My Type 54 to sort of 47 Conversion

[cal44]

RoddyMac...........nice

mike

[Bainford]

Serious stuff. This is going to be interesting.

[RoddyMac]

Here's this past weekends work.  The front and rear sections have yet to be attached to the centre section.  I'm hoping to get the whole thing welded up this weekend.  Also, the rear is still lacking triangulation, I'm wanting to get the motor more or less in its final place before adding the triangulation.

[BDA]

Looks good, Roddy! You and Serge are doing some great work! Keep posting the pictures!

[Chuck Nukem]

I recognize those throttle bodies...Did you go with R1 or R6? I went with the smaller R6 TB since I am not doing much to my engine yet. I'm curious as to how you have those affixed to your block. I don't recognize that intake manifold from the picture.

Looks great BTW!!

[RoddyMac]

They're CBR900 Carbs, I had thought about going with TB's but the price and learning curve of Megasquirt was a bit too much.  Though I'm sure once its running I'll be kicking myself for not going with FI.  As for the intake manifold, there isn't one yet, the carbs were just laid in place for the pitcures, there's a piece of wood propping them up.  There is a guy in the UK who sells manifolds on Fleabay, but I'm sure I can cobble something up for less than what he charges.

[Chuck Nukem]

two for two! I'm on fire! Maybe I need some sleep... If you don't already know about it, the lower SVT intake manifold from the US Focus is a pretty ideal set up for carbs/TB. For a while I assumed the UK spec st170 was the only source of them. I snagged one for $60 shipped from up north.

You sure you don't want to leave that 2x4 in the final design? Balsa wood has a density much lower than carbon fiber...

[RoddyMac]

I wonder if the 2x4 would stand up to the heat in the engine bay....

Anyways, I've almost finished the CAD file for the chassis and suspension.  I just wish I had done it in Solidworks (my license expired) so that I could make the suspension move.   But, I'm just happy that I haven't found any interferences in the suspension and chassis.  Here are some screen shots:





Now I just need to find a local waterjet place that can cut all the brackets I need.

[BDA]

Looks great! What are you going to use for rear uprights? Are you going to fabricate your own?

[RoddyMac]

I'm going to be fabricating my own using VW Golf Mk 3 bearings and hubs.  I've got some DOM tubing on order for the bearing holder, and I'm going to have the rest of the bits waterjet cut from .093 steel other than the caliper mount which will be 3/8" thick.  The plan is to have the bulk of the .093 steel bits cut as one piece and bend them up to suit.  I'll be having a pro welder weld them together for me, as my 120V MIG welder wont be powerful enough.  Hopefully they'll end up looking just like the CAD rendering.

[cal44]

I was a pipeline weldor for more decades than I care to remember..............this friggin' thing is looking saaaaweeeet.  Nice work.

mike

[BDA]

Sounds cool! Keep those pictures coming! 

[RoddyMac]

Progress has been slow the last little while as I've been away for work too often.  But, I have managed to get a small amount of work done, and I've gather up most of the bits for the rear uprights.  With said bits, I can finalize my design, and start fabricating them. 

[EuropaTC]

That is incredibly neat work, very impressive in both design and welding. I don't expect it would be lighter than the Lotus one, but it looks sooooo much cooler !   

I'll look forward to the next stage, keep 'em coming.....

Brian

[BDA]

It probably won't be as light as a standard frame but there will be LOTS of access which is really nice! Keep up the great work and keep those pictures coming!