Anyone got a Lotus 7 style car? Caterham/Locost/MK Indy etc

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MasterVentris

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Dec 16, 2021
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I have recently acquired a chassis for a Lotus 7 kitcar, and am in the process of sourcing the suspension components. It isn't a book spec Locost design, it is significantly stiffer, but slightly heavier.

The engine will be a Vauxhall 2.5 V6 from an Omega, mated to a Ford Type 9 five speed. I am still deciding on biting the bullet on the cost of an Escort live axle (quick and easy), or having the chassis modified for IRS. The price of Escort part has gone insane - the historic rallying crowd must be breaking them all!
 
Have you made any progress on this, mate?

I've just picked up a Westfield Megablade this weekend, with a Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R engine fitted. It's been standing a few years but I got it running last night, and will be recommissioning it over the next few weeks/months. It should be a riot with about 180bhp and weighing sub 500kg. Got it for a song too!
 
almost bought one - test drove 500hp Lotus 7 with a cosworth turbo engine with tractive sequential gearbox (that was plain scary) and then regular Caterham with Ford 125hp engine (that was fun and fast enough).
Hope to own one one day..
 
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MasterVentris said:
I have recently acquired a chassis for a Lotus 7 kitcar, and am in the process of sourcing the suspension components. It isn't a book spec Locost design, it is significantly stiffer, but slightly heavier.

The engine will be a Vauxhall 2.5 V6 from an Omega, mated to a Ford Type 9 five speed. I am still deciding on biting the bullet on the cost of an Escort live axle (quick and easy), or having the chassis modified for IRS. The price of Escort part has gone insane - the historic rallying crowd must be breaking them all!
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I have some front suspension bits for a Caterham (Sigma 1.6), it's the original narrow track which was upgraded to wide track when I raced through the Caterham Series. DM me if you are interested, I can take some photos. Probably still have the narrow track steering rack too.
 
I have acquired more parts for it recently. I have a set of cortina hubs and uprights, and the upper front wishbones. I also got an unused nosecone for practically free, so that was a bonus.

I have a classic mini that is up for auction on March 11th, and hopefully it sells as I will then have the garage room to start assembling! Right now the chassis is stood up at one end of the garage, and that makes fitting the engine quite a challenge!!

@ToyotaVirgin I don't suppose you have lower front wishbones or shocks do you? I am interested in a steering rack too if you do have one.
 
MasterVentris said:
I have acquired more parts for it recently. I have a set of cortina hubs and uprights, and the upper front wishbones. I also got an unused nosecone for practically free, so that was a bonus.

I have a classic mini that is up for auction on March 11th, and hopefully it sells as I will then have the garage room to start assembling! Right now the chassis is stood up at one end of the garage, and that makes fitting the engine quite a challenge!!

@ToyotaVirgin I don't suppose you have lower front wishbones or shocks do you? I am interested in a steering rack too if you do have one.
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Quite possibly - It's all in a box following the upgrades. Unfortunately our garage is not at our house so I'd have to go down there. I can do that and take some photos. Drop me a DM and we can exchange details.
 
Built a Tiger Cat between 2000 - 2002 and still have it. 2.0 litre Ford Zetec mated to a Type 9 gearbox running Honda Blackbird carbs. Circa 170 bhp & 600kg, great fun :)
 
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Whilst scrolling through some old photos, found one of the Tiger :cool:

DSC_0170-1.webp
 
Late to the party but early Toyota Hilux differentials can easily be cut down and used in lieu of an escort diff. Price here for a diff that has been modified is under $1,000 all up. Son has a MkII 2 door which was/is being built as a group 4 clone and it has a Borg Warner 78 from a local larger Ford but not something useful for a 7 clone. Mate has a 'few' Escorts and the Hilux diff is his preferred option, cheap (here anyway), stronger and lots of ratio options.
Edit: I should add mate acquired a locost that isn't finished but runs. It also has a Hilux diff (just checked) and a Holden (Buick) V6. Stupid engine for the car, too heavy and too much torque, almost undriveable. Plans are to put the 1.6L Kent from a MkI Escort in and something tastier (Zetec) in the Escort.
 
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TorqueOfTheDevil said:
I have a 1995 factroy built Westfield.

It's only a little 1.6 crossflow but it suits the car well, you don't need much power in something so light.
I like the oldschool look, people really don't exect it to be as fast as it is. Sounds ace too.

View attachment 28281
View attachment 28282


Is the V6 block alloy?
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loving these. Yes they don't need too much horsepower.
 
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