Saturn Powered Locost

atchley · 08-18-2007, 02:58 AM

I was considering a Locost build using an all or partial Saturn powertrain. I was wondering if anyone out there has ever done this, or if I could get some technical information.

For anyone who may not know what the Locost is; it is a two-seater roadster that is pretty much built from the ground up using 'donor' parts from other vehicles. It's design is based on the Lotus 7 (still in production.) The Locost was designed by a Brit named Ron Champion, who put together a couple of books that give instruction on building a real sports/race car on a budget. Here are some links to get a better idea of the vehicle.

http://www.locostpro.com/rts/index.asp?siteid=1683
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Locost
http://www.locostusa.com/
http://www.mcsorley.net/locost/
http://locostcarclub.co.uk/

It is a RWD platform, and this is where my dilemna begins. Most people use donor drivetrains from other RWD cars and even small trucks. Some have used motors from FWD platforms and combined them with RWD components. Driveshaft and rear diff are obvious and easy to find (possibly from a Vue or an S-10). But, finding a manual transmission to mate up to a Satty engine (other than stealing and gutting a Sky for its' drive components and motor) is where I am stuck. Is there any production tranny out there (any brand, make, or model/foreign or domestic) that will bolt up to the 1.9 DOHC? Or, possibly a bell housing that could mate together the Satty motor to another tranny?

I really don't know, but I have encountered on countless occasions parts that would bolt straight together in spite of having no relationship (manufacturer or vehicle type.)

sneaux96 · 08-18-2007, 05:59 AM

Not trying to dis what your doing, but if your going to do a rwd kit car, why would you use a saturn drivetrain? I'm sure if you look at a few junkyards you could find a rwd motor and tranny in decent/rebuildable shape that would ultimately be more reliable and get you better performance.

But to answer your question, I haven't heard of any other bell housings that will match up to the 1.9l. If you do find a rwd tranny that matches, definatly post it, would be pretty sweet if someone were willing to try and make a rwd s-series.

atchley · 08-19-2007, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sneaux96

Not trying to dis what your doing, but if your going to do a rwd kit car, why would you use a saturn drivetrain?

Alright, I'll admit it. I really would prefer to NOT use a 1.9L as the final project. This is a starting point, using the 1.9, to get to the eventual goal of the 2.0 turbo and sky drivetrain. But, the completion of a drivable vehicle with the 1.9DOHC would be a good/cheap start. I have the rebuilt/fortified motor already. I just got a hold of a Miata diff/suspension setup. I need a cheap in way to get them mated.

The goal is to create a complete book design that specifies Saturn components to build this extremely lightweight roadster. Just a Saturn branch of the Locost design on their own. A 'Saturn 7,' basically. It would be great to make it a collaborative effort within the Saturn enthusiast community, and write a whole new book.

Ecotecs are common enough now, and mate up to some S-10 and S-15 trannys (the later model S series pickups and now Colorado/Canyon series pickups actually use I-4 Vortecs mated to 5-speed trannys,) but still lack the IRS setup. I may end up backtracking and use the Ecotec 2.2 or 2.4 and S-10 tranny. But, I'll have to ditch the 1.9 and go for a total design revision. Oh, well.

Ecotecs are the present and future of Saturn anyway; so why not. No disgrace in using a foreign rear end setup. Japanese IRS and LSDs are pretty good quality. Excellent metallurgy and design. Just have to let go of a little 'Made in America' pride, or 'live axle' which is what I've spent my life driving anyway!

I'd still love to see some creative input to this project, and maybe some others to experiment with this relatively cheap and extremely light/high performing design. These things are fun and fast!

atchley · 08-19-2007, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sneaux96

If you do find a rwd tranny that matches, definatly post it, would be pretty sweet if someone were willing to try and make a rwd s-series.

If I'm not mistaken, this has been done in a kind of 'funny car' design. I think it was on one of the Saturn forums a couple years back.

Something more street worthy has been at least once, as well. Several more years back, I stumbled upon a personal website where a guy did a Civic body on an AWD CR-V short wheel base chassis. But, on the same site he showed his previous projects. One of them was a 1st generation SC2 with a framed rear end and the original transverse engine/tranny/suspension setup was mounted in the rear. He was 'inspired' by the Fiero and the Ford Shogun (which used the Taurus SHO powerplant/tranny/suspension in the rear of a Festiva. http://www.cardomain.com/ride/811536 http://www.motorcities.com/photo/vie...93125700E.html
http://www.shotimes.com/images/SHOgun/Leno2.jpg

As to the traditional FR layout, that would be a more preferable design, the elusive bolt-up tranny is yet to be found!

97dbsl2 · 08-20-2007, 04:12 AM

honestly i would get a mazda 1.8L engine code BP. Easily attainable, easy to boost, and the options are endless.

atchley · 08-20-2007, 05:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 97dbsl2

honestly i would get a mazda 1.8L engine code BP. Easily attainable, easy to boost, and the options are endless.

Boostable? To what degree, as I have some turbo and custom made supercharger experience, can they handle without internal fortification?

Hey, and two of the local yards have both complete and partial Miata 1.8Ls (not sure about the motor code) in their yards. That might work out very well. The IRS/LSD setup would work perfectly with this frame modification as well. http://locost7.info/files/suspension...RSAssembly.pdf

Apparently, though I havn't found a picture of one yet, an entire chassis version exists for the use of FWD tranny/motor/suspension in the rear to produce a mid engine version. I still prefer the true FR format; so that is a good potential. Many builders have used Miata drivetrains, but most appear to lean toward RX-7s (though rotaries don't excite me much.)

atchley · 08-23-2007, 06:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sneaux96

But to answer your question, I haven't heard of any other bell housings that will match up to the 1.9l. If you do find a rwd tranny that matches, definatly post it, would be pretty sweet if someone were willing to try and make a rwd s-series.

This one's hooked up to a Toyota truck tranny...what tranny or how it is done...I dunno. But, apparently it is possible.

And, here is an option for bolting a 1.9 to a VW rwd transaxel.
http://www.kennedyeng.com/vw_por.htm

These give hope to the RWD concept, but I'll continue the search!

sneaux96 · 08-23-2007, 07:02 AM

wow, nice find atchley. If only I wasn't broke and had another car.

SL2 + Vdub tranny + RWD ftw!

atchley · 09-02-2007, 06:53 AM

Here is another little something that could give ideas for opening doors to rear drive conversions.

This guy used a Saturn engine and adapted a Mazda transmission to it, in order to achieve RWD. It was for a specialty built vehicle to be ran at the Bonneville Salt Flats. Interesting technique he used to achieve this (including alignment.) Too bad we can't get a CAD drawing of the finished product.
http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sum...%20page-6.html

atchley · 09-02-2007, 06:59 AM

Not a RWD project, but for anyone wanting to do an electric conversion...

http://www.docdockdocuments.com/conv...nversion38.htm