First Post

[daveheld]

just checking to see how this forum works... I am building an exo Car in Cocoa Beach Florida... when I can find spare time.

I operate http://www.team321.com manufacturing custom Independent Rear Suspension units for custom vehicles... In an effort to promote my suspension biz, I decided to build an exocar.

It is a mix of available components... some custom built, some Fiero parts and a VW engine - for now... When things get rolling, I will likely install a V8 longitudinally with an Audi or porsche trans, but for now I'm keeping it simple. I look forward to this site!

dave
http://www.team321.com
Cocoa Beach FL

[daveheld]

here's a photo of the front quarter. This car / frame has come a long way since this photo... plenty of shots in the camera, just no time to get them from the camera to the PC and to the site... but I'll get to it this week.

dave

[Karlo]

I would like to post your pics of your car in the "other exocars" thread.

[bolus]

Dave,
Since you make suspensions there may be interest if you offered a custom aerodynamic wishbone for the Ariel Atom suspension. Right now they are made of round tubes. There is an upgrade option that the company offers for an aerodynamic version but at $7500 which is pretty ridiculous in my opinion.

http://bolus.shackspace.com/atom/aero_wishbones.jpg

[daveheld]

where ever you think is best... fine with me.
I don't have a name for it yet... all suggestions invited.

dave

[Karlo]

I like Held-X. :) What are your thoughts??

[B-T]

...
I don't have a name for it yet... all suggestions invited.

dave

D-Rex :D
Minion-D
Puma-H
:coolnana:

[daveheld]

The photos that follow - 1 per post - are mostly the bare frame as it was positioned for final welding. I have higher res photos if anyone would like to see them... Comments are always welcome.

dave@team321.com

http://www.team321.com/TubeChassis/images/feb08/Team321_FrontSuspView1.jpg

[Meerkatguy]

Hi Dave, you aren't too far away from me....I'm just south of Palm Bay..

Alan

[daveheld]

Without going into too much detail, the wheelbase is about 95" with the VW engine / trans ( mid-engine ). A transverse v6 / L4 will fit in the rear framework, but ideally I would like to put a longitudinal V8 - which will require about a 11" wheelbase stretch.

The width is about 53" max. This dimension was arrived at by placing two seats on the chassis table at the outset of the build. My friend / builder and I sat in the seats - we're both 6' tall 200+ lbs. The outside frame rails pass just outside of our shoulders.

I wanted to build a car that I could get in and out of... without feeling like I was putting it on like a tight pair of shoes.

anyway, that's it for now...
dave
Cocoa Beach FL
http://www.team321.com

[Meerkatguy]

Here's mine... http://www.exocars.net/showthread.php?t=121

[daveheld]

I remember reading about the meerkat quite a while ago... looking at the trees in the background - pines and palmettos - and thinking - this guy must be in Florida...

dave

[Meerkatguy]

Yep...that's me, but the Meerkat is on hold while I just "fit" another project in..

Alan

[daveheld]

The build is rolling along... here are some shots of the chassis with all of the suspension components bolted into place... as always, I have higher res images for that wishing to see them... email me for more info.
dave


http://team321.com/tubechassis/rollingchassis/DriverInCarFrontsm.jpg

http://team321.com/tubechassis/rollingchassis/DriverQtr1sm.jpg


http://team321.com/tubechassis/rollingchassis/DriverSideSteeringsm.jpg

http://team321.com/tubechassis/rollingchassis/FireWallZoomsm.jpg

[Karlo]

Dave

Have you decided on what engine yet?

[daveheld]

I haven't decided on an engine yet since I personally do not have time to work on the car any longer - other than 2 - 4 hours each week on Saturday...

With that in mind, I'm looking for someone in my area to route the brake / clutch / cooling lines and install the engine / trans... I have no preference as to who does it or what they put in - as long as the job gets done.

Right now I have a couple VW guys that are interested, so that is the way I'm leaning... I like your Honda option, but I'm not familiar enough with the mounting and all other aspects of it to use Honda.

dave
Cocoa Beach FL

[daveheld]

I have made some progress... I sprayed bed liner / undercoat on the interior steel panels after masking off the frame rails. Prior to that that step, I sanded off the small amount of surface rust that had begun appearing, then coated the raw steel with ospho.

In order to get an idea of what the front would look like with a nose piece... I stretched some spandex / nylon over the front of the framework.

I'm not sure how the final bodywork will play out, but I will begin by stretching this material across the front of the framework and coat the material with resin to stiffen it up. After that I will use this piece as the basis for a fiberglass front clip.

Any creative ideas are welcome.
dave
Cocoa Beach FL

[daveheld]

here goes again.

dave
Cocoa Beach FL

[B_OBrien]

Very nice!!! You obvioulsy have some talent!! Wish I had your fabricating skills.

[daveheld]

I have placed a write-up and photos showing the build from CAD drawings to rolling chassis.
More photos will come as the build progresses.

http://team321.com/tubechassis/tubechassisbuild.html

dave