Search is busted for me so I can't see if there's been a similar thread.
The Brunton Stalker is a Lotus 7 replica kit car. It's about 1500 lbs and is typically powered by a supercharged GM L32 motor or some guys have put an LSx in one.
At about $20K if you build your own it's not really in GRM territory, but it looks like one of the better bang for the buck purpose built track cars.
Anyone have experience with this car?
I had #24 with the comparatively slow 3.4 pushrod motor. Even with 175 HP and 210 ft lbs. it was still among the fastest 2 or 3 cars of any given NASA HPDE event. Now, with the supercharged 3.8 or LSX they are mind-bogglingly fast until the lousy aerodynamics cuts them down a few notches. They are very reliable, and basically pretty docile, predictable cars.
cons: The live rear axle beats you up a bit over bumps. My 1.6 Miata was actually quicker on poorly paved turns because the rear end was so much better controlled. That's not a problem at the track, where the live unit shines. It also wears at you on long drives. The noise, the wind buffeting, the sun on your head takes its toll. Perhaps that's just because I'm a wimp however, as the current owner hapily drives several hundred miles a day in his. Lastly, I got tired of all the attention. Be prepared to talk about the car every time you stop, because it's a class A attention magnet.
In retrospect I'm sorry that I sold it. I thrashed the thing for three years and sold it for what I had into it, so it wasn't a bad investment at all. But it is an aquired taste. Raw, brutally fast. Think of it as a 4-wheeled Hayabusa and you're in the ballpark.
It is better to wear out than to rust out.
Teggsan wrote: Search is busted for me so I can't see if there's been a similar thread.
http://archive.grassrootsmotorsports.com/board/viewtopic.php?id=26811
http://archive.grassrootsmotorsports.com/board/viewtopic.php?id=16360
http://archive.grassrootsmotorsports.com/board/viewtopic.php?id=16522
http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/lo-cost-101-how-do-i-make-a-cool-caterh...
You may also want to PM these users http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/reader-rides/2319/ http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/reader-rides/2113/
"I can endorse the Miata, Tom. It's a lot of fun, even though it doesn't leak enough oil for my tastes." - CarTalk
kreb wrote: I had #24
"I can endorse the Miata, Tom. It's a lot of fun, even though it doesn't leak enough oil for my tastes." - CarTalk
My brother has one and he's happy with it. It had some teething pains but I guess it's a sign he enjoys it because he never go round to painting the fenders.
I'll second the comments about the rear axle's effect on ride quality. It's okay for the track but hit a bump on the street and it can be brutal.
He just bought 9" front wheels and 11" rears as his driving style needs more rubber on the road. He may also end up converting it to an LSx drivetrain.
Kimini, and now a mid-engine Seven, www.midlana.com
Could you convert a ford 8.8 independent? Take some surgery but might settle the rear down. I've always thought they were pretty neat.
Couple guys have 'em in the local autocross club. They're still figuring out how to drive them and they'll still pull FTD.
FWIW, a "Stalker" uses the N/A V6, a "Super Stalker" uses the supercharged V6, and there's some crazy guy that ran an LSx-swapped one at the UTCC that I think he called a "Mega Stalker".
I don't think you're gonna get the Ford 8.8 IRS in there without a LOT of work. At that point, you may as well be doing your own home-brew Locost rather than spending the coin on the Brunton kit.
--There is no turd more polished than the Ford Mustang--
always loved these cars, thought they were the best lotus 7 style cars out there
Brunton has his own personal car up for sale.
Brunton has the 'Stalker V8' kit that is setup for the LSx engines.
http://www.bruntonauto.com/stalkerv8specs/stalkerv8specs.htm
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2.65 pounds per HP. Yeah, that will just about do.
The one thing I don't like about the Stalkers: the hood scope. I wonder if the LSx sits low enough...? 
00100001
The Brunton Stalker is the reason I look covetously at every old S10 I see.....
2.65 lbs/hp. Oh Sweet Jesus, I could kill myself FAST with that!
"It's hard to be a visionary in a world full of blind people." - JM
Thanks for the links and the members who have these cars. I'll do some PMing and we'll see where this goes.
Dr. Hess wrote: Brunton has his own personal car up for sale.
well thats not good is it? or is it?
well thats not good is it? or is it?Dennis is getting older, and I don't think that he ever made much money off these cars - 150 cars divided by 10 years doesn't leave you with much cash after expenses. He could probably use the funds. My only concern about buying his car would be the same as any well-used race car - Stress cracks, loose components and such.
It is better to wear out than to rust out.
I recall there was a lot of discussion on the Locost board a couple of years ago about a steering arm failure on one car. I believe you cut down the steering arm on the S10 spindle and re-drill a new hole to increase the ratio for quicker steering. Maybe Kreb can throw some light on that. Could you use a steering quickener instead, I assume you then have to re-locate the rack to keep the geometry correct and prevent bump steer.
2008 Volvo C30, 2011 Lincoln Mk X
I think that was Scott Bilinski, so Kurt could probably shed some light. I never had any problems except for damage from the time I spun off the track at Laguna which was entirely my fault. The S-10 spindle does need modification to achieve quick steering, and all Stalkers have that modification. My recollection was that the controversy was over the angle at which the tie rod end attached to the modded spindle, and some binding that may have occured. I'm pretty positive that it was an isolated case, and the result of a changed rod end design from a generic vendor, as opposed to a Stalker-specific part.
The locost board discussion got pretty heated. Dennis is a great guy - salt of the earth, and a huge help to me (How many kit manufacturers would spend two hours of a late Saturday evening talking a newbie through a problem?) But he could go into pissed-off-and-stubborn mode, and that thread became the clash of the egos. Too bad, because I don't think that any party was entirely wrong or ill-intentioned.
It is better to wear out than to rust out.
Here's Dennis' post on Yahoo Locost NA:
Brunton said:Hello Everyone, I reluctantly have my well sorted and fast SuperStalker for sale. It is completely up to date with the latest Suspension, Disc brake rear and low mile Series III supercharged engine... Comes with race wheels and lightweight trailer. http://www.coilovershock.com/stalker/stalkerv6.htm Best Regards, Dennis Brunton
Adrian_Thompson wrote: I recall there was a lot of discussion on the Locost board a couple of years ago about a steering arm failure on one car. I believe you cut down the steering arm on the S10 spindle and re-drill a new hole to increase the ratio for quicker steering. Maybe Kreb can throw some light on that. Could you use a steering quickener instead, I assume you then have to re-locate the rack to keep the geometry correct and prevent bump steer.
Without getting into who was right or wrong the steering on the Stalker was redesigned to eliminate the drilled spindle and rod end with tapered hole that accepted the tie rod end. The new design also incorporated a new and stronger fender stay attachment. All Stalker owners were notified immediatly that there was a potential problem and offered the replacement parts at Brunton's cost. As Kreb says Dennis is a standup guy but very proud of his design and cautioned everone about making even minor changes to the car.
FWIW, Brunton actually sold his business to Scott Minehart who is now building the cars.
Scott and Glenn Minehart frequently run SCCA autocrosses, especially those at Sebring.
Jerry in Melbourne
Yes that was my brother's car that had the steering issue. As was said, the steering setup was later changed, so it should be a non-issue with newer cars.
Kimini, and now a mid-engine Seven, www.midlana.com
Some of the guys complaining about a harsh ride, could have the older cars with softer springs, and shocks) or not have enough preload on their springs. They think that because they have bumpy roads to drive on, they need a softer suspension, when the opposite is true. When I first built and setup my car, it would bottom out on big bumps, sending a jolt through the driver's and passenger's tailbone. I increased the preload on the springs, by 3/4", and the shock bottoming stopped. For the past year or so, I have been using much heavier springs, and new GAZ shocks. 600# front, 300# rear. (compared to 350/175) Better for autocross, and the road. The guys that have followed our lead report much better handling, times and ride.
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