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.

also, it's cool if you think i'm crazy and tell me i'm stupid, but please provide a reason.

thanks!

beside getting the engine to work properly, you would need to know how to set up and tune suspension and brakes to make it handle correctly (that is the purpose of the atom to handle like a god). Otherwise your just making a useless machines that can't handle better then a regular Geo metro.

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You're crazy and stupid.

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

lol. i agree with super.

good points rayme. i guess i hadnt thought as hard as i should have. it just looks too easy to be true. i had all those cad images except for one of the frame.

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How's this? The first time you reach 100MPH your ghetto kart falls apart and you die in a ball of gasoline induced flames?

I think its way cheaper to just get an AW11 old school MR2, cut the top off and bam you got yourself a go-kart and the reliability of a toyota. At least you don't have to wield anything or figure out how to make the engine run. You could prob take out the doors to make it lighter. Hmm thinking about this, I might attempt this.

Just buy a second hand Atom? Still only made by the Ariel Motor company

http://pistonheads.com/sales/list.asp?s=432

This post has been edited by Nial: Jan 9, 2009 - 4:42 PM

that looks better than my go kart.