Random thoughts and possibility of engineers

I need to find an engineer that is willing to take on the project. So without the engineer being involved it's impossible to even think about starting any real work. To tell the truth, I've actually started on a small part of the build anyway. I started to set out the build board and then started by cutting the first few tube of the base. How terrible of me really, doing things without permission.

So what about the frame? I've had a few queries about the frame and the physical size of it compared to me. I'm 186cm tall, and the book frame might be a bit small. I have sat in a PRB Clubman and it was ok for room, and then when I sat in another and it was really small for me and I couldn't fit my legs behind the steering wheel. Possibly it was due to the extra design bits that were put in. I'm thinking about slightly modifying the frame size to add 100mm to the width and 100mm to the length where the passenger/driver compartment is. In this case the steering and suspension geometry of the front end wont be effected. I'm also wondering whether the planned engine will fit, but with the bit of extra room, I should possibly extend the engine compartmennt as well. Well it's a bit up in the air at the moment.

Which leads me on to the choice of engine. The Puma Clubman built based on the book design uses an SR20. Most other clubmans use a 4AGE or an MX5 engine and powertrain. The SR20 is high on the list of engines to use because or it's readily available parts, the fact that you can get a S15 Sylvia front cut fairly easily and they have a bucket load of power out of the box. Another thing to think about is trying to meet the IM240 emissions test. With an aftermarket computer like a Haltech and a wideband sensor, it should be pretty easy to get the car to meet the tests.

Anyway backtrack to the engineer problem. I've been in contact with a few engineers in the Newcastle area, one of which has come to the party with a few ideas and information sheets about what he requires to start the ball rolling. I've got a wad of paperwork sitting at home at the moment which starts to respond to the multitude of problems and issues associated with registration in NSW.

My main issue that I can se at the moment is the steering column. According to the engineer and the ADRs, the steering column will have to be collapsable and built to the standards of the year of manufacture of the vehicle. So if I was to get the car built, registered and complied this year, I'd have to have the steering column out of a 2011 car. What the hell, I've got to find a wrecked 2011 car and strip it for the column alone. Seems a bit like overkill. So I'm thinking that if the Puma Clubman can use the column that Puma supply and it's registerable in SA, maybe I an use the same column.

So I digress again, if a Puma Clubman can be registered in SA if you follow the engineering formula for that car, if I was to follow the book design, which is proven in the Uk time and time again, surely it will give a good base for getting it complied.