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The Cheetah SR1 was designed and is
built by Bruce Sunseri; owner and operator of Omni
Fab - a precision sheet metal fabrication shop in San Jose, California.
With monocoque chassis being recognized as as a
superior form of construction, it was natural for Sunseri to choose an
aluminum monocoque as the basis for his design. "The design team
determined that a light weight monocoque chassis, with a space frame
engine compartment/rear suspension would offer the best combination of
strength, safety, and versatility." All Cheetahs share the
same structure from the roll hoop forward, whether they use a motorcycle
or automotive engine. Sunseri chose to utilize a removable rear
space-frame of steel alloy to easily facilitate different engine
configuration. Cars have been design to use Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, and
Yamaha motorcycle engines, as well as Mazda, Nissan, and Suzuki automotive engines.
The SR1 uses double wishbone suspension at the
front, and twin parallel link lower control arms at the rear, with
outboard coil over shocks and brakes at both ends.
"In designing the Cheetah, the design team also
considered the issue of spares and supportability. After a careful
"make or buy" analysis, it was determined that the uprights,
wheel bearings, brakes, rotors, steering rack, and drive train components
would all be "off the shelf" (common purchase) items."
Building a Cheetah
The
aluminum monocoque tub
The rear space
frame - engine section (page to be added)
Hanging the suspension (page may be added at some
point)
Installing an engine (page may be added at some
point)
Hanging the bodywork (page may be added at some
point)
Cheetah Specifications
Layout
Mid engine, rear drive, front radiator.
Chassis
Aluminum monocoque driver's compartment/safety cell with a space frame
rear engine compartment that incorporates the rear suspension.
Suspension
Front: Unequal length double A-arms. Coil over shock absorbers. Adjustable
anti-roll bar.
Rear: Twin parallel link lower control arms
with radius rod. Single upper camber link with radius rod. Coil over shock absorber. Adjustable
anti-roll bar.
Powerplant
Will accept most 1000cc motorcycle engines or 1300cc automotive engines with
Hewland style transaxle.
Steering
Rack and pinion. 1.5 turns lock to lock.
Instrumentation
Oil pressure, oil temperature, and water temperature gauges. Oil pressure
and water temperature warning lights.
| Dimensions: |
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Length
Width
Wheelbase
Track: Front
Track: Rear
Ground Clearance Front
Rear
Seat: Length
Seat: Width
Roll Bar Height
Wheels: Front
Wheels: Rear
Tires: Front
Tires: Rear
Brake Rotors
Weight
Weight distribution: Front
Rear
Roll Center: Front
Roll Center: Rear
Fuel Cell |
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130" (approximate)
64.0"
90"
56.0"
54.0"
2.5"
3.0"
57" to pedals
18"
27" above seat bottom
13" x 8" (6" backset)
13" x 10" (4" backset)
20" x 7.5" x 13"
20" x 9" x 13"
9.0" front and rear (outboard)
740# dry (approximate
for Kawasaki ZX10)
42%
58%
+0.39" at ride height
+1.36" at ride height
8 gallons
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Kit, Roller, Turnkey?
Cheetahs were originally offered as rollers (complete cars less
engine), with a "basic kit" later offered at under half the
price of the roller. The kit did not include all of the "off the
shelf items" that customers could shop around and purchase on their
own. Customers of the kit saved on the cost of labor but had to complete
the assembly of the car themselves. Burdensome support for customers of
kits later led Sunseri to drop the offering of the kit version of the car.
Sunseri has been considering selling complete cars with engines installed,
ready to race.
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