Best Handling *light* Car...
12-19-2003, 02:58 PM
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: IL
Posts: 2,930
Originally Posted by Eric Happy Meal' date='Dec 19 2003, 08:47 PM
an MR car weighing less than 2K lbs. with IRS suspension, and macpherson struts cant outhandle things? you my friend, are one crazy guy.
As for the new bug, I've never looked into it.
12-22-2003, 06:43 AM
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Austin, Texas
Posts: 191
I don't claim to know a lot about the old beetles, but if they were a good handling car you would see more of them in autocross. In 4 years of AX, I could count on 1 hand the number of bugs that have come out.
Did they get rid of the swing arm rear suspension after 69? They they ditch that strange double trailing arm front end? I don't think there was any way to adjust camber in that setup. And I didn't think they ever came with a true "strut".
Did they get rid of the swing arm rear suspension after 69? They they ditch that strange double trailing arm front end? I don't think there was any way to adjust camber in that setup. And I didn't think they ever came with a true "strut".
12-22-2003, 10:18 AM
#17
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Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Alabama
Posts: 158
Originally Posted by inanimate_object' date='Dec 14 2003, 10:41 AM
And there was me thinking that Americans only liked to go fast in straight lines!
I agree with pretty much everything already said here - especially about the locost
.
Around a circuit there is very little faster than a 7 type car, "Caterham" with the rights to the 7 name/production are probably the best track machine, but a locost is much cheaper and can be just as fast if done properly, the only compromising factor with them is the live rear axle. There are many ways around this, you can do like I'm doing with mine and build one with fully independent rear suspension, but a simpler option would be to use a de-dion setup .
If you are interested you can find "the book" HERE but since the car uses an old european model Ford Escort as a donor you would have to either get the parts shipped over or find replacements (which I would be very happy to ship over if you send me back a crashed Fireblade - they go for peanuts over there).
The best part is that a rotary engine would be absolutely perfect for a locost - nice and light with loads of power, but you can use almost any engine you want - even a small block v8, but the best engine has to be a superbike - 0-60mph in 4 seconds flat and handling to make the Elise feel like a boat - ooh I can't wait!
I agree with pretty much everything already said here - especially about the locost
Around a circuit there is very little faster than a 7 type car, "Caterham" with the rights to the 7 name/production are probably the best track machine, but a locost is much cheaper and can be just as fast if done properly, the only compromising factor with them is the live rear axle. There are many ways around this, you can do like I'm doing with mine and build one with fully independent rear suspension, but a simpler option would be to use a de-dion setup
If you are interested you can find "the book"
The best part is that a rotary engine would be absolutely perfect for a locost - nice and light with loads of power, but you can use almost any engine you want - even a small block v8, but the best engine has to be a superbike - 0-60mph in 4 seconds flat and handling to make the Elise feel like a boat - ooh I can't wait!
These guys are almost thru with a kit that will be 4 wheel independant suspension using a Miata as the donor car. Its not on their website yet but you can call or email them for more info. They can build the frame to mount a rotary engine and transmission while using the Miata suspension/brake pieces. I'm considering selling my current project/racecar and buying one of these at the end of next years racing. You just can't go wrong with a 1300# car and 180HP when your into autocrossing.
Did I mention the price is great if your into doing most of the work yourself.
12-23-2003, 04:37 AM
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Ireland
Posts: 907
I remember stumbling across the Stalker V6 a while ago, what they're selling is a bit of a rip off but you may be able to find out what bits they use for the front hubs, rear axle, steering rack/column etc. and use that on your own build, which shouldn't be too dificult to do - and you could still pick whatever engine you like.
Or you could go like you said for that mazda based car which would be a lot easier, seeing that they have done all the hard work for you, especially converting it to independant rear suspension . Also, a rotary IMO is one of the best engines to put in a sevenesque car - low torque, high power - ie. small, LIGHT and high revving = perfect .
Mark
Or you could go like you said for that mazda based car which would be a lot easier, seeing that they have done all the hard work for you, especially converting it to independant rear suspension
Mark
12-23-2003, 06:31 AM
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 162
As I own a Se7en with a 13B in I can state that they are a perfect engine for the car. However to get the best they do require a little work to deal with some of the protruberances out the bonnet.
Mine has been having a bad year with some major re-engineering, but should be back on the road in the spring. When complete should be about 1300lbs with 220HP. And yes, with the right tyres only cars with serious down force out-corner it.
Bill
Mine has been having a bad year with some major re-engineering, but should be back on the road in the spring. When complete should be about 1300lbs with 220HP. And yes, with the right tyres only cars with serious down force out-corner it.
Bill
01-20-2004, 03:49 PM
#20
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 6
hmm... in my limited experience w/ lightweight cars... the miata is a blast... though if you're mechanically or financially inclined.. twincharging(adding a turbo to take over after supercharger) the supercharged mkI MR2 would give it quite a nice power band.
EDIT: the MR set up gives it pretty damn good traction too!
EDIT: the MR set up gives it pretty damn good traction too!