MK indy yes or no?

[Ciaranrb5]

Currently have a 570bhp impreza P1.
I built it and managed about 1k before is ate the seriously expensive dog box.
The cost of building and running such a car is just stupid.
I have always liked the simplicity and lower cost of a kit car.
I have however never been in or driven one.

Car would have to be road legal but mostly just track days

MK Indys seem to be very good value for money.
I like the idea of a high revving bike engine with sequential box.

Is it worth the extra cost for a Caterham or Westfield?

[jontysafe]

I think it probably more down to build than difference between different makes. That said there does seem to be some sort of hierarchy. A well set up caterham will always be better than a well set up Westie, a well set up Westie will always be better than x and so on.
If you are used to torque do NOT go bike engine. I have a Cosworth YB powered westie and have driven bike engined cars and whilst I enjoyed it at ten tenths I rarely drive like that.
If you were closer you could come for a spin. Maybe for sale later this year.

[downsman]

I know a chap with an MK Indy and he's driven it to the Arctic circle among other places and seems well pleased with it.
I seem to remember that as standard there wasn't much steering feel and he fitted adjustable wishbones, but I might be wrong.

There is a Scottish Kit Car Club here, maybe you should contact them and see if anyone local will give you a passenger ride.

[ch427]

The problem is getting chance to use them with our weather, i loved every minute of building and driving my cobra replica but rarely got the chance to use it. That was just a waste as i loved driving too much!

[Ciaranrb5]

The lack of torque could be an issue bearing in mind I am used to 500 lb/ft
Would a westie with some sort of 2 litre would probably be fine.
Caterhams are just stupidly expensive.

[Ciaranrb5]

The lack of torque could be an issue bearing in mind I am used to 500 lb/ft
Would a westie with some sort of 2 litre would probably be fine.
Caterhams are just stupidly expensive.

[velocitykendal]

MK Indy is a decent kit and worth consideration, as are Westfield, MNR Vortx, Elite Pulse, Raw Striker/Phoenix and Fury kits as well. Personally I'd go for a 2 litre Duratec powerplant but a Zetec is a good choice too. Best to try and get your backside in as many as possible to try the fit and experience the handling, though that will depend a lot on that car's specific set up. All of the above kits can be made to handle well.

On another personal note; a lot of kit manufacturers are doing MX-5 SDV versions now. While I think this is the natural progression from Ford Sierra/Escort/Cortina donor parts for me the standard 1.6/1.8 N/A engine just doesn't cut the mustard, it needs more torque. So forced induction is the way to go with regard to that engine.

Oh and join a club, you'll get great advice and find others to go out on runs with even if the weather forecast is unsavoury (toughen up!).

[_Leg_]

Ive run an MK Indy R for 4 seasons now. It's a 10 plate and I bought it built. However, along with an engineer friend we've replaced the original R1 engine (which was from Yorkshire Engines and was crap, and they weren't interested in helping me with) with one we rebuilt using the best parts available, replaced the wheels, replaced the electrics, dashboard, instruments, lights and stripped and re built the suspension and set it all up. We also added a diffuser to the back. The engine has done 3 seasons now without issue and we've slowly developed the car over that time including a second water pump and cooling as they tend to get a tad hot.

But, now its absolutely superb. I frequent Cadwell, Croft and Oulton Park predominantly and it's very quick at those circuits. However, I do avoid larger circuits with longer straights as it simply doesn't have the legs for it. In the twisties though, running on semi slicks, its proper quick and great fun.

On the road it's an absolute pain in the ass if you get stuck in traffic. BECs just don't like standing still. So I rarely drive it on road except for a blast round the country roads near where I live, usually as a pre check to a track day.

So, if you get a good one, or are prepared to put the ££ and effort in, they're great cars for an occasional blast in the country but particularly good fun on tight, twisty circuits.

Cheap as chips as a track car from a running costs perspective. Tyres and brakes last and last.

If you want a predominantly road car, I would keep away from BECs, Mk or otherwise. Cant comment on a car engined Mk though.

Older pic, new wheels, lights and the diffuser since this.

Edited by _Leg_ on Wednesday 18th February 21:30

[velocitykendal]

Oh and almost forgot... as downsman mentioned Neal of Southern Kit Car Club has taken his Zetec powered MK Indy all over the place, including a trip up to the Arctic Circle. Here's a couple of his vids:

MK Indy review
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qU2nincr4Qs

Arctic Circle trip
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQSttXOMqtU

[DRC72]

I have an MK Indy that i bought in 2006 and built up and has been on the road since 2008.

I now have an SR20DET engine in it.

[hkp57]

Seeing you are from Perthshire you have great roads for a BEC up there, you should take a drive down to East Fortune just south of Edinburgh and talk with Andy at the Scottish kit car center. He builds and Supplies the SKC Raptor which is built on the MK Chassis. They have just finished off my car with a Hayabusa engine and they have a few other builds on right now including his own fireblade powered car and a race tuned Duratec.

I am sure they can get you a couple of passenger rides in finished cars both BEC and CEC

http://www.scottishkitcarcentre.com/

[PaulKemp]

You should look at BHP & Torque per tonne, most BEC's weigh 550Kg most CEC's 650kg so a Duratec engined one with 220bhp is going to be close to the Scubi
Add a turbo or supercharger and your all over it
Now for the interesting bit, I'm sure your Scubi was a beast to drive but the electronic clever stuff will have helped even with your personal driving skills
A Seven replicar has no aids what so ever, no ABS, no Traction Control, is rear wheel drive only, with no Stability Control its is a different beast.
I hope you buy one, I hope you enjoy it.
But don't get obsessed with Torque and BHP at this stage you can always upgrade later.
IMHO 200bhp is a very good start and many go swiftly with much less

[Jubal]

In my old R1 powered Indy chasing down a GT2 CS. Punching way above it's weight. You'll have a blast. The scoob that left us both was rather quick but I doubt he did a season's track days on one set of pads and tyes.

http://youtu.be/nL0gYxNVLi8

[danny84]

I have an R1 powered MK Indy and its awesome.If its dry its out every weekend round the country lanes.Mates have Mac 1's,MNR's tigers and Formula 27's with a range of bike and car engines from hyabusa to Zetec.In real world terms there's not much in it pace wise between them all.It all depends on your set up and how big your Balls are.Torque doesnt realy come into it as the bike engines have closer ratio gears so carry the weight of the car no problem.You can get a BEC under 500kg with a bit of effort.
I'm biased and prefer the bike option.You can't beat 12000rpm gear changes.
The whole sensation of driving fast is multiplied.
I have never understood just wanting to cruise around at low rpm which a few friends prefer....