LocostBuilders - powered by XMB

She's on her back!

nitram38 - 9/3/08 at 01:41 PM

Following on from my recent posts, the chassis is upside down.
Welding is at around 98% finished.
I have a few more brackets to weld on (got to make them first) and a wooden mold to make for the fibreglass floor tub.
I have 5 ltrs of Black Epoxy Mastic 121 ready for painting as soon as the welding is finished.

I am sure that the second photo looks like the head of K-9 from Dr Who

Description
[img][/img]
[img][/img]
[img][/img]

[Edited on 9/3/2008 by nitram38]

[Edited on 9/3/2008 by nitram38]

speedyxjs - 9/3/08 at 01:45 PM

Nice work
Shouldnt be long till your finished

worX - 9/3/08 at 01:48 PM

Is there a suspension geometry reason why the front "mini-suspension-subframe" piece isn't parrallel with the "floor" or did you do it that way just to keep a certain line for bodywork/nosecone etc?

Steve

nitram38 - 9/3/08 at 02:02 PM

quote:
Originally posted by worX
Is there a suspension geometry reason why the front "mini-suspension-subframe" piece isn't parrallel with the "floor" or did you do it that way just to keep a certain line for bodywork/nosecone etc?

Steve

If I made the bottom of the subframe level with the rear subframe, then the wishbones would be shorter at the front.
The bottom wishbone mounts on the front subframe are underneath and not on the sides. This means that the bottom bones almost pivot from the centre of the car.
Longer wishbones also means that any weight transfer is better at the front which is better for braking, handling etc.
The only reason the rear is not done this way, is because the engine needs to be as low as possible.
I have looked at the atom chassis and they have done it this way, so it must be there for good reason.
You can't do it on front engined cars unless you have clearance.
If you look at a rear engined imp, you will find that the front wishbones almost meet in the centre of the car too.
I used to race imps and their handling was excellent!

worX - 9/3/08 at 03:16 PM

It wasn't the height difference I was wondering about it was the angle of the front 'bones sub-frame...

It looks like it's leaning down (in these upside down shots) and therefore not in a linear plain. (if that makes sense?)

Or have you already answered that above and I just haven't understood?

Steve

nitram38 - 9/3/08 at 05:34 PM

It is dead level with the ground, same as the rear, but the side rails are curved so you are seeing it wrong.

Description

Description

[Edited on 9/3/2008 by nitram38]

worX - 10/3/08 at 06:32 AM

It must be just me seeing it wrong then Martin - It just seemed that the last photo on your first post showed the front subframe to be leaning back instead of being inline with the rear subframe and the seat base subframe...

Steve

Wolf HR - 10/3/08 at 01:33 PM

Nitram38- sorry to digress, but what steering rack are you using (I'm interested in length, and where/how much). I see you have it placed just about right (zero bump steer).

I'll have to refrain (for now) from further inquiries about your suspension set-up, seeing this is chassis thread, after all.

nitram38 - 10/3/08 at 05:44 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Wolf HR
Nitram38- sorry to digress, but what steering rack are you using (I'm interested in length, and where/how much). I see you have it placed just about right (zero bump steer).

I'll have to refrain (for now) from further inquiries about your suspension set-up, seeing this is chassis thread, after all.

It is an expensive Titan rack. Custom made to fit my dimensions and turn ratio of 1:1.
It cost me Ł475!

stuleah - 10/3/08 at 07:52 PM

nitram ive been following your progress, its coming on really well.
now its all stripped have you got any idea what the chassis weighs?

nitram38 - 10/3/08 at 08:32 PM

quote:
Originally posted by stuleah
nitram ive been following your progress, its coming on really well.
now its all stripped have you got any idea what the chassis weighs?

Not yet, I haven't got anything to weigh it with.
I can roll it, but I can't lift it off the floor.

stuleah - 11/3/08 at 10:02 PM

no probs, you will have to post it if you get a chance of weighing it.

cloudy - 12/3/08 at 11:51 PM

Good stuff! When do you think you'll be able to roll it outside?

James

nitram38 - 13/3/08 at 05:57 AM

It will be a few weeks yet!
The problem I have at the moment is that I am working lots of extra shifts at the moment and it looks like my first day off is after easter.
I have a few brackets to weld on plus I need to get a bottle of pure argon for my tig so that I can weld on the end caps on the tubes (about 10 of them). I then want to make a wooden floor tub mold ready for fibreglassing before I paint the chassis.
As soon as she is painted, then it will be a rebuild. I also have to clean up my wishbones and paint them too.
The good news is that I am nearly at the stage where I only have to do some of these jobs only once.
Oh, I have just remembered I want to make a fuel tank too before painting the chassis as I will want brackets welded on for that too!