Almost guaranteed the ABS will warp/ creep with heat/time. The forming temperature is only 221F, so a even the heat from your engine/radiator could soften it, especially if you’re driving in the summer.
great project to watch. Keep the updates coming........I think that ABS will expand/warp once you get the car outside on a hot sunny day. I made a boot (trunk) cover for my Locost from sheet ABS and it warped in the sun, but returned to normal when it clouded over.
Some observations and questions: The holes in the under body will eliminate any possible vacuum that would be created there and make the diffusers not a functional piece on this car. But they look cool. What thickness plastic did you use for your body work? Where you source it from? Do you have any idea if it contributes structurally to the chassis the way aluminum panels would? Is the plastic lighter than the aluminum? I like the plastic in this application. Other than not being able to have it close to the exhaust, do you think it has any other short comings? I really like this build. I hope you got some track time with it this summer.
I really like the steering wheel (lock to lock) turn reducer. Gotta get me one of those. ... Is that a jaz cell. ... If so, I had the same one and contacted jaz about getting it in a vertical orientation. ... They do have it and you can cut your own filler hole.
Congratulations on the project. I'm in Brazil and I'm struggling to build a Locost. May your help with some questions. Is this chassis the project 442 + E? I really liked the space to drive and the front suspension. Is this guy for the street or the track? What is the wheelbase? And the engine? If you can answer, I would be very grateful.
The ABS plastic bodywork looks great! One question: when describing how you made the front fenders, you said you formed the "fiberglass" with the steel fender shell. I assume you meant to say you formed the "ABS plastic" and not "fiberglass"? Also, how did you heat the ABS, and how do you know it is hot enough? And what thickness ABS did you use?
The front fenders are fiberglass. ABS doesn't like forming compound curves, it will ripple. The thickness is 1/8". I used a propane torch to heat it up. you could use a heat gun for the thinner stuff tho. Its just a matter of moving the torch back and forth and heating it till it reaches the sweet spot.
Lovely build - congrats. Super light, awesome power plant, great handling - Chapman would be proud - as you should be.
Very clever stuff and keeping well with the Locost ethos!
Almost guaranteed the ABS will warp/ creep with heat/time. The forming temperature is only 221F, so a even the heat from your engine/radiator could soften it, especially if you’re driving in the summer.
That’s looking awesome! Thanks for the tips.
great project to watch. Keep the updates coming........I think that ABS will expand/warp once you get the car outside on a hot sunny day. I made a boot (trunk) cover for my Locost from sheet ABS and it warped in the sun, but returned to normal when it clouded over.
what color sheet did you use?
@@chapie62 Black ABS, guess it expands a lot in the sun.
Looks great can’t wait to see it driving again
Some observations and questions:
The holes in the under body will eliminate any possible vacuum that would be created there and make the diffusers not a functional piece on this car. But they look cool.
What thickness plastic did you use for your body work? Where you source it from? Do you have any idea if it contributes structurally to the chassis the way aluminum panels would? Is the plastic lighter than the aluminum? I like the plastic in this application. Other than not being able to have it close to the exhaust, do you think it has any other short comings?
I really like this build. I hope you got some track time with it this summer.
I really like the steering wheel (lock to lock) turn reducer. Gotta get me one of those. ... Is that a jaz cell. ... If so, I had the same one and contacted jaz about getting it in a vertical orientation. ... They do have it and you can cut your own filler hole.
Its actually a 8 gallon ebay fuel cell and I switched out the filler neck for the screw on type. works great.
Congratulations on the project. I'm in Brazil and I'm struggling to build a Locost. May your help with some questions.
Is this chassis the project 442 + E?
I really liked the space to drive and the front suspension. Is this guy for the street or the track?
What is the wheelbase?
And the engine?
If you can answer, I would be very grateful.
The only thing I would worry about is ABS burns quickly. IF you ever had a fire it would go up quick. It is still an awesome car!
The ABS plastic bodywork looks great! One question: when describing how you made the front fenders, you said you formed the "fiberglass" with the steel fender shell. I assume you meant to say you formed the "ABS plastic" and not "fiberglass"? Also, how did you heat the ABS, and how do you know it is hot enough? And what thickness ABS did you use?
The front fenders are fiberglass. ABS doesn't like forming compound curves, it will ripple. The thickness is 1/8". I used a propane torch to heat it up. you could use a heat gun for the thinner stuff tho. Its just a matter of moving the torch back and forth and heating it till it reaches the sweet spot.
@@zdfnhxfgjnhxfgnj Thanks for answering my questions. I'm enjoying watching the progression of your Locost 7.