V1 LaunchPad's technology demonstrator -08 SS/TC donor- #109 registered

[ah.b.normal]

I am curious if you have any images of the look of your "Legacy"? The 28 Bugatti body images I found on line are rather "rudimentary automobile" with the exception of it's distinctive radiator. But as we have all seen, "inspired by" is very different from "replica", as seen in every Morgan.

 

[LaunchPad]

I am curious if you have any images of the look of your "Legacy"? The 28 Bugatti body images I found on line are rather "rudimentary automobile" with the exception of it's distinctive radiator. But as we have all seen, "inspired by" is very different from "replica", as seen in every Morgan.

ohhh man almost like asking for the cat out of the bag? maybe i best put under the "other builds" sections so as to not derail this build log too much? funny you should bring up the morgan too. . . .hmm. stay tuned!

 

[ah.b.normal]

ohhh man almost like asking for the cat out of the bag? maybe i best put under the "other builds" sections so as to not derail this build log too much? funny you should bring up the morgan too. . . .hmm. stay tuned!

Sorry, my position is that the cat has no bag. The wooden car thing I got from you. I do not wish to stir the pot so I'll just watch quietly and remark on what I see. Staying tuna!

 

[LaunchPad]

well today i shipped off a wire harness for re-work. whoda thunk that they were so big and heavy UPS charges $81 for the slooooooow road to DF goblin. ah well.

so yesterday Oldb1 and i did a whole lotta discussion about control arms and replacement parts and did a lot of searching our cobalt parts stash. We did find a pair of serviceable turbo control arms still stuck on a crossmember- well the BALL joints are serviceable, and the aluminum is not too shoddy. we are going to have to cut these loose and replace the rubber bits.

i think we are leaning towards the Moog K201285 (Amazon.com: MOOG K201285 Suspension Control Arm Bushing : Automotive) at the moment for the round bushing but have yet to locate a good source for the rears. and that leads me to a big question: the OTTP staight bushing looks to be actually STRAIGHT but 100% of the USED parts we have on hand look bent like this one:

What is the true story about this part?

 

[LaunchPad]

Now - IF these are supposed to be as straight as the OTTP seem to be. . . . .initial cost analysis says I can fab up "copies" of the OTTP Derlin and stainless pieces for about $7 each in material plus my labor. . . . the OTTP are VERY similar to C-4 vette lower shock mounts i fabbed up a few years back six at a time and I am wishing I had better documentation of the fixturing i did to hold those back then- because machine set up is honestly 9/10 of every job.

 

[Gtstorey]

Bent is wrong. Should be straight.

 

[RCK605]

The Moog K201285 is highly recommended and now is the time to replace them.

 

[LaunchPad]

The Moog K201285 is highly recommended and now is the time to replace them.

sweet! Into my cart they go! any recommendations for the other end of the arms?

 

[RCK605]

I kept the factory ones in. Haven't finished my build, but reading through the forum it seems like the Moog K201285 fixes most of the issues.

 

[ah.b.normal]

well today i shipped off a wire harness for re-work. whoda thunk that they were so big and heavy UPS charges $81 for the slooooooow road to DF goblin. ah well.

so yesterday Oldb1 and i did a whole lotta discussion about control arms and replacement parts and did a lot of searching our cobalt parts stash. We did find a pair of serviceable turbo control arms still stuck on a crossmember- well the BALL joints are serviceable, and the aluminum is not too shoddy. we are going to have to cut these loose and replace the rubber bits.
View attachment 43423View attachment 43424


i think we are leaning towards the Moog K201285 (Amazon.com: MOOG K201285 Suspension Control Arm Bushing : Automotive) at the moment for the round bushing but have yet to locate a good source for the rears. and that leads me to a big question: the OTTP staight bushing looks to be actually STRAIGHT but 100% of the USED parts we have on hand look bent like this one:


View attachment 43425

What is the true story about this part?

I've seen quite a few bent like this, usually missing one of the bolts, then when found mechs just bolted them back on bent. Mech's working on an average Daily Driver, 10 year old cars all day tend to not give a flip and just want it rolling so the owner will pay the bill and leave! Their drive is to make it roll and get paid. They know their client is probably on the verge of scrapping or selling the car. If the repair is too much the owner will do NO repairs and walk away. In that case the mech makes no $$.

 

[ah.b.normal]

sweet! Into my cart they go! any recommendations for the other end of the arms?

You've got the skills, Derlin and tools, I'd say make your own.

 

[Ross]

LaunchPad, if you are willing to make a couple extra ones, I'd be interested in buying 2. Derlin, or even brass... NVH doesn't matter in a Goblin.
The shape of the steel core makes it difficult to put in a lathe, and the steel was so rough, probably easier to start with new steel. The red derlin is from the DF website store, but it is too small in diameter for the swing arms.

 

[Robinjo]

LaunchPad, if you are willing to make a couple extra ones, I'd be interested in buying 2. Derlin, or even brass... NVH doesn't matter in a Goblin.
The shape of the steel core makes it difficult to put in a lathe, and the steel was so rough, probably easier to start with new steel. The red derlin is from the DF website store, but it is too small in diameter for the swing arms.
View attachment 43434 View attachment 43433

Same here..... I'm in for a set if this becomes a thing.

 

[LaunchPad]

wow guys! let me see what I can pull off. I do need to point out this will not be super quick to execute - should not be terribly long either baring emergency and catastrophic events because I need my goblin done by spring. . . typically, I only work the goblin project on Wed when i drive to Oldb1's place. i will grab a spare turbo arm next wed and haul back to my shop so i can whip out my calipers and order some material by next weekend.

As to details i was strongly leaning towards stainless for the core, snap rings and washers. heck, a pretty blatant copy of the OTTP solid gold ones. lol

 

[Gtstorey]

I have the OTTP ones and would buy a set of these as a spare if the price is reasonable.

I don't think there is any difference in the turbo vs other aluminum arms.

 

[ah.b.normal]

I have the OTTP ones and would buy a set of these as a spare if the price is reasonable.

I don't think there is any difference in the turbo vs other aluminum arms.

Only the ball joint and it is replaceable, IF anyone still has them?

 

[Sebnuts]

I purchased this Prothane kit prior to making the decision to fab my own control arms. It's still new and I won't be using it, so if anyone is interested, let me know.

 

[LaunchPad]

that kit looks pretty affordable. well compared to the OTTP guys. i suspect though it is too soft for a rear powerplant?

So Oldb1 and I want to get this goblin put together as close as possible to how DF intended it before we go off on tangents for our "technology demonstrator" piece I have yet to elaborate on. A very small part of the TD story with minimal backgroundis about to be let out of the bag.

Making these parts and using the MOOG pieces for the control arms will be good enough for that short term goal of building our goblin as it was intended but will not help me very much with the longer scope goals.

I would suppose that a lot of folks following any of my threads would be wondering why I have so many cobalt parts and donor cars and not really KNOW that much about the cobalt's overall (yet). . . well I have at LEAST 4 more cobalt powered projects sitting in the wings that will need some other more lasting solution for the Control arms and truth be told a very large part of those projects will be using what we learn from the goblin. Hey, learn from the best! I have been a fan of goblins since they appeared and never thought I would have one until my friend Steve died and I bought the unassembled kit from his children. Having one in hand makes learning from their example soooo much easier too.

so if ya'll know what a T-rex trike is. . .

i think it is a dreadfully overpriced waste of a super bike. . . but might make a pretty cool 4-wheel vehicle with some modifications- say a rear cobalt power plant? maybe keep the AC and a radio too? artist concept:

turns out earlier this year I had 4 chassis, a bunch of loose parts and the molds all land in my lap. . . .to include the newer fender designs and the Lambo doors. . . (storage at my shop has become a real nightmare- but inspires lots of automotive dreams too- if only i could work FASTER lol)

3 of these to be sold eventually (~late 2025 or 2026) but I plan on keeping one. . . . I am not looking to build more than those 3 at this time because my ultimate ambitions go beyond repetitive fabrication. selling 3 will put the 4 chassis I already have to use and likely fund my next step. not to mention fix a bit of storage issue. lol. There is a 10-year plan and the Prototype Legacy car mentioned earlier I really want to have out of the shop in the spring or early summer 2024 and right now i know that is turning out pretty iffy simply with hours in a day and supply chain issues.

Therefore, putting a bit of effort into a better control arm solution could help my longer-term goals and the Goblin community.

 

[LaunchPad]

I have the OTTP ones and would buy a set of these as a spare if the price is reasonable.

I don't think there is any difference in the turbo vs other aluminum arms.

I absolutely do not intend to gouge the community. In fact, when i make my material order I will make a point of listing the parts and actual costs herein. preliminary research say the 2" OD derlin is sold in 2ea 12" pieces for a total 24" increments for about $28 (amazon- current best source). so material costs commit me to a certain investment either way. i need 5 sets for my known projects. . . the stainless bars are most effective making in batches of 6-10 on the bridge port mill . . . though my CNC mill is not yet fully assembled it would seriously cut the effort down for the stainless bits. the snap rings and close tolerance washers just turn out to be what they are based on size of the order. turning the bushings unfortunately are the real labor because I have to do those one at a time manually (no cnc lathe in my near future) and each set takes 4 bushings. i may have to get a kitchen pass from the wife to pull some extra evening hours and not rob time from my Legacy car project. collectively if material is covered and say some flowers to appease the wife i would be happy as a clam.

 

[Desert Sasqwatch]

Flowers, an 'I love you more than you can imagine' card, a random back rub, and an afternoon for her shopping - with you as the patient chauffeur and thoughtful reply when the 'do you like this on me' questions are asked! That and a pretty please may do the trick!