Crowdsource a Project Vehicle?

Given the way a few recent project threads have gone (3 wheeler, Roast My frame, Factory Five design competition) it seems we have a quite good group of armchair car designers. Lets put ourselves to good use. We should crowdsource something. The Locost Forum has done some work on this but focused on Lotus seven replicas. I’ve got a few ideas for vehicles we could crowdsource however I’d be interested to see what kind of expertise/interest there would be.

How about a Prius that actually burns coal?

What are you suggesting? Middy based on econobox? Traditional rwd based on Miata/E30/similar? A Formula car based on a Yamaha Banshee/similar engine and suspension components?

At this point I'm just seeing what interest there would be. Looking at your list.

Middy based on econobox?
I like this idea however there is a fair bit of work going on right now in this area however it could be interesting as this is the future of the kind of things that brought us Formula Vee and Lotus 7 replicas as RWD just isn't what basic cars are anymore. Traditional rwd based on Miata/E30/similar?
I think between the Locost concept, the Exocet and similar cars this is a crowded space where not much needs to be done at this time. A Formula car based on a Yamaha Banshee/similar engine and suspension components?
Something like this is very interesting to me.

How about we just all band together to finish tuna's truck?

Or that guy's TR3?

In reply to nocones:

Definitely mid-engine, maybe something using GM, Honda FWD powertrain? Mustang-2 front suspension? There are good quality kit-cars out there already, but using more commodity parts with a nicely designed frame would lower the cost.

In reply to Woody:

Or that guy's BMW M62 V8 swap... :)

I'm thinking some kind of dedicated racer. I like the idea of using as many off the shelf components as possible. Something with the goal of easy/cheap operating costs as well as cheap buy in. Use of Kart components, Hot rod parts, and OEM drivetrains would be the ultimate goal I would imagine.

I don't know how important it is initially to decide what will be built just to determine what people would bring. I am good at chassis integration and suspension design but am not good at engine management, electrical, and industrial design. I like to think I am but when it comes to making something that looks cohesive and appealing I can't do it.

That'd be the kind of thing important at the beginning. Unless people want to crowdsource my project I would think the final product would develop more organically.

The problem I see with FWD drivetrains, is that much the same as RWD, manual transmissions continue to become fewer and further between. And in this age of electronic stability control, factory installed limited slip differentials in FWD cars are practically non-existent. The alternatives being to run an open diff, open the transmission to weld the differential, or open the transmission to install a relatively expensive aftermarket limited slip differential...None of which are particularly well suited to the crowdsourced project car concept, in my humble opinion.

I would think something more like a "GRM" F600/F-Mod car design would be a pretty exciting "crowdsourcing" opportunity.

However I think the biggest challenge won't be on the technical side, but rather the organizational side.

This sounds like that fence painting deal Huck Finn pulled.

No seriously. Finishing my race car is great fun. Everyone come to my garage. I'll pour the beer.

I like karts but a bumpy track makes me feel pain.

How about a 150% size kart with suspension using a 600cc sport bike powertrain?

David

Build a hardcore Dajiban.

Woody wrote: How about a Prius that actually burns coal?

it would be more fun to put a nuclear reactor in one... or wind turbines... or a hydroelectric dam...

Appleseed wrote: Build a hardcore Dajiban.

Now, back on topic. I've been wanting an easy pickup ==> streetrod conversion where you pull the pickup body off, add a few frame adapters, and drop the sexy retro body on. Unfortunately, I don't think there would be enough GRM interest to do that.....it probably needs to be more performance oriented.

JoeyM wrote: Now, back on topic. I've been wanting an easy pickup ==> streetrod conversion where you pull the pickup body off, add a few frame adapters, and drop the sexy retro body on. Unfortunately, I don't think there would be enough GRM interest to do that.....it probably needs to be more performance oriented.

DWNSHFT wrote: How about a 150% size kart with suspension using a 600cc sport bike powertrain?

...Which also has a class to competitively run in for both road racing and autox?

The 'easy' hot-rod type car from a full size truck single donor is an idea that has intrigued me before as well.

Javelin wrote: How about we just all band together to finish tuna's truck?

This is the best idea here.

mazdeuce wrote:

Javelin wrote: How about we just all band together to finish tuna's truck?

This is the best idea here.

I can't tell if I should be honored or just hurry up. Thanks.

As far as the OP, I can't see how it works out in a few instances I've read about. We are pretty far apart geographically and even if we could herd the cats (Mudders!, no, Hoosier slicks!, Small block! no, Rotary!, no Allison!!) into something, who could enjoy it? How? That part seems pretty tough. Plus, given our wide interests, it would probably be like "OK fellas, I have a F2T head, a B18 block, 3 283 connecting rods, one apex seal and four SU carburetors".

No offense meant. has anyone seen a truly crowdsourced vehicle (meaning one finished product, not plans or a item for sale) work out? I would be truly interested to hear.

Hmm so lots of ideas but no one really talking about interest in participating in the design or what skill set they could bring.

I agree completely the challenge is primarily the organization. My thought was after finding out how many interested parties their were and the skill set they could bring we would determine a item to develop and start to break it down into subcomponents. Determine a Free CAD software to use for easy sharing and begin to hone in on envelopes for people to develop areas in. I have some experience with leading projects of this size (FSAE, and work projects) however would be willing to work with someone if that was their core competency that they brought.

I'm not getting the vibe that this would take off here though.

As to who enjoys it the idea would be the result of the crowdsource would be a set of plans to build the product (Or possibly kits of key components to be manufactured by different members of the crowdsource) We would prototype the design and if it is a truly marketable product perhaps use something like kickstarter to get it off the ground and have the crowdsource team receive ownership in the product. That is very far in the future however and not necessarily the way things would have to go. I was just thinking if their was a vehicle design (Something like the next Formula Vee, or a Baja type off roader, etc.) that would take something like 400 hours and a lot of expertise to design we could divide it up amongst the group of people and develop a finished design with each person contributing a small part of the 400 hours.

I'm not saying a crowdsource project like finish 1 specific car I'm saying a crowdsource design for a future project/product

tuna55 wrote:

mazdeuce wrote:

Javelin wrote: How about we just all band together to finish tuna's truck?

This is the best idea here.

I can't tell if I should be honored or just hurry up. Thanks.

Honored.

I will volunteer doing the engine. I can paint it, tune it, and find some cool speed parts for it. Depending on tuna's preferences, I can probably do the engine bay itself, too (paint, wiring clean up, etc).

JoeyM wrote: Now, back on topic. I've been wanting an easy pickup ==> streetrod conversion where you pull the pickup body off, add a few frame adapters, and drop the sexy retro body on. Unfortunately, I don't think there would be enough GRM interest to do that.....it probably needs to be more performance oriented.

I've seen a few seriously ugly attempts at this, but if one looked good, it could go somewhere. I think many of them made a fatal mistake in trying to use the windshield or doors from the donor truck, like this:

As for performance - if you used an S10 frame, put an LSx in it, and some G-body / circle track suspension bits, it could do pretty well there too.

In reply to Javelin:

I'm down here in Texas so I can help find bits and pieces that aren't rusty. I even drive up your way a couple of times a year so I could drop them off. What do you need?