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A few questions..
unixguy - 3/6/05 at 01:40 PM

Hi there people.

I'm planning to build a Locost type car, and have a few questions:

I intend to use a bike engine. The msot common bike engine used seems to be from a Honda Fireblade; is there a specific reason for this, or could I choose any suitably powerful unit?

Since the car would be of a different weight than a bike,would I need to modify the gearbox/transmission?

Is a reverse gear a legal requirment?

What are the insurance rates like compared to car engine powered vehicles?

Thanks

colibriman - 3/6/05 at 01:57 PM

most popular now seems to be R1, then fireblade...but there's various commonly used others to choose from..

reverse isn't required..your choice..

the only advised upgrade regarding the gearbox is an upgrade of the clutch springs...easily done and cheap.


I'm 38, fully comp for me was £244 with a blade car...That seems a bit dearer than others have paid though..

hope this helps

Colin

ChrisGamlin - 3/6/05 at 02:38 PM

Check out the BEC section on here, and also the Yahoo BEC List. As Colin says, R1 seems to be the most popular now, followed by blade and ZX9 probably. Other common engines are Hayabusa, ZX12, Blackbird and GSXR1000, although these are more expensive options as they generally need dry sumping.
What Colin didnt say is that when you do decide which one you are going to get, give him a call cos he can supply most bike engines at a great price, highly recommended

unixguy - 3/6/05 at 03:20 PM

Thanks for the information guys - much appriciated.

I can probably obtain an Honda CBR600 for about nothing.. As I'm not particuarly looking to build a high performance car, do you think that this engine could be used?

James - 3/6/05 at 03:59 PM

quote:
Originally posted by unixguy
As I'm not particuarly looking to build a high performance car,


Then why have the disadvantages of a BEC!

Fit a 2litre Pinto and it'll be cheap and easy to drive.

IMHO!

James

unixguy - 3/6/05 at 04:05 PM

It has to do with my lack of facilities and the weight of a car engine. A bike engine is my only option.

James - 3/6/05 at 04:10 PM

Errr... as in you have to lift the engine by hand yourself???


Cheers,
James

unixguy - 3/6/05 at 04:14 PM

As in my only available work area is up two flights of stairs.. unfortunate really, but I very much want to do this!

Liam - 3/6/05 at 04:26 PM

So you're building a car to drive round a second floor room in!!??

I'd get a scalextric set.

Liam

[Edited on 3/6/05 by Liam]

Liam - 3/6/05 at 04:28 PM

Oh forgot to try and be helpful...

It's generally considered that you'd torture a poor 600 gearbox and clutch to death forcing it to pull a car around.

But as far as i know nobody's tried it.

What about two 600s?

Liam

James - 3/6/05 at 04:41 PM

quote:
Originally posted by unixguy
As in my only available work area is up two flights of stairs.. unfortunate really, but I very much want to do this!


Ah, that's a slight flaw in the plan!

How the hell you gonna get the car out when it's done?

What about renting some space somewhere? Get in touch with the council about getting a council garage to build in.
Otherwise, walk the neighbours looking for old dears with empty garages you can rent for a bit of whisky money for them!

HTH,
James

[Edited on 3/6/05 by James]

unixguy - 3/6/05 at 10:28 PM

Yes, I have been considering using two 600s. Could you point me to some good infomation on the technical side of doing this?

Thanks.

skodaman - 21/7/05 at 01:04 AM

[I can probably obtain an Honda CBR600 for about nothing.. As I'm not particuarly looking to build a high performance car, do you think that this engine could be used?



Yes I'd thought of CBR600 engine as well but in the end it just doesn't make any sense. It's feasible but car parts are so much cheaper and easier to get. Also you'd have to rev it like hell for the same effect and fuel consumption would be pretty bad. Also servicing dearer, more difficult and more frequent. The clutch might just cope though. I think most car buffs don't realize how much abuse a wet multi-plate clutch can take. Then again if you fry it it's more expensive to replace.
Let us know the results if you try it. If it doesn't work at least you might stop someone else making the same mistake. Depending on model of CBR you'll have around 100bhp so performance should be good once you've got going.

NS Dev - 21/7/05 at 07:32 AM

using 2 bike engines would (unless you are buildinga chain drive mid engined car, which is entirely feasible and has been done a lot) be MUCH more expensive than a single more expensive bike engine due to having to get an expensive gearbox made.

silex - 21/7/05 at 11:50 AM

quote:
Originally posted by NS Dev
using 2 bike engines would (unless you are buildinga chain drive mid engined car, which is entirely feasible and has been done a lot) be MUCH more expensive than a single more expensive bike engine due to having to get an expensive gearbox made.


Or you could mount one engine up front, one at the back and have all wheel drive. Skip the one of gear box and just fit two diffs. The original bike gearboxs can be made to work together through linkages to a single shift lever.

That could be simplified further with a hydraulic system rather than mechanical linkage.

[Edited on 21/7/05 by silex]

NS Dev - 21/7/05 at 12:25 PM

You could, but it'd drive like a pile of sh1t!

Chris Allanson has had enough trouble getting his twin engined 4wd creations to work...................I note the twin Hayabusa Turbo Ultima has still not broken cover!!!! (despite being "finished" at the Autosport show in Jan)

Engines driving opposite ends of the car is great for pub talk and drag racing but pretty useless for going around corners!

silex - 22/7/05 at 06:58 AM

quote:
Originally posted by NS Dev
You could, but it'd drive like a pile of sh1t!



Why ?

Please explain.....