Proximacentauri's Mid-Engine Exocar

[chetcpo]

Awesome build. You should be proud. That's some beautiful country you live in too.

[proximacentuari]

Well, it's done. Not completely done. There are a few bugs left. Many improvements I'd like to make.

I've been trying to get it registered for the last several days. Through something of an administrative glitch, It was pretty easy to register. Although, for those looking, the process was somewhat convoluted.

Step 1: visit DMV and get paperwork.
Step 2: Have police officer inspect the car, declaring no Vin
Step 3: take that inspection to go get a vin plate.
Step 4: Install vin plate, have another officer inspect plate.
Step 5: Take completed paperwork to dmv.

here's the sneaky bit: the engine in my car is a 2003 engine, so I put the model year as 2003. Coincidentally, 2003 cars don't have to pass safety inspection in Utah. So there I was! I now have a street legal car with valid plates.

And I was all ready to pass safety too, with temporary windshields/wiper and all. Oh well. I get to put off safety until next year.

So anyway: The car

First the statistics:
Engine: Honda K20a3
Horsepower: At least 160. More because of performance intake and exhaust
Gas: 10gal
Dry Weight: 1350 lbs
Weight distribution: 38% front 62% rear.

0-60: < 4.5 seconds
Top speed: unknown. Safely taken up to 100 mph
Braking: fast. Wheels can be locked with a firm push on the pedal.
Cornering: don't know about lateral g-force, but the g force is so much higher than anything I've ever driven.
Bump Steer: present but negligible.

Driving this machine is the most immediate experience I've ever had. You're about 6 inches above the ground, with no windows, nothing. There aren't even sides on the floor. Any touch on the throttle sends wonderful vibrations through the entire frame, backed up by a throaty roar. Prepare to lose a small amount of hearing because of the air intake right next to your ear. Not to mention the engine. The brakes are is firm, as it should be. The shifting is prompt, and very positive. The extra-long shift cables required for the mid-engine conversion give the shifter a good weight. Shifts are short. The steering gives an incredible amount of feedback. Also, seeing the wheels move, bounce, and steer is pretty fun in a engineering geek sort of way. However, there is way too much play in the steering. I either need to replace the steering rack or adjust it. I'll worry about this next year. And, of course, there's the gut-wrenching acceleration. That's just outright fun.

But I saved the best for last. The first is the admiration from random people.
"Dude that's awesome,"
"This is incredible"
"What is that"
"you MADE this?"

The second is the shadow of this car. Light shining across the side of the car creates a shadow that deserves to be in a Batman movie.

All in all, I've spent around $11000 on the project and around 800 hours of labor. The reward, though, isn't just the car. I learned my own limits while affirming our society's endorsement of perseverance. I learned how to talk to businesses, negotiate prices, navigate legal minefields. I learned how to weld, use machine tools, wire relays and speedometers, how to flush a coolant system, how car suspension works (by far the most in-depth study I completed). And so on (in the words of Vonnegut).

Thanks for all your help guys....if it weren't for the guidance of people who actually knew what they are doing, us newbies wouldn't have a chance.

Salt Lake Guys...PM me and I'd be happy to show off my creation :p

Issues remaining:
O2 Heater sensor circuit occasionally malfunctions
Fuel Tank Clearance Issue
Wheel Alignment
Play in the steering system.
Fit and Finish (the fabric on the car is really cheap, the metal panels need to be polished.

[tomtom]

Congratulations! A project like this shows a tremendous amount of skill, perseverance, and ability in the builder. Good luck off at Stanford and in all your endeavors.

[Blake]

Fantastic work! Congratulations, and awesome write up. Thanks for all the info.

[Philippe]

[quote="proximacentuari"]Well, it's done. Not completely done. There are a few bugs left. Quote.


What an interesting machine! I think that the At-om bent tubing chassis makes a lot of sense. Thank you for keeping us posted to your excellent work.

Philippe

[mvz]

Amazing work very inspiring you are definitely getting a pm I want to see this beast.

[airframefixer]

WOW. congrats. you really gave'er on this build. I cant imagine how satisfied you must be.

Good work and drive safe.

Andrew

[JonW]

Great job. Most amazing build relative to builder age and experience I have ever seen.

My son was "involved" in the locost 7 build to a much lesser extent than you were in yours. He is "riding" the experience through college and, this summer, just received a job offer from GE Transportation prior to starting his senior year in BSME. Do not underestimate the value or significance of the build you performed.

(If you paint those gold tie rods black it will look nearly perfert.)

[mvz]

WOW

I just got back from seeing your car, very very impressive everyone at the show was swarming the car you should be very proud.It looks great in photos but in person it looks tons better

Now I really want a ride you'll have to give me a call when you are back from school.

Thanks
Jeff

[KB58]

Your car's going to have some company. My mid-engine Mini has been sold to someone in the SLC area.

[proximacentuari]

Glad you liked the car Jeff. I ended up winning "most unique car" at the show. It fits, I suppose.

More info...I now know the car gets around 35 mpg split around 50/50 between city and highway.

Also, it has a name now: the Z59. I saw the lettering on the license plate, and it stuck.

I'm off to college tomorrow...I have time for one last drive before I say goodbye to my car for several months. *sniff* *sniff*

Attached is my favorite photo of the car

[proximacentuari]

I got a spot on the Make Blog: check it out -->

http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2008/09/z59_incredible_homebuilt.html

[Locost 5.0]

Great looking car, you do awsome work! I can only imagine what its like to drive .

Rod

[sorta_se7en]

Congratulations on a terrific project-and on making Autoblog.com!

[chetcpo]

Way to go!

PS. I teed off on some fools in the comments section. I hope they don't delete it.