Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum - EcoModder.com - View Single Post - Building a car from scratch- how would YOU do it?

Doofus McFancypants · 06-25-2008, 12:55 PM

The forum that linked me to you guys was one for Lotus 7 replicas built on a budget - They called Locost 7 as the goal is to keep price down. It is a "Kit car" without the KIT as most of this is fabricated.

locostusa.com is the forum.

The main idea for the car is biuld a frame - many plans out there that have been tested and modeled to test for torsional stregnth. Get a Donor car for essentials ( like a Mazda Miata) and you have the core for the car. "How to Build a cheap sports car" is the inspiration for these guys - Keith Tanner is on the forum as well.

Not that a 7 is the most aerodynamic out there but for a Non highway driver - this could be a super sipper.
there is one guy builfing his own 100 MPG out of a 3 cyl tractor engine.

Several have designed and build Midies ( mid engine cars) doing exactly what you are saying - take a FWD engine and install in as a RWD engine.

one guy even wrote a book on it. and another did a sweet job finishing it up ( see pic atthced - looks really smooth.

Anyway - thought i would highlight a great forum for DIY car building.
I have also dreamed about building one - three things are stoping me.
Time - Money - Space.

Steve

06-25-2008, 12:55 PM	#38 (permalink)
Doofus McFancypants Eco Noob Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Tosev 3 - Atlanta GA Posts: 293 Red Rover - '01 Nissan Altima GXE 90 day: 30.07 mpg (US) Thanks: 5 Thanked 7 Times in 5 Posts	Great resource for home built cars The forum that linked me to you guys was one for Lotus 7 replicas built on a budget - They called Locost 7 as the goal is to keep price down. It is a "Kit car" without the KIT as most of this is fabricated. locostusa.com is the forum. The main idea for the car is biuld a frame - many plans out there that have been tested and modeled to test for torsional stregnth. Get a Donor car for essentials ( like a Mazda Miata) and you have the core for the car. "How to Build a cheap sports car" is the inspiration for these guys - Keith Tanner is on the forum as well. Not that a 7 is the most aerodynamic out there but for a Non highway driver - this could be a super sipper. there is one guy builfing his own 100 MPG out of a 3 cyl tractor engine. Several have designed and build Midies ( mid engine cars) doing exactly what you are saying - take a FWD engine and install in as a RWD engine. one guy even wrote a book on it. and another did a sweet job finishing it up ( see pic atthced - looks really smooth. Anyway - thought i would highlight a great forum for DIY car building. I have also dreamed about building one - three things are stoping me. Time - Money - Space. Steve Attached Thumbnails __________________ Steve - AKA Doofus McFancypants ------------------------------ "If there's a new way, I'll be the first in line - But it better work this time" First Milestone passed - 30 MPG (city) 5/15/08 Best City Tank - 8/31/09- 34.3 MPG (EPA= 20) Best Highway Tank - 5/20/09 - 36.5 MPG (EPA= 28) ------ In effort to drive less: Miles NOT driven in 2009 = 648 (Work from home and Alt Transporatation) Last edited by Doofus McFancypants; 06-25-2008 at 12:56 PM.. Reason: speling