i was wondering: with so many cars around, couldnt there be a substitute for the escort steering rack already? i mean, couldnt a micra or fiat cinquecento one work for example?

is it because the steering arms need to go in front of the hubs rather than the back for a locost?

i dunno, find it hard to believe only the escort one is compatible.

tom

No point looking over here as Rally Design do a brand new item for about £50

i imagine we could get cheaper and possibly better items from a scrappers and a more common car? there are not many escort Mk1 left.

on a book build the hinge points on the escort rack are too far apart hence the bump steer issues with locosts. The majority of current racks are designed to work behind the front axle line therefore theyare geared the wrong way. I suppose you could mount them upside down depending on how the oil seals are good for this.

It is time to rethink the locost concept to use entirely modern car parts however this would almost unavoidably make it a front wheel drive or mid engined design because it is moving away from the Lotus 7 basic design. If you want to keep on the Lotus theme you could look at the Europa that was originally designed around the front wheel drive mechanicals from the Renault 16, these were a north south set up rather than the east west arrangement that is almost universal now.

As time goes on the emissions issues and electronic engine management will make the problem of using modern vehicles for kits or self build worse.

Caber

quote:

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Originally posted by caber
It is time to rethink the locost concept to use entirely modern car parts however this would almost unavoidably make it a front wheel drive or mid engined design because it is moving away from the Lotus 7 basic design.

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You can use a RHS rear-steer rack flipped over in place of a LHS front-steer rack