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cosmick · 03-06-2015, 01:01 PM

So as I'm past halfway on each of the 2 projects I'm currently working on, and can't work on at night right now, I've been planning a single-seater or inline-2-seater, custom fabricated frame, mid-rear engine, quasi-open-wheel (4-wheel) based on salvage yard used drivetrain and other major components.
Since it's generating some interest in another thread, I thought I'd open it up for everyone here in its own thread.
I know, this thread needs visuals.
Excerpting from that thread; "problem; side by side seating, rather than inline. That triples the total drag all by itself. Now I really want to get going on my own single seater or inline 2-seater, with either a 4G63T Mitsubishi engine or a turbo propane 22R Toyota engine in front of a V6 Passat transaxle."
" I've been trying designs in SketchUp Make, it is free downloadable 3d modeling. The Locost forum has great info for what metal is adequate, likewise plans for DIY CJ5 Jeep frames. I've done adapter plates before, getting either engine to that transaxle is doable. But enough about mine.
My reference to triple drag is not an exact scientific ratio, but is really obvious if you compare even something like the '83 RX-7 I'm building against something more like this: http://img546.imageshack.us/img546/3451/1326657812.jpg"
"I'm thinking most of my side-impact protection will come from nimble crash-avoidance, and secondarily from the overkill frame design I'm leaning toward, which has 2" x 2" mild steel square tubing of 1/4-thick wall thickness, along the occupant shoulders, on past the fuel cell, which would be between the occupants and the engine. The overkill steel would also go around the occupant compartment in other ways / areas, especially in front of the feet and something tubular curved overhead to meet the plexi canopy, if I can find a plexi canopy. Anyway, gasoline or propane will determine the firewall between fuel and human. I considered fuel in the lower frame, but then decided that's better for coolant hoses, brake lines, and possibly p/s if it proves necessary. These might all be braided stainless.
Still working on the fore-aft relationship between the driver's feet, the front suspension, and the radiator.
The bodywork is likely to be fiberglass formed over a hand-shaped wooden buck shaped by myself.
I need 60+ MPG HWY, I need it to spike at least 75 MPG at least twice, and it needs to be fun to drive anywhere, anytime, for under $10,000."
"Aircraft canopy construction
led me to:
Todds Canopies - Home
Their iceboat canopy is about what I was thinking if single-seat.
In fact, the whole back half of that looks good to me."

03-06-2015, 01:01 PM	#1 (permalink)
cosmick Experienced UAW Mechanic Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Bear Lake Posts: 363 Thanks: 7 Thanked 73 Times in 63 Posts	open planning new car So as I'm past halfway on each of the 2 projects I'm currently working on, and can't work on at night right now, I've been planning a single-seater or inline-2-seater, custom fabricated frame, mid-rear engine, quasi-open-wheel (4-wheel) based on salvage yard used drivetrain and other major components. Since it's generating some interest in another thread, I thought I'd open it up for everyone here in its own thread. I know, this thread needs visuals. Excerpting from that thread; "problem; side by side seating, rather than inline. That triples the total drag all by itself. Now I really want to get going on my own single seater or inline 2-seater, with either a 4G63T Mitsubishi engine or a turbo propane 22R Toyota engine in front of a V6 Passat transaxle." " I've been trying designs in SketchUp Make, it is free downloadable 3d modeling. The Locost forum has great info for what metal is adequate, likewise plans for DIY CJ5 Jeep frames. I've done adapter plates before, getting either engine to that transaxle is doable. But enough about mine. My reference to triple drag is not an exact scientific ratio, but is really obvious if you compare even something like the '83 RX-7 I'm building against something more like this: http://img546.imageshack.us/img546/3451/1326657812.jpg" "I'm thinking most of my side-impact protection will come from nimble crash-avoidance, and secondarily from the overkill frame design I'm leaning toward, which has 2" x 2" mild steel square tubing of 1/4-thick wall thickness, along the occupant shoulders, on past the fuel cell, which would be between the occupants and the engine. The overkill steel would also go around the occupant compartment in other ways / areas, especially in front of the feet and something tubular curved overhead to meet the plexi canopy, if I can find a plexi canopy. Anyway, gasoline or propane will determine the firewall between fuel and human. I considered fuel in the lower frame, but then decided that's better for coolant hoses, brake lines, and possibly p/s if it proves necessary. These might all be braided stainless. Still working on the fore-aft relationship between the driver's feet, the front suspension, and the radiator. The bodywork is likely to be fiberglass formed over a hand-shaped wooden buck shaped by myself. I need 60+ MPG HWY, I need it to spike at least 75 MPG at least twice, and it needs to be fun to drive anywhere, anytime, for under $10,000." "Aircraft canopy construction led me to: Todds Canopies - Home Their iceboat canopy is about what I was thinking if single-seat. In fact, the whole back half of that looks good to me."