nick47 wrote:
I wouldn't try too hard to incorporate the Miata subframes.
I am in full agreement re the
front subframe. There is no question that the front subframe is a heavy clunky ugly ill-fitting unpolishable piece of poop on a Locost. It's also many inches wider than the front of the Locost chassis, and includes engine mounts where you don't want them. That's the reason it's so heavy; it serves purposes unneeded on a Locost, like stiffening the front of the Miata unibody and holding the engine up.
nick47 wrote:
A DIY suspension using Miata spindles will be lighter, simpler, and more fun to build.
A point Nick makes (re the front suspension) that is non-intuitive is, on the front, building your own A-arms is considerably simpler than attempting to splice in the Miata front subframe. The only advantages to that subframe are a) you won't have to shorten your steering rack, and b) it came free with your donor car.
nick47 wrote:
An excellent supplier of Locost A-arms for Miata spindles is Kinetic Vehicles in Oregon.
Nick is right, said Jack, blushing modestly (see
http://kineticvehicles.com/ControlArms.html). Light, strong, and only slightly weird looking.
But the rear suspension is a different story, in my opinion. It's a complete package as it sits, its only tasks are rear suspension tasks (supporting the diff, providing and positioning the control arms), it plugs into the chassis with six bolts and a brake line fitting, and the geometry is right as delivered. And since it's covered by body and fenders, it doesn't detract from the classic sevenish lines of a Locost.