Hi there,
this is my first post and as you can see from the subject I am still only contemplating the idea of building a locost (probably turn into a high-cost). Anyway I was wondering what alterations I would need to make to the chassis in order to fit other engines as I couldn't seem to find many SOHCs for sale (I'm probably looking in all the wrong places) and that got me thinking, would it not make more sense for someone who is just starting out to use a smaller engine and keep the chassis the same, I was thinking of using some kind on Jap car lump from a Honda or something, about a 1.6 cause I figured they would be lighter and just as powerful as the older heavier engine.

Is this utter madness and will it just over complicate the drive system etc..? Should I just forget it before I hurt myself.

Hi, and welcome!

Not a silly question at all. There are some huge engines getting used by builders on here, v8s included.

There are plans for a +4 chassis, ie 4 inches wider, this is often used as a base for bigger engined cars.

Or you can just do a book chassis with 4 inches added to the width all along. This makes it suitable to use with sierra running gear, which is wider than escort stuff. Also, a de dion set up at the back makes it easier to use sierra drivetrain components.

As for jap engines, the main problems are sorting out a RWD gearbox and making sure the engine spins the correct way.

Sierras can be found running at most motor auctions, most of which have a banger night once a week at least.

Anyway, hope that helps...!

Joel.

ps if you use a common UK car then you can get loads of help off here, if you use a datsun pickup then most people wont have a clue how it all works...!

[Edited on 11/12/03 by JoelP]

quote:

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Originally posted by JoelP
There are some huge engines getting used by builders on here, v8s included.

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quote:

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There are plans for a +4 chassis, ie 4 inches wider, this is often used as a base for bigger engined cars.

Or you can just do a book chassis with 4 inches added to the width all along.

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a fair point that I hadn't considered, I would be throwing away a wealth of knowlage if I used and wee fancey modern engine and I didn't even think of the rear wheel drive problem. seems there is more to this building a car malark than I tihough..

Greetings have a look at the link www.mcsorley.net/locost/ thats Mr Mcsorleys site on their u will find the various size plans he has drawn "improved" from the book. U got a copy of the "book" there are a few of us around central Scotland East and West and all points in between building both book and hybrids, sourcing a Ford as a donor wont be a problem deciding which one to build might be. If your stuck for tooling or help, I and a few others are just down the M8 from you. Steel and ali for the build wont be a problem I can give u trade sources for most of it and all the consumables your liable to need. I am building a 7+442
chassis in 2004, as soon as I clear floor space for it, your welcome to use my jigs/welding table if your daft enough to want to try one. Cheers
Shug.

[Edited on 11/12/03 by Hugh Paterson]

piece of wee really, just lean on this lot to get thru it!! theres a good few up in scotland as well.

i must've asked a million questions in here so far, and i've nearly finished the chassis at last!!

Joel, u putting a sexy body like the one in yer pic on the chassis
Shug.

well shug, if you make it i'll happily use it!! as it stands, im gonna solder a few apple pie tins together and use paper mashe to make a buck for it...!

seriously, gonna buy a standard nose that should fit and then bodge a scuttle, then just make a bonnet to go between them. Not arsed if it looks crap (it will) just wanna get it finished soon!!

Joel You sorted out a dash yet?

na, nor gauges. Im thinking of cutting up the old sierra dash to get the mechanisms out, and then using new faces. Not fun. And i cant work out what to use on the top of the dash. Might end up getting aluminium for that...

how come, any good ideas?!

think bike....................

jon, i did and it hasnt helped! unless you refer to our original topic... ahem..

mmmmm, i was finking of post header, but i'm well biased when it comes to bike motors in light weight cars............

Cheers guys some nice advice and Shug the offers are most appreciated. I figure the best thing for me to do is make the thing bit by bit, i am taking a welding course in the new year so this is very much a plan for the future. I also need to sort out some garage space, me and a the missus are planning to move out next year so only a place with a garage(or space to fling one up) will do.
I think everyone on this site has the Bible (Ron's Book) but I don't know how many folk use the exact measurements, I will need to look at that website and plan out what I am going to do. I would prefer to use all Sierra kit as it is easier to come by than the escort stuff... Will talk to you guys again soon.

Cheers, Simon..

Simon, I can recommend the welding course/instructors at James Watt college
all good guys and a mine of information
The Kits not bad either.
Shug.

If u fancy a smaller jap engine, the 4age is pretty popular, its light and revs high, Raw engineering will do a 200bhp supercharged one if you want, they do more tame ones aswell though. Look them up the do some good packages, and old MR2s arnt too hard to pick up, if i hadnt gotten my tuned pinto cheap i probably would have gone for a 4age.

P.S. I dont think there is much problem changing the 4age from MR to FR configuration, Raw do it with the striker quite easily, not sure what box it uses though.

[Edited on 12/12/03 by greggors84]