Metro-powered sports car project

[redpoint5]

Originally Posted by some_other_dave

And not so good in a frontal collision...

-soD

Depends on the type of frontal collision. Based on the models above, I prefer to be the big spoon.

[Smurf]

Funny, I just came across a 1995 Metro 1.0L 3cyl with a 5speed stick for $500, about 30 miles away from me.

But it's a rollover.

[Darxus]

Originally Posted by some_other_dave

And not so good in a frontal collision...

There are already plenty of cars available for people who feel it's appropriate to burn the fuel required to haul around two tons of armor to keep them cozy. I think belief it's necessary is probably generally due to probability neglect.

I'm perfectly comfortable on a motorcycle. I'd just like a couple more wheels and a roof for convenience (and aerodynamics).

[Xist]

You know, I actually came here to post about an idea that I have had recently, and I was surprised how similar this sounded. Good luck with everything. Life likes to send us plenty of twists and turns.

[Frank Lee]

Originally Posted by some_other_dave

And not so good in a frontal collision...

-soD

I'd suggest avoiding frontal collisions then.

[serialk11r]

Say, what's the service mass of these Metro engines?

[niky]

I was reading through, and the idea reminded me of this:

875cc motor, modified Imp chassis. Doing similar with the Metro would be schweet. Site has tons of build pictures.

The Flatmobile - The worlds lowest car

[some_other_dave]

Originally Posted by Darxus

I'm perfectly comfortable on a motorcycle. I'd just like a couple more wheels and a roof for convenience (and aerodynamics).

Even in a motorcycle, your feet aren't the first thing that hits the wall/tree/other car. In the design above, they are.

Safety requirements are real. They also exist for a reason.

-soD

[niky]

In a motorcycle, your feet are perfectly safe. Your head takes the brunt of the collision for them. If you're lucky, you go endo over the handles, and your spine will further cushion the damage to your legs.

[JackMcCornack]

I think I've figured out a way (mind you, not <the> way, just <a> way) to make rear suspension and brakes. I think using the front suspension in back (McPhereson strut, rebranded as Chapman strut in the rear) will have the top of the struts considerably higher than desirable for streamlining, and since the hub carriers (aka spindles) are ridiculously simple on a Metro (housing a double row ball bearing with a seal on each side) I think it'll be just as easy to make a rear hub carrier as to modify the Metro part.

I'm thinking a plate with a hole for the axle and a top hat shaped bearing carrier (its ID will be bearing OD, and it'll have a hole in the crown for the wheel end of the axle to poke out through). The "hat" will bolt to the plate with the brim against the plate.

The plates will be joined together by a (bent to go behind the differential bulge in the transaxle) largish diameter (4"?) steel tube welded to the plates. Which leaves the front of the plates unencumbered for caliper mounting, and I suspect if I look around I can find an off-the-shelf rear brake caliper from some other car, that'll fit the Metro rotors.

And now my question: is there a book or a database somewhere (an aftermarket brake parts manufacturer would be most likely) that lists brake rotors by diameter and thickness?