Lotus 7 D mod. - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

t walgamuth · #1 04-03-2015, 01:36 PM

I got a bunch of technical info from the seller and have been perusing it. It already has Willwood calipers so I'm sure those are aluminum. I can still do some good with the rotors I think.

The rear axle is like off a midget. it turns out it has axle tubes which are bent to give 1 degree of negative camber, and are rotated top toward the front one quarter of turn to give a little toe in.

It has double adjustable with remote reservoir shocks (so I have twice the opportunities to screw up the handling).

Its geared such and the engine has such a flat torque curve that they have been taking off and running the entire course in the same gear.....great! No worries about screwing up a shift!

The builder of this car did some amazing things. I can't wait to see it.

t walgamuth · #2 04-03-2015, 01:37 PM

Tomorrow I am going to Milwaukee to pick up the new to me Lotus 7 replica D mod race car.

Wooo hooooo!

P.C. · #3 04-03-2015, 02:49 PM

Lucky dog!

mytmousemalibu · #4 04-03-2015, 04:33 PM

Can't wait to see a dedicated thread + vids

My friend has had his DS Miata out a couple times now, I need to go co-drive with him

Most recent outing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VvMsVrBYLo

Txjake · #5 04-03-2015, 04:53 PM

this thread is worthless without pictures....

t walgamuth · #6 04-03-2015, 08:25 PM

ok ok

t walgamuth · #7 04-04-2015, 09:07 PM

Got it home. The PO spent nearly 3 hrs going through things and helping me load it.

TheDon · #8 04-04-2015, 10:20 PM

I want to build a locost 7 badly....

t walgamuth · #9 04-04-2015, 10:35 PM

No no no....you want to build one well!

t walgamuth · #10 04-10-2015, 07:51 PM

I am hoping to race on sunday. Today I worked on getting my wider body into the kirkey aluminum seat. I removed the cover and some of the padding. Tomorrow I'll remove more padding and possibly try to stretch it wider. I also need to run it a bit and try to clear the idle position sensor of something that is hanging it up, spoiling the idle. I see some ways to reduce unsprung weight that I will explore later.

mytmousemalibu · #11 04-11-2015, 12:27 AM

This one has an S2000 drivetrain right? Is the suspension all fabbed arms and what not or using OEM components of some kind?

I would LOVE to have a Caterham Seven 620R or CSR!

Or if you haven't seen this the Donkervoort D8 GTO, a full bodied Lotus 7 based chassis but AWD + Audi 5cyl turbo! Looks amazing to me! Donkervoort, No Compromise

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3E4vupq_HYI

Realistically, I would be very happy with a locost. I think one built light with a healthy Mazda 13B rotary would be the most fun I could have with my pants on! Either turbo'd or naturally aspirated peripheral port screaming around the autocross course! I'm a huge rotary fan!

mytmousemalibu · #12 04-11-2015, 02:11 AM

Here's the Donkervoort and i'm in love with it!

t walgamuth · #13 04-11-2015, 05:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mytmousemalibu

This one has an S2000 drivetrain right? Is the suspension all fabbed arms and what not or using OEM components of some kind?

I would LOVE to have a Caterham Seven 620R or CSR!

Or if you haven't seen this the Donkervoort D8 GTO, a full bodied Lotus 7 based chassis but AWD + Audi 5cyl turbo! Looks amazing to me! Donkervoort, No Compromise

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3E4vupq_HYI

Realistically, I would be very happy with a locost. I think one built light with a healthy Mazda 13B rotary would be the most fun I could have with my pants on! Either turbo'd or naturally aspirated peripheral port screaming around the autocross course! I'm a huge rotary fan!

My car was built by Del Long in Iowa. It is based on a CMC chassis. It has an Accura 2 liter motor from a 2002 car. It is an engine with square bore and stroke with four valves per cylinder, and variable timing on both cams. Its been dynoed at 230 hp and about 160 torque. I believe that is wheel hp. The torque curve is virtually flat from about 2000 rpm to 9000. It is set up to run on E85. It has a rev limiter set for 9200 rpm IIRC. It has a dry sump and an alternator.

It has a four speed trans from a corolla with first and second gears removed. It is designed to be able to take off in third or fourth gear and not have to shift underway at all. The engine is offset to the right so that the ds comes through where the passenger would sit and the back of the engine is sitting on the centerline between the front and rear wheels, the max setback allowed.

The rear axle is a circle track midget style with a magnesium center section and a torsen limited slip. Its a live axle. the 7.56 quick change diff is offset to the right to line up with the engine. The brakes and front uprights are corolla, I believe.

There is a kirkey aluminum seat which is on a track and adjustable, a quick release steering wheel, a large tach, an oil pressure gauge and oil temp gauge. When down in the car my nose is a couple inches higher than the top of the valve cover and my butt is inches from the asphalt. There is room in the cockpit and footwell. Compared to the needle nosed Formula ford this will be like driving bubba's F150 to the store for a six pack and some chips. I'll be able to wear my normal street shoes while driving it.

It is built for one thing, to go fast and be lightweight. It has 13 x 10 midget wheels all around with rear tires a bit bigger than front. The weight is about 1250 and distribution is about 45/55 front to rear.

Its all prefinished yellow aluminum and pop rivets. Every body panel can be removed with dzues fasteners down to the frame. It looks brutal and all business and it is.

With two different drivers it has won five national championships and finished on the podium numerous times as well. I went looking for a race ready D mod capable of being competitive and for not a lot more money was able to buy this lovely car.

Although the builder is one of the best and cleverest around I have spotted a few places I think I can reduce the weight a little. I need to take out about 20# to stay on the minimum weight. I have to weigh at least 1450 including the driver, ready to race.

I can't wait to drive it.

t walgamuth · #14 04-11-2015, 12:10 PM

I unloaded and shelved all the spare parts, keeping the ones I will be needing separate. I got the seat adjusted so that I can drive it (I think) and lubricated some sticky things like the steering wheel quick release shaft and the seat belt latch, adjusting the belts. I can not only see my belts but can reach them to fasten and unfasten them.

(In the FF I could not see the latch because my belly was in the way so always had to latch them by feel or get help from benevolent bystanders).

I put some injection cleaner in the fuel and now will run it and try to clear the idle position sensor so it will idle.

Woo Hooooo!

t walgamuth · #15 04-11-2015, 07:47 PM

After it warmed up it idled fine. the clutch is soft like a road car. the car is very tractable to drive around. I aired the tires up a bit, bought a new gas can for the E85 and got three gallons of the stuff. The rig is ready to roll in the morning. they're on central time so I don't have to leave at the crack of dawn but may not be home by dark.