Board logo

Locost chassis and 180bhp - HELP
ALEXARAS - 20/4/08 at 08:14 PM

Guys I will need you help on this one.
I am currently rebuilding my Locost (by book) RS2000 engine. It will be tuned up to approximately 180bhp.
I would like to ask whether this power is more than it should be for this chassis.
Do you recommend any chassis reinforcement?
If so at which points on the chassis? (Please provide some links if possible)

The car will be used both on roads and tracks. I would appreciate you comments on this topic as i am getting a bit worried.

Thank you in advance
Alexis

speedyxjs - 20/4/08 at 08:16 PM

There are plenty of builders on here with cars well over 200 horses. Most with standard chassis'. That said, a little more triangulation never hurts (except on the scales )

BenB - 20/4/08 at 09:07 PM

180Bhp isn't that much.
I wouldn't worry.
If you're worried just make sure you bond (sikaflex) the sheeting to the chassis before rivetting. That'll stiffen things up nicely...

mookaloid - 20/4/08 at 09:08 PM

As above it's not a scary amount of power but a little more bracing here and there would probably help.

Cheers

Mark

meany - 20/4/08 at 09:21 PM

there is a link to an Aussie site/plans.

do a search on here, im sure you'll find it.

meany - 20/4/08 at 09:27 PM

i got these through this site. Rescued attachment LocostAussieChassis.jpg
Rescued attachment LocostAussieChassis.jpg

meany - 20/4/08 at 09:28 PM

and this caterham one Rescued attachment dskchsm.jpg
Rescued attachment dskchsm.jpg

britishtrident - 21/4/08 at 07:27 AM

Which RS2000 engine ? Pinto or the DOHC 16 valve ? Unless you are fitting Turbo with a lot of boost either are unlikely to put out a power out put that would cause problems.

http://www.pumaracing.co.uk/PINTO.htm

[Edited on 21/4/08 by britishtrident]

ALEXARAS - 10/5/08 at 11:47 AM

It is an OHC engine from an Escort MK2.
Fitted with Kent Cam, and Weber 48s.

Thank you for the designs. You recon it will be fine for the monent even if regularely used on track?

RK - 10/5/08 at 03:10 PM

I am using a Nissan CA18DET, which weighs well over 400 lbs in a frame much like, but not exactly like, an MK, with MX5 running gear. My frame has an additional top rail welded on for extra strength. The designer runs 240 HP (dyno tested) through his and he has tested the frame and found NO flex.

[Edited on 10/5/08 by RK]

kb58 - 10/5/08 at 04:07 PM

quote:
Originally posted by RK
The designer runs 240 HP (dyno tested) through his and he has tested the frame and found NO flex.

He may have measured no flex, but there absolutely will always be flexing in any chassis. It probably wasn't measured correctly, or not enough load fed into the chassis to cause a measurable twist.

Fred W B - 11/5/08 at 09:48 AM

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by RK
The designer runs 240 HP (dyno tested) through his and he has tested the frame and found NO flex.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As above as stated by Kurt, this comment is meaningless unless the load case is stated

Cheers

Fred W B

RK - 11/5/08 at 09:53 PM

Obviously, I misunderstood something.

britishtrident - 12/5/08 at 03:15 PM

quote:
Originally posted by RK
I am using a Nissan CA18DET, which weighs well over 400 lbs in a frame much like, but not exactly like, an MK, with MX5 running gear. My frame has an additional top rail welded on for extra strength. The designer runs 240 HP (dyno tested) through his and he has tested the frame and found NO flex.

[Edited on 10/5/08 by RK]



All chassis flex !

No engineer worth his salt would ever be so foolish as to state a structure dosen't deform elastically under load.

RK - 12/5/08 at 10:33 PM

I think I got the point, guys. No need to shout. I guess I'll go back to doing my garage floor, which I am sure I am doing wrong. But please drop by for encouragement.