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Update on Midlana
kb58 - 7/12/10 at 05:58 PM

Work continues: the chassis is built, drivetrain's in, car is wired, and was run on the dyno several months ago. Currently I'm on vacation working on the paneling. Here's a picture from yesterday - there's just too much to write about here (again) so please check it out in the build diary on my site, http://www.midlana.com/. For those who don't know, it uses a FWD powerplant mounted mid-engine that attempts to keep much of the Lotus look. Below is also a render of the (latest) color selection. Sorry about the huge pictures...











[Edited on 12/7/10 by kb58]


nick205 - 7/12/10 at 06:05 PM

Really like that!

In particular...

1. The fully integrated chasis and cage, not simply welded or bolted.

2. The overall proportions front and rear including the low bonnet (hood) line with no engine to consider


marcjagman - 7/12/10 at 06:10 PM

I must admit I do like it. If it comes out like the drawing it will be something for us all to consider doing. Well done.


MikeRJ - 7/12/10 at 06:34 PM

Looks great! Are you using donor uprights or fabricated items?


MakeEverything - 7/12/10 at 07:09 PM

That looks fantastic. I really like it. well done, its a shame youre not around the corner, otherwise id be over with a flask and some biscuits!


scootz - 7/12/10 at 07:15 PM

Doh... you've put the steering wheel on the wrong side - easily sorted though!

Seriously though - good work fella!


kb58 - 7/12/10 at 07:17 PM

quote:
Originally posted by MikeRJ
Looks great! Are you using donor uprights or fabricated items?

Miata uprights all around, and I do enjoy Guiness, even here in the states!


chrsgrain - 7/12/10 at 07:24 PM

Its great - surely worthy of a smile in the picture!

Chris


JoelP - 7/12/10 at 07:38 PM

i love it - so many different bits i like.


carpmart - 7/12/10 at 08:04 PM

Looks good!

One observation is that I think it will not be as powerful as the optimum set-up could be. That is just based on the distance that the turbo is away from the head and the fact that the exhaust gases will cool a bit before working the snail!

That's a nice garage you have there too!


GMPMotorsport - 7/12/10 at 08:12 PM

Love the exhaust set up


kb58 - 7/12/10 at 08:57 PM

quote:
Originally posted by carpmart
Looks good!

One observation is that I think it will not be as powerful as the optimum set-up could be. That is just based on the distance that the turbo is away from the head and the fact that the exhaust gases will cool a bit before working the snail!

That's a nice garage you have there too!

That's always the compromise. If it had been tucked up next to the exhaust flange I agree more heat energy would get to the turbo. BUT, then the intake tract is much longer, requiring more bends, which cuts power, so it's all a give and take. I did ask the Honda turbo guys which way to go and this is how they recommended it.


speedyxjs - 8/12/10 at 07:31 AM

Brilliant, i love it!

Its great that you have still managed to keep the 'seven' look


nitram38 - 8/12/10 at 11:36 AM

I think it looks great, the roll cage tubing looks a bit small though


Doug68 - 8/12/10 at 01:01 PM

Hi Kurt,

It's looking good!
The questions are:
1. Can a guy have too many cleco's?
2. Why does it look like theres two waste gate pipes?


kb58 - 8/12/10 at 05:23 PM

Roll cage tubing is 38 mm x 2.2 mm wall per SCCA Rule Book.

Too many Clecos - not possible.

It's a twin-scroll turbo setup, meaning that the exhaust from cylinders 1-4 and 2-3 are kept separate all the way into the turbine wheel. Each set has its own wastegate and is claimed to add ~5% more power.

[Edited on 12/8/10 by kb58]


cheapracer - 26/12/10 at 09:35 AM

quote:
Originally posted by carpmart
Looks good!

One observation is that I think it will not be as powerful as the optimum set-up could be.




Yup, 600kgs will be pretty boring with only 400hp. Wait, wut?


quote:
Originally posted by MakeEverything
That looks fantastic. I really like it. well done, its a shame youre not around the corner, otherwise id be over with a flask and some biscuits!


Kurt, that translated means "coffee and donuts".


kb58 - 26/12/10 at 09:47 PM

Yeah I wasn't sure about "flask"... that can hold all sorts of things!


MakeEverything - 28/12/10 at 12:08 PM

quote:
Originally posted by kb58
Yeah I wasn't sure about "flask"... that can hold all sorts of things!


Exactly.

Found your videos on youtube as well for the first start. Has the dog recovered yet!?

Following with interest. Good luck, and happy christmas.


kb58 - 14/3/12 at 04:36 PM

A belated update - drove the car!

Well, okay, backed it down the driveway and back in, but it's a big step. Still lots to do but it's coming along.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJjeVV77z_A&feature=youtu.be

The latest build log updates are at http://www.midlana.com/Diaries/Current/


scootz - 14/3/12 at 05:00 PM

Looking really good! When do you hope to have her finished?


kb58 - 14/3/12 at 09:22 PM

That was the trade-off, short intake track to keep lag at a minimum, or a short exhaust tract to maximize power. Since it's got 409 hp.... I traded a few to keep lag down


coyoteboy - 19/3/12 at 05:24 PM

I've got a quicky - your driveshaft angles - are they straight or have you lowered the engine and tranny more than in the donor?

Oh, and how did you decide on tyre size, particularly rear, for a 400hp car?

[Edited on 19/3/12 by coyoteboy]


kb58 - 19/3/12 at 09:57 PM

The axles are roughly straight but offset slightly also to avoid wearing grooves in the CV races.

Regarding tire size, things are never black-and-white - the book has a design-to tire OD of 25". 15-17" wheels will all work as long as the tire OD is close. Since this is the first car, it made sense to push things to the maximum sure everything works, and 275mm-wide tires fit, just, under 12" wide fenders, with sufficienct clearance inside and out.

[Edited on 3/19/12 by kb58]


coyoteboy - 20/3/12 at 12:01 PM

But how did you identify that a 275 tyre was enough to hook up ~350lbft with that weight, or did you not? Curious as I'm going through the process myself at the moment with similar figures.

[Edited on 20/3/12 by coyoteboy]


kb58 - 22/3/12 at 01:05 AM

That's really hard to do... in fact, pretty much impossible. It comes down more to unsprung weight, cost of the tires, what looks nice, and what compounds are available. 275mm was about "it." Of course, racing slicks can be installed to really stick, but to answer your question directly, there's little chance that street tires will hook up 400 whp... even if I went larger. It's simply a problem of the weight on the tires and the available compounds. It's all about compromise.


MakeEverything - 22/3/12 at 06:41 AM

Love it, good effort. What turbo are you using and at what peak boost?

[Edited on 22-3-12 by MakeEverything]


coyoteboy - 22/3/12 at 11:00 AM

quote:
Originally posted by kb58
That's really hard to do... in fact, pretty much impossible. It comes down more to unsprung weight, cost of the tires, what looks nice, and what compounds are available. 275mm was about "it." Of course, racing slicks can be installed to really stick, but to answer your question directly, there's little chance that street tires will hook up 400 whp... even if I went larger. It's simply a problem of the weight on the tires and the available compounds. It's all about compromise.


Mmm this is roughly the conclusion I'd come to as well, I'm glad it's not just me!


kb58 - 23/3/12 at 04:21 AM

quote:
Originally posted by MakeEverything
Love it, good effort. What turbo are you using and at what peak boost?

Garrett GT3071, and about 9 psi on 91 octane fuel.


coyoteboy - 23/3/12 at 04:49 PM

That's impressive figures off 9psi, very impressive.