Welcome! Your project sounds incredibly ambitious and exciting! Here’s a starting point to guide you on your journey to designing and building a custom car:

Key Areas to Focus On

  1. Frame and Chassis Design

    • Research different chassis types (ladder, monocoque, spaceframe).

    • Consider materials like steel, aluminum, or carbon fiber for your design.

    • Look into CAD software like SolidWorks or Fusion 360 for designing.

  2. Mid-Motor Placement

    • Study cars with mid-engine designs (Lotus Elise, Ferrari 458, etc.) to understand weight distribution, cooling, and powertrain integration.

  3. Suspension and Steering

    • Books like "Race Car Vehicle Dynamics" by Milliken or "How to Build a Car" by Adrian Newey are invaluable.

    • Suspension geometry calculators and online forums can help refine your design.

  4. Powertrain

    • Decide if you want to use an existing engine/transmission setup or create something unique.

    • Research donor vehicles for reliable components (e.g., Toyota 2ZZ for engines).

  5. Electrical Systems

    • If you're building a modern car, delve into ECU programming, wiring harnesses, and integrating electronics.

  6. Aesthetics and Aerodynamics

    • Look into clay modeling or software like Blender for designing bodywork.

    • CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) tools can help test aerodynamics.

Resources

  1. Books

    • "Chassis Engineering" by Herb Adams.

    • "Tune to Win" by Carroll Smith.

    • "Engineer to Win" by Carroll Smith.

  2. Online Communities

    • Locost USA Forum – Focused on DIY car building.

    • Reddit threads like r/DIYcars and r/CarEngineering.

  3. Videos and Tutorials

  4. Outsourcing

    • CNC/Machining: Platforms like Xometry or local machine shops.

    • Specialized Parts: Websites like Summit Racing or RockAuto for components.

    • Fabrication: Seek out automotive fabrication shops for custom welding or frame work.

Potential Challenges to Outsource

  • Suspension Design: Getting the geometry right can be tricky; a specialist can help.

  • Wiring Harness: Modern cars have complex electronics; a custom harness might be better outsourced.

  • Body Panels: If aerodynamics and aesthetics are important, professional fiberglass or carbon fiber fabrication could save time.

Let me know if you'd like more in-depth info on any of these aspects!
This msg from chatgpt plus incase you don't have it.