The new Locost design for 2017 is to use a modern automobile 4 cylinder engine
Locost 7 Top view (captured using just SolidWorks real-view enabled)
Setting achievable goals
At this point in my life I feel pretty confident in my Solidworks skills that anything floating around in my head given enough time, I can get it modeled. That doesn't mean that the ideas I made in SolidWorks can be used in real life. For example things like cost will absolutely keep me from using the Harltey Enterprises Bolt 4 (Images below) yet I could model the engine with little issue. Harltey makes a light weight (140lbs fully dressed), high powered (up to 250hp NA) engine that would absolutely rip in a locost. Sadly, I'm building this car on more of a Top Ramen Budget not a Lobster and Filet Mignon budget. Harlty if the off chance you want to give me an engine I would absolutely use it.
This means I need to set some achievable goals. I have to ask myself what do I really want out of this car? Is this car a full on race car or a replica of the classic lotus 7 or is it something else. Knowing this will help dictate all the decisions down the road. Is this build going to be a full on race car? No, a lotus 7 is a poor starting point for a race car due to it's very poor aerodynamics. If I wanted to build a race car, I would want to not base the build off a lotus shape. So it's not a race car, is it a replica of the original Lotus 7. No it is not, I want to incorporate modern day technology into this car. The over all silhouette will be all it shares with the original lotus 7. What I really want to build is a car that is thoroughly enjoyable on the back roads, autocross, and the very occasionally road course. To keep things simple I made a list of things I wanted to include on this build, and goals.
- It needs to have a full integrated Cage into the chaise with side and rollover protection. Strong and Safe enough that it will pass the safety inspection at any track in the USA for track day use.
- Road Legal, and pass the Californian SB100 registration. Lights, Brakes, and a Licence plate will all be on this car.
- It will have a powerful engine with enough torque smoke tires and push me back into the seat.
- It must be faster than a 20016 miata. That's my bench mark, around the track it just needs to be one fraction of a second faster than a stock 2016 miata.
- It must be fun to drive, making a all out race car can really make it a pain to drive on the street and less fun. I choose fun over the ultimate track time.
That's the goals, I'm sure I'll add to them over time, but having this base line will help with the future decisions down the road. Lastly since it's the holidays I did a Christmas color render of the my Locost 7 with SolidWorks Visualization.
