limets of the chassis

[RAYLEE29]

look at the superlight r500 263bhp 177 llb ft torque
isnt that enough for anyone
Ray

[madmax]

thanks for all the info i will be thinking about that for a day or two don't think i will be putting more than 300bhp in turbo form in the chassis

[Beardy_John]

Originally Posted by RAYLEE29

look at the superlight r500 263bhp 177 llb ft torque
isnt that enough for anyone
Ray

Your right about the figures, they are awesome for a 7 style space frame, but have you looked at any pictures of that space frame?? Its very impressive and very well triangulated in a lot of directions, and probably a bit too much to re-create for the average locoster. Unless they've got a tube lazer

[RAYLEE29]

yes agreed but the point I was trying to make you dont need to have stupid power for loads of performance and fun.
Ray

[ACE HIGH]

Commonsense means that Colin Chapman's original 7 started off with less than 40 HP and during his lifetime reached around 125hp with the twin cam.Yachts and power boats have a hull displacement speed which is not easy to excede no matter how much power or sail area is applied to the boat.So it is with a Clubman 7,As the style of the car has to remain basically unchanged then the limiting factor is the aerodynamics which is about the worst on the road,and no amount of HP after about 150/180 is going to do much good as the steering gets a bit light from 140km on and approaching 180km plus then a certain amount of danger is present.The Clubman 7 has a few failings which would be better to spend time and money on,namely,the butt ugly exhaust that exits by the drivers ear sending exhaust gases into the cockpit,the 45 degree coil over shocks that give a bad uncomfortable ride,it really needs torsion bars all round with vertical shocks,or perhaps Mcpherson struts at the rear.For ultimate performance it seems that a motorcycle engine is the best idea,has anyone thought of a big 1340/1500 cc Harley?that would give a very good engine to use once cooling was worked out and a high torque Harley around 85 hp plus,unstressed with a lightweight Roadster would be better performing than some of the big engined vehicles.Lightweight is the way to go in my opinion.That should get you all going,stir/stir!!!David

[ACE HIGH]

Also if it was possible to put inboard rear brakes on the Roadster this would be an improvement worth more than a heap of horsepower.David

[deezee]

Originally Posted by ACE HIGH

the butt ugly exhaust that exits by the drivers ear sending exhaust gases into the cockpit

LOL or just get a nice Zetec or other engine that has the exhaust on the correct side Just my opinion, but I like side exhausts on a car You make it sound like you hate the car, with its ugly looks, awful comfort, poor handling and dangerous steering

[mr henderson]

Originally Posted by ACE HIGH

Commonsense means that Colin Chapman's original 7 started off with less than 40 HP and during his lifetime reached around 125hp with the twin cam.Yachts and power boats have a hull displacement speed which is not easy to excede no matter how much power or sail area is applied to the boat.So it is with a Clubman 7,As the style of the car has to remain basically unchanged then the limiting factor is the aerodynamics which is about the worst on the road,and no amount of HP after about 150/180 is going to do much good as the steering gets a bit light from 140km on and approaching 180km plus then a certain amount of danger is present.The Clubman 7 has a few failings which would be better to spend time and money on,namely,the butt ugly exhaust that exits by the drivers ear sending exhaust gases into the cockpit,the 45 degree coil over shocks that give a bad uncomfortable ride,it really needs torsion bars all round with vertical shocks,or perhaps Mcpherson struts at the rear.For ultimate performance it seems that a motorcycle engine is the best idea,has anyone thought of a big 1340/1500 cc Harley?that would give a very good engine to use once cooling was worked out and a high torque Harley around 85 hp plus,unstressed with a lightweight Roadster would be better performing than some of the big engined vehicles.Lightweight is the way to go in my opinion.That should get you all going,stir/stir!!!David

You don't seem to have addressed my question about why you felt that commonsense dictated a chassis made from thicker steel at higher horsepower levels, "Using commonsense about 120/150 hp,180 hp maximum,if you want to use higher power use 32x32 x1.6 or larger.". Do I take it that you have now dropped that?

If wanting to use a strut suspension at the rear, it would be better to use the Chapman strut, such as was originally used on the Lotus Elan. That, combined with the inboard brakes you suggest, would certainly reduce the rear unsprung weight.

Better to have the car set up so it handles and stops well with 100 ish bhp to make things fun rather than scary, what use is not being able to stamp on the pedal for fear of spinning as too much power...

[Bonzo]

Ohhhh............... I do love a good debate, some have said that I am a master debater, or at least I think that's what was said !!??

Many of you may well be aware that it took me over a year to decide on what engine/power to use

Now I like to read a lot, I am also willing to learn from those who are more qualified than me.

My chioce was made after a long discussion with a former, competition racer of the 7 type chassis.
The same guy also runs a sucsessful engine & car performance company.

He is of the view that a well tuned 150 BHP engine is about the right power for the 7 type chassis.
His words were " If you are looking for a lot more power, choose a diffent chassis " . His view on what to do if you actually want to make full use of the power available.

My point !!??

Although I don't doubt for one moment that the Roadster chassis would be unable to cope with massive amounts of horsepower & torque.

How are you going to be able to get all of that power onto the road & make full use of it

Reworked chassis & mid engine per chance !!??

The boat example puts over a point nicely. My yorkshire Cobble went just as well with a 6HP motor as it did when fitted with a 15HP one