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PostPosted: June 27, 2012, 9:20 am 
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Paul, sounds great. I'll reply to your PM now... sorry for the delay, everyday I tell myself I'm gonna, but then totally forget.

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Build Log: http://www.BrokeAssSeven.com -- http://locostusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=13293

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PostPosted: June 29, 2012, 4:56 pm 
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Quick shout out to wemtd! Thanks for coming over yesterday, the ride was a blast, and seeing a completed car really got me motivated to really get back to work on mine!

Image

Someday mine will be sitting in that spot!

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PostPosted: June 30, 2012, 9:10 pm 
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My pleasure Brad
Hurry up and finish so we can have an official NELL (north east locost lounge) get together blatt. - unless there are other's in our area we don't know about.

cheers
p


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PostPosted: July 2, 2012, 9:12 am 
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Location: Southern NH
wemtd wrote:
My pleasure Brad
Hurry up and finish so we can have an official NELL (north east locost lounge) get together blatt. - unless there are other's in our area we don't know about.

cheers
p


Haha, working on it! Mazda Competition Engine Mounts are being delivered today (40% stiffer than stock), frame and table have been lowered onto jackstands rather than saw horses, so I can get my engine into it.... Today = Engine is being located.. EXCITING!!! I'm hoping to have the engine mount locations and differential mount locations done by the end of the week... Not sure how possible it is, taking wed/thurs/fri off with the wife.. so probably won't get too much time to work on the car. I dunno, here's hoping!

In other news, I've been trying to figure out what I need for suspension so I can get it ordered from Jack so I can start on that. -- Really torn on building it all myself, or getting the UCA/LCA Kits from Jack and going from there... I think the 50/75$ each will be worth it, maybe. $250 for tubes... or like, 30$ worth of tubes + headaches. -- I haven't been able to find 3/4" DOM tubing (I got 12?g, maybe 14g.. that's all they had), and don't know where to find it locally. I'd prefer not to pay insane shipping charges on steel, as I have a feeling after all is said and done, Jack's will be close to what I'll get everything for in the first place... and it will be close to finished, haha. -- I'm just not sure, after looking at the pic again, it looks like you just get the tubes + steel attachment for rear arm + swivel attachment thing for the rear arm. No ball joints / rod ends at all. It'll be hard to justify 50$/each UCA and 75/each LCA for really just some cutting. --- If you've bought them, can you attest to how much time is probably saved, and how many headaches you didn't have, by purchasing this 'kit' over building something?

Honestly, I feel like the suspension is going to be the most difficult part of this entire build for me. I'm dreading it, but also excited about it. I like challenges, just not when they come down to life or death / destroying the car I just built, because I did something slightly wrong.

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PostPosted: July 2, 2012, 9:35 am 
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Hi Brad-
First thing- I don't work for Jack, I don't get a sales commission, nor does he send me flowers any more :cry:

Second thing- All of this is my opinion, free because that's what it's worth, others might differ with me. Just tossin' out some of my thoughts for your consideration... :mrgreen:

OK, where were we? Oh, yeah... Buying suspension bit from a known source, where there's been engineering work done prior to them being sold, and where the design is tested and proven and where you can call up the Boss (in the case of Kinetic, any-hoo) and ask questions is well worth the $$$ expended. In my case, I built the front suspension early on, and wasn't all that confident in my fab abilities. I used circle track bits that have been in use on much heavier race cars for years. Proven design, big comfort factor for me.

Kno whut I mean, Bro???

Good luck, be safe!
JD Kemp

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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


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PostPosted: July 2, 2012, 10:07 am 
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BrokeAssSeven wrote:
Honestly, I feel like the suspension is going to be the most difficult part of this entire build.

It was for me, and I only had to do the front. I decided early on I'd do the suspension first, and was amazed by not only how much work it was, but how easy it was to screw up. I designed and fabbed my own A-arms, and had a friend TIG weld them, and altogther it took over 200 hours. And that was just the front. I'm with Gonzo on this one. You can't beat tried and true.


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PostPosted: July 2, 2012, 10:32 am 
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GonzoRacer wrote:
Hi Brad-
First thing- I don't work for Jack, I don't get a sales commission, nor does he send me flowers any more :cry:

Second thing- All of this is my opinion, free because that's what it's worth, others might differ with me. Just tossin' out some of my thoughts for your consideration... :mrgreen:

OK, where were we? Oh, yeah... Buying suspension bit from a known source, where there's been engineering work done prior to them being sold, and where the design is tested and proven and where you can call up the Boss (in the case of Kinetic, any-hoo) and ask questions is well worth the $$$ expended. In my case, I built the front suspension early on, and wasn't all that confident in my fab abilities. I used circle track bits that have been in use on much heavier race cars for years. Proven design, big comfort factor for me.

Kno whut I mean, Bro???

Good luck, be safe!
JD Kemp


Haha, Even if Jack decided to post on this and give me his opinion on why his are so much better, i'd still listen and take his advice with much more than a grain of salt. As you said, it's proven, and that's a big thing. If I didn't want people biased/unbiased opinions, I wouldn't ask for them in the first place :D.

I hear you about the engineering work done, but how much of it could have actually be engineered? Beyond the diameter, etc.. they will still be custom length (as determined by my frame, and my donor), so I could still technically FUBAR it pretty good HAHA. The fact that I would have a source to contact that could help me out big time, is excellent. I can tell that Jack isn't one to leave anyone in a lurch, even if said person wasn't using his products, so I'm sure using his products, he'd be even more of a help!.

nick47 wrote:
BrokeAssSeven wrote:
Honestly, I feel like the suspension is going to be the most difficult part of this entire build.

It was for me, and I only had to do the front. I decided early on I'd do the suspension first, and was amazed by not only how much work it was, but how easy it was to screw up. I designed and fabbed my own A-arms, and had a friend TIG weld them, and altogther it took over 200 hours. And that was just the front. I'm with Gonzo on this one. You can't beat tried and true.


Holy crap, 200 hours? For just the front? I don't think I have 200 hours into my entire frame fabrication! If that's a true story number, for the average first-time suspension builder, then I'm definitely purchasing them elsewhere. Considering I have to build my rear myself no matter what. Though, I feel as if that will be easier, since there is basically a set length to the axles and placement.. and there is no turning involved, so as long as everything is even, it should be good to go.

----

So, yea, I guess as of right now, I'd probably definitely consider purchasing Jack's bits and putting them together over building myself. It'll save me mucho time for sure, and time is money. Also, I don't have an incredible amount of patience, so anything that saves time (but doesn't sacrifice quality/safety, of course) is cool with me. $250 for 4 control arms is cheap money anyway, really. I think a new stock lower control arm for a honda civic is somewhere in that range by itself!

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Build Log: http://www.BrokeAssSeven.com -- http://locostusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=13293

This build is already locosting a fortune...


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PostPosted: July 2, 2012, 10:41 am 
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200 is a true number, although it included several screw-ups that the average builder might not face. I ended up rebuilding the UCA jig 3 times, and the LCA jig twice, which means I had to cut a few more tubes than I actually needed. I could do it faster next time. Maybe.


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PostPosted: July 2, 2012, 11:59 am 
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nick47 wrote:
200 is a true number, although it included several screw-ups that the average builder might not face. I ended up rebuilding the UCA jig 3 times, and the LCA jig twice, which means I had to cut a few more tubes than I actually needed. I could do it faster next time. Maybe.


Buying Jack's bits would save me the hassle of creating jigs and all that nonsense also... HMMM.

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PostPosted: July 2, 2012, 12:11 pm 
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BrokeAssSeven wrote:

Buying Jack's bits


That's just SICK! Did I accidentally get on the Team Slotus page? I'd expect it from those guys.

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PostPosted: July 2, 2012, 12:42 pm 
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carguy123 wrote:
BrokeAssSeven wrote:

Buying Jack's bits


That's just SICK! Did I accidentally get on the Team Slotus page? I'd expect it from those guys.


Nahhhh, we ain't got that kind of money... :mrgreen:

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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


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PostPosted: July 2, 2012, 12:48 pm 
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carguy123 wrote:
BrokeAssSeven wrote:

Buying Jack's bits


That's just SICK! Did I accidentally get on the Team Slotus page? I'd expect it from those guys.


HAHAHA. As soon as I wrote it, I knew someone would call it out. But I gave you all the benefit of the doubt. I've been here long enough to know better!

I probably could have haiku'd that somehow, but I'm too busy eating lunch. :)

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PostPosted: July 2, 2012, 1:33 pm 
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BrokeAssSeven wrote:

I probably could have haiku'd that somehow, but I'm too busy eating lunch. :)



I hope you washed your hands before eating. There's no telling where Jack's Bits have been.

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PostPosted: July 2, 2012, 2:23 pm 
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carguy123 wrote:
BrokeAssSeven wrote:

I probably could have haiku'd that somehow, but I'm too busy eating lunch. :)



I hope you washed your hands before eating. There's no telling where Jack's Bits have been.


HAHA. That's probably true. I have no idea where they've been, but i've got an idea where they're going to end up. Just priced it out.. roughly 600$ w/o rod end bungs for the IRS Tubes. Obviously that doesn't include the GAZ coilovers. Oyyy. I just wrote him an email 14 miles long, hopefully he's a good reader. I assume there are a ton of people who have bought everything they need from him (for a miata setup), so it shouldn't be too hard on his end figuring it out.

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PostPosted: July 3, 2012, 10:48 am 
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Brad, here are some of the catalogs i've found or used in my travels (in addition to Jegs, HF, etc).
I expect the rest of these are listed in other posts but i'll just dump them all here for you and others.

NOW STOP SURFING THE WEB AND GET BACK TO THE GARAGE!

http://www.irinfo.com/polish/html/polish.html
http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/aim/aim.html
https://www.europaspares.com/
http://www.kineticvehicles.com/
http://www.futek.com/boltcalc.aspx?mode=metric
http://www.rallylights.com/hella/Default.aspx
http://www.quantumechanics.com/index.php
http://www.softbitsforsevens.co.uk/index.html
http://www.victoriabritish.com/
http://www.batinc.net/
http://westfield-world.com/index.html
http://www.caterham.co.uk/
http://californiacaterhamclub.com/wiki7/
http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa/htm ... XI-261.htm
http://sdsefi.com/techsurge.htm
http://www.automotivesolutionsandracing.com/
http://www.kitspares.co.uk/
http://www.birkindirect.com/
http://www.cbsonline.co.uk/

Our brothers across the pond http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/
I have also found good deals and obscure parts on http://www.Amazon.com

Regulations
http://www.dsd.state.md.us/comar/Subtit ... 11.14.02.*

Misc:
http://www.enfieldmotorcycles.ca/goggles
http://www.bestbikingroads.com/motorcyc ... _3082.html
http://www.motorcycleroads.us/index.html
http://www.sandsmuseum.com/cars/seven/
http://gbcarparts.com/proddetail.asp?prod=Logos27mm

BrokeAssSeven wrote:
Hey, what was that site you were telling me about for random bits and pieces that I might need/want?

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Build Log: http://www.BrokeAssSeven.com -- http://locostusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=13293

This build is already locosting a fortune...


Last edited by wemtd on October 4, 2012, 2:08 am, edited 2 times in total.

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