lowflyer

Here's an idea that I incorporated into my Stalker. It's a portable intercom system, as used in small private aircraft. It's tied to a pair of aviation style headsets, which provides a simple way to talk between driver and "co-pilot" with minimum fuss. The headsets reduce ambient noise by about 20 db, which keeps both the engine noise and wind buffet to an acceptable level. To top it off, I added a patch cable which allows me to hook in a Walkman-type radio/cassette player. The whole thing plugs into a cigarette power outlet or can be run off of an internal 9v battery. In addition to protecting your hearing, it has an added benefit of keeping your hat on at speed! I flew single engined aircraft for several years, and during the first year or so didn't wear a headset. I probably have suffered some hearing loss from that and didn't see the need to add to it with the car. One caution, not all states are as understanding as Arizona about such set-ups, although it can't be any worse than being in your "grown up" car, with the radio going, A/C blowing and talking on your cell phone. Here's a pic of the set up.http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/485117821_stalker222.jpg

I agree with everything you said, but you did leave out a couple of things. First, the procedure you're using will give a balanced idle, but doesn't address the running of the car, once off the idle circuit. The orginator of this thread didn't mention the altitude at which he lives, or the jetting that's in the car. It sounds like the car idles O.K., but when going onto the main circuit it's running either too lean or too rich. Does the car run O.K. at a steady state speed, say at 3000 rpm? If it's surging, it's probably too lean. If it's got a stumble on acceleration at that rpm, it's most likely running rich. And I haven't even mentioned the pump circuit! And after all of this, remember the old adage, " 90% of carb problems are electrical".

Beautiful car... glad I don't have to polish it. Although if it was mine, I'm sure I wouldn't mind!!!!!

I purchased a 2 position, portable aircraft intercom system off of Ebay, and later got a pair of low cost airplane headsets. The intercom unit plugs into the cigarette lighter, or can be powered by an internal 9V battery. The unit is VOX or voice operated, so it's live all the time. I've even upgraded it with a patch cable that plugs into one end and allows me to hook up a Sony Walkman cassette player/radio. One caution, not all states are as "reasonable" as Arizona about allowing such things, although it can't be much worse than being in your "grown up" car, with the windows up, radio going, A/C roaring and talking on your cell phone! Pics attached.http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1842882495_stalker222.jpghttp://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1728953415_headset2.jpghttp://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/2742311_headset3.jpg

Built over the summer of 2005, Stalker #47 features a 3.4 Chevy crate engine with some go-fast goodies, backed up by an S10 Chevy 5 speed. The rear end is a 3.42 S10 unit with a Torsen limited slip. I had driven a friend's Super 7 back in the early '60's but had given up on finding one that I would now fit in. The Stalker is designed for "real American" wide-bodies. Autocrossed occasionally, but really a nice weather, weekend toy. The most unique mods I've made are custom leather wrapped seats, much more in keeping with a '60's British sports car, and a portable two place intercom which allows for easy communication with my wife, plus the added advantage of reducing the wind/engine noise and helping to keep my hat on! Recent upgrades have been a set of Superlite wheels, very similar to the Minilites. Been lurking on the forum for a while now, glad to be on board.http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1986651660_stalker140.jpghttp://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1918076524_stalker157.jpghttp://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/648543053_stalker182.jpg

Very nice trailer. I have a similar design, which was originally designed for a Formula Ford I raced. It had a hinged top which tapered to the center, but relied on lots of "ooomph" to raise. When making it fit my Stalker I had to do away with the aluminum top since it wouldn't work with the Slaker's roll bar and windshild. What are the hydraulic lifts you are using from? They must be rather stout to handle all that steel and aluminum. One thought... on mine the front is tapered back for the first two feet, which offers a small aerodynamic advantage. Mine is 14' down the centerline, but only 12' at the wheels. I rebuilt mine a couple of years ago, removed the floor which had some dry rot in it, replaced the wood sides with aluminum diamond plate and rewired it. Out of curiosity, what is the cost of something like your building? http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/621215725_trailer2.jpghttp://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/2140257367_trailer18.jpghttp://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1525661002_trailer1.jpg

One thought... be sure to use the latest carb insulator blocks when you mount them up. The last ones I had were aluminum castings with grooves to accept rubber O-rings. Probably the most common problem with the dual Weber set up is vacuum leaks around the blocks. Don't overtighten them, and use locking nuts (not the nylon ones, as the engine heat tends to make them fall apart). Good luck and hollar if I can be of any help. I've played with Webers for about 20 years now.

If the old ones aren't leaking, why replace them? If you do install the smaller ones, it will be easy to tell if they are too small. At full throttle, especially under a load such as going up a hill, the car will "run out of gas" from the floats running dry. If you don't have the problem then they are proabably large enough.

It won't make much difference, but mounting the heaviest part of the shock above the spring makes it "sprung weight", below the spring is "unsprung weight". Keeping your unsprung weight as small as possible can help in the handling of the car.

In all reality, I think Dennis' idea is that the people that have a stake in the project have a right not to have kibbitzers offering ideas and opinions on a subject when they have no stake in it. For the fellow placing an order, you will get all the info you need. The forum has a fairly complete builder's guide which you can download and print out, which has descriptions/photos on most of the phases of the build. There is also a builders photo gallery (www.stalkerv6gallery.com/gallery2/main.php) of cars in various stages of build, plus finished photos of cars, autocrosses, trips, etc. My car is Chassis #47 and is on page 4 or 5, check it out. You won't be disappointed! I have been in "heat" with Lotus 7's since I drove a "real" series 2 back in the late 1960's. Since the real ones now command big bucks, I looked at several possiblities and settled on the Brunton for a couple of reasons. First of all, it's one of the very few that fit a "full sized" American body. Plus with all the parts available locally I didn't have to wait for the ship to arrive with the English Ford parts. Don't get me wrong, I love the Brit Fords having owned and raced a Lotus Cortina and a Zink Formula Ford, but it is a bit of a hassle finding bits. Enjoy!

I do own a Stalker, built it myself, so let me offer a thought here. There is a very informative forum which has all the build info, parts lists (along with suppliers/prices) plus tons of help from other builders. Dennis has chosen to keep the forum for owner/builders only. His reasoning is simply that he feels that his customers are part of a small family and the information that they share should benifit the members. No offense meant to non-owners but it seems to be best served by doing it this way. Not my intent to speak for Dennis in this case, just my understanding of his intention. Once I put down my initial deposit, I was given a password to join the forum. If you ask Dennis, I'm sure he would provide you with a list of the recommended parts, but remember you are building your car. Each one of us has made decisions to do things their way when it comes to their car. Isn't that why we would build a car rather than simply buying what was available in the market place already?

New guy here... started autocrossing back in the '60's with a Porsche S90 GT coupe and my main antagonist was a fellow with a Lotus S7 (1340 cc). Later raced a Lotus Cortina sedan and made good friends with a fellow that had another S7 which I had the good fortune to drive a couple of times. Spent many years in the automobile business, selling and service depts, worked for Penske Racing for one year in 1967, ahd had the opportunity to spend time with Mark Donahue and Bill Mayberry (Murph). Got back into Solo events in 1999 with a Zink Formula Ford which I ran for two years. Discovered the Brunton Stalker on a website and bought a kit, finished it in about 10 months. Presently enjoying the Stalker as a sunny day driver and occasional autocrosser. Glad to be here...