AF Super Seven Group Build!

Great idea, I'm in too. :)

The 1/24 Citation has a turbo V6 in it if you're looking for a low-cost V6, and so does the Revell NSX. Whichever one you choose you'd need to convert it to north/south configuration.

I was thinking along the same lines, except with a Buick Grand National. You get the infamous 3.8 Turbo in longitudinal format (as long as the turbo plumbing fits!)

I still have to order my 7...I decided on the engine, though. It's going to be German :naughty:

After I measured wether it'll fit I'm going to tell you :sunglasse

Cheers
SEB

This idea just came to me

I'll build a "hot rod" from, let's say 2025. That means, I'll build the car as if it was hot rodded in that year. I got some plans for how it looks or the powerplant, which I'll keep as a secret for a while. But the basic idea is the same as todays: take the car, put a powerful engine which is much younger than the car, remain faithful to how the body looked but also make it look modern by changing the trimwork and rims etc.

I know that hot rodding is much more then what I've just said, but I think you got the point of it, so don't yell about philosophy and history of hot rods :)

btw: I actually need a new term because the term "hot rod" is more or less associated with american cars from 20s and 30s. Can anyone think of a better name for this project?

[btw: I actually need a new term because the term "hot rod" is more or less associated with american cars from 20s and 30s. Can anyone think of a better name for this project?]

>> If it's powered by a jet propulsion engine you could call it a prop rod :evillol:

This idea just came to me

I'll build a "hot rod" from, let's say 2025. That means, I'll build the car as if it was hot rodded in that year.

May I take a ride in your time machine some day? Heh..sounds like a nifty idea.

Hmm....flux capacitor? :iceslolan

november 5th, 1955....?

[btw: I actually need a new term because the term "hot rod" is more or less associated with american cars from 20s and 30s. Can anyone think of a better name for this project?]

>> If it's powered by a jet propulsion engine you could call it a prop rod :evillol:


cold rod, power by... well cold fusion :p

For those of you considering V8's....

http://westfield-world.com/Pix/fea/T5.jpg

...and everyone else, I found a decent online gallery with some detailing options here (http://westfield-world.com/Home2.html). Enjoy!

I built the Super Seven a few years ago and will definitely particpate in the group build as the previous one left quite some room for improvement. As for those planning major modifications without having the model in front of them, here are a few pictures to illustrate just how small the Seven is. (All cars are 1/24 scale):

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/450871DSC00337-med.JPG

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/450871DSC00338-med.JPG

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/450871DSC00340-med.JPG

Hope this helps in planning the modifications.:wink:

I have an crazy idee but I'm not skilled enough to perform it. What if you switch the place of the engine and the driver? So you can make a singelseater, midengined seven with the driver in front of the engine! That way, you'll be able to fit a big engine in the seven without stretching or widening the car because you can use the entire interiour for engine compartiment! And the car would have a great balace to because you can put the driver in the centerline of the car.

...and everyone else, I found a decent online gallery with some detailing options here (http://westfield-world.com/Home2.html). Enjoy!

Wow those orange is incredible! I reccomend you all in the group to download the 3d cool seven in the link above.

One more galley to consider, http://www.rcb7.de/fotogalerien/index.php

Thanks for the scaled pictures. They give me ideas of my limitations, and how much scratching I'll need to do. I just need my actual model here so I can start the real measuring and cutting.

As for those planning major modifications without having the model in front of them, here are a few pictures to illustrate just how small the Seven is. (All cars are 1/24 scale):
I think it was great that you did that! :thumbsup:

I took mine out of the box yesterday and had a heart attack - it is so small
:D Then I started thinking about everyone's ideas to put V12s in there and was I glad I'm just doing a paint job on mine (weeell I do have a couple of simple ideas) :lol:

I also thought of reviewing the kit for the benefit of those planning mods before they actually have the kit in their possesion but you beat me to it - well done!!

do we all have to start at the same time? I might join and build/ get the kit later on in the year.
can anyone answer the question?


Also to you guys building it with the Hayabusa engine. This thing is a beast!
http://videos.streetfire.net/search/kit+car/0/wm/97333B9F-3559-4913-A7EA-A06DB1C9729C.htm

Like any other build on this forum, it doesnt matter when you start, it just matters that you finish. Join anytime, in fact, all im doing is getting together ideas and getting the engine wedged in but i wont actually start the process for a while. To many other builds right now.

You're welcome to start anytime between now and mid march or so- as long as you can finish by march 21.

And yeah, the Hayabusa does seem like a cool powerplant for the 7. Has anyone found one in 1/24?

Incidently, I found the kit instructions online (for the full scale Caterham kit!)- here (http://www.californiacaterhamclub.com/resources/). Enjoy!

Is there anything "aftermarket" for the 7?

Well, there's plenty of stuff for the full scale....

But no, to my knowledge there is nothing made specificly for the 1/24 Tamiya kit. It's another reason I chose this kit, so that noone would feel compelled to get some obligatory detail set. There's really nothing the kit needs in the way of PE (beyond what Tamiya already included).

Not sure if this was mentioned yet, but the August issue of Car and Driver has an article on homemade Lotus 7 look-alikes built on a budget. They're nothing exotic, but may provide a few inspirations of re-creating something home-built.

Online article here: http://www.caranddriver.com/features/11304/features-review-the-homemades.html

Hi guys, I have lurked here for a while, and I just had to post because I am building a Tamiya Lotus 7 right now, and you guys who haven't seen the kit are in for a shock :uhoh: It is TINY. I am using the kit supplied motor, an inline 4 1300cc. i had to mount the turbo externally, because even with the tiny stock engine there is hardly any room.

This is the stock engine and a pretty large turbo.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/MattRS2000/Models/Lotus%207/TN_P6270011.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/MattRS2000/Models/Lotus%207/TN_P6270014.jpg

Here next to a 300C for comparison. Notice how narrow the interior and engine bay are. I found the tiny bucket seats in a Fujimi Honda S800 kit, but they still needed some sanding to fit.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/MattRS2000/Models/Lotus%207/TN_P6220003-1.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/MattRS2000/Models/Lotus%207/TN_P6220002.jpg

But, it is a great kit, and I am looking forward to seeing your builds.

Have fun!

Matt

Well, after recieving the model, I have a feeling that the Viper V10 might be a bit ambitious, but I'm gonna try and make it work anyway :P

Guess this sucker is in afterall. :lol:
My Tamiya Super 7 kit is in the mail. Also some casting supplies to cast a set of those tasty 60's Minilites. :)

Got mine in less than a week. It's so tiny!

Count me in on this, i've just dug mine outta my stockpile.
I have big plans for this 7 :naughty: :evillol:
Euan

Ooh this looks like fun.... This kit is so damn tiny though thats crazy.

I think I may just have to order one for myself though, I already have it planned out in my head. And know which Japanese motor I will be using.

Mmmm, I don't have the kit yet, but I could buy it and put a BMW i6 with a turbo in it! :sunglasse

Got mine. Started a thread, too. And I managed to shoehorn a Corvette C6's LS2 into the engine bay. Don't ask how, but I'll tell you it involved a powerdrill. Lots of powerdrilling, and then a tiny bit of sanding. And yes, I used regular old drillbits >_<

It was a tight fit... a very tight fit for those of you who are transplanting engines... good luck. But the result is a car that has 317 horsepower more than it was supposed to, and still has decent weight distrobution (engine is behind the front axle, transaxle at the rear), and since the engine and such are aluminium, the car isn't too heavy. So... um... yeah.

Good luck guys. Let's encourage each other in our build threads, too! I can't wait to see what the rest of you guys have cooked up!

Hi guys, I just finished mine!

Mods:
External turbo, cycle guards (CF), widebody, buckets (yes they fit!).



http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/MattRS2000/Models/Lotus%207/TN_P8110031.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/MattRS2000/Models/Lotus%207/TN_P8110027.jpg


I hope this helps with some ideas.

Have fun!

Matt

well.. that was fast! ANd I like it. Just the wheels are a bit TO wide I think.. but other than that.. nice

well.. that was fast! ANd I like it. Just the wheels are a bit TO wide I think.. but other than that.. nice

I'm not in the contest, I started this one a little while ago. It's just a coincidence :cwm27:

What's the best way to set up the body on a stand to prime and paint? I can't figure out a way that won't leave some other part of the body covered...

I've been thinking a lot about this and I can't seem to think of anything better to use than another F20C.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v417/willimo/Lotus7a.jpg
Don't beat me over the head because I've already built this car, I'm just going to do it again with my new, better skillz.

There have been a lot of other ideas I've considered. Kitbashing it with a 1:48 F-18 to make a jet. Putting it between catapilar treads and painting it camoflauge. A rotary or a K20 from the RSX (but why downgrade after the 7thousand?). Even thought about a turbine engine so it would make killer fake turbo sounds and leave the track smelling like kerosene. Or I could make it a gravity car....:shakehead

... Or I could make it a gravity car....:shakeheadPedal car! Add pedals, chain drive, derailleurs, thumb shifters.. lots of detailing potential! This thing is so small that a full-size fiberglass replica could easily be light enough for pedaling. Hmm well I was just kidding, but.. hm...

Deltableh, put four wires made from coat hangers into a large block of foam. Bend the tops outward to hold the inside of the body. Bend wires to add tension, add tape to the tips so the body doesn't fly off the wires. Some times I just wear a glove and hold the body with my fingers on a part that doesn't need body paint or can easily be touched up later, then hang it on a wire to dry.

I'm just going to do it again with my new, better skillz
Soundz good! Where can I get some of theze? HLJ? MediaMix?

@ MattRS2000 - nice build! PLEASE edit your post though and add some "enters" after each picture. Right now your post has blown the margins on this page wide open, I think. Thanks!

A rotary or a K20 from the RSX?

Do a Rotus- a Seven with a Mazda rotary engine! I don't think I've seen anyone else saying they're considering doing one, and it's too cool an option for someone not to do one. :smokin:

Do a Rotus- a Seven with a Mazda rotary engine! I don't think I've seen anyone else saying they're considering doing one, and it's too cool an option for someone not to do one. :smokin:
I was maybe thinkin a rotory swap seeing how i have some casts i made. Just waiting for my 7 to come in to check for fitting :uhoh: before declaring anything in stone. :naughty:

Do a Rotus- a Seven with a Mazda rotary engine! I don't think I've seen anyone else saying they're considering doing one, and it's too cool an option for someone not to do one. :smokin:
But it HAS been done, and done well by our resident 7-master...

WIP (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=445775) - Completed (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=597817)

Not that it should stop anyone from trying their own spin on it... :)

Ok, count me in. Just ordered the super7 from hlj. Strange enough they were out of stock.. :) Well I spent more on CF decals that on the kit, and I remeber to have an old 6-litre Mercedes V12 lying around from an old S-class. I'll be damned if it doesent fit under the small hood some how :) But it might be a little too much "tractor pulling" so the backup plan is a kitbashed/scratched straight six with turbo, made from half a testarossa engine a few moths ago with no car to go into..
We'll see. Very enthusiastic about the group bulid anyway !

Ok, count me in. Just ordered the super7 from hlj. Strange enough they were out of stock.. :) Well I spent more on CF decals that on the kit, and I remeber to have an old 6-litre Mercedes V12 lying around from an old S-class. I'll be damned if it doesent fit under the small hood some how :) But it might be a little too much "tractor pulling" so the backup plan is a kitbashed/scratched straight six with turbo, made from half a testarossa engine a few moths ago with no car to go into..
We'll see. Very enthusiastic about the group bulid anyway !

Dude, good luck with your V-12. I have a 6.2L (I think) Chevy smallblock under the now defunct hood of my Lotus, and that was a fun fit. Take a look:
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=597006

So, just how many '7' WIP's are there?
I just got my kit on sunday, and dug some wheels out of my stash, so the picture is just a tease.
This one is in the earlest stage of planning. I'm thinking SCCA E production so the WIP will go over in Motorsport. There's a Caterham dealer in town and a local racer won the runoffs last year in one so I should be able to get good references.
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/73480Mini_Slicks-med.jpg
Pseudo 'Minilights' with slicks!

So, just how many '7' WIP's are there?
I just got my kit on sunday, and dug some wheels out of my stash, so the picture is just a tease.
This one is in the earlest stage of planning. I'm thinking SCCA E production so the WIP will go over in Motorsport. There's a Caterham dealer in town and a local racer won the runoffs last year in one so I should be able to get good references.
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/73480Mini_Slicks-med.jpg
Pseudo 'Minilights' with slicks!

Mine isn't a WIP so much as a WIMM (work in my mind) because I won't be starting until later this year, my plan is to keep it simple and likely make a vintage racer mostly OOB using the same new Panasport wheels. I like the stock body/fenders and I'm amused at all the crazy motor swaps being done to these tiny little cars :lol: I do wish I had bought another Monogram RX7 with it's excellent stock 12A rotary...would be a good casting candidate.

I 've got both the Mono RX-7 and their Miata in my stash...
I have access to the resources, but for now casting is out of reach for the time being. Let me know if your interested in 'borrowing' the parts.
Does the Miata kit have a good IRS setup?

Mine isn't a WIP so much as a WIMM (work in my mind) because I won't be starting until later this year,
+1 for me. :grinyes:

my plan is to keep it simple
-1 for me. :evillol:

Since 'rotary' has started to be thrown around, I'll tip my hand and mention that's what I have in mind. But not a motor out of an RX-7. :eek:

Does the Miata kit have a good IRS setup?

I don't know about the Revell kit, but the Tamiya kit's suspension is stellar.

Thanks Will,
Another bad idea on my part. Modern sports car IRS (with struts) is really not suited to a race car. The latest spec Caterham has IRS with inboard shocks front and rear and I was hoping to incorperate that technology into my car.
If I go back about 10 years in sport racer tech. I can use the kit suspension with scratch built coilovers. I'm gonna havta talk to my SCCA buddies and see what they think of my project before I commit to any details.

Thanks Will,
Another bad idea on my part. Modern sports car IRS (with struts) is really not suited to a race car. The latest spec Caterham has IRS with inboard shocks front and rear and I was hoping to incorperate that technology into my car.
If I go back about 10 years in sport racer tech. I can use the kit suspension with scratch built coilovers. I'm gonna havta talk to my SCCA buddies and see what they think of my project before I commit to any details.

Miatas have four wheel double wishbone suspensions-shocks not struts, (kitwise) the rear coilover shocks are much shorter on either the Tamiya or Revell kit than the stock solid axle version on the Tamiya Lotus. The front shocks on a Miata are rather tall.

Revell's Miata rear suspension looks superior to Tamiya's. Tamiya's model has steerable front wheels though. Revell's front suspension is like their current Corvettes/Vipers, the upright is molded to the lower A arm and the spindle is molded in place.

I'm also quite interested in the offer of loaned parts so I can cast the Revell RX-7 Rotary. My Fujimi RX-3's would be ecstatic :naughty: I'll PM you about that.

Since 'rotary' has started to be thrown around, I'll tip my hand and mention that's what I have in mind. But not a motor out of an RX-7. :eek:

HMMMMMM. No pun intended :icon16:

I can think of some non-RX7 Mazda kits throughout the years that had rotaries. 1/20 Entex/Bandai R100, RX2, RX3, RX4 (I've got that one :naughty: ), RX5/'75 Cosmo, '80's Luce/Cosmo 2 and 4 door models (uber-rare kits, from a rather rare bunch to begin with).

Then there are the MPC annual Chevy Vega kits that had an optional rotary.

R26B? HMMMMMMMM :uhoh: :naughty: :icon16:

Has anyone seen this car yet
http://www.tigerracing.com/graphics/tiger-z100-mk2.jpg
Its a twin engined tiger z100. 0-60 in less than 3.1 seconds thats faster than the Mclaren F1. It weighs only 550kg wet so its pretty light. Does anyone know of any half decent Suzuki GSXR1000 engines in 1/24 or Kawasaki ZX9R engine? Thanks

Woot just got my kit in yesterday, so now i can start putting some of my plans in action. :naughty:

Speeking of IRS i was just going to post up a question b4 u guys started talking about it. I was wondering about its worth? Not worth as in kitbashing and work to be done to do it, thats no problem :icon16:. But worth as in from a racing standpoint.. What do they usually do as far as 1:1 rear suspension swaps/mods. I was thinking that it might not be even too noticable of a difference from the solid rear axle and 3 link? because of the cars such narrow width and light weight that you would not even have that much weight and car that would be tossing around during cornering. Btw i was maybe thinking of doing some swapping of the IRS from a tamiya FD with diff coilovers. Let me know, thanks!

Seems like a neet idea, thoug if things go right I will soon be building my own superseven for ripin up the track.

Think this is only my second post here :grinno:

I really like this idea of doing a group build so I have got a Super Seven on order so I can join in. It will be the second car I build so I don't know if I will be doing anything really neat like some of you guys, I might just try and do a clean stock build. I have seen a couple of guys jamming in some massive engines so far but I was thinking of maybe trying to put in a Lotus Twin Cam Engine as the Super Seven apparently ran with one of these in the earlier days. But then again perhaps I should just keep within my limits and go the stock 1300 motor :wink:.

As long as I improve over my first car I will be happy, look forward to seeing everyone's completed cars :).

Cool welcome aboard Acerlyte! yea that sounds cool, theres nothing wrong with doin a stock build. Maybe you could do it in a neat color or something? thats something achievable that can set yours apart. But if u stick around here in AF youl be picking up skills and ideas in no time. Good luck on the build! and keep us posted :)

Hi Acerlyte- glad to have you building along.

Funny you should mention the Twin Cam! My Seven has just been started (I'm hoping to start a progress thread in the next week), and it will be a Lotus S3 Twin Cam. The Twin Cam was a very popular engine in the Seven, both in Lotus and Caterham S3's and S4's- right up until supplies of the head ran out in '83. The Twin Cam is essentially just a Ford Kent (the engine included in the Tamiya kit) with a new head- so the kit engine is a good place to start. But if you want to do a modified engine and don't feel up to doing a Twin Cam, the kit engine can easily be converted into a Crossflow. The Crossflow (and it's tuned versions the Sprint and SuperSprint) is easily the most popular engine ever fitted to the Seven. It was relitively cheap, availible, reliable, and could be tuned like crazy. It first appeared in the Lotus S2 in '68, and could be had new in a Caterham S3 until '99. To turn the kit engine into a Crossflow, really all you need to do is move the Weber's to the right side of the engine. There are plenty of good pics online that show what this looks like, and I can probably point you to some.

Has anyone seen this car yet
http://www.tigerracing.com/graphics/tiger-z100-mk2.jpg


Sorry for the late reply - better late than never I suppose :)

That thing is awsome! It really tickles my imagination...

I love the heat staining on the exhausts - wonder if that was airbrushed on...? LOL

Thanks for the welcome WRC_413X and MPWR :). I read a little bit about the S3 Lotus Seven's at this site (http://www.se7enup.hopto.org/se7enup/default.asp?id=1&mnu=1) and there certainly isn't a shortage of engine options if you want to stick with the original stuff! I would appreciate any reference pictures in regards to the engine MPWR, been poking around the net looking for that exact thing but I haven't come across a lot yet. Doing the Crossflow sounds like it's something I might be able to do within my ablities and I am pretty keen to do an original type Seven.

Looking forward to seeing just how small this car is, should be a lot of fun in any case :). Cheers!

This is the beast here-

http://westfield-world.com/Pix/fea/G9.jpg


To convert the kit Sidevalve (Pre-Crossflow) engine, I would incrementally drill out the spark plugs to 1/16", and then insert some short lenghts of 1/16" plastic rod to make the new intake manifold. Cut the kit carbs off their manifold, and mount them on the new one. Then add the wires going to the new plug locations like above (where the intake manifold for the Sidevalve would go). Basically the plugs and intakes swap positions to the opposite sides of the head.

You can find more pics of the Sidevalve and Crossflow looking through the Sevens here (http://www.simplesevens.org/), or by doing Google image searches on combinations of Ford, Kent, Crossflow, Xflow, Cosworth, Sidevalve, Pre Crossflow, engine, etc.

Hey MPWR, that's great stuff! I was hoping to do this conversion on my 7, and you pretty much spelled it out for me. Now, if I could only find some time do work on it.... :)

Thought I would add a site to this thread. http://www.mycaterham.com/ Has some great shots of the owners car and lots of pics of Super Sevens. I hope to get started on mine very soon. Now that I have a lathe I can try some cool stuff.

I have finally be able to find one, I m aching to get through this, what a marvelous little kit and plenty of opportunities to act crazy, thus... I like!

Oli