Which 7-style kit ?????

Which 7-style kit ?????

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TVR_4_ever

Original Poster:

358 posts

263 months

Thursday 1st August 2002
quotequote all
I want to build a SE7EN myself. I'm not sure which kit to go for however i like the Dax Rush. I think i'll use a 2.0 liter Pinto or zetec engine or should i go for the rover 3500 V8 ??? The V8 seems a little extreme in a car like this , I'd rather keep it light and keep it simple or have i just not seen the light ???
Is building a kitcar all that difficult as this is my very first self-build?? How long would it take somebody inexperienced to build ( baring in mind he has the MANUAL ....) ???

CHEERS ,

TONY........

meerkat

164 posts

268 months

Thursday 1st August 2002
quotequote all
Check out:

www.hoverd.org/Tim/index.html

They build both a Dax and a Westfield, both of which IMO are somewhat overpriced compared to some of the cheaper options. A lot depends on your priorities really, minimum cost? minimum time? easiest build? and obviously what kind of performance and hence spec. you are looking at. A lot of people are going the locost route, but with a pre-made chassis, that is very cost and time effective.

Me, I'm building my own from the ground up! Mid-engined, based on MR2 running gear.

smeagol

1,947 posts

285 months

Friday 2nd August 2002
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Have you thought of going Bike-engine route, very light engine with bags of power. Certainly high on my list for next build (although that may be a long way off). The V8 in a 7 seems overkill to me although they are fast.

As for it being your first build I was very wet behind the ears when I started to build my kit. Lots of people claimed I would never be able to do it etc. (amusing aside my car was called Nelly as everybody called it my white elephant) If you use common sense and think about each stage then you shouldn't have too many problems, also you have the added advantage of being able to ask on this forum. my advice is:

"take your time, and you'll be fine." As for build times I would say a 7 replica first build about 200hours but that should be taken with a truck load of salt.

When its finally registered and you get to put your registration plates on and take her for a drive the feeling is fantastic.

V8Bert

37 posts

263 months

Friday 2nd August 2002
quotequote all
I'm on my second Westfield now and have to say it's the best car I've ever driven, if a tad impractical.

My current car is a V8 in a moderate state of tune. To be fair, it's probably no faster than a sorted 2 litre car, but is far more lazy when you want it to be. It's docile round town and goes like stink where appropriate.

It depends how you like your cars I suppose. Also what you intend to do with it. I personally never take mine on track days, so ultimate handling is not a problem for me. I do, however, use it quite a lot on the road (whenever it's dry) and find that the V8 is just

And it sounds far better than a 4 cylinder model IMO.

stig

11,818 posts

285 months

Friday 2nd August 2002
quotequote all
To quote the ad. "Power is nothing without control"

I'd say a good 2.0 lump is a better match and personally, I'd go for a K-Series or Zetec lump.

It's far more rewarding to drive a small engine at 10/10ths than a big one at 2/10ths!

My Locost racer only has a 1300 and still runs rings round most stuff on a track.

simonbell

25 posts

261 months

Sunday 11th August 2002
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If its for track mainly then bike engine and keep the car as light as possible.

If you are going to run it on the road then the new ford duratec looks like the future. Same weight more or less as a k series but should prove a lot more reliable especially when you start tuning it.

How easy they are to build depends on which kit you choose. A Caterham or Birkin is easy, Westfield slightly more involved but still easy.

Locosts or Robin Hoods, be prepared for a lot more work.

Depends how confident with engineering you are. Also some kits have much better manuals than others. Birkin manual is full of colour pictures making it really easy, Robin hood is a 12 hour video in no particular order. Not so easy when you are looking for information in the workshop.

Simon Bell

ultimapaul

3,937 posts

265 months

Sunday 11th August 2002
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TVR 4 ever - Have a look at Tiger Racing, their range goes from a £4k locost up to a £40k world record holder. If your looking to spend £5-7k then the Cat E1 is a good starter car £7-10k would build a very nice Super Six and £10-13k would put you into an R6 or B6. My first forray into the kit car world was a Cat E1 and I never felt short changed. £6k on the road done & dusted.

www.tiger-sportscars.demon.co.uk

Paul

>> Edited by ultimapaul on Sunday 11th August 18:58