Building an Ariel Atom Options

[JoKeRkId613]

I've been losing sleep the past few days thinking about what it would be like having an Ariel Atom. I recall when they first came out, they were 30-40k, now it seems a new company is making them and they're 65k - which is just insane for a big go-kart. I saw an article a few months ago about some kid that made his own Ariel Atom out of recycled parts, junked car parts, etc. I've been thinking if this is something even possible for me to do. I know welding basics but I'd want to learn more and become better at tig welding to feel safe in the car. I'm trying to come up with an estimate on how much this would cost me but I think it would be a nice little project. Just wanted to throw that out there and see what you guys think about this idea. the engine would be a red beams 3s... toyo love.

[Rayme]

I think it would be a very nice project, something I would even do myself.

The problem IMO is the material, if you make a ariel atom look alike with normal steel you will end up with something very heavy and not much lighter than a small econo car. You'd have to find some good tubular steel.
And adding the iron block beams engine would only make it worst..you should be looking at an all aluminium engine like the 2zz-ge or a boosted 1zz-fe...or better yet, a race-bike engine, a yamaha R1 powerplant in there would be really bad-ass, but you wouldn't have a reverse gear!

Also making the suspension work is going to be the most delicate part of the project.

some info
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/ariel-atom.htm/printable

This post has been edited by Rayme: Jan 9, 2009 - 12:19 PM