DP1 - 'Busa engine, AWD... it's finally running!

[niky]

http://dpcars.net/dp1test/dd.htm - track test
http://dpcars.net/ - home page

I haven't checked into this website for a while, and I was pleasantly surprised to learn that the dp1 was finally finished.

This is an awesome car. Hayabusa engine (for the prototype) and the Hayabusa -based V8 for any potential customer cars. What's more amazing than the fact that the guy built it all by himself, is that it only took him about a year to build the prototype.

This is probably the best DIY car I've ever seen.

Helmet cam view video - http://dpcars.net/dp102.mpg - 15 megs

I want one.

 

[kikie]

Nice project. Must be fun to drive. I want one too...

 

[Bram Turismo]

Brilliant way to place the engine 👍

 

[kikie]

Brilliant way to place the engine 👍

I don't know about that. It could screw up the balance of the car if a very light or very heavy person takes the wheel. They'll have to add some counterweight (in case of the heavy person) but they can't take out parts from the engine in case of a light weight person

 

[exigeracer]

I took a look at this car a couple of months ago, just when he got the body finished, and I still can't believe he wen't with a one-piece fit. It's rediculous if you think about it. Imagine having to remove that entire body every time you want adjust something tiny on the suspension, or you forget your screwdriver somewhere... It would be killer if you got nudged into a wall as well. If the damage wasn't so bad you could patch it up (aside from it becoming ugly), but if you shatter your front-end, you've got some serious work infront of you. And he wants to sell this to customers?

Whereas if he had a multi-piece body, you'd sacrifice a few ounces of mounting weight for ease of access to any part on the entire chassis, the molds are there if you want to replace a clam, your customers can order up spares for cheaper (both parties) and your car won't look like puke with patched up carbon everywhere.

edit Looks like he's already started to look at a second chassis, this time a composite tub. Also, he included this, which I found quite entertaining:

Both current bodywork and a Lotus 340R style open-wheel roadster body will fit the chassis. These will be the standard no-cost options and any number of custom designs are possible at extra cost. Yes, that includes a Classic Mini replica with a passenger seat behind the driver

 

[ferrari_chris]

Super short - must be twitchy as hell...

Go like stink though! 👍

 

[red70mach1]

AWD at 50/50 would minimize twitchiness. Rear bias will make it inherently tail happy when pushed hard.

 

[Eric.]

I'll take one with a turbo 'Busa engine please.

 

[niky]

I'm pretty sure he's juggled components to ensure 50/50 distribution both front/rear and left/right... he has access to corner scales.

You'll note that the centerline between the engine and the driver isn't exactly centered in the car. The engine sits closer to the midline to keep balance even.

He's noted in his exhaustive testing logs (some of his auto-diaries, including the one on the Scion xB, are a great read, seeing as he's both an engineer and track instructor) that the car snaps sideways under braking because he hasn't got the brake bias right yet...

Still... terrific car.