Advice, please (Long post)

[andrew7]

Hi Mcneil,

 

I have an Locost Bec R1 and I thought I give you my input from the past couple of years. A Locost frame can be 80% built in a weekend and IF you planned on racing it like Jeff Underwood then I would recommend a motorcycle engine. They are cheap and fast, about half the cost of my build was engine.

 

But, you wanted a fast street car, all sevens are fast on the street. I have a great soundtrack and a cool shifter and as much as I jab Mazda and the others here about their choice of engines. I believe a car engine is easier to drive and more comfortable.

 

My car has never missed a beat and during two days at the Dragon I had 325 miles on the local roads. I will however be towing my car to Carlisle, 6 hours at 7000 rpm on the interstate is too much, along with stop-n-go traffic will make you regret your engine choice.

 

I sat in Doug's Westfield and checked it out a couple of times. If I wanted a kit, it would be first on the list or had to have a motorcycle engine then Deman. The Ultralights look great but Pa. requires safety glass. I wish I could pull off the windshield and use a helmet but can't. I encourage you to check them all out as each one is different.

 

I might be a couple of tenths quicker on a track because I'm about 200 pounds less than other cars and if that is important to you great, but make sure you really want a race engine for the street. I use my car like a sportbike, a couple of hours a week to relax but never to go pick up milk and not far from home its not a tourer. Some more thoughts for you to ponder.