no pedal steer front wheel drive transfer case
 

I'm interested in building myself a fwd recumbent trike that would use a boom mounted bottom bracket with a chain that runs to a cog above the headtube. I would connect the 1st cog to the front wheel via a universal joint and a cog attached to the front fork ala the Stites design Chameleon (if you haven't checked this site out do so, you will be amazed. http://www.stitesdesign.com/products/
I'm hoping to build it out of standard hardware and recycled bike parts
does anyone have any experience with a project like this or know of any additional resources for me?

A chain is capable of twisting enough to use in a FWD application, as long as you're willing to live with a somewhat-limited steering arc. In practice, the steering is never turned that far while actually riding the bike, after all. Production bikes that use this system are the Zox line, and Barcroft Oregon. The Varna Diablo (human power word record holder) also uses a similar set-up. They use a power idler mounted just behind the steerer tube, so that there is minimal steering input from the chain. The chain then runs along the back side of the fork. The return side of the chain typically runs up to an idler located just above the front tire, so that the front wheel doesn't cause derailments at the chainring.

I've ridden a Zox and didn't notice any pedal steer.

Ummm:
http://www.atomiczombie.com/
http://www.recumbents.com/mars/
http://www.recumbents.com/wisil/whatsup.htm

I know Bill Stites, and his machine is fascinating.