How would it be better than the dedicated low cost builder's forum that exists?
Ron
I didn't know GT40s.com already has a low-cost builders forum. I've been looking since your post and can't find one.
To answer your question regarding how the forum would be set up, initially I would see it as a single forum. However, if volume increased to the point where it is justified to break into subforums (low-cost engine, low-cost transaxle, etc.) then that should be considered. Once step at a time, though, right? However, this thread now being in the Paddock means it will quickly fall from the radar and become a dead thread.
To answer your question on how a low-cost forum would be different from other forums, there would be some natural overlap. As you point out, an engine question is an engine question. Where I see the low-cost forum being different is in which options are provided by posters, for lack of a better phrase.
To go back to my transaxle example above, when I began visting this site, that's where I started because I know nothing (or knew nothing) about mid-engine transaxles. The bulk of the discussions in the transaxle forum are slanted to very expensive boxes and components ("expensive" is a relative term, but expensive to me). Honestly, I nearly gave up on this GT40 dream. I was not and am not willing to spend $15K+ on a transaxle. It wasn't until I started poking around on the engine forum that I realized a lot of posters are also spending $10K+ on an engine. Since I DO know engines, I know I can build one for less than $2K (much less if needed). This got me looking at the transaxle issue again, but with a more critical eye, and I learned that I don't have to spend $10K to $15K on a transaxle.
Point to all of this is, if there was a low-cost forum and somebody posts a "which transaxle" or "what transaxle upgrades" question, I would be disappointed if posters move the discussion to the expensive options. Rather, I would expect posters to keep the discussion limited to affordable options ("affordable" is also a relative term, but taking transaxles for example, I would think surpassing $5K enters into the "not affordable" range).
You run a great forum, Ron. I hope my take on this suggestion helps in some way.
Eric