Your project is looking really good. I like the concept too, 4-wheeled superbike

The only query I have are these two crossovers here on the top of the chassis. I think they could be simple triangulations instead of having the tiny crossed over part. The outcome structurally would be almost the same.



I know you're going to reduce the tubes somewhat but I just thought I'd throw in my 2-cents worth.

First of all, that looks like a good start! Thorough approach.

My two pence; for a "naked" style car, I think a "curved tubing" approach (Ariel Atom) looks better, as the curved tubes really give the car a kind of "shape", while straight tubes will make it look "unfinished". Structuraly, the straight tubes are an advantage of course, but with the dimensions of tubing you're intending to use, you should have enough margins.
Secondly; are you intending the "upright" seating position as used in Sevens? Or the more lying-down position of a typical single seater? I think the latter would look nicer, but can imagine choosing for the more upright position.

As for shape; I'd love to do something similar as you're doing. But my design would probably have to look a bit like the sub3wheeler (but then with 4 wheels). Just because it doesn't look like a roadgoing formula 1 car. For me personally, that would be a benefit.

But whatever route you choose; I'm interested in following you're progress, so please make sure to keep us up to date.

Marcel

benonymous... you are right of course.. I will remove the crossover, or even make the section where they meet wider so that they form more of a cross... first solution is more likely as it is too stiff at the moment..

mave... I agree about the curved tubing but.. I like the simplicity and the structural benefits of straight tubing.. and also, there is no one local that I would trust with bending.. I am having problems finding someone to bend the rollover hoop..

I like your car BTW, I also thought about a "vertical" design for my nose cone, as I will have some minimal bodywork on the front of course...

the seating position will be very low.. I will put the "digital person" in the solidworks model asap...

[Edited on 30/1/08 by kikiturbo]

I have always liked "racing car" designs as you probably can tell by my F1-2 build.
I am also building an "atomesque" project using curved tubes.
It did take me a long time to find a decent (plus reasonable cost) company near me who could do what I want, but the effort was worth it as it "makes" the car.


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It's looking nice, Kikiturbo, but if I may make a small suggestion. Why not make provisions to carry a passenger aboard? Not a two seater, but a tandem of a sort- which would mean you'd have to widen the chassis only a bit (if at all), and just lengthen it slightly... Again, not conventional tandem, but rather like motorbike- with the driver reclining on the passenger.

At least, you'd be able to transport the opposite sex (and if you put passenger seat high enough, you'll be able to use their head to protect rolll bar in case of rolling the car :p).

Anyways, it's looking good and I'm looking forward to seeing your progress on it.

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Originally posted by Wolf HR
It's looking nice, Kikiturbo, but if I may make a small suggestion. Why not make provisions to carry a passenger aboard? Not a two seater, but a tandem of a sort- which would mean you'd have to widen the chassis only a bit (if at all), and just lengthen it slightly... Again, not conventional tandem, but rather like motorbike- with the driver reclining on the passenger.

At least, you'd be able to transport the opposite sex (and if you put passenger seat high enough, you'll be able to use their head to protect rolll bar in case of rolling the car :p).

Anyways, it's looking good and I'm looking forward to seeing your progress on it.

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Nitram- grat minds think alike... (and spot on regarding the colour of the front engined F1 car- Arrows recent front engined F1 design, and they attempted it also in '79 )

But I had a tad more 'comfy' layout in mind (call me an old perv), and pardon the quick sketch in ManneQuinPRO):


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with all due respect to anyone building or driving a self built twin seater, and I am a great fan of the LCC Rocket, I do not want a passenger, for a couple of reasons:

1. for 99.9% of time I drife for fun, I drive alone, and I really do not like having a passenger.

2. In a BEC car, it is all about power/weight... adding 90-100 kg more transforms a ultra fast BEC supercar into a fast hatch... if you catch my drift.. so the passenger in question will not feel the full on effect.. although I would probably find that a BEC locost iis more than fast enough even with two people on board..

3. leaving room for a passenger brings a new set of compromises I really do not want...

4. my wife does not enjoy my driving... and my delta integrale will be fast enough to impress other ladies..


as I said, I really want a single seater.. no compromises...

just watched a test of the new LCC rocket on autocar website.. unbelivably cool..

If you want a single seater why not buy the MK Sprint-R?
A complete chassis/body package is about 5K.
My car cost me 8k in materials.

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Originally posted by Wolf HR
Nitram- grat minds think alike... (and spot on regarding the colour of the front engined F1 car- Arrows recent front engined F1 design, and they attempted it also in '79 )

But I had a tad more 'comfy' layout in mind (call me an old perv), and pardon the quick sketch in ManneQuinPRO):


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Originally posted by nitram38
If you want a single seater why not buy the MK Sprint-R?
A complete chassis/body package is about 5K.
My car cost me 8k in materials.

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nitram... are you planning some sort of a front crash structure, or will it be just the glassfibre nose cone with a rad in it?

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Originally posted by kikiturbo
nitram... are you planning some sort of a front crash structure, or will it be just the glassfibre nose cone with a rad in it?

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ok,

I was looking at the spec for FSAE cars and they require an energy absorbtion structure in front.. I'll probably go for just a glassfibre nosecone, as my rad will be next to the engine, in a sidepod..

[Edited on 30/1/08 by kikiturbo]

If you want energy absorption structure in front, it might be well to remember Wartburg designed their 'mandolin shaped' tubular chassis that AFAIK absorbed frontal impacts well and was easier to repair than most... Maybe you could come up with something in front of main chassis structure along those lines (a single tube open at the front, 'bulbous' and curved)- sort of like a spring. Just my 2c worth. HTH

HA! didn't know about the mandolin shaped chasis... I was thinking more along the lines of the energy absorption porperties of glassfibre nose cone, maybe with an aluminium honeycomb structure inside, like what FSAE cars use..

I didn't know the Wartburg chassis, but looking at the planview of the sub3wheeler, they might have known it.