Iomlocosts4
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| posted on 19/6/23 at 09:22 AM |
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Ready to start
I have a donor car bought for 150 GBP. a 2001 mercedes c180 in running condition. Im waiting for the steel.
Im planning to use almost everything from the donor. uprights, axles, brakes, automatic gearbox, engine, diff, ecu, steering rack, steering wheel,
springs and dampers. The macpherson strut in front will be converted to double wishbones. Im keeping the rear multilink. pushrod actuated. modular.
integrated roll cage. mid engine.
[Edited on 19/6/23 by Iomlocosts4]
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adithorp
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| posted on 19/6/23 at 09:37 AM |
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How are you going to reuse the gearbox and diff and be mid-engined.
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Iomlocosts4
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| posted on 19/6/23 at 10:06 AM |
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get rid of the propshaft and connect the diff with a small adapter to the gearbox output. the rear driveshaft needs to be angled forward a little to
shorten the wheelbase somewhat. the pedals will be right before front axle centreline and the suspension bushings close to my lower legs. the steering
rack ill be just under my calf. it will be as long and as wide as the c180.
its like a mid engined pickup truck! but I need it to stay below 550 kg so it will be easy to register as a motorcycle in the IOM
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adithorp
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| posted on 19/6/23 at 11:20 AM |
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A rubber flex donut? Otherwise the 'box+diff have to be very precisly aligned. It'll be interesting to drive as you won't have much
feeling of movement in the rear end from that seating position. If it swaps ends on you the first you'll know of it could be when you're
looking where you just came from.
I wouldn't want my legs infront of the axle without a very strong crash structure to protect them in any impact. How are you going to couple the
steering wheel yo the rack while keeping the wheel at a decent angle and not like driving a bus?
Good luck with keeping it under 550kg with that engine+auto'box.
Frankly I think you're wasting your time trying to "re-invent the wheel" but we'll see.
[Edited on 19-6-2023 by adithorp]
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Iomlocosts4
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| posted on 19/6/23 at 12:27 PM |
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the diff and gearbox are in one frame. the engine is right in the middle. my feet will be just behind the front axle. I dont want to fabricate a
shortened prop shaft, suspension arms or even find a shortened steering rack.
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Slimy38
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| posted on 19/6/23 at 01:17 PM |
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It certainly sounds like an interesting project, I look forward to the updates. What plans have you got for weight saving? There's a few threads
on here where other builders have gone for a weight limit, here's an example;
https://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/viewthread.php?tid=164650
Have you drawn up some plans or have you got another source?
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Iomlocosts4
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| posted on 19/6/23 at 01:34 PM |
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I originally wanted to use a modernised type 4 engine with a custom head and cams and crank but it is way more expensive than I thought. I also wanted
to fabricate the suspension completely, uprights and suspension arms and all. I also wanted use a push belt cvt with strengthened pulleys and
simplified control. I also wanted to fabricate the callipers using water jet cut titanium. I have bits and pieces and not much else. So I decided to
go with what I have and just do it.
its not much different from the locost turned front to back.
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Slimy38
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| posted on 19/6/23 at 01:43 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Iomlocosts4
its not much different from the locost turned front to back.
The Midlana came to mind when I first read your post;
https://midlana.com/
They went for the mid engine design but with a FWD engine.
In any case, I look forward to the build pics!! I found a blog really useful for my own build, keeping it up to date after each stage helped me gauge
what I did and what was next. Of course, I started ten years ago, so my build can't really be used as a comparison!
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Iomlocosts4
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| posted on 19/6/23 at 01:56 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Slimy38
quote:
Originally posted by Iomlocosts4
its not much different from the locost turned front to back.
The Midlana came to mind when I first read your post;
https://midlana.com/
They went for the mid engine design but with a FWD engine.
In any case, I look forward to the build pics!! I found a blog really useful for my own build, keeping it up to date after each stage helped me gauge
what I did and what was next. Of course, I started ten years ago, so my build can't really be used as a comparison!
That's what inspired me to do it. But I want a quicker build. That means simplification.
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