The Phil Knox fleet - 34 years of aeromodding

[MetroMPG]

Something I read recently suggests going with a belt or chain drive is better than shaft: you can re-gear a belt/chain drive (via a sprocket swap) more easily to get the engine RPM where you want it.

[zjrog]

Having been a rider and almost getting a rider instructor certificate... I was thinking shafty or belt for ease of maintenance only... Power/efficiency losses through a shft drive are higher than a chain or belt drive though. And my original ideas for the three wheeler were more performance oriented, but wouldn't take much to be FE... And I would prefer a 2 seater, side by side. And a chain drive setup could be adapted to allow an electric reverse. Tire choices for the rear could be made a little taller to adjust final drive also, if gearing for what you want wasn't available, or using a shafty.

As for riding, I never really liked the weight transfer when on the throttle with a shafty. Could cause probelms in corners if getting on or off throttle. But shouldn't be a problem for a three wheeler. And using 2 wheels out front would be more stable than VW powered trikes.

[elhigh]

That KG is beautiful - the new nose really works well with the rest of the car.

Hypercar: Phil is channelling the ghost of the HM Freeway. Yes, I want one. But I could actually build one with parts around the house.

(thumps forehead)

I think I just found a new hobby.

[Big Dave]

Looking at Phil’s three wheeler in progress, I looked at some treeware on three wheeled vehicle dynamics.

Some cars (basjoos, the T-100, Prius, Insight) are approaching the point of diminishing returns as far as Cd improvement go. We have to have frontal area reduction. Going with a tandem arrangement can reduce frontal area by 40% easily.

Phil has opted for the 2f1r (two front one rear) tricycle arrangement. This arrangement has a natural tendency to understeer (push). This is preferred for consumer automobiles. Most cars push. It keeps you from spinning them. This is one reason that Ferrari Enzos are such notorious wodowmakers. They are dead neutral – exactly what the professional race driver wants and (coupled with all that power) easily able to get away from the average joe. Also considering the 2f1r arrangement has a tendency to spin (ground loop) this a doubly good thing.

If he is using a motorcycle drivetrain, making a special, wider swingarm would allow him to mount a wide sports car rear tire to give the vehicle resistance to groundlooping.

The 1f2r arrangement tends to oversteer and is vulnerable to the “highside” rollover unless the vehicle can at least partially bank into the corner.

[diesel_john]

nice fleet Phil. This thread prompted me into scanning in my first modder. the pic taken in '75 of my '73 pinto 1.6L 4spd., air dam, flex fan.

[aerohead]

I think so,my senior moments forbid me saying anything in a definite affirmative.There are some more materials on the way in the post.Hope they help! And yes,that is a VW front end.Keeps things simple.Hypercar,as well as everything else on hold until more shop/studio completed.Mother Nature is digesting my projects faster than I can shelter them.The Karmann Ghia is slated for electric conversion.I've cut the roof off it,have another bubble canopy.May have to do a laminated safety glass windscreen to be legal.I only live 6-moles from Denton,so low-tech batteries probably okay for me.I like the "EKG"!

[aerohead]

About a month ago,I saw a Pinto at the gas station.Kinda rare! And it had virtually none of the modifications CAR and DRIVER pulled off so very long ago.I thought about saying something to the owner,then decided not to.To think this person had been losing out for so long with this car was unreal.

[MetroMPG]

diesel_john - great pic! Nice to see someone else has been doing this a long time.

That looks like a partial grille block on your Pinto - horizontal strip along the top portion?

[diesel_john]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

diesel_john - great pic! Nice to see someone else has been doing this a long time.

That looks like a partial grille block on your Pinto - horizontal strip along the top portion?

Actually the grill is stock, the hood edge turned down over the grill a bit.

Shortly after this pic, my alter ego turbocharged the 1.6 L and total'd it.
KIDS

[Hasbro]

Originally Posted by aerohead

I think so,my senior moments forbid me saying anything in a definite affirmative.There are some more materials on the way in the post.Hope they help! And yes,that is a VW front end.Keeps things simple.Hypercar,as well as everything else on hold until more shop/studio completed.Mother Nature is digesting my projects faster than I can shelter them.The Karmann Ghia is slated for electric conversion.I've cut the roof off it,have another bubble canopy.May have to do a laminated safety glass windscreen to be legal.I only live 6-moles from Denton,so low-tech batteries probably okay for me.I like the "EKG"!

Not sure about Texas laws and windshields but depending on size/height/mounting regs. you may be able to insert a flat oval glass into a cut out section of the canopy. That's what I've been considering for a similar project. Would hate to do it but it would help maintain much of the canopy's intentions.