questions about kit cars
Discussion
I'm probably going to sound dumb but heres some questions.
Kit cars don't have abs? So how do they brake so well without skidding
A lot of kit cars don't seem to be aerodynamically designed as such so how do they stick to the ground so well?
Is there a perfect power to weight ratio? Or can you never have enough
Do they go through tires quickly as they're light weight?
Anybody have problems using a CEC serviced at a normal garage?
I think I've covered everything I wanted to ask
Kit cars don't have abs? So how do they brake so well without skidding
A lot of kit cars don't seem to be aerodynamically designed as such so how do they stick to the ground so well?
Is there a perfect power to weight ratio? Or can you never have enough
Do they go through tires quickly as they're light weight?
Anybody have problems using a CEC serviced at a normal garage?
I think I've covered everything I wanted to ask
migwell2 said:
cant answer all but some do have ABS, also had my tyres on since built in 2005, still ok
Do you know roughly how many miles you've done?SystemParanoia said:
my metro doesnt have ABS.. it also stops well without skidding all over the place.. FYI
yes but your metro may well be twice the weight of a kit car although thats interesting to know. My astra had no abs and was fairly easy to leave tire marks from emergency stops
No ABS, PAS, ESP etc.... It's a wonder that many of us ever learnt to drive!
No ABS = threshold braking.
I would go as far as saying kit cars now offer the only real way to drive and have fun in the car e.g it's just you and the car and no computer. Can't say I ever had any problems in the 7 that weren't of my own making. Just learn to drive within your car and your own abilities.
I manage about 8,000 miles on a set of tyres because I prefer softer and grippier rubber. My choice but most light weight kit cars will probably fair better on such tyres.
Just my 2p worth
No ABS = threshold braking.
I would go as far as saying kit cars now offer the only real way to drive and have fun in the car e.g it's just you and the car and no computer. Can't say I ever had any problems in the 7 that weren't of my own making. Just learn to drive within your car and your own abilities.
I manage about 8,000 miles on a set of tyres because I prefer softer and grippier rubber. My choice but most light weight kit cars will probably fair better on such tyres.
Just my 2p worth
ABS doesn't reduce braking distances in good conditions and in some conditions ie/ deep snow it can reduce brake efficiency.
However, in wet conditions it is easy to lock a wheel and without ABS the old skill of cadence braking is very useful!
The light weight of Seven style kits means there is more acceleration, less wear on brake components and longer life for tyres than a heavier car.
Consequently a track day won't completely destroy a set of tyres and finish the front pads like it might do in most saloons.
However, the light weight can count against them when it comes to aquaplaning and brake performance in the wet.
A lot of kit drivers will end up buying softer tyres as there car won't warm up usual saloon tyres enough to get them working properly, so tyre life may not be increased.
As far as servicing goes, a lot of kits are simple enough to service yourself, but most main garages aren't going to be much help. There are some very good garages that do help kit owners out there though. Ask other owners for recommending
However, in wet conditions it is easy to lock a wheel and without ABS the old skill of cadence braking is very useful!
The light weight of Seven style kits means there is more acceleration, less wear on brake components and longer life for tyres than a heavier car.
Consequently a track day won't completely destroy a set of tyres and finish the front pads like it might do in most saloons.
However, the light weight can count against them when it comes to aquaplaning and brake performance in the wet.
A lot of kit drivers will end up buying softer tyres as there car won't warm up usual saloon tyres enough to get them working properly, so tyre life may not be increased.
As far as servicing goes, a lot of kits are simple enough to service yourself, but most main garages aren't going to be much help. There are some very good garages that do help kit owners out there though. Ask other owners for recommending
Aeroscreens said:
No ABS, PAS, ESP etc.... It's a wonder that many of us ever learnt to drive!
No ABS = threshold braking.
I would go as far as saying kit cars now offer the only real way to drive and have fun in the car e.g it's just you and the car and no computer. Can't say I ever had any problems in the 7 that weren't of my own making. Just learn to drive within your car and your own abilities.
I manage about 8,000 miles on a set of tyres because I prefer softer and grippier rubber. My choice but most light weight kit cars will probably fair better on such tyres.
Just my 2p worth
I drove a 600? Cc buggy abroad on the road for 2 hours and it was the most fun I'd ever had! It stuck to the road well but then again it only did about 50mph so didnt get to test it's full capabilities. No driver aids what so ever; even the speedo didn't work and the cops didn't care that I was doing full sleed down the road No ABS = threshold braking.
I would go as far as saying kit cars now offer the only real way to drive and have fun in the car e.g it's just you and the car and no computer. Can't say I ever had any problems in the 7 that weren't of my own making. Just learn to drive within your car and your own abilities.
I manage about 8,000 miles on a set of tyres because I prefer softer and grippier rubber. My choice but most light weight kit cars will probably fair better on such tyres.
Just my 2p worth
8000 miles is fine as I would probably do that over 4 years downsman said:
ABS doesn't reduce braking distances in good conditions and in some conditions ie/ deep snow it can reduce brake efficiency.
However, in wet conditions it is easy to lock a wheel and without ABS the old skill of cadence braking is very useful!
The light weight of Seven style kits means there is more acceleration, less wear on brake components and longer life for tyres than a heavier car.
Consequently a track day won't completely destroy a set of tyres and finish the front pads like it might do in most saloons.
However, the light weight can count against them when it comes to aquaplaning and brake performance in the wet.
A lot of kit drivers will end up buying softer tyres as there car won't warm up usual saloon tyres enough to get them working properly, so tyre life may not be increased.
As far as servicing goes, a lot of kits are simple enough to service yourself, but most main garages aren't going to be much help. There are some very good garages that do help kit owners out there though. Ask other owners for recommending
Just looking at good summer days and a another set of tires for track. I thought servicing may be a little problem but like you said it is fairly easy to do yourselfHowever, in wet conditions it is easy to lock a wheel and without ABS the old skill of cadence braking is very useful!
The light weight of Seven style kits means there is more acceleration, less wear on brake components and longer life for tyres than a heavier car.
Consequently a track day won't completely destroy a set of tyres and finish the front pads like it might do in most saloons.
However, the light weight can count against them when it comes to aquaplaning and brake performance in the wet.
A lot of kit drivers will end up buying softer tyres as there car won't warm up usual saloon tyres enough to get them working properly, so tyre life may not be increased.
As far as servicing goes, a lot of kits are simple enough to service yourself, but most main garages aren't going to be much help. There are some very good garages that do help kit owners out there though. Ask other owners for recommending
The ABS question has been answered - it's down to your judgement as a driver to avoid it on-road, and a practised skill to exploit the grip you car can generate.
A lot of kit cars don't seem to be aerodynamically designed as such so how do they stick to the ground so well?
Aero is just not important at road-legal speeds at all; not even for economy, really, given kitcars usu. have rather small frontal area c.f. the average SUV. Grip, as in cornering grip, is *much* more a function of suspension geometry and set-up, and tyre choice.
Is there a perfect power to weight ratio? Or can you never have enough A little goes a long way in a light car; but vehicle set-up will go a lot further. There's an awful lot of willy-waving on the point of hp/ton, but usually a bit of tuition will make you a faster + better driver everywhere - and it's cheaper too. Massive power in a seven-a-like is a recipe for misery - no use having it if you can't use it everywhere IMO.
Do they go through tires quickly as they're light weight?
Can do, depends on your tyre choice - file under 'set up'. My Fury R1 runs through a set of A048s in 3-4000miles. That's fine by me.
Anybody have problems using a CEC serviced at a normal garage?
I can't answer that (BEC-owner) but half the appeal of a car like this is the involvement of ownership/development. Regular service items remain the same as any other car, but it's just easier to get at!
A lot of kit cars don't seem to be aerodynamically designed as such so how do they stick to the ground so well?
Aero is just not important at road-legal speeds at all; not even for economy, really, given kitcars usu. have rather small frontal area c.f. the average SUV. Grip, as in cornering grip, is *much* more a function of suspension geometry and set-up, and tyre choice.
Is there a perfect power to weight ratio? Or can you never have enough A little goes a long way in a light car; but vehicle set-up will go a lot further. There's an awful lot of willy-waving on the point of hp/ton, but usually a bit of tuition will make you a faster + better driver everywhere - and it's cheaper too. Massive power in a seven-a-like is a recipe for misery - no use having it if you can't use it everywhere IMO.
Do they go through tires quickly as they're light weight?
Can do, depends on your tyre choice - file under 'set up'. My Fury R1 runs through a set of A048s in 3-4000miles. That's fine by me.
Anybody have problems using a CEC serviced at a normal garage?
I can't answer that (BEC-owner) but half the appeal of a car like this is the involvement of ownership/development. Regular service items remain the same as any other car, but it's just easier to get at!
Huff said:
The ABS question has been answered - it's down to your judgement as a driver to avoid it on-road, and a practised skill to exploit the grip you car can generate.
A lot of kit cars don't seem to be aerodynamically designed as such so how do they stick to the ground so well?
Aero is just not important at road-legal speeds at all; not even for economy, really, given kitcars usu. have rather small frontal area c.f. the average SUV. Grip, as in cornering grip, is *much* more a function of suspension geometry and set-up, and tyre choice.
Is there a perfect power to weight ratio? Or can you never have enough A little goes a long way in a light car; but vehicle set-up will go a lot further. There's an awful lot of willy-waving on the point of hp/ton, but usually a bit of tuition will make you a faster + better driver everywhere - and it's cheaper too. Massive power in a seven-a-like is a recipe for misery - no use having it if you can't use it everywhere IMO.
Do they go through tires quickly as they're light weight?
Can do, depends on your tyre choice - file under 'set up'. My Fury R1 runs through a set of A048s in 3-4000miles. That's fine by me.
Anybody have problems using a CEC serviced at a normal garage?
I can't answer that (BEC-owner) but half the appeal of a car like this is the involvement of ownership/development. Regular service items remain the same as any other car, but it's just easier to get at!
Thanks for your detailed answer especially the aerodynamics one. All I need to do is test drive a BEC and CEC then find a design I like (hence the aero question as there's a frame I like but no aero what so ever A lot of kit cars don't seem to be aerodynamically designed as such so how do they stick to the ground so well?
Aero is just not important at road-legal speeds at all; not even for economy, really, given kitcars usu. have rather small frontal area c.f. the average SUV. Grip, as in cornering grip, is *much* more a function of suspension geometry and set-up, and tyre choice.
Is there a perfect power to weight ratio? Or can you never have enough A little goes a long way in a light car; but vehicle set-up will go a lot further. There's an awful lot of willy-waving on the point of hp/ton, but usually a bit of tuition will make you a faster + better driver everywhere - and it's cheaper too. Massive power in a seven-a-like is a recipe for misery - no use having it if you can't use it everywhere IMO.
Do they go through tires quickly as they're light weight?
Can do, depends on your tyre choice - file under 'set up'. My Fury R1 runs through a set of A048s in 3-4000miles. That's fine by me.
Anybody have problems using a CEC serviced at a normal garage?
I can't answer that (BEC-owner) but half the appeal of a car like this is the involvement of ownership/development. Regular service items remain the same as any other car, but it's just easier to get at!
)Gassing Station | Kit Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff