LocostUSA.com

Well I had better introduce myself, as this is the first time in the non-traditional build log.
After building 3 Locosts I am looking for a change. Don't get me wrong, I have plans for Locost #4, a Slant Six Super Seven. But I need to take a break from Locost building.
So, as I had mentioned in my 3rd build, I have aquired a 1950? Fiat Topolino, without the motor, transmission, driveshaft, seats, floor, rocker panels, rag top, you get the drift.
So I hope to post my build here, if this isn't the appropriate forum for an altered locost build, I'll move it to a Fiat site, just let my know the general member consensus.


So as I am finishing the 3rd Locost build I'm doing some R&D on this one. Originally the Topolino came with a 569cc, 18HP engine with a manual trans that boasted a top speed of 59mph on a flat straight away.
I've purchased a Toyota 1100cc engine with a Toyoglide 2 speed auto trans, 60HP, and Toyota diff that I plan to adapt to the Topolino.

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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

Eager to see what you do with the Topolino. Gonna be cool for sure.

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Larry in Seattle

Love the Topo. That is a rare find. If you are going for a non Fiat motor you might as well go for a Miata drivetrain. Russ

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You meet the nicest people in a Locost Se7en.

I'd say from the crowd on this site, it would be most a appropriate forum! It'll be cool to watch it progress!

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Dismantalus, Fabricatus, Assemblus.....
Certified Welder, Certified Welding Inspector, Full Time Car Freak...In New Jersey no less!

Straight axle, 392 blown hemi and a mile high attitude seems like the obvious idea. But I am sure you have some other nefarious ideas. I will be watching. Oh yea and a moon big foot gas pedal!

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The biggest thing in motocross.

As a fiscally conservative person I might first see what that rare sheet metal is worth as is. But, what the hell, something that fits and looks stock rusty or shinney would be a challenge and get the stares.

If nothing else, this group is very inclusive and welcoming! Isettas, Honda N600s, Volvo P1800s, a Cushman Truckster etc, etc. The quirkier, the better in my book! Why not a Topolino?

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Mike - Read my story at http://twinlakesseven.blogspot.com/

Thanks guys.
I'm set on the Toyota running gear for the mouse. Even with the 1.1L 60HP engine, I'll be tripling the HP it originally had. I want to remove the leaf springs and use coilover suspension on this build.

As I was reading through Aidan's Rolvotus build, I noticed he purchased a coilover spring/sleeve kit from Ebay. That got me thinking of doing some R&D to build an economical coilover. Now the idea is 'economical', therefore not tuneable, not fancy, just economical.

So I went ahead and purchased the coilover kit and 4 shocks to do some R&D. For the shock I looked for one that had a bushing and sleeve at both ends, and no dust shield. I found 1/2 of what I wanted, so I had to cut the dust shield off.

Next I reworked the top spring seat so that it fits the shock. I cut a slot then machined a groove in the seat to keep it centred on the shock.


With the top spring seat in place I have ~3 5/8" travel. That will be split 2 1/2" for jounce and 1 1/8" for rebound.


Now for the sleeve mounting. It looks like the original mounting for the adjusting sleeves has the grub screws at the bottom, so I removed the adjusting nuts and reversed them on the sleeve.

The shock has a reduced diameter where the top rod cap is welded. This is the point where the 3 grub screws will be.


I took the spring (2" ID and 7 1/8" long), set it on a scale in my press. Compressed the spring 1" and it looks like it's ~360lbs roughly. I assembled the spring on the shock, compressed the shock for 2 1/2" jounce and 1 1/8" rebound, looks like around 12 3/4" installed length. I then took the assembly and did a full jounce (compression) test on the press to prove that the grub screws will hold which they did. I will be planning to add 3 more grub screws per sleeve for peace of mind. They will be secured with Loktite on final assembly.

It looks like different spring rates are available from Speedway and JEGS if need be. All added up I'm into 4 economical coilovers that are ride height adjustable for about $170US. Time will tell how long they will last.

_________________
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

That seems to be their native state... this is the first time I've seen a picture of one that didn't have a straight axle and a big V8,

"this is the first time I've seen a picture of one that didn't have a straight axle and a big V8"

And the first one I've seen without the "Droop Snoot" grille so common on the old drag cars!

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Mike - Read my story at http://twinlakesseven.blogspot.com/

Drilled and tapped 3 more 6mm x 1.0 grub screw holes in each adjusting sleeve ad inserted grub screws, that's six per adjusting sleeve. Assembled the coilovers and set aside until needed.

_________________
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

So.............I went to the shop this morning with full intentions of working on my 3rd 7 build. I wanted to clean off the bench to work on the windshield stanchions.
The Toyota struts were sitting on the bench, I picked one up and put it in the vice. Stood back and scratched a bit. Now in true Locost fashion, I want to take this OEM part and convert it to take an upper BJ (in my case a TRE).


So did some figurin' and measuring, and more scratching, and headed to the band saw. Drilled holes for plug welding my upper BJ (TRE) adapters.



Using some heavy wall pipe and solid round steel, I fabbed up my UBJ adapters, they will drop into the strut tubes, plug welded, and circumference welded. The top hole will be taper reamed for the TRE.



Welded the pieces up.


Reamed the top hole.


Test fit TRE (upper ball joint)




Mocked the spindle up on the OEM lower control arm for visual reference. It may not be pretty, but it's durable, and keeps in the spirit of using components of the donor.


So much for working on the Super 7 windshield stanchions...........................

_________________
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

Quirky, rare, small, and no rules... this build so belongs on this site

-also, love the line "No one ever told me I couldn't do it"

--ccrunner

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My '72 Honda N600 build log (bike engine in a microcar)...
http://www.locostusa.com/forums/viewtop ... 36&t=14452

My '63 Volvo 1800 with a turbo inline 4 build log (LNF Ecotec compliments a Svelte Swede)
http://locostusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=36&t=16309

My '59 Berkeley SE492 build log (bike engine in a microcar)... "A Berkeley With Bite!"

Well put the Mouse in the shop today. This will be a totally different paced build for me. It takes time to remove rusted, seized 60 some year old bolts. Finding some previously broken, some recently broken. Using penetrating fluid and oxygen/acet heat. Some have to be ground off.





Some progress, bumper, grill, hood, and front fenders removed.

_________________
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

Who's the old dude leanin' on your car?

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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