Hello all!

My name is Peter Harjung and I live in the US. I am currently researching the Locost as well as other BEC. The problem I am running into is that the donor bits are not available in the US. I have several options that I am aware of: import refurbished bits (shipping would make the cost of 'iffy' scrapyard pieces unwelcome) or simply buy a finished chassis with all the bits included.

I have contacted via Email MK with no reply (which I understand is normal :mad as I want to set up a distributership in the US for his products and have noticed that some of you on this list make regular contact with him. I have several people interested in his GT1. Does anyone know if MK has ever imported to the US? Or is he even interested?

Thanks!
Peteh

Hello Peter, and welcome
I know Martin Keenan does make kits for export, he regularly deals with a Norwegian chap who imports a good many kits for a one make racing series.
The donor parts are still going to be a problem even if you do import the chassis etc, and to get somebody in the UK to source all the donor parts for you is surely going to take most of the potential profit.
From time to time I have read of people in the states using bits fom US cars, maybe it's just a question of research and experiment. Most strut type suspensions can be converted to dual wishbones with a modicum of engineering.
John

Hi Peter,

John is right, A few American cars do have suitable donor parts on them. The most popular parts seem to be the Toyota 4A-GE engines and the T50 'box (The other list has a fair few from your side of the pond).

ISTR that your Ford Pinto uses similar parts to the good old Cortina for live axle cars? Did you have an equivalent to the Ford Sierra? Wan't it called a Probe or something?

What about the Mazda MX5 (aka Miata), that also seems to be popular amongst some builders.

I think the american seirra waz called the merkuar or sumit (the probe waz a mazda) i was told once it came with some big v8 that got used in one of the big tourin car series b4 the rs500. 4.5 ford v8 4wd locost??? could b fun!!!!

Hi Pete,

There are a few of us US builders on here. I'm actually building a mid-engine car myself.
http://www.desicodesign.com/meerkat/
You may also want to join the Locost NA group on Yahoo as there is loads of NA specific info.

Good Luck,

Alan B (in FL)

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I think the american seirra waz called the merkuar or sumit (the probe waz a mazda) i was told once it came with some big v8 that got used in one of the big tourin car series b4 the rs500. 4.5 ford v8 4wd locost??? could b fun!!!!

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I think you're thinking about the South African 302 cu. in. powered XR8 - Now that would make a good donor!

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Check out http://www.chevroletls1.com
for info on LS1's in the UK, and also on turbocharging 2.9 24v v6

John

Woo Hoo, thanks for the reply's!!! This is what I would call an "active" forum

interestedparty, as you stated I have several options: #1-buy donor parts (from someone?) have them shipped and hope all is well. #2-try to find compatable US parts and #3-fabricate the bits. #1 is only an option if I buy an assembled roller-kind of defeats the Locost theme doesn't it? #2 seems a fair option but not without it's ups and downs (anyone know an accurate way to measure kingpin inclination and offset/spindle drop/steering arm length and drop/etc...while on the car at the scrap-yard ) #3 fabricating the front spindles would be a simple task, it seems odd to me that nobody uses a Subaru rear diff, it seems fairly compact and we have many to choose from here, and problems with these?

Fatboy Dave, We had a Mercury Merkur for 3 or 4 years which I believe uses the same rear diff but not to many around. We do have the Miata, do they use the same diff as the Sierra or at least something suitable?

Johnston, we did get the Ford Probe which was basically the same as the Mazda MX6(?) both front drivers - would the front struts be the same as the Locost?

Thanks for tip Alan

Sparky, I am currently building a Diablo 6.0 for a customer with a 632ci BBChevy with 750hp, perhaps I could squeeze the bugger in there.........what we Americans lack in whit can usually be overcome with horsepower

Thanks everyone!

PeteH

i think the hubs are the same as the mazda 626 (if my memory from workin at the motor factors is right) and are mcphearson struts (ithink prove me wrong if u want) but some did come with the duratec v6 which apparently is a good engine except theres no performance parts for it. was once told to get 1 for a mk3rwd escort i was thinkin of buildin by a very well respected rally car. builder. (might still happen due to stingy boss locost comin first)

So the Mazda 626 hubs and uprights 'may' be the same? Thanks, I will have a look!

PeteH

Pete,

The MX5/Miata uses an IRS setup similar to the Sierra. Several people who have fitted Rover V8s to the MX5 have used the Sierra diff on the Mazda with only slight modifications.

Why don't you just find a friendly person in this country to go around the local breakers and collect several sets of Sierra running gear? (hang on, we're running out of Sierras as it is without exporting the bits....) Hmmm, How about early BMW 3 series? They have IRS with a removable upright off the McPherson strut.

Johnston, the Probe had Mazda engines, including the V6, not the Duratec (Mondeo/Contour only AFAIK)

k my mistake while we're talkin bout jap cars any1 looked at the front hubs on the 90-95 honda civic there a mix of mcpeason strut and doubie wish bone.