Just_Jeff Posted November 4, 2007 Share Posted November 4, 2007 Ok so I've decide to jump in to the 7 lifestyle. I found a local fab shop that is going to build my frame for $1750 from the "book Chassis" drawings I found online. But instead of running a miata drivetrain I would like to go 5.0 ford. My question is this. Has anyone ever done this and do you think it will be too heavy? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mandurath Posted November 4, 2007 Share Posted November 4, 2007 There are a bunch. Slngsht has one here. On locostusa.com in the build section there are 4 or so that I can think of. You'll also find an incredible amount of info on building over there. It will take weeks just to digest all that stuff, and if like me, waffle back and forth over what you want after seeing all thats out there for these. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slngsht Posted November 4, 2007 Share Posted November 4, 2007 alright, i'll chime in before the bike engined guys poisen your mind :lol: yes, it's been done. I have an LS1 in mine, and I LOVE it. Believe it or not, my car actually does go around corners . I have done near zero chassis tuning, and still have some chassis problems to work out, but the car is respectable in autocrosses, even with my ruler based alignment and worn out tires. I don't know how much a Ford 5.0 engine weighs, but I'm pretty sure it's an iron block engine. Even with aluminum heads, you'll probably have a 90 lb penalty compared to an aluminum block V8. I had a Rover V8 in mine to begin with - very light, but not much power out of the box, and expensive to mod. I switched over to a 5.7L LS1, with AFR heads and a mild cam. She puts out an easy 440 hp, and can idle along all day or cruise at 1400 rpm @ 70 MPH with no problems, or blow away the tires at 60 or 70 mph - and will last a LONG time in this car. If I were you, I'd aim for an all aluminum V8 with pushrods. They're light by V8 standards, and don't take up the huge amount of room a comparable over head cam design would. Also, make plans for what you're gonna do when you decide you don't have enough traction. My current solution is 305 R compounds in the back. My car is not a Locost - It's a Rotus. Rotus is one of the bigger and heavier seven variants. The lightest one I know of, with a stripped down rotory engine, weighs 1525 lbs. My car, after the engine conversion weighed 1670 lbs (no gas in mine - not sure what the rotory powered one had when it was weighed). If you are careful with your choices of engine and transmission (my tranny is a pig), I'm pretty sure you can weigh in at 1500 lbs with a V8 drivetrain. I have to tell you though, even with spirited driving, the V8 will not make you much faster than a typical 200 hp seven, or a busa powered seven. I've gone driving with a few buddies who shall remain nameless (a certain person with a SVT Caterham, and one with a Busa powered car), and as long as the speeds are somewhat normal, things are traction limited and the cars seem pretty equal. Like anything else, the shove you get when you squeeze the pedal is addicting, so I don't feel like I can give it up now. The bike engined guys will tell you the same about the sound and feel of their high revving [cough]squirls[/cough] er... i mean engines :jester: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobDrye Posted November 4, 2007 Share Posted November 4, 2007 Alright, I’ll chime after Maz has poisoned your mind. It really depends on what you want to your 7 to do. Almost any 7 with 120 inches or so will be faster that almost anything on the road to 100 mph. My 7 has that many inches and can run over 25 pounds of boost. On a blat with Maz and the SVT he mentioned, the 4th car had a purported 150 hp. He had no problem keeping up with the other higher powered 7s. My 7 is very extreme in a very narrow rpm band, but thats not the way you usually drive. Come to 1 of our events or just e some members that you can drive to and go for a ride. Ounce you have experienced the dark 7 side you'll never go back. PS: We love BIG V8s too. :cheers: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slngsht Posted November 5, 2007 Share Posted November 5, 2007 Bob's point about hitching a ride with a variety of sevens is a VERY good suggestion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mandurath Posted November 5, 2007 Share Posted November 5, 2007 The old buick 215 (newer versions are rovers) and t-5's are solid pretty light. 300 hp isn't to difficult either, but as said, HP isn't a big deal with 7's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slngsht Posted November 5, 2007 Share Posted November 5, 2007 The old buick 215 (newer versions are rovers) and t-5's are solid pretty light. 300 hp isn't to difficult either, but as said, HP isn't a big deal with 7's. My main problem with it was the old rope seal leaking, and that it's not a main stream engine here, so very few suppliers. But it is very light. it's about 120 lbs lighter than a LS1, and LS1 is a very light V8. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
locostv8 Posted November 5, 2007 Share Posted November 5, 2007 You might want to read over this build log http://locostusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=1586&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0 since it is just about what it sounds like you want to build. I'm doing similar using a Mk VII as a donor. The 5.0 is strength challenged so I will probably use a 351. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R1 Seven Posted November 5, 2007 Share Posted November 5, 2007 alright, i'll chime in before the bike engined guys poisen your mind :lol: Like anything else, the shove you get when you squeeze the pedal is addicting, so I don't feel like I can give it up now. The bike engined guys will tell you the same about the sound and feel of their high revving [cough]squirls[/cough] er... i mean engines :jester: I'm hurt Mazda...really, I am. :cry: :jester: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manik Posted November 5, 2007 Share Posted November 5, 2007 Top-down view of a Westfield SEiGHT with a Ford 302 V8. http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1724504738_04_engine.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slngsht Posted November 5, 2007 Share Posted November 5, 2007 I'm hurt Mazda...really, I am. :cry: :jester: :lol: The harrassment is aimed at BusaLoco. R1 Seven is just an innocent bystander Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BusaNostra Posted November 5, 2007 Share Posted November 5, 2007 "alright, i'll chime in before the bike engined guys poisen your mind " :lol: Its too late now: The bike engine guys would like you to use this instead of the 5.0 HO http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/272035.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just_Jeff Posted November 5, 2007 Author Share Posted November 5, 2007 Thanks for the replies guys. A friend of mine talked me out of the idea of using what he referred to as "that heavy pig of an engine" in the build. So now I'm entertaining ideas of Mustang SVO , S2000 , And bike drivelines. What is involved in the bike drivlines? I've looked for pics of the setups but can't find anything. Are they using bike transmissions? how do you get power to the rear diff? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slngsht Posted November 5, 2007 Share Posted November 5, 2007 Thanks for the replies guys. A friend of mine talked me out of the idea of using what he referred to as "that heavy pig of an engine" in the build. So now I'm entertaining ideas of Mustang SVO , S2000 , And bike drivelines. What is involved in the bike drivlines? I've looked for pics of the setups but can't find anything. Are they using bike transmissions? how do you get power to the rear diff? There are quite a few detailed builds online. Look at R1 Seven's website (in his sig), as well as a few builders on locostusa.com. with a bike build, just be very concious of the weight of the rest of the commponents you use. You'll also need to come up with a solution for reverse gear, since most bikes don't have them. Also, depending on the bike engine you use, you may need a baffle or dry sump oil system. Some bike engines don't need them (such as the R1). Good luck whichever way you go... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slngsht Posted November 5, 2007 Share Posted November 5, 2007 "alright, i'll chime in before the bike engined guys poisen your mind " :lol: Its too late now: The bike engine guys would like you to use this instead of the 5.0 HO http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/272035.htm Link didn't work, but if it's one of the high dollar bike based V8s, I'll be happy to switch if one of the "bike engined guys" buy me one of them puppies Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mondo Posted November 5, 2007 Share Posted November 5, 2007 If you want it street legal make sure it's ok in your state (bike engined cars are not in California) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R1 Seven Posted November 6, 2007 Share Posted November 6, 2007 Link didn't work, but if it's one of the high dollar bike based V8s, I'll be happy to switch if one of the "bike engined guys" buy me one of them puppies Fat chance buddy! I would spend that money on me first... IMO probably the best car based powerplant that I have seen for a Seven is WestTexasS2K's supercharged S2000 mill. Nice light 4-cylinder with PLENTY of power in a dead reliable Honda package. The 6-speed is nice too. You guys can call me a bastard if you like, but if I were to build again, I would be real tempted to do a Stalker with a supercharged S2000 drivetrain... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BusaLoco Posted November 6, 2007 Share Posted November 6, 2007 OK, That's it! ... I've had alls I can Takes and I can't take no more! :cuss: Here's how it is ... (and you V8 guys know it): . Any Se7en is better than anything else! . CEC Se7ens are Fast (Just Like Colin said... Add Lightness) . BEC Se7enS are Fastest ( See Above) and . V8 Se7enS are for doing donuts! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boxologist Posted November 6, 2007 Share Posted November 6, 2007 Fat chance buddy! I would spend that money on me first... :_deadhorse: :_deadhorse: and maybe some popcorn too. IMO probably the best car based powerplant that I have seen for a Seven is WestTexasS2K's supercharged S2000 mill. Nice light 4-cylinder with PLENTY of power in a dead reliable Honda package. The 6-speed is nice too. You guys can call me a bastard if you like, but if I were to build again, I would be real tempted to do a Stalker with a supercharged S2000 drivetrain... wha? u'd go stalker with the Ultralite drivetrain? I'd almost be tempted to go Ultralite with the the SuperStalkers bigger supercharger v6! OK, That's it! ... I've had alls I can Takes and I can't take no more! :cuss: Here's how it is ... (and you V8 guys know it): . Any Se7en is better than anything else! . CEC Se7ens are Fast (Just Like Colin said... Add Lightness) . BEC Se7enS are Fastest ( See Above) and . V8 Se7enS are for GETTING donuts! . Box is for doing donuts fix0red for u. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slngsht Posted November 6, 2007 Share Posted November 6, 2007 OK, That's it! ... I've had alls I can Takes and I can't take no more! :cuss: Here's how it is ... (and you V8 guys know it): . Any Se7en is better than anything else! . CEC Se7ens are Fast (Just Like Colin said... Add Lightness) . BEC Se7enS are Fastest ( See Above) and . V8 Se7enS are for doing donuts! :rofl::rofl: I knew you'd crack. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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