Joe Perez

iTrader: (8)

Man, I've had a raging hard-on all afternoon just thinking about that VStorm.

Some research reveals that they're getting ready to ship the Subaru-based kit. That would be just perfect. Install a Type 1 VW transaxle with the bellhousing cut off, the nosecone replaced with a flat plate, and the 1-2 gears removed. Mate it to a Hayabusa motor, with a turbo. You now have a 250hp engine that weighs less than Hustler's list of excuses for why his car doesn't run, with a six-speed sequential gearbox, plus a differential with a built-in reverse gear and a hi-lo range selector (3rd and 4th from the original VW transmission).

All that, and the car doesn't look half-bad either.

cueball1

iTrader: (13)

I think the LSx idea in a 7 style car could be great. The motor sits well behind the front suspension vs. the Miata with it centered over the front. The extra couple hundred pounds would be better distributed in a 7 style car than ours. Also with a 7 style car you can always put more wheel and tire on it. Need some 355's in the rear for traction? No problem! Just put a wider fender cover over it.

A 7 style car with Z06 power and Viper sized tires? I'd try to drive it! I can think of worse ways to die.

Anyone bother to look at the Atomic at 6 River? 450hp / ton? 700lb car with 150hp. Turn key at 13,999 euros. Holy hell that's tiny and fast.

levnubhin

iTrader: (30)

Every time I think about that car I cant help but think that I could have one for the money I have in my Miata. To make the deal even sweeter, a friend of mine found out that shipping is only $500 to the port. You being in FL means only a 1/2 day worth of driving to the east coast to get it. If I had a garage I would seriously be considering ditching my Miata for one.
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elesjuan

iTrader: (11)

*shrug*

I still think its a waste of a motor to put an LSx in a 7 replica. The huge torque number it will have along with zero weight of the vehicle, I seriously doubt you'll EVER get the traction required to even use the torque it produces. My point for posting the R500 is its a < 300hp 4 cylinder thats quick as ******* all get out, probably gets FANTASTIC mileage and handles like a supercar. Did anyone see the 4 wheel drift on the video I posted?? Ever wonder why seriously high power supras typically run pretty **** poor 1/4 mile times?

eh what do I know? Good luck, keep us updated.

JayL

iTrader: (12)

Whatever I build next will have an automatic transmission in it. I think its also possible to do a rear mounted transmission similar to the Corvette. I'm still at the start of doing research, so what I learn over the next 6 months may evolve into something a little more down to earth. There's so many cool kit cars available its hard to even know where to begin.

cueball1

iTrader: (13)

In recommending the LS in a 7, I was taking into consideration it was JayL. Extreme is likely more important than practical. I agree that the R500 is likely an ideal balance for that car.

Do you really think JayL is looking for balance?!?

I loved that episode. Those guys were giddy over that car. They even said the Stig loved it.

hustler

iTrader: (6)

I'm just 28 but I really like getting to drive my car to work for half a day, then the track for some fun.

The_Pipefather

iTrader: (5)

A westfield or atom or any such minimalist car is cool as a weekend toy, but if you want a serious driving machine with real racecar responses, get a real racecar.

Here's a nice example, Stohr D Sports Racer (1000cc superbike motor, 3g cornering):



Or, if you wanted a little more nut, Diasio D962R Turbo (RX8 turbocharged motor, Hewland 6-speed sequential trans), I've heard you can also register this as a road car:




Or, if you cant afford either of the above, Novakar Formula 500 (500cc snowmobile engine, CVT trans, Formula Ford laptimes for 1/3rd the cost)

This is what I'm going to be running next year.




An atom or westfield, regardless of what engine it has, would be a rolling chicane on the start line at a DSR race, and a F500 would be able to keep up with either one pretty easily.

Joe Perez

iTrader: (8)

Personally, I'm not one to expend $10-$30k on a dedicated track toy. (That's what old Formula Vees are for) For me, the appeal of a Sevenesque / Atomesque vehicle is precisely that it would make an excellent daily driver.

Granted, in Troy, MI this would be impractical. But in Florida during the wintertime (where rain is infrequent and temperatures are moderate) or in So.Cal / Arizona / Nevada pretty much year 'round, I see no reason why driving one of these cars to and from the office every day would be considerably less practical than driving, say, a Miata. There's plenty of space for me to stick some groceries on the floor of the passenger's area, they should have no difficulty dealing with speed humps or other routine obstacles, and my hair is going to be mussed one way or the other.

sixshooter

iTrader: (12)

I've ridden in a Birkin (Lotus Seven replica) with the Ford Zetec engine on one of our large autocross courses. It was so hard on my neck when that old ****** that owned it would stab the gas or the brake that I thought that the extra weight of my helmet was going to break my neck. He wasn't what you'd call "smooth." That car was so quick to change velocity and direction that it made my eyes water. I couldn't even keep up with where we were going (at least partially because he was off course 80% of the time); too fast to think and judge what was going on.

The only things I didn't like were the carburetors (tempermental sidedrafts) and the non-windscreen and ineffective front fenders. There were pieces of sand and little-bitty rocks stinging your arms, neck and face. You could even feel them at your shoulders through your shirt if they were big enough. The car had very little suspension travel and the driver tended to lock up a wheel when braking about 40% of the time. His had a non-adjustable seating position, but who cares?

It was the most ridiculous ride I have ever been on. I would absolutely dominate with that little bitch. I did like that the motor was high-revving. It feels appropriate for the car. I don't know if the LS2 will be as much fun as a little engine in it's power band. I'd love to see you try it, though. I don't know if the engine bay is wide enough. The velocity stacks on the carbs actually stuck out through an opening in the side cowling.

Manufacturing Birkin Cars - Sports Cars - Lotus Cars - Birkin Spare Parts - South Africa

NA6C-Guy

iTrader: (1)

My point exactly. Which is why I would like a smaller 4 cylinder, like our 1.8 with a turbo sized to have a nice gradual build up to boost, not something like an off/on switch. The better you can keep from breaking traction, the faster you will be (of course). I would imagine it doesn't take much to break traction in a car that weighs as much as a large riding lawn mower.

A Westfield dark blue or BRG with 8'' nickel 6UL's on 225's would be sex though, if they would fit anyway.

The_Pipefather

iTrader: (5)

True, but my point is that a westfield cannot be a true racecar in the same way a Diasio or Stohr can - its suspension and aero is too dated. A Diasio can also be used on the road with a few modifications if you're inclined enough.

I'm assuming a person who buys one of these is obviously going to be a regular at local trackdays if not wheel-to-wheel events.

NA6C-Guy

iTrader: (1)

Get the hell out of here with that ****. I wouldn't want to drive either of those on the road, nor would it be as much fun in my opinion. A 250hp Westfield would make a perfectly fine race car. If you are going for what makes the best race car, of course there are better options out there. For a fun car that is also fast on the track, the Westfield fits the bill just fine.

Hope that didn't come across sounding angry, its not.

Joe Perez

iTrader: (8)

Point taken. I grant you that the Sevens (and likely the Atoms) are about as aerodynamically refined as a suspension bridge. However from y standpoint, their primary utility would be as a super-fun, semi-practical daily driver. If I wanted to take 'em out to an occasional trackday then so be it, however I'm certainly not the sort of person who would own a dedicated track-only car. If I were, then any of the vehicles you mentioned would certainly be a more apt choice. However I do not think I would enjoy using one as a DD nearly as much.


On the point of stuffing a V8 into a Westfield, are you guys aware that they make a Westie chassis specifically designed for this? Westfield Sportscars - Home No reason you couldn't drop a Chevy engine into one as opposed to a Rover powerplant.

Not that I'd want to, of course, for much the same reason that I don't have a pair of RD-58 rocket engines strapped to my Miata.

NA6C-Guy

iTrader: (1)

Didn't know the Westfield's had a V8 option. I thought they were only various inline 4's. I would still rather have a turbo 4 cylinder over a torque monster V8. There comes a point where power to weight gets retarded, and a LSx Westfield would be nearing that point, especially with some bolt-ons or god forbid forced induction.

jeff_man

iTrader: (7)

NA6C-Guy

iTrader: (1)

I'm not a huge Skyline fan or anything, but that kind of makes me angry. Why would you do that?

y8s

iTrader: (8)

shouldn't you be out sticking an LSx into a SMART?

Joe Perez

iTrader: (8)

Found the pic I'd been looking for:



Yeah, baby.

240_to_miata

iTrader: (2)

My friend has a R500 caterham.... 250 to the wheels with a NA 4 cyl.... And its stupid fast and handles. I would NOT throw a v8 in that car.