Anyone Know anything about these cars?
 

Locost 7s

Basically home built kit cars that are replicas of the original Lotus 7

http://www.locostusa.com/e1done3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/09...ost2008030.jpg


Now I'm not a brittish sports car fan, and most british sports car guys I've met are like 60 and a little quirky. That being said I had no interest in Rx7s before swapping mine. What catches my eye is that there is a book covering the entire build and all you need is about 200-300$ in mild steel square tubing. While I build this car I can still run the rx7 so I dont have any down time. I could build the whole chassis the suspension and the body work (both of which I think will be the toughest actually seeing as I have zero experience building suspension setups) so I can get into it for close to no money and then if I get to the point where I actually make it through, drop the Ls1/T56 in last.

The appeal of this project. Ls1 in a 1500lb car that you can put the widest tires you want on it, should produce handling that is untouchable by anything and depending on how much traction I get will determine how fast it will go in a straight line, but with 315 R compounds out back I think once their warm it'll stick and be flat out stupid.

There is a guy who has one and based on his data logging equipment TPS never went above about about a third throttle because he couldent find traction in first or 2nd and still managed a 3.8 second 0-60 time and the guy cant even roll into it on the highway without blowing the tires off but he doesnt have a ton of meat out back.

there is not enough room for a ls1 in them in stock design they are set up for a 4cy like a ecotec or such alot of guys use the crosworth motors in them

Theres enough room. Like I said its already been done with a 5.0 and an ls1

You just cant use the "book" frame which is the original from the 60s. Most people in this country dont use the original frame anyway they make a version thats a couple inches wider (better for anyone whos not a midget anyway) and thats what I would build and what the ls1 fits in.


Check these out
This ford 302 powered one with ITBs is really nice
http://www.youtube.com/user/reddryer

ls6 powered with a cam
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mi8V5...eature=related

I dont think the guy went more than part throttle that whole video either.

I really dont think anything short of a dry sump setup would save an ls1 from the G forces this thing could produce.

i didnt say it couldnt be done just the frame has to be changed up a little. If it was me I would go with a boosted ecotec they are good for 500 hp built that way it keeps the weight off the nose. its all what you want to do with it

I think a turbo 4 would fit the personality of the car, and honestly this is one time where a little less torque might be better. The ls1 with say a t5 tranny is about the same weight as a turbo miata engine/tranny (which is what I was initially thinking and a lot of people go turbo rotary which we've already seen from the rx7 example weighs the same as an ls1.

I havent seen any ecotec powered setups. I dont think many of the ecotec engines were built for rwd setup.

look at the sky and solstice

Yeah I know but they are the only ones with the rwd version that I can think of off the top of my head and not many of those cars were made and the engines arent cheap.

I dont know if they fit either, which is a big consideration. Some of the I4s are really tall and just dont fit under the hood nothin a scoop couldent fix.. but why? if its expensive may not fit as well puts out less power, isnt really all that much lighter after the turbo whats the point.

The ecotec engines would be a good match just most were in FWD platforms

you dont need one out of a rear wheel drive just the trans and accessories then you use GMPP intake and a header and set it up for a non emissions using the stock computer and there is alot of up and down room in there because you can sling the motor real low in the frame just make sure the oil pan isnt the lowest part.

Subaru EJ20TT (2.0L twin turbo) or the 2.5L turbo motor FTW. can make lots of power and really lowers the center of gravity of the car. Can normally find them for around $1500-$2500 on ebay. Just be careful if you've never built a suspension before, either make it all adjustable or be prepared to do ALOT of work because it will need to be spot on, no real margin for error.

Edit: Here, for instance, is an older STi 2.0 turbo (280HP*ish*, still under the gentlemans agreement) complete swap (engine, trans, ecu, harness) for $2000.00. These older (96-01) engines were little terrors and can support well over 600HP with just some fuel upgrades. Kinda wish I had my old Impreza now, lol
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/JDM-S...item3efcc2a46c

that looks like it would be a hard fit being so wide and such