Birkin S3 Kitcar Build....
Discussion
Great thread! I'm building a Caterham, and I would say, after looking at these pictures, it's as good as, if not better than.
I particularly like the IRS back end.
I bet you didn't have as much bother getting the diff bolts in, (or the top shock bolts) as most folks do with a caterham.
I particularly like the IRS back end.
I bet you didn't have as much bother getting the diff bolts in, (or the top shock bolts) as most folks do with a caterham.
ezakimak said:
Hi Ben, You are making great progress.
any chance you can tell me what size the bolts are that are used to hold the pedal box in on the Birkin ?
You win the award for the most random question ever asked!!! I'm in Lake Como, Italy at the mo, but will ask my dad for the size if I speak to him whilst here, or when I get back. any chance you can tell me what size the bolts are that are used to hold the pedal box in on the Birkin ?
Edited by Ben Jk on Tuesday 10th August 07:12
mickrick said:
Great thread! I'm building a Caterham, and I would say, after looking at these pictures, it's as good as, if not better than.
I particularly like the IRS back end.
I bet you didn't have as much bother getting the diff bolts in, (or the top shock bolts) as most folks do with a caterham.
Diff had to be slightly modified in the end to enable it to sit low enough to line up with the mounts. The strengthening fins etc were preventing it from sitting in line for the mounts. A few fins etc had to be ground back a bit.I particularly like the IRS back end.
I bet you didn't have as much bother getting the diff bolts in, (or the top shock bolts) as most folks do with a caterham.
Do you mean the Birkin is as good as if not better than the Caterham?
If so....a Caterham owner admitting that another 7 kit is as good as or even maybe better than his Caterham...Hats off to you sir!!!
Ben Jk said:
mickrick said:
Great thread! I'm building a Caterham, and I would say, after looking at these pictures, it's as good as, if not better than.
I particularly like the IRS back end.
I bet you didn't have as much bother getting the diff bolts in, (or the top shock bolts) as most folks do with a caterham.
Diff had to be slightly modified in the end to enable it to sit low enough to line up with the mounts. The strengthening fins etc were preventing it from sitting in line for the mounts. A few fins etc had to be ground back a bit.I particularly like the IRS back end.
I bet you didn't have as much bother getting the diff bolts in, (or the top shock bolts) as most folks do with a caterham.
Do you mean the Birkin is as good as if not better than the Caterham?
If so....a Caterham owner admitting that another 7 kit is as good as or even maybe better than his Caterham...Hats off to you sir!!!
Just becuase I chose a Caterham (This is my second) doesn't make it the best car in the world. My head's not that far up my arse! 
It is for me, but I could point to a dozen things I don't like. Basicaly they seem to be built to a price. Caterham is in business to make money, but it's the details that sometimes let them down.
Anyway, like I sai8d, I like your car, a lot. Keep up the good work, and keep posting those pictures. We like pictures!
Ben Jk said:
ezakimak said:
Hi Ben, You are making great progress.
any chance you can tell me what size the bolts are that are used to hold the pedal box in on the Birkin ?
You win the award for the most random question ever asked!!! I'm in Lake Como, Italy at the mo, but will ask my dad for the size if I speak to him whilst here, or when I get back. any chance you can tell me what size the bolts are that are used to hold the pedal box in on the Birkin ?
Edited by Ben Jk on Tuesday 10th August 07:12
Tiny update.
Not much happened as i've been in Italy for 2 weeks and my Dad has been doing a few niggly jobs etc.
Dash sorted and dials/guages/switches in place.
Birkin's usually come with Birkin branded guages/dials but the speedo comes in kmph so we've sourced our own - They are VDO dials and guages.
Throttle bodies and ECU ordered now too. Should be here within a week. Ordered from a company based next to the Lotus factory - http://www.atpower.co.uk Once built the car will be going there to have the map tweeked etc.
Not much happened as i've been in Italy for 2 weeks and my Dad has been doing a few niggly jobs etc.
Dash sorted and dials/guages/switches in place.
Birkin's usually come with Birkin branded guages/dials but the speedo comes in kmph so we've sourced our own - They are VDO dials and guages.
Throttle bodies and ECU ordered now too. Should be here within a week. Ordered from a company based next to the Lotus factory - http://www.atpower.co.uk Once built the car will be going there to have the map tweeked etc.
Edited by Ben Jk on Sunday 22 August 13:01
Edited by Ben Jk on Sunday 22 August 13:03
Throttle bodies were collected today from AT Power. http://www.atpower.co.uk
Just resting in position on this pic. Manifold also on and a few other bits.
Just resting in position on this pic. Manifold also on and a few other bits.
Its good to see one of these being built. I test drove the IRS chassis demonstrator back in 2003 I think it was when the UK agent was around. I had owned a Birkin S3 before that. I placed the order with the intention of getting the car built to take on the se7ens.net tour of the USA in 2005. In the end the production was delayed and having sold my previous Birkin and booked my place on USA I had to cancel the order and bought a Caterham instead.
Having owned both I think both cars have their good and bad points and the best is probably a combination of the two.
The Birkin IRS is a great car to drive though, very settled on the road. The duratec is fantastic as well. I started out with a base level duratec in my Caterham at 185bhp and its now been tuned to 245bhp.
As for tyres I'm in the Toyo R888 camp, you can't beat them. I live in Ireland where it rains a lot and as long as you treat them with a bit of respect they are fine in the wet.
Good luck with the build, will be good to see the finished product.
Simon
Having owned both I think both cars have their good and bad points and the best is probably a combination of the two.
The Birkin IRS is a great car to drive though, very settled on the road. The duratec is fantastic as well. I started out with a base level duratec in my Caterham at 185bhp and its now been tuned to 245bhp.
As for tyres I'm in the Toyo R888 camp, you can't beat them. I live in Ireland where it rains a lot and as long as you treat them with a bit of respect they are fine in the wet.
Good luck with the build, will be good to see the finished product.
Simon
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