xcarguy Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 The seven is the king of cool no matter what makes it go. Well said, bigdog, well said. :cheers: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GBOLT Posted January 8, 2014 Share Posted January 8, 2014 Are you in the Chicago area? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twerd68 Posted January 9, 2014 Author Share Posted January 9, 2014 If talking to me, GBOLT, yes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twerd68 Posted January 9, 2014 Author Share Posted January 9, 2014 I was thinking of another thread of various seven hard and soft tops, from the great: to the, errr, not so great: http://i1057.photobucket.com/albums/t391/Boris1967/Lotus_turned.jpg Any interest? If so, should we just include it into this thread? I think it would be a cool discussion and a good way to discuss the many different ways to go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subtlez28 Posted January 9, 2014 Share Posted January 9, 2014 After looking at photo's of that autobahn track I can see why an LS3 would pass everyone. That's a pretty wide open autobahn type track. Just an observation after having lived in Europe for a few years now. It's kind of funny to see how different the two counties are when it comes to track days. In Europe most take their street based car and use a track day to learn how to improve one's driving and to generally have fun sans cops. In America it looks to be just the opposite. One buys a barely streetable mega powered car to use on a track day to make sure they stick it to the other guy. Even though track days are not a race. A timed autocross is a great way to have fun with low risk. And it will teach you how to really drive your seven. Nothing wrong with either scenario. Just something that makes me go HMMMMM! When I drove the Nurburgring. They briefed me that one will get kicked off the track for aggressive driving or passing. As it was a track day, Not a sanctioned race. Just to be clear, I do "High Speed Autocross". One timed lap from a dead stop around a road course (no cones). Kind of like time attack, except for the start, and it is only one lap. Not track days. I would agree a mega horsepower car is not needed for those. The day the LS3 Stalker converted me was also a high speed autocross at Autobahn. Then I was running a 3,400 pound 02 Z28 (hence the screen name) and I thought, this LS1 and 6 speed would be way cooler w 1/2 the weight! To anyone in the Great Lakes area, who might be interested in High Speed Autocross, here is a link the the club I run with: http://www.mcscc.org/autocross.php Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigdog Posted January 9, 2014 Share Posted January 9, 2014 Just to be clear, I do "High Speed Autocross". One timed lap from a dead stop around a road course (no cones). Kind of like time attack, except for the start, and it is only one lap. Not track days. I would agree a mega horsepower car is not needed for those. The day the LS3 Stalker converted me was also a high speed autocross at Autobahn. Then I was running a 3,400 pound 02 Z28 (hence the screen name) and I thought, this LS1 and 6 speed would be way cooler w 1/2 the weight! To anyone in the Great Lakes area, who might be interested in High Speed Autocross, here is a link the the club I run with: [/url]http://www.mcscc.org/autocross.php I'm not deriding anybody for the way they build a seven. It's just a general observation of the very different general national attitudes about driving & what engines they use based on my having lived in Europe for the last 3 1/2 years, And Japan for 5 years. And of course I refer to street cars, Not dedicated race cars. The European petrolheads I know, (mostly British) Look to the west and simply shake their heads at what we do to a very nice lightweight sports car. They wonder why we just can't push away from the supersize habit we have. Of course should you guys start having to pay European prices for fuel. ($10 per gallon) One might start eyeballing the duratech engines again. As for me. I apparently see sevens in a far different light than most on this forum. I'm a fan of curves not terminal velocity that I'll rarely see on the road. If a four cylinder 311 HP R620 that does 0-60 in 2.8 seconds isn't fast enough, Then I'm just simply sat here scratching my head. When I was doing autocross. It was in 1978 with a 1975 Camaro running an LT1 that a friend & I built in a USAF auto hobby shop when we weren't fixing ICBM nukes. It dyno'd at 430 HP. The car was fast. I never felt the need to go any bigger to go faster. I could get better time slips through: 1, Weight reduction. 2, Proper suspension setup. 3, Improving my driving skill. Or I could go down the American road to being quick. Throw 1,2,&3 out the window. And buy a 572 crate engine, prey for lots of straits, and call it good. suum cuique. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subtlez28 Posted January 10, 2014 Share Posted January 10, 2014 (edited) I'm not deriding anybody for the way they build a seven. It's just a general observation of the very different general national attitudes about driving & what engines they use based on my having lived in Europe for the last 3 1/2 years, And Japan for 5 years. And of course I refer to street cars, Not dedicated race cars. The European petrolheads I know, (mostly British) Look to the west and simply shake their heads at what we do to a very nice lightweight sports car. They wonder why we just can't push away from the supersize habit we have. Of course should you guys start having to pay European prices for fuel. ($10 per gallon) One might start eyeballing the duratech engines again. As for me. I apparently see sevens in a far different light than most on this forum. I'm a fan of curves not terminal velocity that I'll rarely see on the road. If a four cylinder 311 HP R620 that does 0-60 in 2.8 seconds isn't fast enough, Then I'm just simply sat here scratching my head. When I was doing autocross. It was in 1978 with a 1975 Camaro running an LT1 that a friend & I built in a USAF auto hobby shop when we weren't fixing ICBM nukes. It dyno'd at 430 HP. The car was fast. I never felt the need to go any bigger to go faster. I could get better time slips through: 1, Weight reduction. 2, Proper suspension setup. 3, Improving my driving skill. Or I could go down the American road to being quick. Throw 1,2,&3 out the window. And buy a 572 crate engine, prey for lots of straits, and call it good. suum cuique. I'm in favor of 1, 2, 3 and 572 (or even better a nice, light aluminum LS engine)!! Thats the thing about 'Merica... I want to have my cake, eat it to, and then maybe have a 2nd piece. America is a melting pot, right? Take the good from each culture, and make a great mix! Light british car design, Japanese brakes and suspension uprights (Miata pieces on my car) and good old American V-8 power. Edited January 10, 2014 by subtlez28 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MightyMike Posted January 10, 2014 Share Posted January 10, 2014 Of course should you guys start having to pay European prices for fuel. ($10 per gallon) One might start eyeballing the duratech engines again. My LS3-powered seven gets far better mileage than my Zetec-powered Birkin ever did. Think I'm getting around 200 mpg or something close to that. :rofl: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xcarguy Posted January 10, 2014 Share Posted January 10, 2014 My LS3-powered seven gets far better mileage than my Zetec-powered Birkin ever did. Think I'm getting around 200 mpg or something close to that. :rofl: WOW!!!! Okay, I want to know your secret? Must be those svelte LED headlights. :jester: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MightyMike Posted January 10, 2014 Share Posted January 10, 2014 it's the faux carbon fiber on my dash. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subtlez28 Posted January 11, 2014 Share Posted January 11, 2014 My LS3-powered seven gets far better mileage than my Zetec-powered Birkin ever did. Think I'm getting around 200 mpg or something close to that. :rofl: Thats funny! I doubt I will be able to keep my foot out of mine enough to get any record setting mpg. However, my old 02 Z28 with an LS1 and T-56 would get 29 mpg doing 80 down the interstate, with the AC on! Granted, that was more aerodynamic than a 7, but still.... I have to think your car could get deep into the 20s if you were just cruising. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjoc Posted January 14, 2014 Share Posted January 14, 2014 I am also looking into build or buy. The problem I have is that I'm 6'8" and have a 36 inch inseam. I have access to a 6.2 supercharged CTS-V engine and 6 speed trans. I also have access to a jag quick change independent rearend. But I wouldn't buy if I could buy a car I would fit in. If I was to build a frame. I think I would do it in Aluminum A buddy of mine would help me with the tig welding. I am having trouble finding detailed info on building my own. I find alot of general info. I also can't seem to find anyone local to me even interested in the 7's Michael Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TurboWood Posted January 14, 2014 Share Posted January 14, 2014 Michael, There is one other member on here that just registered his car in Torrance. I am also based in the south bay, but spend very little time there right now as I'm on a work assignment. There must be others! A CTS-V powered 7 would be crazy! Daniel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
11Budlite Posted January 14, 2014 Share Posted January 14, 2014 If I was to build a frame. I think I would do it in Aluminum A buddy of mine would help me with the tig welding. Michael Michael - Just for an FYI, I would do a lot of research before constructing an aluminum (tube) space frame. I think this subject has been discussed here before but I couldn't find it in a search. Check out this thread from Metal Meet though: [url=http://www.metalmeet.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7934][/url]http://www.metalmeet.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7934 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeanD3W Posted January 14, 2014 Share Posted January 14, 2014 I am also looking into build or buy. The problem I have is that I'm 6'8" and have a 36 inch inseam. I have access to a 6.2 supercharged CTS-V engine and 6 speed trans. I also have access to a jag quick change independent rearend. But I wouldn't buy if I could buy a car I would fit in. If I was to build a frame. I think I would do it in Aluminum A buddy of mine would help me with the tig welding. I am having trouble finding detailed info on building my own. I find alot of general info. I also can't seem to find anyone local to me even interested in the 7's Michael Michael - It sounds like you may not have found http://www.locostusa.com/forums/ yet... You will find a lot of good information there. To echo 11Budlite, an aluminum frame would take a lot of very good engineering, to avoid problems with aluminum's finite fatigue life in any application. I think you will decide that a Jaguar rear suspension is not the best choice also, if you want camber curve and roll center height design flexibility. An aluminum frame is possible and the Jag rear suspension might work OK, but I think a steel frame and maybe a Ford 8.8 dfferential out of a Thunderbird, Explorer, or better yet a Lincoln MK VII might be a better choice. Brunton's M-spec uses a CTS differential, I believe... Maybe that's better for an all-Cadillac drivetrain. Since you're a big guy and considering a CTS-V drivetrain, it seems like a Brunton Stalker might be worth considering, unless you really like the idea of building and making your own suspension design choices. At 6' 8" I suppose you would need to sit in one first. Maybe a taller roll bar or cage for a "Big and Tall" version would be in order..? You should also take a look at this alternative frame design http://www.locostusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=39&t=13810 and look for SeattleTom's build of this design (also on the locostusa forum at http://www.locostusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=14613 ). Dean Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subtlez28 Posted January 15, 2014 Share Posted January 15, 2014 Agreed, the Brunton XL model might be right up your alley! http://stalkercars.com/models/stalker-xl/ You could build CTS-V front to back! They do use CTS diffs. Part of me wishes I had went XL. I am not as large, but more space would be good for the street (I was focussing on the track). The new ones use mustang bolt pattern hubs (lots of wheel choices) and clear 315s in the back! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyB Posted January 15, 2014 Share Posted January 15, 2014 Just lash out and buy a 620R, that's where we are all headed one way or the other, well in my dreams.:driving: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xcarguy Posted January 15, 2014 Share Posted January 15, 2014 I am also looking into build or buy. The problem I have is that I'm 6'8" and have a 36 inch inseam. I have access to a 6.2 supercharged CTS-V engine and 6 speed trans. I also have access to a jag quick change independent rearend. But I wouldn't buy if I could buy a car I would fit in. If I was to build a frame. I think I would do it in Aluminum A buddy of mine would help me with the tig welding. I am having trouble finding detailed info on building my own. I find alot of general info. I also can't seem to find anyone local to me even interested in the 7's Michael Michael, You may want to check into the following post on the locost site. Might be right up your alley: http://www.locostusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=40&t=16047 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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