Alez
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| posted on 12/3/13 at 10:11 PM |
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Which car for ZCars-like project?
Hi All 
Say I wanted to put a bike engine in a small car, behind the occupants, much like ZCars do all the time.
I'd like an enclosed car (be it soft top or coupe), therefore with a windscreen, so cars like the Sylva Riot or J15 are not suitable.
It looks then like a proven solution like the ZCars Mini line-up or similar conversion would be ideal.
However, I've recently found out that the Mini Marcos curb weight is a mere 476 kg (source Wikipedia), which is great given the relatively
modest torque of bike engines. And there's also the Fiat 500, which weighs 499 kg as standard.
So, would those two suit at all? Any other alternatives? Thoughts?
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mark chandler
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| posted on 12/3/13 at 10:14 PM |
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Scootz has a smart roadster that would fit the bill for sale.
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daniel mason
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| posted on 12/3/13 at 10:18 PM |
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reliant kitten. my mate unijacko67 is doing a honda s2000 powered one but a rear engined chain driven one should be possible.or a front engined prop
driven if you wish.
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theduck
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| posted on 12/3/13 at 10:18 PM |
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Smart roadster would be brilliant!
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Benzo
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| posted on 12/3/13 at 10:23 PM |
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Those z-car minis handle like a bag of sh*t..
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Alez
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| posted on 12/3/13 at 10:23 PM |
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Smarts are WAY too heavy for me (the Fortwo is 730 kg and the Roadster is 840 kg). The Reliant looks pretty interesting at 508 kg, in fact:
"Reliant Kitten Bike Engine"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAJv5iC89c0
[Edited on 12/3/13 by Alez]
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iank
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| posted on 12/3/13 at 10:25 PM |
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Fiat 500 works (though they are getting expensive) http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/viewthread.php?tid=172827
T66 has his Fiat 126 http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/viewthread.php?tid=148837
The biggest problem is probably the extremely short chains you get which causes wear problems.
[Edited on 12/3/13 by iank]
--
Never argue with an idiot. They drag you down to their level, then beat you with experience.
Anonymous
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Alez
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| posted on 12/3/13 at 10:29 PM |
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Nice one.
Actually, now that you mention it, I had seen some 500 on Youtube before.
The 126 was quite heavier, around 100 kg extra, but still reasonable, 580-619 kg, lighter than standard Minis, quoted 617-686 kg.
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Alez
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| posted on 12/3/13 at 10:40 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Benzo
Those z-car minis handle like a bag of sh*t..
That's odd, because they've made some expensive decisions on their design, in fact, their front subframe is rather sophisticated, with a
price to match.
Good handling is definitely a requirement because I'd use it for track days as much as for road use.
I wonder if a specialist could make it work properly by adjusting the suspension and geometries, given that the front subframe is fully adjustable.
Odd!
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Alez
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| posted on 12/3/13 at 10:44 PM |
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quote:
The biggest problem is probably the extremely short chains you get which causes wear problems.
I'm not convinced by the chain method either, despite it being the preferred solution for the majority of mid bike engined cars including
Radicals and so on. I often think about going single seater by putting the engine to the side of the driver, in a Locost configuration (north-south,
prop shaft).
[Edited on 12/3/13 by Alez]
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Volvorsport
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| posted on 12/3/13 at 10:45 PM |
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do you mean the z cars fwd one or the spaceframe rwd one (spins like a top)
if your from spain a nice seat 500/600 should be possible to secure ...........
www.dbsmotorsport.co.uk
getting dirty under a bus
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T66
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| posted on 12/3/13 at 10:49 PM |
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Hillman imp - imp Paul has a busa one
Reliant kitten - groggy has a Saab turbo one
Scott's Smart on a space frame will be as light as a light thing. Don't dismiss it. A spider style smart, with a bike engine would be very
different.
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iank
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| posted on 12/3/13 at 10:51 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Alez
quote:
The biggest problem is probably the extremely short chains you get which causes wear problems.
I'm not convinced by the chain method either, despite it being the preferred solution for the majority of mid bike engined cars including
Radicals and so on. I often think about going single seater by putting the engine to the side of the driver, in a Locost configuration (north-south,
prop shaft).
[Edited on 12/3/13 by Alez]
MEV Atomic uses that layout http://www.roadtrackrace.co.uk/rtr_atomic_gallery.html
--
Never argue with an idiot. They drag you down to their level, then beat you with experience.
Anonymous
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Alez
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| posted on 12/3/13 at 10:52 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Volvorsport
do you mean the z cars fwd one or the spaceframe rwd one (spins like a top)
if your from spain a nice seat 500/600 should be possible to secure ...........
They're all mid engine RWD as far as I know. They have several stages, from a conversion using a custom rear subframe only (for the engine), to
a full spaceframe, and also a Mini look alike called Monte Carlo featuring a GRP body over a bespoke spaceframe chassis.
Yes, Seats are still affordable here, as well as Simcas (French).
[Edited on 12/3/13 by Alez]
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T66
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| posted on 12/3/13 at 10:53 PM |
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No chain in my fiat, far too short wheelbase.
I managed to find a Quaife powertec axle, thank you scootz
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Alez
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| posted on 12/3/13 at 10:58 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by T66
Hillman imp - imp Paul has a busa one
Reliant kitten - groggy has a Saab turbo one
Scott's Smart on a space frame will be as light as a light thing. Don't dismiss it. A spider style smart, with a bike engine would be very
different.
Imp is heavy. Kitten is light. I'd like a enclosed car, so no spider...
Anyway, I can't buy right now, just thinking different ideas, not looking for a car to buy (yet?).
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Alez
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| posted on 12/3/13 at 11:02 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by iank
MEV Atomic uses that layout http://www.roadtrackrace.co.uk/rtr_atomic_gallery.html
Yes, that's the one I got the idea from. Far from enclosed, but yes, that's the layout. I would put the engine quite a lot more to the
rear, though. That said, I'm wary of the engine being so close to the driver because of safety, heat and noise.
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Alez
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| posted on 12/3/13 at 11:08 PM |
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T66, what a cool project, mate, I love it. The round tube chassis is looking awesome, congrats.
quote:
Originally posted by T66
No chain in my fiat, far too short wheelbase.
I managed to find a Quaife powertec axle, thank you scootz
That's very interesting, I shall keep an eye on your thread to see how good it all comes together.
[Edited on 12/3/13 by Alez]
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Macbeast
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| posted on 12/3/13 at 11:13 PM |
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Ford Zephyr - what else ?
[img]http://
 
Z car
[/img]
( for those who weren't watching TV in the 1960s ) 
[Edited on 13/3/13 by Macbeast]
I'm addicted to brake fluid, but I can stop anytime.
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Alez
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| posted on 12/3/13 at 11:17 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Macbeast
Ford Zephyr - what else ?
Have you been drinking brake fluid again, pal?
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Alez
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| posted on 12/3/13 at 11:32 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by iank
Fiat 500 works (though they are getting expensive) http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/viewthread.php?tid=172827
"Using the above classic mini transfer box bolted straight on."
Cool! Liking that.
[Edited on 12/3/13 by Alez]
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ashg
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| posted on 13/3/13 at 01:08 AM |
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i have got an imp they weigh absolutely nothing mine is fully gutted at them moment and i push it around all the time with one leg out the door while
steering
Anything With Tits or Wheels Will cost you MONEY!!
Haynes Roadster (Finished)
Exocet (Finished & Sold)
New Project (Started)
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MK9R
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| posted on 13/3/13 at 06:29 AM |
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How about a GTM??
Cheers Austen
RGB car number 9
www.austengreenway.co.uk
www.automatedtechnologygroup.co.uk
www.trackace.co.uk
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imp paul
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| posted on 13/3/13 at 06:45 AM |
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ash is bang on the money nothing heavy here lol
 
this is how the shell is with no floor omg
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froggy
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| posted on 13/3/13 at 08:07 AM |
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I have a spare kitten van at work and if I was doing another one I would buy a cheap mx5 , simple ladder chassis using both Mazda subframes and use
everything else as the seats fit etc . 1.8 donor would make 130hp 800kg daily driver . The running gear fits under a scooped out mini van with clubman
front so no issue with a reliant body .
Mid engined gives me great traction but no where near as much fun as rwd
[IMG]http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r187/froggy_0[IMG]
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.JPG)
