powderbrake

Woooooooonderfuuuuuul! There is no replacement for displacement

shotgunslade: I gave myself a WCM S2k for my 66th birthday. I love it. To answer some of your questions. The 95/5 track/street is probably OK for an XR7. I really don't think of it as a street car, and I believe it was originally conceived as a track car. when you see it next to the S2k, it will be obvious that it is a race car. it is LOOOOOOW, with almost a prone driving position. Why bother with lights and the registration hassle if you are really getting a track car? How user friendly? I can only speak of the S2k, and it's as reliable as any stock Honda, meaning it's bulletproof. Performance wise, like your incident with your Subaru, don't jump on the throttle in 1st or 2nd with the front wheels turned and cold tires. That's just normal for almost any Se7en, particularly one with a 240 hp engine. Fragility. I believe it is quite rugged. I was running a NASA HDPE event when I allowed Woody Harris to drive my car at Motorsports Ranch at the Southwest Se7ens Festival a couple years ago. I was a passenger when on the second lap, he attempted a turn at about 70-80mph that I was taking at 50-60mph,( I was thinking to myself.. We are definitely NOT going to make it")we didn't make it, and we slid offroad through the gravel and grass, and found some larger rocks. It bent my right rear wheel, and bent the lower shock-suspension strut mounting bolt. There was NO damage to the car. The bolt was a standard high strength american 1/2 inch , so there was no problem with a replacement. The 10 link rear suspenion, with all adjustable steel rod ends makes repairs and/or alignment adjustments quite simple. As to the wheel, lightweight aluminum wheels get bent whenever you abuse them. If you want some first hand knowledge of an XR7, RDROCKT on this website has one. You can PM him, or email me at geddens at charter dot net, and I can put you in touch.

Great auction idea, I'll have to steal your idea at the next auction at our church.

I'll be 70 this month. I got interested about 15 years ago, and never did anything about it, until I dedided to build "something". That something turned out to be a se7en. I started my Ultralite kit is Feb of 2004, and have thoroughly enjoyed the car ever since.

Mike: The car is streetable. Heck, it's a great reliable Honda, just hit the start button and go. I use mine to run errands, pick up the groceries (you can stuff 4 12 packs of soda in the passenger footwell) and also drive it just for the pure fun of it. Since I drive it regulary on the street, I insured it just like my other cars, the only limit on my insurance is 7500 miles per year. I also use it for the occasional blat on the back roads. This is where the true value of the car really lies. The sense of freedom and the incredible roadwothiness of a seven make cruising the roads a sheer pleasure. If you have spent a lot of time on a street bike, then you will have all the understanding to avoid the drivers who don't see smaller objects. I do not worry about trucks, I just make sure I stay in areas where they can see me. I don't have cupholders or other comfort devices. I do take a couple bottles of water or soda when on a blat, and it's no problem. I do mount my Valentine 1 on the hood between the windscreens, and I use an ear plug in one ear so I can hear the radar detector when it goes off. It has saved me on numerous occasions. powderbrake2007-01-01 10:52:27

I used coroplast, which is like corrugated paper box material, but made of polypropylene plastic. It is used by signmakers for temporary yard signs etc. Cheap, about $15 for a 4 X 8 sheet, cuts with a mat knife, is very very light, and comes in lots of colors. It is available from your local plastics store, or try a sign shop. >coroplast website I insulated the passenger compartment on the side and front with Cool Mat from JEG's, then cut the coroplast to fit. I also use the coroplast for floormats.they are expendable. I did not insulate the transmission tunnel, as they get pretty warm, but there is a lot of room for you legs, and mine never touch the tunnel walls. Also, since the aluminum is available painted or clear, Brian Anderson, the WCM kit builder, used red painted aluminum to skin the transmission tunnel. I also did not insulate the driver's outside wall, but it is covered in coroplast, which is riveted to the frame bars. I also insulated the passenger compartment on the engine side with the metallized film with fiberglass backing. The passenger compartment never gets too warm. Here's some pics ( I also made the trunk liner from coroplast) http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/20061228_091522_IMGP4620_Medium.JPG http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/20061228_091540_IMGP4622_Medium.JPG http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/20061228_091603_IMGP4624_Medium.JPG http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/20061228_091633_IMGP4631_Medium.JPG http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/20061228_091658_IMGP4656_Medium.JPG http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/20061228_091720_IMGP4657_Medium.JPG http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/20061228_091736_IMGP4660_Medium.JPG

It certainly takes pretty big brass ones to do that. It appears that he has 4 model airplane jet turbines on the wing. I didn't see any smoke when he jumped out, I assume he is smart enough not to light off 4 jets inside the plane. It takes a lot of faith to believe all 4 jets will start, insuring parallel thrust, but I guess that's why he wears a parachute (Besides the high stall speed) Just when you think you have all the neat toys, some guy gets a new one. " The guy who dies with the most toys, wins"

Its great that you found the problem, and that the fix was simple.

I was in the 40's yesterday, so I spent a little time changing the oil in my Tahoe and in the Ultralite. I have added Stabil to the Ultralite's gas, run it enough to get it throughout the fuel system, and I doubt if I will take it out unless there is a warm day in Janurary. Merry Christmas and a Happy New year to all.

rv-4Mike: I went through the same series of questions myself when I decided to build a kit car. I agree there are lots of cobras out there. It is a great car, but in an entirely different category. It's a big honkin V8 and has the weight and size that goes with that. Since you are looking at the Ariel, WCM and Stalker, it sounds like you are looking for something smaller and more nimble. That is the esssence of a LSiS ( Lotus Seven inspired Sportscar) I have an Ultralite, and have run against Cobras on the track, and can stay with or beat many Cobras in the twisties. When you hit the straight however, the horsepower and aerodynamics of the Cobra give them the advantage. I have seen a lot of Ultralites and Stalkers beat Cobras in the 1/4 mile at Run N Gun. My Ultralite with street tires turns a 12.6 second quarter ( when I do it right) and that's faster than a lot of Cobras and my 1998 Corvette. It's also slower than some other Ultralites, and some of the Supercharged Stalkers. Basically a LSiS vehicle is a race car in disguise, and when you put an engine in the 200+ hp range in it, it becomes a giant killer. Some of the cars on this forum with v8's in them must be mind boggling. You also listed them in approximate order of cost. The Ariel is in the statosphere, the Ultralight and the Stalker are much more reasonable. The Locost route is probably the lowest cost approach, but probably requires the most work and know-how. You didn't mention the Caterham and Birkin, but they are available. They are the closest to the Lotus in appearance and construction, and the Caterham has the same DNA as the Lotus 7. The Caterham is also pricey. You can buy a finished Ultralite for less than a Caterham kit less drivetrain. The other options include the bike engined cars. I suggest you spend some time looking at the various cars . SIT in them!!!! How does it feel? There is a big difference in room in some of the cars. My Ultralite and the Stalker are 4 to 6 inches wider than a Standard Lotus, Caterham or Birkin. Contact the various owners here on the forum. Look at their cars. Ask them about the construction process/problems. Look at how the car is constructed, how the parts fit, how the engine, transmission, differential is mounted. How big is the gas tank? Look at the shocks, how the springs are adjusted. Look at the upholstery, the dash, the instruments. I also suggest you ask yourself the following: What do I want to do with the car? Cruise? travel? autocross? race? show car? Do I want to build or buy a car? How much work do I want to put into building the car? How much do I enjoy tinkering with the car after it's done? Is it reliable? Where do I get spare parts for the car? What do I do if it rains? The only car I can tell you a lot about is the Ultralite, and will do so if you give me a call. E mail me at geddens at charter dot net, I'll give you my phone number. Let us know where you live. The guys on the Forum can hook you up with Se7en owners near you and you can evaluate the cars. I will check to see if I can find an Ultralite near you. The other places to see se7ens are the Kit Car show in Carlisle PA ( held in the fall) and there will be 77 se7ens at Tail of The Dragon on 7/7/07. >7's at ToTD Also click on the LINKS just below the pictures of the cars at the top of the page, for links to the manufactures web sites. The Se7en is a terriffic choice, it is a fun car, and can fulfill all your dreams.

Loren: I checked my paperwork from Run N Gun. You are right, when I cornerweighted my car I was in it, and it came out 1647, minus my 230 pounds, that's 1414 for the car. I may have had nearly a full 13 gallons of gas in it, I forget. Even subtracting all the gas, it's a 1400 pound car. I would have to take a lot of functional parts ( like wheels or transmission) off of it to get to 1240. Do you ahve a chrome moly frame? mine is mild steel.

Yep, that's my cousin Bubba again! He shore know how to test a boat.

Loren: You da Man!! I get worried about a few raindrops, and you drive 2000 miles in the rain. Here's one of you at Run N Gun http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/20061216_101955_DSC_2929_Medium.JPG

It is kinda lopey... same cam, different car >blipity blop blipity blop It will be an odd sound coming from a seven I have a similar sound on my Vette ( which is also a red convertible, since "All Corvettes are Red") but I got it by modding the exhaust, not the engine. see >New exhaust

I cornerweighted my car at Run N Gun and it was 1410 pounds. It turns out the truck scales were pretty accurate,so if you want to weigh your car, just stop at a truck scale.

Gravel in the seats is a common phenomenon with cycle fenders, which is why I always wear goggles. Even though my front fenders are only 4 1/2 inches off the ground, I still got gravel in the seats. A word of cauition on the mudflaps. I installed a setof flaps, hoping to get rid of the "seat gravel" but the rocks hit the flap, bounced back against the tire, were then propelled around the inside of the fender, and exited the front of the fender on top of the tires. Unfortunately, this happens to be near eye level, and with "brooklands" type wind screens, I was dodging rocks. I removed the flaps, and live with the gravel.

Meet Billy Bob http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/biggrinjester.gif Yup! I reckon that there be my cousin Billy Bob. We never had no 50 cal, all we had was a 30 cal. Billy Bob sure has some neat toyspowderbrake2006-12-09 11:39:27

My favorite has to be skeet shooting. It reminds me of a sport that my local gun club fostered about 20 years ago. It was our annual " Japanese Car Shoot"( back before they dominated the US market) We purchased a junk Japanese car which would run, had a wrecker take it to an abandoned area similar to the scene in the video. We then started the car, and with the steering wheel tied to one side, the car idled around in a circle, while we shot it, until it stopped running. With our guys shooting everytjing from 22's to full auto machine guns, interestingly, it never started on fire, until we specifically used tracer ammo on the fuel tank. When the car stopped , we spent the remainder of the day (or our ammo supply) shooting the car. We would pick out a target, say the front pillar, and shoot it until we had cut it in half, then select another part to decimate. At the end of the day, the car looked like swiss cheese on the near side, but the far side looked like one big kitchen grater. The exiting bullets always threw up a jagged perimeter around the exit hole.( Lesson here.... if you get behind a car for protection from bullets, get behing the engine) At the end of the day, we had the delivery truck reload the car, we swept the area, and picked up our brass. Great fun, and the local police usually joined in, along with the fire department if we happed to have a burner.

Yes you are missing something. I did see one car, the Gulf Se7en. That was striking, as I had never seen a Se7en in the Gulf motif, something I always associated with Porsche.

I saw a couple of Demans run at Gateway Raceway here in St.Louis a couple years ago. One had a busa and one had a Honda blackwing?. They were very fast, and handled well. Like the MAN said, "Add lightness"

The Deman guys were down here in St.Louis a couple years ago, at Run N Gun. The Deman busa is an awesome car. I believe they had a reverse in their car. Doesn't Deman source the reverse set-up?

Clear wheels, I'll bet they are fun to keep clean of brake dust.

I am trying to imagine a Seven causing damage to a road surface. Perhaps you plan to drop one on the pavement from a great height?

There is no protection from bumps and potholes, so the rims may be dented, and you loose lots of load carrying capacity with the ultra low profile tires. Load capacity is directly related to air volume in the tire.

That is SO WRONG !! http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/ack2.gif