Welcome to Bruce Borrows' Locost web site. (last change 20030418)
home home page - my own initial ramblings about building a Lotus 7 replica as per Ron Champion's book
engineengine info (a bit sketchy at the moment)
donorMy thoughts on which donor to use
linksPersonal compiled list of other Lotus 7 links
specsspecifications and donors, what performance can you expect from which donor - no info yet
picturesPictures of a locost build - my friend's locost based special - NOW COMPLETED!!! *** New Pictures 20030902 !!! ***
e-mailfeed back e-mail link

Bruce Borrows' Locost website. There is not much here except some good photos of my friend's locost-based build. See the pictures page.

My own Locost!

This is the start of my own ramblings. Still at the fantasy stage. Not much done - I'm collecting information and working on a specification. Thanks to all who sent me e-mails with information and encouragement. I hope to include some of your messages in a future revision to this page. In the meantime MY LOCOST has definitely turned more into fantasy than reality. We had a death in our family last September and I can hardly get into my garage at the moment let alone reach my welder which is buried under tons of "good" stuff!

Expected start date was: January 2002. This is now delayed indefinitely! Although I may get some time to work on a "fantasy" version!

Current favorites:

My dream was really for a twin cam motor like the Lotus Cortina unit. But I have no illusions about the availability of a suitable donor (see also my engine info page). This has led me to consider easier ways of producing high power. The current favourite is to use the 2.8i "Cologne" Ford V6 engine with 5 speed "Sierra" gearbox, with the Capri 280 (dreaming again!) as the anticipated donor car. This should be fairly available but is probably not going to be cheap I guess. It could, however, be cheaper than raising a more humble motor up to similar power.

Other advantages with this configuration? Reliable, effortless, and relatively cheap rocketship performance!

Why the Capri 280? Injection V6 engine, nice wheels, high ratio (25mph/1000) limited slip diff, solid rear axle, 5-speed box, a lot of the other bits I need all in the one donor package.

Concerns and questions:

1. Can I get the V6 engine to fit? Does the engine bay need to be longer or wider?

2. Is there room for all the injection/management ancillaries? Has anyone already been successful with this combination?

3. Is the V6 engine too heavy? How do I strengthen the chassis? I see folks have successfully put this V6 into Robin Hood 7 replicas but what about weight distribution and the SVA in this respect?

Also: Where can I get more information (yes I already know about the club)?