Group Build: Lotus Super Twelve

[Martin S]

Finally got the Lotus kit delivered. As the title of this build indicates this will not be a lotus in the spirit of
Colin Chapmans famous words "To add speed, add lightness". I will add something else...

Hope you like a lot of pics
Here are the parts laid out:



To the left is an Mercedes 6-litre V12 from a scrapped S-class kit.
It does look a bit big compared to the tiny lotus.
First I cut off the ugly fenders using standard cotton thred used as a "band saw".
Gives a very sharp cut, but the thread breaks easily...




After looking at the V12 for some time I thought it would never fit, so I tried this other engine.
It's a straight-six made from half a testarossa boxer. Fits niceley, but would have required a lot of work on the engine itself, and I had other plans for that engine.
You can also see my choise of wheels: 15" Watanabes. The rear rims has a lot of outward depth, but I like the width...345/35-15"



The rear fenders needs some 11 mm of extra width. I cut them just outside of the reaction rod attachment point for the rear suspension:



Next I'll squeese in the V12..

[Martin S]

The Mercedes V12 looked a tad big, but I decided it had to fit. The automatic gearbox need some space in the floor for the oil pan.
And yes it will be an automatic tranny, there won't be any legroom anyway for a clutchpedal




With the cutout for the tranny made, The V12 slipped into place between the front suspension and the firewall.
I believe the correct expression is "like a glooove"




This is how it will sit:



I haven't decided if I will use the Mercedes intake runners, or make my own.
Without intake runners I can even use the stock hood with only minor cut-outs !



Got the rear fenders sorted out, and started on some new engine mounts.
Also made a new crossmember that will sit under the oil pan too give some rigidity after the large portion of the floor was cut out.

[Jay!]

Hey - I don't know if you noticed this yet or not, but...



That's nuts!

[KTem]

This is one crazy project! Well done so far, it looks splendid.

[Mr. Me.]

May be you will make the body wider?

[porschenut]

Wow. makes me want to continue mine!!!
Euan

[drunken monkey]

i think you're going to need beefier front suspension.

strangely enough, i think a lot of Seven kits are going to look like this:

Originally Posted by Martin S

for a while

[deltableh]

Good luck with the big engine. My LS2 is pretty dang big in there. I said screw it, however, to the rear fenders, and just hacked them off. Another thing I did was replace the rear suspension, as I:
1) The LS2 has a rear-mounted transaxle
2) The rear differential wouldn't have covered it anyway
3) The transaxle gives me better weight distrobution.

Anyway, this is how mine looks; it's a pretty tight fit. For the record, I am going hoodless.




I hope I didn't threadjack; wasn't my intention.

[Martin S]

You can be sure I checked out your LS2 before I started mine.
Mine will not be the best balanced Super7 ever, but I see It like sort of an european "427 Cobra" ..

It looks like I will also have to beef up the suspension, as pointed out here. The stock rear axle vill probably twist and end its' days in big crunch when all the torque from the V12 is applied for the first time

[D_LaMz]

wow, that is huge!

[robrex]

Originally Posted by fubaz

Hey - I don't know if you noticed this yet or not, but...



That's nuts!

I agree!

[Jurva]

Looks monstrous, or something.
Please use Mercedes inteke runners. And dont use the hood. That way anybody can see that big V12

[KTem]

Originally Posted by Jurva

Looks monstrous, or something.
Please use Mercedes inteke runners. And dont use the hood. That way anybody can see that big V12

Or a clear hood, if you can manage to make one!

[robjos12]

What Scale are the wanatabes

[Martin S]

1/24 scale..
it's these:
http://www.hlj.com/product/FUJ19124

(also includes brembo disc brakes)