gasket999
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| posted on 21/3/14 at 09:12 PM |
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Q-plate: perfect book locost donor list
Back on the forum, still gathering donor parts for a Q-plate build. It it likely going to be a fair few years before I start building (assuming the
SVA rules haven't outlawed locosts by then).
As I'm not reliant on a single donor and can spend a couple of years gathering parts, I was wondering if anyone had thought about the perfect
blend of parts to make the ideal parts-bin Locost?
I'm a big fan of traditional, iconic parts in the spirit of a S2/3 Lotus 7 albeit built to Champion's book and a small budget. Ideal would
be a buzzy 1600-1800 16v or twink. After a dissapointing 3 year classic car rebuild (not satisfied with the end result) I'm keen to start
something that will let me really do an excercise in engineering, aiming for perfection wherever possible and making the finish as close to
kit-car-concours as possible
Would be nice to have a shopping list.
Sadly my Champion book is 200 miles away so this is from memory, but I'll make a start:
Front uprights: cortina Mk 3/4/5 [is one better than the others in terms of geometry/strength/etc?]
Rear axle: Escort English [is ther any preference between mk1/2 - also would a shortened (fake-baby) atlas be better in any way?]
Propshaft: 1100 escort
Engine/Gearbox:
1660 X-flow and 2000E
...or 4AGE and T50 (non-period, non-ford but I've heard comparisons with the Lotus twink which would certainly suit the character of the car -
not sure of the weight difference)
K-Series/Zetec/Sigma/Puma 1.7 Sigma - I love the idea of a littly buzzy 1600 twincam but am put off by the act that the engines are throw-away) and
type 9.
Steering rack: mk1/2 escort [is one better than the others in terms of geometry/strength/etc?]
Radiator: what's the ideal? Original Escort? Polo?
Brakes: Standard rear drums? Princess calipers and Capri vented discs?
Master cylinder/pedal box? no idea - what about a haynes fabricated setup?
Wheels - my ideal are steel wheels with polished caps - like a Lotus cortina or escort. Any issues with using these wheels?
Any other off-the shelf parts that I should consider getting to put in storage?
Big things are light weight + a nice amount of power (125bhp if X-flow, 175 of modern 16v/twincam) + parts bin availability.
Would appreciate any thoughts.
[Edited on 21/3/14 by gasket999]
[Edited on 21/3/14 by gasket999]
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blakep82
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| posted on 21/3/14 at 09:41 PM |
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lets see, as far as i know...
Uprights, cortina mk3,4, and 5 are all the same (4 and 5 definitely are)
axle, atlas always seems to be the first mod on a lot of mk1/2 escort rally cars, not entirely sure why. i'd prefer atlas though
prop shaft, get a custom one made. i'd be surprised if a 1100 escort one is the right length
engine/gearbox, personal choice. use a ford engine (zetec for example) is tried and tested, probably the most common set up?
steering rack, mk1 escort has imperial threads, mk2 has metric threads, i think you'll find more range of ball joints available for the mk2
radiator, polo is a modern aluminium plastic job, old escort is brass? polo will be easier and cheaper to find. probably more efficient too
brakes, cortina discs up front, rear, drums, or if you have a few quid, disc conversions are easy to do and get parts for
master cylinder, i'd say twin master cylinders with balance bar, but a 2in1 sierra MC does the job. look at OBP pedal boxes if you fancy
spending on a pre made one, rather than trying to make your own
wheels, if you're using RWD ford parts (cortina front, english/atlas rear) then i can't see why your preferred set up wouldn't
work
only thoughts would be that you may struggleto find cortina uprights, atlas/english axels, original mk2 racks etc these days, might be better looking
towards MX5 for your basics
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don't write OT on a new thread title, you're creating the topic, everything you write is very much ON topic!
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snapper
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| posted on 21/3/14 at 09:55 PM |
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My view is to look at Chris Gibbs Haynes Roadster and consider the MX5 version
Even the Sierra donors are getting hard to find, MX5 a bit easier then your into BMW territory
In a couple of years your Champion parts list will be worth more than BMW
I eat to survive
I drink to forget
I breath to pi55 my ex wife off (and now my ex partner)
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gasket999
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| posted on 21/3/14 at 10:25 PM |
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Thanks Guys - Blake - thats exactly the sort of info I am looking for, many thanks.
Snapper - I have both the Locost and Haynes books and have read them cover to cover. The Haynes is definately the better machine and as you quite
rightly say Sierra donors are available. However I'm aiming for the build to be like a freshly built classic car - something akin to this:
...al be it if I could have a modern equivalent of a Lotus Twink that kicked out a reliable 150+ bhp I think I might be able to shock a few people. A
classic recipe and looks, coupled with a little more power than expected could make a truly wonderful little machine.
My dad had a pre-lit Westfield too - so lots of nostalgia kicking around.
I've already got the Cortina uprights (£40), English axles I'm finding for around £80-£150, new quick rack for £109+vat.
[Edited on 21/3/14 by gasket999]
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gasket999
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| posted on 21/3/14 at 10:46 PM |
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I should mention that my absolute ideal engine would the the 150bhp Ford Racing 1.7 16v from the Racing Puma. Or a 1.7 taken to a similar spec. I
think that would suit the car beautifully.
The only negative I have for modern engines is that I understand they can't be rebored.
I'd plan on running the car ad-infinitum and being of the old skool - I prefer my engines where I know that I can rebore, rebore and then
reliner.
For this reason I'm looking down the 4AGE route. If only there was a reliable 16v/twink head for a x-flow...
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MikeRJ
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| posted on 22/3/14 at 08:29 AM |
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The Atlas is a lot stronger than the English axle, but also much heavier and unsprung weight is something you really want to minimise on a lightweight
car. The Atlas axles also fetch a fortune as they are sought after by the Mk1/Mk2 Escort fraternity.
If you are running a crossflow then the English axle is more than sufficient, and definitely the one to go for.
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snapper
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| posted on 22/3/14 at 10:00 AM |
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Now I understand your reasons and I applaud
Many new engines can take a rebore but I think a Crossflow would be appropriate
The 4age is a good tuneable engine that said
Keep us fully informed as this could be one of those special builds
Retro Ford stuff can be found on Turbosports forum as can great tuning info
I eat to survive
I drink to forget
I breath to pi55 my ex wife off (and now my ex partner)
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ettore bugatti
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| posted on 22/3/14 at 01:57 PM |
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Why not go for a Triumph Spitfire front uprights and a Standard 10 or Morris Ital axle?
That's what Caterham used and with a 1700 x-flow, it is the closest to a Supersprint.
Off course, you need different wishbones and front end design on the chassis.
So there is a little design work to do, but the Locost doesn't have the nice proportions of a S3 anyway.
IIRC you need a LHD escort rack on a RHD car with Cortina uprights.
[Edited on 22/3/14 by ettore bugatti]
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big_wasa
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| posted on 22/3/14 at 08:09 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by ettore bugatti
IIRC you need a LHD escort rack on a RHD car with Cortina uprights.
[Edited on 22/3/14 by ettore bugatti]
No, you don't. That may work with something like an escort mk3 rack but the mk2 is fine as it is.
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