Kit car for road and track - purchase advice needed

[robinm]

I am looking for a Lotus 7-like sports car for occasional road and track use. I have a budget of £10k max.
So far I have a list of Caterham VX or Zetec, Raw Striker and Tiger Super 6.
I'm looking for pace with reliability.
Would anyone like to comment or advise on any of the above or anything else that would fit the bill?
Thanks

[chrisg222]

I wouldn't have thought you'd get the Caterham built for that. The other two are good cars, slightly different in character but either will do you fine. I'd add the MK Indy to that list, well specced bike engined car for about 8 - 9k.

[skOOby]

You could get a nice vx powered westfield on throttle bodies for that money! That'll keep you happy for a while!

[robinm]

Thanks for the rapid response so far.
Since posting this question I have been trawling through the forum and am now very confused with additional names that seem to be popular such as Sylva (Phoenix, Stylus, Fury), Fisher (Fury)and MK Indy.
My budget is for a pre-owned car, something that will accommodate my 6ft frame and the best quality that the budget affords.

[phil green griff]

This looks ok, i run the RT version (or will when its finished)
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Sylva-Fisher-St

[Locoblade]

The Fury, Phoenix, Stylus and Striker were all originally designed and sold by Sylva. Sylva eventually sold these designs to various companies (Fury - Fisher, Phoenix - Stuart Taylor Motorsport, Stylus - SSC, Striker - Raw Engineering). The Striker is Sylva's take on a Seven clone, the other three have similar looking enclosed bodywork but all 4 are fairly similar in design underneath, although there are significant differences between them all, especially later examples that have been developed further by their respective new manufacturers.

MK were one of the original manufacturers of Locost chassis and worked with Ron Champion (the author of the book). The Indy evolved from this business but is a different design. I guess in a way you could look it as a Locost that uses a Sierra donor with IRS rear suspension, rather than the older Escort / Cortina based live axle book Locost.

Have a look back a few weeks for a thread entitled "£8-10k and crazy fast", although it all got a bit heated on a few occasions, it does discuss most of the options you have in this price bracket so should be of interest.

Chris

Edited by Locoblade on Tuesday 13th March 18:50

[robinm]

Thanks for those.
I've tried to study the £8-10k thread but it seemed to be mainly a discussion on chassis stiffness and the pros and cons of Locost and in the end not a great deal of help.
So far I've sourced several Tiger Super 6s with 1800 and 2.0 Zetec, and a couple of Fisher Fury Sylva 1800 Zetec. Any preferences?
What's the difference between Ford Pinto and Zetec engines?

[chockymonster]

MNR Vortx is a good bet. www.mnrltd.co.uk
They're a very helpful and professional bunch, Marc is an ex BTCC racer and really knows his stuff.

[Locoblade]

robinm said:

Thanks for those.
I've tried to study the £8-10k thread but it seemed to be mainly a discussion on chassis stiffness and the pros and cons of Locost and in the end not a great deal of help.
So far I've sourced several Tiger Super 6s with 1800 and 2.0 Zetec, and a couple of Fisher Fury Sylva 1800 Zetec. Any preferences?
What's the difference between Ford Pinto and Zetec engines?

I did warn you it went a bit wayward

The Ford Pinto is a fairly antiquated engine by modern standards, it is only 2 valve per cylinder and is very heavy for the power it gives out (not a huge amount unless tuned heavily, then they get expensive). Its an engine that was most commonly found in Cortinas and Sierras, so not exactly high tech modern technology! The Zetec is a more up-to-date 16v engine and variants of it are still found in current Mondeo / Focus etc. In stock trim its lighter than the Pinto I believe, and significantly more powerful so would be the one to choose if you have the choice.

Anyway, given your questions about engine choice etc its clear that its only very early days in your decision making process, so what Id suggest strongly is that you take your time buying and beforehand do a lot of reading around on places such as Locostbuilders, the Westfield Owners Club as well as on here, so you build up a good understanding of what exactly you want in terms of car choice and also specification.

[Locoblade]

I agree with the MNR shout as well, Ive not seen one in the flesh for a couple of years but it looks like its developed into a pretty good car.

[robinm]

Thanks for the input Chris - (Locoblade!). I agree the MNR looks good. I've found 2 for sale - one of them a little beyond the budget.

I don't know if I'm supposed to do this but what about these:

www.pistonheads.com/sales/137560.htm
www.pistonheads.com/sales/139076.htm
www.iwantthatone.com/cars/tiger/super_six/TIGER+SUPER+SIX/6200.html
www.pistonheads.com/sales/133018.htm
www.pistonheads.com/sales/143526.htm

I wonder if the Rover V8 engined Fisher would be heavy at the front and prone to understeer as a result?

Edited by robinm on Tuesday 13th March 20:16

[elwe]

The Rover V8 weighs 2-3Kg LESS than a Pinto because it had an aluminium block and heads. A Zetec has an aluminium head but is still an iron block, I don't believe the Zetec is much lighter than a Rover V8.

The Rover V8 has a much better soundtrack than a Zetec. The downsides of a Rover V8 such as space, having to buy 2 exhaust manifolds etc. are almost all associated with building and are gone when buying pre-built.

[Furyous]

My Fury is up for sale, Kawasaki Motored Spyder, fully road registered and including a very tidy Brian James Minno trailer.

£7500 ono.

Mail me if interested.

Cheers
F

[Pete Woolley]

I have a Super 6 for sale at present on pistonheads. I built it myself in 2004 and it has been extremely reliable. Its got a 2.0 Litre zetec with twin 45 and Alpha system and has just been re-taxed for 12 months. Its the yellow and black one on the first page and its for sale at £7995. It can also be seen on the members page of www.nwatoc.org.uk. If you want a chat or any advice ring me on 07775 827098

[baddie]

Hi RobinM, if you're in Warwickshire you're welcome to come up to Birmingham and have a go in my Raw Striker. It was the first customer chassis delivered by Raw, and was built by an engineer type in Norfolk in 2003, so you can see a car that's been well built and quite well used since. It has a Toyota 20 valve 1600cc motor, which has less torque than the 2 litre Fords, but is a little smoother, almost motor-cycle like in it's appetite for revs (nearly 8000), yet it will still pull 5th from 1000 revs, and the (standard) throttle bodies make an awesome noise. The car rides quite well, and is famed for its handling. A more compact, and less spacious, car than a Tiger, it does have a weight and performance advantage for a given power output. The chassis will also accomodate a wide range of other engines, including a V8. Raw have new options, including 250BHP Hyabusa, or 350BHP Ford. email me on [e-mail] if your interested. I cannot compare MK or Westfield myself, but the Striker's hardcore competition pedigree appealed to me when choosing.

[robinm]

Thanks for the replies and various offers of assistance.

I seem to have narrowed my search to Raw Striker and Tiger Super 6, if for no better reason than that I like the Lotus 7 look. I started with Caterham but these others seem to represent much better value. I've studied yours Pete and it looks very good, but there is some competition.

Thanks again for all the input and thanks Baddie for your offer, all much appeciated.

[robinm]

Having read through this other thread . . .

www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=364785&f=30&h=0

. . . I am now concerned about cockpit size, so I need to ask an additional question.

As a slim 6 footer will I fit any better into a Raw Striker, Tiger Super 6, or should I go back to a Caterham? I test drove a Caterham last w/e and found legroom to be OK, but elbow room restricted.

[D.A.Z.]

get one with a bike engine imo (mk or like i would say you would fit in fine)

[Pete Woolley]

The Super 6 is a snug fit but this helps when chucking the car about. A mate of mine is currently building a Super 6 exactly same spec as mine but putting in normal Tiger seats. He is 6' 2" and fits in fine. Personally I think that a Zetec engined car is the best to go for. Its relable, quick enough and can be replaced cheaply if required. i've had mine rolling road tuned and it runs like a dream. I considered a Raw Striker at the time of choosing a kit but didn't like the screen design. Unless your using the car predominantly on a track I think a bike engined car would become tiresome after a while. At 6' you wouldn't fit a Tiger Avon but a Cat E1, SuperCat of Super Six would be OK.
Can I also just mention Chester Sportscars which is the Tiger agent in the North West. I bought the kit and donor bits from them. Superb company for advice, buying bits or having work done, I would thoroughly reccomend them.
See www.chestersportscars.co.uk. Also see www.nwatoc.org.uk for the North West Tiger Owners Club for which I am a member.
If you are up in the North West (St.Helens) anytimeI'll gladly take you for a spin.

[robinm]

Thanks for that Pete. You are right, I had a quick testdrive in a Super 6 today and there was plenty of space - much better than the Caterham, especially elbow room.