Lotus 7 replica

Post by **the converted** » Wed Nov 05, 2008 4:34 am

Well I have wanted a Lotus 7 since pretty much the day I saw one in 1998. I have finally gotten to a point in my life where I feel that I have the skill and resources to put one together from scratch. And if figured what the hell why not put an sr20det in this bish.

I have been colecting parts for it for a few months now and I'm probably going to be buying a bunch of tubing to start building the chassis within the next week or so.

Anyway here is the build plan for you guys. Engine will be an sr20det with a 2.2 stroker. I haven't decided on a turbo yet but was looking at a top mount t3/t04e 60 63. I'm going to use a maz adapter to a z32 bellhousing swapped r33 rb26 transmission. Rear suspension is going to consist of a 240sx subframe and arms, viscous limited slip and z32 aluminum uprights. Front diff is also going to be a r200 out of a 240 and r33 gtr front knuckles with z32 brakes.

A lot of the other stuff is still undecided as I'm going to have to figure it out as I go and more of this gets built.

I'll probably have some pics of what I have already picked up today or tomorrow.

Let me know what you guys think or if you have any sugestions.

Post by **MagikDragon** » Wed Nov 05, 2008 4:41 am

you won't do it.... Heck you can't even finish college , what makes you think this is plausible....

Just Kidding man, I can't wait to help you with this. Its gonna be sweet!!

Post by **DJButton** » Wed Nov 05, 2008 7:07 am

Can't wait man, this thing is gonna rock!

Post by **the converted** » Fri Nov 07, 2008 9:09 am

Here's some pics of what I have so far. I have a megasquirt and some other things that I don't have pics of but this should give and idea of what I'm up to.

Stock sr20det (was assembled when I got it)

Stock Crank

Stock pistons and rods

Stroker crank stuff

rb26dett tranny

vg30dett tranny just for the bell housing

Adjustable rear suspension arms that I picked up yesterday

Post by **jason65r** » Sun Dec 21, 2008 10:31 pm

I'm sort of doing the same thing. I will be keeping a eye on this thread.what I'm trying to do as funds allow is mate a Rb26dett gearbox and running gear to a VH45 then turbo the VH45.(which someone here in New Zealand has already done but not run 4WD) Like you I would like to put it into a lotus 7 like vehicle. power to weight I was going to do the same with the SR20 but found out that the FJ20det bolts up to the RB so no adapter plate needed. I was going to head down that track. then I decided to go for easier horse power, something with twice the volume helps.So I don't have to boost the hell out of it to get the HP I'm after I'll have to see if i can do that though The goal that I'm trying to achieve is 1Hp per KG:whatdaI have been reading posts on this site for a while but not as brave as you to start a threadWill do once I'm Finished. Seen to many get flamed:angryfire Here is some stuff you may find interesting here is a site that puts the sr20det into clubman's based in Australiahttp://www.pumaclubman.com/site about the fj20 still the fastest 4 in OZ the father of the SR20http://www.fj20.com/the car that started this idea for mehttp://www.fastroadandtrack.co...27e4aa vid of ithttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v...latedWe have a lot of GTR and GTS4 parts here in New Zealand if there is anything you may need let me know.
Modified by jason65r at 12:45 AM 12/22/2008

Post by **evildky** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 7:52 am

so you are gonna build an AWD low-cost? not too many of those running around, I fear the S13IRS will be a bit big and heavy, making your smal low cost grow in weight and size, if you could perhaps fab your own pickup points and use modified stock arms

Post by **jason65r** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 11:53 pm

Post by **the converted** » Tue Dec 23, 2008 3:03 am

Jason:

The thing that I am having the hardest time finding is the transfer case pump unit that is mounted on the rear diff of awd skylines.

Evil:

I'm going to be using the rear subframe as a stressed member with a good amount of material removed, as well as z32 aluminum uprights so I don't think that it will be to bad. I know that it isn't going to be the lightest one on the block but I THINK that the useable power will be spot on.

There is someone out there who lurks in the shadows that has a 500whp sr20 powered Locost that weighs in at 1300 lbs. A friend of a friend of a freind told me that it will do 0-60 in about 2.9 and 0-100 in about 4.5.

Post by **jason65r** » Tue Dec 23, 2008 11:59 am

Hi if you after a GTR ATTESA-ETS pump have asked (one) parts guy here and they have one for $250 NZD which is about $142 USD they are expensive but they always have gear. I'm sure i can get another 10-15% of that price and if your not in any rush (that took less than 5 min)I'm sure i can find one cheaper just letting you know that there is a lot of that gear here. I'm not sure but i think you can also use a GTs4 pump as well. Which would be cheaper. I was going to make my own pump hook up and adjust the pressure manually (so i could set the split I wont for the condition) there is a noticeable delay from rear drive to 4WD. Unlike WRX or EVO's where they are constant. hope this is of some help

Post by **the converted** » Wed Dec 24, 2008 12:18 pm

Yeah I can use any of the awd attesa pumps. It is my understanding that there is a pwm solenoid that controls the pressure forward to the clutch pack, so all you would have to do is build a variable pwm controller with $5 worth of electrical parts and your in the clear.

Post by **evildky** » Fri Dec 26, 2008 11:07 am

1300lbs sounds optimistic, I'll be interested to see where ti come in weight wise, the weight of 2 R200's, and that heavy trans, lots fo weight

I raced against a guy with an S2K lowcost and I believe it was right around 1400 lbs, and another guy with a 1600 lb turbo miata low cost, they are stinking fast without gobs of power, they are just so light, if you want to get that kind fo power into a low cost and have it controlable you'd almost have to have the awd

Post by **the converted** » Sat Dec 27, 2008 7:01 am

The 1300 lb one isn't exactly low cost and is all aluminum, or so the rumor mill goes. I'll be lucky to come in at 1800 lbs. I'm building it as a toy and I'm pretty sure that something with those specs has to be fun.

Post by **evildky** » Sun Dec 28, 2008 8:01 pm

I'm sure it won't be cheap it's just what most of the hand built clones are called "low cost" or "Lo Cost" as the original hand built designs from ron champoin were all about using a single donor and keeping costs down compared to a real lotus 7, of course now adays you cna get the factory built stalkers with the GM V6, and there is one that used the Ztec ford, I did manage to outrun a highly modiifed v6 based "stalker" over a 2 day race

Post by **the converted** » Mon Dec 29, 2008 3:42 am

I guess cheap is a relative term. I know people have gotten it done for about 2k, where I'm planning on coming in under 10k. Either way it is still going to be a monster to drive without taking price into consideration. Most of my donor parts are nissan bits and at this point I have most of the major components, now I just need to get off my *** and start welding stuff together.

Post by **jason65r** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 10:01 pm

Have found this if you are interested let me knowhttp://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade...1.htm

Live rates at 2009.01.19 07:53:04 UTC90.00 NZD = 49.1898 USDNew Zealand Dollars United States Dollars1 NZD = 0.546553 USD 1 USD = 1.82965 NZD

Post by **the converted** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 8:41 am

Looks interesting to me. How much would I be looking at to have this shipped to the US?

Post by **240cp** » Mon Feb 09, 2009 5:05 am

So by switching the bellhousing on the rb tranny it will allow you to use a push type clutch instead of the pull type on the rb? Also what flywheel do you plan on using?

Post by **the converted** » Mon Feb 09, 2009 5:45 am

Not all RB bells are pull type, but yes, it will be a push type.

Post by **IKnkowNothings** » Sat Mar 21, 2009 7:56 pm

the converted wrote:Not all RB bells are pull type, but yes, it will be a push type.

can you please weight the awd tranny I have a totaled 240sx sr sitting in my driveway so im really watching your progress

Post by **killernoodle** » Sat Mar 21, 2009 9:45 pm

Welcome brother from the LocostUSA forum

Post by **the converted** » Sun Mar 22, 2009 9:07 am

IKnkowNothings wrote:can you please weight the awd tranny I have a totaled 240sx sr sitting in my driveway so im really watching your progress

I'll see what I can do about weighing it, I'm going to guess it's in the 120lb range. You also might want to watch someone else as this is a multi year project that is currently on hold due to lack of income.

Killernoodle, welcome over here! I've been watching your build closely along with the other SR builds over there.

Post by **40flash** » Sun Jul 05, 2009 3:56 pm

Many years ago I had a Lotus Super7. It was under 1100 lbs. With a driver in it, it was about 50/50 weight distribution. I am thinking that I woudn't want or need 4WD in a perfectly balanced car. I would be tempted to keep it simple and build it as light as possible. To each ther own of course but I'm having trouble seeing the need. Then again I didn't have massive HP. I can say that they are a very scarey car to drive on the street. It dosen't fully sink in how low you are and how vulnerable you feel until you roll up to an intersection and find your self looking UP at the door handle on the Corvette sitting next to you. My Dad called it the coffin because he was sure that if I got hit or more likely ran over they would just bury me in it.
Modified by 40flash at 7:02 PM 7/5/2009

Post by **tom.eberhard** » Sun Dec 20, 2009 4:41 am

Dude,how's the locost project? I just started one with 4 other guys. We got our donor miata last weekend, started pulling s*** out yesterday.I'm in Boston too.Tom.

Post by **the converted** » Sun Dec 20, 2009 7:53 am

Mine is on hold pending a new job. If you want a hand or a stupervisor, let me know and I'll head over.

Post by **DJButton** » Sun Dec 20, 2009 9:02 am

Well, some good news on the horizon for this project. Fujii SPL will soon have a bender and a place open for some cage building... hint hint.

Lotus 7 replica

Lotus 7 replica

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