Re: Superlite Coupe production
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Doug68 
Bill,
A good part of this exercise from my point of view was to do the whole thing "my way" for what I've thought were the important first principles.
For me torsional stiffness (I worked to a goal of 10,000lb/deg in the model) and occupant protection were the primary goals and I spent a lot (probably too much) of time working on structural analysis to achieve these goals (I hope). The computer model shows the completed frame coming in at 127kg (the last time I weighed it, it was about 10% less than what the model said it should have been) , the completed car I expect to way about 950kg.
Wow, that's pretty light! I am sure it will be a very stiff and safe chassis. I just don't think I have ever seen a car with that much diagonal bracing on a tube frame. Not questioning your knowledge, I wouldn't be able to get the floor ladder done on my own! Cool project.
BT
Bill,
I never really thought of it being light, quite the reverse I was actually building it up to the target weight of 1000kg.
On the X bracing when the angle of bracing gets shallow then it becomes ineffective so to stiffen an area such as the side of the frame it only seemed natural to break into sections where the bracing could be kept close to 45 deg.
On the engine front I already have one I plan to use and in the shed which is a Toyota 1UZFE (4.0L V8). Until the ting is registered the engine will remain bone stock, I've too much other work to do before I get to that.