 4th Build The Topolino 500 (Little Mouse) Altered
Perry's 5th Build the Super Slant 6 Super 7
Perry's Final Build the 1929 Mercedes Gazelle


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: April 22, 2011, 9:06 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: March 19, 2011, 10:22 am
Posts: 2386
Location: Holden, Alberta, Canada
Finished dismantling the Chevette today. Pulled the carcass out of the shop and put it in the back junk pile.
Next project will be to fabricate the build table.
Oh yeah, thought of a name for the build.


You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.

_________________
Perry

'If man built it, man can fix it'
"No one ever told me I couldn't do it."
"If you can't build it safe, don't build it."

Perry's Locost Super Che7enette Build
Perry's TBird Based 5.0L Super 7 L.S.O
Perry's S10 Super 7 The 3rd
Perry's 4th Build The Topolino 500 (Little Mouse) Altered
Perry's 5th Build the Super Slant 6 Super 7
Perry's Final Build the 1929 Mercedes Gazelle


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: April 22, 2011, 9:35 pm 
Offline
-the man.
User avatar

Joined: April 7, 2008, 11:21 am
Posts: 841
Location: Tulsa, OK
Welcome Perry. I'm also using a Chevette steering rack. You have to take 4" out of it but it's not a big deal. I'm pretty sure the Stalker uses Chevette spindles and from what I uderstand they are relatively light.

_________________
RacerDan
+442 Chevy 2.8
Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the
Ark, professionals built the Titanic.


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: April 22, 2011, 10:27 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: September 30, 2005, 1:28 am
Posts: 1329
Location: Sunny-Okanagan, Canada, eh?!
The Stalker uses S10 spindles. I, however, am using Chevette spindles and they are very light. The Chevette rack is pretty slow, though, but it would be fine for a street car.

_________________
The Lethal Locost
The Lethal Locost 2 - Even More Lethalerer


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: April 25, 2011, 12:46 am 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: May 27, 2006, 9:46 pm
Posts: 1954
Location: BC, Canada. eh?
I used a Chevette rack (shortened, around 4", also, IIRC) too. Since I'm using Pinto front uprights, though, which have shorter steering arms than the Chevette, the steering is actually pretty quick. Wonder if you could shorten the Chevette arms a tad...?

_________________
Scratch building, at continental-drift speed, a custom McSoreley-design framed, dual-Weber 45DCOE carburated, Zetec-engined, ridiculously fast money pit.

http://zetec7.webs.com/


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: April 25, 2011, 9:54 am 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: March 19, 2011, 10:22 am
Posts: 2386
Location: Holden, Alberta, Canada
As I've said previously, I want to use as much as the Chevette as possible. My intention is to build a cruiser, so stock steering performance should not be an issue for me.

_________________
Perry

'If man built it, man can fix it'
"No one ever told me I couldn't do it."
"If you can't build it safe, don't build it."

Perry's Locost Super Che7enette Build
Perry's TBird Based 5.0L Super 7 L.S.O
Perry's S10 Super 7 The 3rd
Perry's 4th Build The Topolino 500 (Little Mouse) Altered
Perry's 5th Build the Super Slant 6 Super 7
Perry's Final Build the 1929 Mercedes Gazelle


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: May 1, 2011, 7:29 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: March 19, 2011, 10:22 am
Posts: 2386
Location: Holden, Alberta, Canada
Here is the results of my efforts this morning and afternoon. Legs are adjustable. 4 x 8 MDF top.
Hope to get my 1" tubing this coming week.


You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.

_________________
Perry

'If man built it, man can fix it'
"No one ever told me I couldn't do it."
"If you can't build it safe, don't build it."

Perry's Locost Super Che7enette Build
Perry's TBird Based 5.0L Super 7 L.S.O
Perry's S10 Super 7 The 3rd
Perry's 4th Build The Topolino 500 (Little Mouse) Altered
Perry's 5th Build the Super Slant 6 Super 7
Perry's Final Build the 1929 Mercedes Gazelle


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: May 1, 2011, 10:39 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: May 27, 2006, 9:46 pm
Posts: 1954
Location: BC, Canada. eh?
We found it useful to bore a bunch of holes in our top - we were able to pass clamps through that way - very useful for clamping tubes to the table to restrict heat warpage, which is an important thing to watch for in building the frame. We also covered our table in galvanized sheet metal...that way we minimized fires in the shop while welding :roll:

_________________
Scratch building, at continental-drift speed, a custom McSoreley-design framed, dual-Weber 45DCOE carburated, Zetec-engined, ridiculously fast money pit.

http://zetec7.webs.com/


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 365 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 ... 25  Next

All times are UTC - 5 hours [ DST ]


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 58 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Jump to:  
cron
POWERED_BY