Kiwi 40

Russ Noble · 03-23-08, 11:06 PM

To avoid too much thread drift I have reposted this here from this other thread ;-

http://www.gt40s.com/forum/all-gt40/...ngs-plans.html

Kalun is right, one of the big bonuses is that the expenditure starts off small and is spread out over time. And the project always changes in that time!

My Kiwi Scratchbuilt has gone from being what was originally planned to be a road car to an all out race car. I was not prepared to make the compromises necessary to make it liveable on the street, although it will still be road registered.

As a result, when the race car is finished, I am toying with the idea of also building myself a nice road going version which will have a totally different chassis and have all the compromises street orientated. But still having suspension that would behave itself on the track. This is probably more along the lines that most guys would have in mind for their car. It will be built to utilise more off the shelf, more easily found and cheaper parts. Doing away with a lot of the specialist fabrication and machining that building a serious race car requires.

Although to make a nice looking job it will obviously need fabricated suspension arms and I will probably cast my rear uprights. Not sure about the front uprights yet.

Since I am now at an age where I should be retired and should have a bit more time on my hands, I had thought that I might produce a few bits based on my road going car and have them available for sale to guys who wanted to build something along similar lines. And for the suspension parts to also supply a diagram of where the pickup points need to be placed on their chassis, relative to the ride height and wheel sizes that they choose to run.

So as not to get too much thread drift on the other thread I have started this new thread where anyone who cares to can comment, question or make suggestions.

Don’t expect too much action from me on this one though until my current project is completed.

Russ Noble · 03-24-08, 04:21 AM

From Kevern's 'Help.....' thread

Quote:

Originally Posted by albanygt40

Russ why don't you think about making a set of plans available for your
Kiwi 40 and supply parts that people can't make??

Dave,

That could be a possibility that might be worth looking at....

Greg · 03-24-08, 04:41 AM

I for one would be interested if you decide to Russ.

Most of you have had a look at the plans posted by Chris......

So what additions would you be looking at to strengthen the frame?

What are the fundamental flaws with its design?

Lots of questions I know, but I like to hear what others see.

Russ Noble · 03-24-08, 05:27 AM

Gregg,

I haven't really studied in detail the plans that Chris has posted and at this stage have no opinion on them. Perhaps you would be better posting that query on the other thread.

As a comment about chassis design generally though, any chassis has to be designed to mount the particular body that is being put on it, it must feed in loads correctly, particularly the suspension loads and engine mount loads. It needs to be nicely triangulated or similar to achieve some stiffness. The actual design and sizes after that depend on the builder's individual parameters and where and how he decides to put things....

Ross Nicol · 03-24-08, 06:30 AM

Good Idea and I may have a go at it myself but seriously these cars are not an easy project even when you start with a ready made chassis. A lot of keen builders will no doubt stumble and fall by the wayside. Abandoned projects may be plentiful, me thinks. Russ if you make a lot of money out of it will you shout me a trip to NZ to race against you. You'll probably be that busy counting your money you'll forget that you have to try and beat me. Damn can't find the smilies oh well LOL He He.
Ross

Russ Noble · 03-25-08, 06:30 AM

Ross,

You're right about these things being something of a mission. It all depends on the ability of the builder/assembler. GT40NZ I believe built about 30+ kits, only a handful of them appear to have ever been finished. Obviously the individual assemblers ran out of either time, money or enthusiasm, or maybe all three.

I don't anticipate this being a big money spinner as the number of scratchbuilders is relatively low compared to the numbers that would buy a kit from an existing manufacturer. And a lot of the scratchbuilders will no doubt prefer to do their own thing, that's the sort of guys they are. I'm just thinking about providing an option and a bit of guidance, maybe some plans of sorts and a few parts, as some guys have suggested, for anyone who feels they lack the confidence to tackle some things themselves.

I don't think I'll ever be able to shout you that trip Ross, but I will reiterate my earlier promise to supply a tow car and trailer for you when you're here.

Look I've found some smilies for you too!

LOL He He.

sp250 · 03-25-08, 07:28 AM

nah russ, gt40 nz didnt do that many cars, i was there. steve

Dave S · 03-25-08, 09:12 AM

Russ is right in saying that it wont be a money spinner but I think there is a big enough community of scratch builders inparticular Locost builders looking for a new project. There are Guys that just want a basic shell and chassis to go their own way with and Guys that have the cash to build a good car but will not part with 30-50K initial payment for a kit.

How many times has a person rocked up to GT40s.com and asked for a set of plans? enough in my book to warrant Russ's idea of catering to a niche that he himself fits into perfectly as a Role model of a quality Scratch Builder. Maybe we have the next Ron Champion of GT40's launching right here.

Go with your idea Russ, get your plans out there. Show em how to do it and show em how cheaply it can be done

Jac Mac · 03-26-08, 04:23 AM

One drawing, or set of drawings that may be of more 'real' use to scratch builders is a set that define the maximum dimensions of all critical areas in order to fit within the confines of the GT40 sillouette: eg the height/width of the panel with fuel fillers, height/width of sponsoons, w/screen dimensions/angles.

In doing this you would leave it open for those that wished to choose between Mono/Spaceframe etc

A bit like reverse engineering, or having the body shell & constructing the chassis inside it.
Still a lot of work - the 40 has several areas that create problems clearance wise especially when you start to compromise on rim offset's-suspension components etc.

Jac Mac