Cordycord's epic tube frame build
, this looks like one hell of a build.
03-09-2012, 12:10 PM
#25
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My past always seems to catch up with me. I'll have some more posts later today. I skipped past a whole bunch of assembly, from nekkid Miata to the concept of the frame. BTW, the frame continues to evolve, as chassis #3 is being built for a track-only car. If all goes according to "plans", we'll start on the bodywork this month.
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03-09-2012, 02:35 PM
#27
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You can sell (or dump) the unibody, shocks/springs, exhaust, headlight assy, auxiliary wiring, interior/carpet, all glass, all mirrors, all signals and brake lights, A/C pump, HVAC including ducting/controls/wiring, PS complete, door panels/PDL, gas cap door assy, radio/speakers, bumpers, etc. That equals A LOT of weight dropped off the car--weight you won't miss because the performance that replaces all that "stuff" will put a perma-grin on your face.
The Miata nekkid seems purpose-built for a tube frame. The car already has a cradle for the front/rear suspension and engine--we simply tie them together. Our frame is a very simple concept--four tubes link the top and bottom of the cradles, with stiffening lattice tubes throughout. In the course of the build, we try to have every frame piece have multiple jobs so there is no extra or wasted tubing.
The result is that a tired old 1.6 short nose turns this frame into a rocket ship. A short drive by two different test drivers with lots of Miata background confirm that this car pulls harder than any Spec Miata. One tester (who will remain nameless at this point) said the car pulls harder than his 284hp turbo NB.
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03-09-2012, 05:53 PM
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Seriously?! Do you complain when your free hot fudge sundae arrives with only one cherry on top?
edit--As you can see, we've added the same type of OEM eccentric as on the lower-arms, which should let the racer reduce camber on a lowered car with fat Hoosiers (to flatten the tread profile), or to increase camber for the guy with a lowered car who wants to tuck his tires inside stock fenders.
edit--As you can see, we've added the same type of OEM eccentric as on the lower-arms, which should let the racer reduce camber on a lowered car with fat Hoosiers (to flatten the tread profile), or to increase camber for the guy with a lowered car who wants to tuck his tires inside stock fenders.
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03-09-2012, 06:08 PM
#30
I'd complain if it were to come with a cherry. If I'm going to town on hot fudge, the last thing I want is fruit 
I'm not shitting in your bowl of coco-pops or knocking your work because it's awesome, it just struck me as odd that you go through the hassle of replacing 90% of a miata with tubes, only to keep the heavy control arms. It would certainly seem that you have the skills and tools to have some tubular arms made.
I'm not shitting in your bowl of coco-pops or knocking your work because it's awesome, it just struck me as odd that you go through the hassle of replacing 90% of a miata with tubes, only to keep the heavy control arms. It would certainly seem that you have the skills and tools to have some tubular arms made.
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03-09-2012, 09:33 PM
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I'm not shitting in your bowl of coco-pops or knocking your work because it's awesome, it just struck me as odd that you go through the hassle of replacing 90% of a miata with tubes, only to keep the heavy control arms. It would certainly seem that you have the skills and tools to have some tubular arms made.
This is a Miata-based build, meaning that we're making value choices. Too many "cost no option" decisions mean this won't be able to be reproduced--unless you want to buy a $60,000 Miata?.
The big decision was the tube frame, and it's paid big-time dividends. We'll get to the other stuff, but the next big hurdle will be the body.
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03-10-2012, 02:00 PM
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body
I haven't been showing the body on purpose, mainly because it's not 100% complete. However, this overlay shows the body along with a Miata outline. The engine is actually a Duratec unit, as we couldn't find a suitable CAD drawing of the Mazda mill.
The car is being designed for wider than stock rims like the ones that were on the car in the video, so that is one part that can't be transferred from your old car to the "CF", unless you're already running flares.
The car is being designed for wider than stock rims like the ones that were on the car in the video, so that is one part that can't be transferred from your old car to the "CF", unless you're already running flares.
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03-10-2012, 10:08 PM
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original concept
Going back to the very, very start, the concept was to use a Mazda Miata to build a completely new tube frame ultralight car. It's my bucket list car.
In the spirit of the original Miata, it's designed by an American using bulletproof Japanese engineering. Like a Miata it's also a reinterpretation of a classic British sports car.
When you see the original sketch, you hopefully can see some Aston Martin, Jaguar, Triumph, and AC. I wanted that classic British look, but with a modern twist.
Something else you should see is an animal. A fish. Designer Greg Tada of American Suzuki penned this car for me. He's a graduate of the Art Center School in Pasadena, and one of his instructors told him to use nature and animals to reference his sketches. Although you might be able to "see" many different cars in the design, it IS a Catfish.
In the spirit of the original Miata, it's designed by an American using bulletproof Japanese engineering. Like a Miata it's also a reinterpretation of a classic British sports car.
When you see the original sketch, you hopefully can see some Aston Martin, Jaguar, Triumph, and AC. I wanted that classic British look, but with a modern twist.
Something else you should see is an animal. A fish. Designer Greg Tada of American Suzuki penned this car for me. He's a graduate of the Art Center School in Pasadena, and one of his instructors told him to use nature and animals to reference his sketches. Although you might be able to "see" many different cars in the design, it IS a Catfish.
Last edited by cordycord; 03-10-2012 at 10:49 PM.
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