OT: single seat sports car project, seeking feedback Options

[siverson]

Hi all,

This thread:

http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?sho...17048&st=80

has prompted me to share a project I've been thinking about for a while and now am just getting started on. I thought I'd share with you guys as we're typically like minded car guys...

I'm making plans to build a single-seat, mid-engine, street-legal sports car.

- Less than 1,600 pounds

- 600 horsepower Chevy LS7 engine (dry sump)

- Porsche G96 transmission

- Street legal, but should be a pretty amazingly track car as well.

- Several donor parts from a C6 corvette (e.g. suspension uprights)

- Can accommodate drivers up to 6'8" and size 15 shoes (impossible with other lightweight street cars (e.g. Ariel Atom, Caterham)). (I'm 6'6".)

- 105" wheel base. This is about the same as a C6 Corvette, and much larger than other lightweight cars.

- Fiberglass body styled after a "modern 1960s F1/F2 car" (e.g. Porsche 718, Brabham B19).

- Single seat, super simple. no frills. Very simple dash, no doors, no wipers, no a/c, no heat. But safer and more comfortable than a motorcycle.

The Ariel Atom, SuperLite Nemesis, Palotav DP2, Light Car Company Rocket all share some characteristics of what I have planned, but none are quite right and hit the mark for me.

What do you think? Any ideas or suggestions on what to change? Like it? Hate it?

And below are just some conceptual drawings I've put together. Nothing is "engineered" in these concept drawings.

-Steve

[siverson]

Now with fenders, mirrors, and additional headlights that meet the minimum headlight height requirements.

It looks like I might also need a wiper, as ridiculous as that sounds...

I wonder if headlights mounted on fenders (unsprung) would actually even work. Too bouncy?

-Steve

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/forums.pelicanparts.com-654-1376494651.1.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/forums.pelicanparts.com-654-1376494656.2.jpg)

[AE354803]

It might be easier to go 3 wheel design, although the drive-train could prove trickier if you stick with an automobile engine and transmission, you will qualify for the HOV lanes and the safety aspects should be easier to meet. If you throw a readily available motorcycle powertrain in there it should keep weight down and make parts/engine replacement dirt cheap.

I like the idea though, should be a fun project no matter what way you go.

You can find full safety requirements in the CA vehicle code (http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/veh_code.pdf) See Division 12 Article 7 for motorcycle (you don't have to wear a helmet if it's fully enclosed and weighs more than 900 lbs and wider than 4 ft.