Toastedlightly's Build Thread

[Toastedlightly]

So after seeing a bunch of build threads, it is time to start my own. I've posted some ideas a few years ago about a turbocharged Thunderbird (2.3L one). I may have even posted something silly about putting a V8 in the Miata I had. Well, now that I have graduated from school and have a steady garage and a place to work, its time to start my project.

I am trying to build a 302 powered Locost (Lotus 7 replica/lookalike). This will be a car mainly for my street driving (once it is registered) and the occasional auto-x. This car is not going to be a dedicated race car, nor will it be the best car at the local auto-x.

So far in the project I have aquired a band saw, welder, drill, grinder, all sorts of measurement devices, and of course the automotive tools I already had. The project is on the ground floor so I decided to document it here (where I've been a member for 8 years and lurked for a couple before that).

Yesterday I built my build table (I'll post pics of the bland table). It took awhile to build and shim to be an almost true surface, but it will be worth it.

Anyone else do a car from scratch? I've been lurking all the Locost boards for a couple year, so no need to direct me to those . I'm just curious as to what ATOT's overall experiences are (and if you have anything useful to add, please do!).

I now have a blog!

http://5liter7.blogspot.com/

 

[DaTT]

Looking forward to watching your progress.

 

[SearchMaster]

Looking forward to watching your progress.

QFT - make it as nice as Fuzzy's and jlee's and it'll be outstanding.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

Looking forward to watching your progress.

Big +1; keep us updated and... PICS? It's not too early ;-)

 

[Toastedlightly]

This is sorta what my final car will perhaps look like (the right shape is here), although mine will be 4 inches longer, 4 inches wider, and 2 inches taller:

For those who are interested these are the plans that I am using as a rough guide (scroll to the 442E plans):

http://www.sevenesque.com/plans/

with the general idea of the independent suspension coming from Rorty's IRS design (big pdf file here):

http://locost7.info/files/suspension/RortyLocostIRSAssembly.pdf

I really should put my design into CAD.. but I don't have access to any good software

 

[FuzzyDunlop]

Ooooh fun! Looking forward to watching this! Keep posting details, I like details. Subscribing!

 

[jlee]

Tagged

 

[Toastedlightly]

I see this is bumped. I guess that means I have to get the camera and take pictures of the very little progress that has been made. Pics tonight, I promise!

 

[alfa147x]

Interested

 

[compman25]

Pics tonight, I promise!

Tonight has come and gone

 

[Toastedlightly]

Tonight has come and gone

So has the USB cord for the camera... let the search commence.

 

[saratoga172]

SD card reader in your computer!

 

[jlee]

SD card reader in your computer!

This man speaks truth!

 

[JCH13]

Anyone else do a car from scratch? I've been lurking all the Locost boards for a couple year, so no need to direct me to those . I'm just curious as to what ATOT's overall experiences are (and if you have anything useful to add, please do!).

Three. All with most fundamental components made from scratch too. My specialty was welding and fab, but I've helped design and/or build almost every part of an open-wheeled car. Looking forward to seeing what you crank out. Feel free to PM about anything to do with any aspect of your project. Always happy to help out someone with a build!

 

[nedfunnell]

Practice welding a LOT and get critiquing from a pro welder before you strike an arc on anything that will carry you down the road at 80mph.

 

[Toastedlightly]

Practice welding a LOT and get critiquing from a pro welder before you strike an arc on anything that will carry you down the road at 80mph.

That is something I have made sure to do. I took a 60 hour welding course a year or two back and while I may be a bit rusty, I do know what to look for in the weld. More importantly, I have actually made and cut open a few welds just to see how my penetration is going. So far, so good.

 

[Toastedlightly]

Alright, to host my pictures and make life easy, I am hosting a blog over at blogger to track my progress. I keep updating here as well. Here is the address:

http://5liter7.blogspot.com/

 

[hanoverphist]

one of the teachers at my kids school has a locost he built himself. has an LS1 in it tho, and he modified it so much it looks more like the old prowler than a lotus. thing is amazing tho, very well done kit. lots of retro hot rod detail in it, wooden and stainless dash and stuff like that. those cars can look amazing from what ive seen, if youre willing to do the work. next time i see his at a car show ill snap a few pics of it.

 

[FuzzyDunlop]

holy cow dude, you are doing something very similar to what I some day want to do.
Some day.
Keep us updated.

 

[The Boston Dangler]

holy cow dude, you are doing something very similar to what I some day want to do.
Some day.
Keep us updated.

i'd love to build a locost 7 too. this should be sweet!

 

[Toastedlightly]

Well I have another update on the blog.

Would you guys prefer I cross-post here as well? Its a little more work but it could work..

Let me know!

 

[manimal]

http://evansville.craigslist.org/cto/2641384933.html


heres one for sale here in indiana for 11k obo.

Wow I may go drive it.