Front susp design input for a lightweight car

[CoryM]

Hey guys,
I am building a car known as a Locost AKA a wannabe Lotus Seven. Will look something like this when done.
http://www3.telus.net/public/corym/blk7.jpg

I am now playing with the front end geometry and I have looking for input from people with more experience than me.

So, some general specs: 1300-1400lbs, weight bias of 45/55, 90" wb, 56" track, 4link rear with panhard bar. 23"tall x 8"wide tires. Front knuckles are miata (bad idea, I should have used pinto. May have to yet.) 3" bump, 3" droop. Looooong control arms. Lower is approx 18". Going to try a soft spring & stiff swaybar setup.

Couple things I am unsure of:
How much body roll do you figure such a light car will have? I don't think it would be more than 1.5-2degrees with swaybars?
Tire manuf calls for 2degrees extra negative dynamic camber on outside wheel for best perf. Seems excessive for a light car?

With the soft springs/stiff swaybar should I run a bit higher roll center than a stiffer sprung car?
One more thing for now, the miata knuckles have huge kingpin inclination. approx 14degrees. This seems strange, and leaves me with negative scrub radius. Any ideas what to expect from that? Light steering and strange turn-in?

Thanks for any input. I have never done anything on this scale before and I am definitely grateful for some helpful pointers.
Cheers.
Cory

[JMarsa]

Cory,

You probably know this, but there's a UK and US locost site and a dozen or so really good build sites. It'll be a couple days before I could PM them to you. Google them and you'll get the first 2 primary ones.

--JMarsa

[CoryM]

Thanks Jmarsa,
Ya, I know of most of the locost forums. Looking for more input though.
Cheers.

[Damn True]

There is a book about this very subject written by a dude that works for Flyin Miata. I would start there.

[David Pozzi]

Someone was building a Lowcost and posted here a year or two ago. Do a search on it.
David

[CoryM]

Thanks guys.
I have that book and the author Keith Tanner is on another forum for the locosts. The book is not very technical although Keith appears to be very knowledgable about miatas.
I did a search here before for locost and found little.
Cheers.