Which kit & running doner? A quandry...
Discussion
Hi folks, i've been dreaming of doing a kit car for 3 or 4 years now, and after starting to learn to spanner on my daily hack and finally finding a garage to do it all in i've decided to loosen the purse strings and get this project rolling.
I've looked at Robin Hoods in the past (because they are local-ish to me) and seem to be the cheaper end of the market. I don't have oodles of budget to play with - about £5k all in... I spent a lot of time on their owners forum trying to familiarize myself, i believe it's a little more complicated a build due to the low-cost effort?
Anyway, as it happens my work hack needs to go off the road for a month or so to get some work done, so i'm in need of a temporary car. I'm thinking i should pick something up with MOT and TAX, but rusting or whatever, with a view to running it for a couple of months (to identify any engine/ drivetrain issues), then retiring it to the garage to form the basis of a kit car.
So, my question is, what car to run for a few months and then turn into which kit? Combo suggestions welcomed!! I do like the look of an E34 5 series, any kits that fit the straight 6 or V8 lumps in with ease??
I've looked at Robin Hoods in the past (because they are local-ish to me) and seem to be the cheaper end of the market. I don't have oodles of budget to play with - about £5k all in... I spent a lot of time on their owners forum trying to familiarize myself, i believe it's a little more complicated a build due to the low-cost effort?
Anyway, as it happens my work hack needs to go off the road for a month or so to get some work done, so i'm in need of a temporary car. I'm thinking i should pick something up with MOT and TAX, but rusting or whatever, with a view to running it for a couple of months (to identify any engine/ drivetrain issues), then retiring it to the garage to form the basis of a kit car.
So, my question is, what car to run for a few months and then turn into which kit? Combo suggestions welcomed!! I do like the look of an E34 5 series, any kits that fit the straight 6 or V8 lumps in with ease??
Edited by eltax91 on Monday 3rd November 12:38
The Luego Viento would be fine with those engines, some others would be OK too. Problem is going to be with the rest of the running gear, especially the rear suspension
The sensible choice would be to buy a Ford SIerra donor whereupon most LSIS lits would be usable. If the pinto or whatever engine doesn't provide enough power then consider a bike engine, a Zetec, Duratec, maybe Rover V8.
As I said, the engine is easy to swap, it's the running rear you need to consider
The sensible choice would be to buy a Ford SIerra donor whereupon most LSIS lits would be usable. If the pinto or whatever engine doesn't provide enough power then consider a bike engine, a Zetec, Duratec, maybe Rover V8.
As I said, the engine is easy to swap, it's the running rear you need to consider
To make this work you have to choose the kit first. If you start with a compromise because it happens to fit round your donor then it will never get finished.
There are hard times ahead in your build and you have to be fully committed.
As has been said, the important piece is the running gear. To a large extent engine and gearbox can be mix and match.
So, what do you want from a kitcar?
Daily driver.
Fun weekend hoon.
Pride and joy at shows.
Trackday racer.
Give us a spec so that we can help with your selection.
After that the donor will become obvious.
Steve
There are hard times ahead in your build and you have to be fully committed.
As has been said, the important piece is the running gear. To a large extent engine and gearbox can be mix and match.
So, what do you want from a kitcar?
Daily driver.
Fun weekend hoon.
Pride and joy at shows.
Trackday racer.
Give us a spec so that we can help with your selection.
After that the donor will become obvious.
Steve
The Marlin Sportster has enough room to take a BWW 6 pot engine, their demonstrator has an 'M' engine fitted. http://www.marlinsportscars.co.uk/sportster/specif...
Steve_D said:
Fun weekend hoon.
Trackday racer.
Give us a spec so that we can help with your selection.
After that the donor will become obvious.
Steve
I want mainly the former, with a little bit of the latter in the future maybe. But if i got into track days i'd probably get a dedicated track weapon for that.Trackday racer.
Give us a spec so that we can help with your selection.
After that the donor will become obvious.
Steve
Have you considered doing a MEV Rocket or Sonic7 rather than a Lotus 7 copy ? I only ask as I found myself in a similar quandary earlier this year and have only recently embarked on a Sonic7. Both kits are predominantly built around a ford focus so you can do as i did and buy a cheap one drive it for a bit and then strip it. If you're interested then take a look at my build site www.mevsonic7.co.uk
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