This is my first post. Nice to be here.
I am building a Locost, based on the book by Ron Champion, if you are familiar with it. It is a home built car based on the Lotus 7. My particular build is in the early stages. I am assembling components now. The finished car will weigh about 1200 lbs. Power for my car will come from a 100 hp Kawasaki ZX9 motorcycle engine, and will employ the engine's internal 5 speed gear box (no-reverse). A central drive shaft will be fabricated to get power from the splined output shaft on the Kawasaki gearbox to the rear wheels.
My questions for this group revolve around the possible use of an Opel (or Chevette) rear end for this project. My search has led me here for a few reasons.
1. I need a simple lightweight unit.
2. I desire a final drive ratio in the low to mid 3s (ideal is about 3.54:1)
3. I require a 4 x 100 bolt pattern,
4. I need brakes that will fit within a 13" wheel (BWA period wheels 6.0" wide)
5. It needs to be cheap, with parts available for rebuilding if required.
So far the Opel rear end looks pretty good on paper. Hovever, I need to know the track, final drive ratio(s). The original Lotus seven had a track of 48.5 inches. The standard chassis locost chassis I will be working with is designed to accomodate a rear axle of 55" (this is one of the reccomended rear ends from an 86 Toyota Corolla. )
The best data I can get on a Chevette, indicates a rear track of 51.2" (1300 mm). Is the Opel the same?
I see the bolt pattern of the Opels listed variously as 4 x 100, and as 4 x 4. Which is right?
I have studied the torque tube issues, and this gives me pause as well, but I think I could find ways to deal with it. The standard single trailing arms on each side of the Opel would be replaced with shorter dual trailing arms, and panhard rod. The main concern would be to build in enough movement for the torque tube to "slide/plunge" into the yoke of the driveshaft. But I think this could be done. Rear suspension travel is only expected to be about 3", perhaps less.
If it turns out that the Opel rears are too narrow to suit my project, do you have reccomendations for me? I Have heard that some RWD Isuzu cars may fit the bill, but can find nothing on them. I beleive I may have even read posts by Opel enthusiasts who made a swap to an Isuzu rear, if anyone could direct me to this info I would appreciate it.
I just recently discovered that Toyota made a 4WD Tercel wagon in 84-85 that had a solid rear end. Anyone who knows anything about these, or where I could get info on these would be doing me a big favor. I can find nothing on the internet.
I invite your creative thoughts and ideas. And thanks for letting me tap into your experience. Gene.
I am building a Locost, based on the book by Ron Champion, if you are familiar with it. It is a home built car based on the Lotus 7. My particular build is in the early stages. I am assembling components now. The finished car will weigh about 1200 lbs. Power for my car will come from a 100 hp Kawasaki ZX9 motorcycle engine, and will employ the engine's internal 5 speed gear box (no-reverse). A central drive shaft will be fabricated to get power from the splined output shaft on the Kawasaki gearbox to the rear wheels.
My questions for this group revolve around the possible use of an Opel (or Chevette) rear end for this project. My search has led me here for a few reasons.
1. I need a simple lightweight unit.
2. I desire a final drive ratio in the low to mid 3s (ideal is about 3.54:1)
3. I require a 4 x 100 bolt pattern,
4. I need brakes that will fit within a 13" wheel (BWA period wheels 6.0" wide)
5. It needs to be cheap, with parts available for rebuilding if required.
So far the Opel rear end looks pretty good on paper. Hovever, I need to know the track, final drive ratio(s). The original Lotus seven had a track of 48.5 inches. The standard chassis locost chassis I will be working with is designed to accomodate a rear axle of 55" (this is one of the reccomended rear ends from an 86 Toyota Corolla. )
The best data I can get on a Chevette, indicates a rear track of 51.2" (1300 mm). Is the Opel the same?
I see the bolt pattern of the Opels listed variously as 4 x 100, and as 4 x 4. Which is right?
I have studied the torque tube issues, and this gives me pause as well, but I think I could find ways to deal with it. The standard single trailing arms on each side of the Opel would be replaced with shorter dual trailing arms, and panhard rod. The main concern would be to build in enough movement for the torque tube to "slide/plunge" into the yoke of the driveshaft. But I think this could be done. Rear suspension travel is only expected to be about 3", perhaps less.
If it turns out that the Opel rears are too narrow to suit my project, do you have reccomendations for me? I Have heard that some RWD Isuzu cars may fit the bill, but can find nothing on them. I beleive I may have even read posts by Opel enthusiasts who made a swap to an Isuzu rear, if anyone could direct me to this info I would appreciate it.
I just recently discovered that Toyota made a 4WD Tercel wagon in 84-85 that had a solid rear end. Anyone who knows anything about these, or where I could get info on these would be doing me a big favor. I can find nothing on the internet.
I invite your creative thoughts and ideas. And thanks for letting me tap into your experience. Gene.