Any MEV Rocket builders out there?
Discussion
yeah mate ive got one
...although none on the roads yet as no one has completed one yet
strangley i should finish it today with the SVA already booked.
out til later this afternoon but hopefully get some pics on here today or check out the unfinished pic in my profile
this is my first kit car and ive completed it in 3 about months
MEV are a pleasure to deal with very helpful with problems ( mainly my wiring skills)
MEV's Demonstrator uses a 1.6 zetec but i went for the 1.8. this made the build a little more difficult due to Different engine orientation ie. exhaust and inlet manifold are on opposite side
this meant i had to use a different petrol tank and the coolant pipework is quite tight but still goes.
i started a build site found here www.mevrocket.talktalk.net but havent updated it much as ive spent my time building the kit.
...although none on the roads yet as no one has completed one yet
strangley i should finish it today with the SVA already booked.
out til later this afternoon but hopefully get some pics on here today or check out the unfinished pic in my profile
this is my first kit car and ive completed it in 3 about months
MEV are a pleasure to deal with very helpful with problems ( mainly my wiring skills)
MEV's Demonstrator uses a 1.6 zetec but i went for the 1.8. this made the build a little more difficult due to Different engine orientation ie. exhaust and inlet manifold are on opposite side
this meant i had to use a different petrol tank and the coolant pipework is quite tight but still goes.
i started a build site found here www.mevrocket.talktalk.net but havent updated it much as ive spent my time building the kit.
Sorry Italo, a V6 will not fit. 2.0 Mundaneo fits though. Add Martin Griffins tune kit and I reckon around 165 bhp in a car weighing half a ton.
V6 will fit in my R2 but I haven,t finished my first one yet. Hope to post a pic on my site by the end of Nov if anyones interested. Regards Stuart
V6 will fit in my R2 but I haven,t finished my first one yet. Hope to post a pic on my site by the end of Nov if anyones interested. Regards Stuart
stig mills said:
Sorry Italo, a V6 will not fit. 2.0 Mundaneo fits though. Add Martin Griffins tune kit and I reckon around 165 bhp in a car weighing half a ton.
V6 will fit in my R2 but I haven,t finished my first one yet. Hope to post a pic on my site by the end of Nov if anyones interested. Regards Stuart
I noticed your R3 does....V6 will fit in my R2 but I haven,t finished my first one yet. Hope to post a pic on my site by the end of Nov if anyones interested. Regards Stuart
I just noticed that the R3 is a 3seater, it seems that very few kitcars are working on the 3 seater configuration, apart from Aeon, SDV, and Mev.
Dpes anybody know why? any thoughts ? maybe expensive manufacturing ? or other ? what do you guys think?
I would have thought it to be, a succesfull seating configuration for modern sportscars....
Maybe 2 seaters are what we all want...
Dpes anybody know why? any thoughts ? maybe expensive manufacturing ? or other ? what do you guys think?
I would have thought it to be, a succesfull seating configuration for modern sportscars....
Maybe 2 seaters are what we all want...
.fuoriserie said:
I just noticed that the R3 is a 3seater, it seems that very few kitcars are working on the 3 seater configuration, apart from Aeon, SDV, and Mev.
Dpes anybody know why? any thoughts ? maybe expensive manufacturing ? or other ? what do you guys think?
I have to say that probably the most time consuming aspect of building my Aeon was getting the right seats to fit with things like the handbrake and gear cables - and even then, I don't think the handbrake is in the right place (it's very difficult if there's someone in the passenger seat - it's something to sort out in the new year).Dpes anybody know why? any thoughts ? maybe expensive manufacturing ? or other ? what do you guys think?
Using a bike engine would make the gear cables easier - but then 3 people in the car at the same time means the bike engine may struggle a bit.
My ultimate aim is to use the DSG Audi gearbox...
There's also a structural aspect - with 2 seats, you've got a nice central tunnel to add strength; this isn't really possible with 3 seats (you could effectively make the central tunnel the driver's position [only open], but it would be more difficult to get in and out), so you have to have more strength around the outside.
Aeon have done this with some out-riggers that gives you a bit of elbow room. The MEV R3 and SDV haven't got this, but the SDV does have a nice curved exoskeleton for strength. The R3 doesn't seem to have much side-impact protection (from what I've seen of it, the chassis looks straight).
I use 48.3 for the main Rocket rails with CHS for the roll bar. I did invest quite heavily though in a CAD section rolling machine to get those curves bang on.
Yannick said:
Hello,
I'm thinking about building something like MEV. The look of this car is amazing for me. Can you tell me what diameter of tubes is used?
I'm thinking about building something like MEV. The look of this car is amazing for me. Can you tell me what diameter of tubes is used?
Would a fly handbrake be better to save space?
I use the Mundaneo one but the R3 cockpit is quite wide. The R3 chassis is made usuing 40x40mm tube so its pretty tough but it would be very wide with outriggers. I am now working on a 2 seat version with higher sides wider cills and a redesigned body. I love the centre seat arrangement, just like Parker in FAB1 but sadly I cant get more than one chick at a time! so 2 seats will be my next move. Unless anyones got any spare chicks ofcourse!
Using a bike engine would make the gear cables easier - but then 3 people in the car at the same time means the bike engine may struggle a bit.
My ultimate aim is to use the DSG Audi gearbox...
There's also a structural aspect - with 2 seats, you've got a nice central tunnel to add strength; this isn't really possible with 3 seats (you could effectively make the central tunnel the driver's position [only open], but it would be more difficult to get in and out), so you have to have more strength around the outside.
Aeon have done this with some out-riggers that gives you a bit of elbow room. The MEV R3 and SDV haven't got this, but the SDV does have a nice curved exoskeleton for strength. The R3 doesn't seem to have much side-impact protection (from what I've seen of it, the chassis looks straight).
I use the Mundaneo one but the R3 cockpit is quite wide. The R3 chassis is made usuing 40x40mm tube so its pretty tough but it would be very wide with outriggers. I am now working on a 2 seat version with higher sides wider cills and a redesigned body. I love the centre seat arrangement, just like Parker in FAB1 but sadly I cant get more than one chick at a time! so 2 seats will be my next move. Unless anyones got any spare chicks ofcourse!
tribbles said:
fuoriserie said:
I just noticed that the R3 is a 3seater, it seems that very few kitcars are working on the 3 seater configuration, apart from Aeon, SDV, and Mev.
Dpes anybody know why? any thoughts ? maybe expensive manufacturing ? or other ? what do you guys think?
I have to say that probably the most time consuming aspect of building my Aeon was getting the right seats to fit with things like the handbrake and gear cables - and even then, I don't think the handbrake is in the right place (it's very difficult if there's someone in the passenger seat - it's something to sort out in the new year).Dpes anybody know why? any thoughts ? maybe expensive manufacturing ? or other ? what do you guys think?
Using a bike engine would make the gear cables easier - but then 3 people in the car at the same time means the bike engine may struggle a bit.
My ultimate aim is to use the DSG Audi gearbox...
There's also a structural aspect - with 2 seats, you've got a nice central tunnel to add strength; this isn't really possible with 3 seats (you could effectively make the central tunnel the driver's position [only open], but it would be more difficult to get in and out), so you have to have more strength around the outside.
Aeon have done this with some out-riggers that gives you a bit of elbow room. The MEV R3 and SDV haven't got this, but the SDV does have a nice curved exoskeleton for strength. The R3 doesn't seem to have much side-impact protection (from what I've seen of it, the chassis looks straight).
stig mills said:
Would a fly handbrake be better to save space?
I use the Mundaneo one but the R3 cockpit is quite wide. The R3 chassis is made usuing 40x40mm tube so its pretty tough but it would be very wide with outriggers. I am now working on a 2 seat version with higher sides wider cills and a redesigned body. I love the centre seat arrangement, just like Parker in FAB1 but sadly I cant get more than one chick at a time! so 2 seats will be my next move. Unless anyones got any spare chicks ofcourse!
I'm not sure - it's not really the space, it's the position of it (it's a little too far back, which means I need to elbow the passenger to change it - if it was further forward, I wouldn't need to do this, but then it would interfere with the gearstick).I use the Mundaneo one but the R3 cockpit is quite wide. The R3 chassis is made usuing 40x40mm tube so its pretty tough but it would be very wide with outriggers. I am now working on a 2 seat version with higher sides wider cills and a redesigned body. I love the centre seat arrangement, just like Parker in FAB1 but sadly I cant get more than one chick at a time! so 2 seats will be my next move. Unless anyones got any spare chicks ofcourse!
The R3 is roughly the same width as the Aeon, but doesn't have the out-riggers, which means there's about 100mm of space either side to play with - and that'll give more room to the passengers. I'm using LSIS seats (and I've had two 16-stone passengers in it at the same time*), but the right hand passenger I could've gone about 50mm wider quite happily.
- Insert joke/inuendo here
Bright and early this morning Italo.
Due to the unconventional styling of the R3 it was as not a big hit and is now only available to special order.
I always try to come up with designs that are easily distinguishable from main stream cars. If I was to make the R3 a two seater, increase the nose length and fit front hinged doors it would be comparable to an MR2. Then we look at costs and the Japs win every time. True we can sell the performance and handling aspects which walk all over MX5's etc but so do most kit cars.
Make a car extreme like the Rocket and sales flood in, try to compete with Mazda and you have an uphill battle.
So I reckon that if we can produce a kit that is a true performance machine but practical as in it has a roof and doors, then produce it at a locost, we may have something. That said, introduce all the above elements and get the styling wrong and the low price becomes irrelavant.
Next move then is to redesign the R3. Make it a 2 seat coupe with luggage space and a sliding hard top. Keep the price right and base it on a Mundaneo and it might work.
Ah but again even if its cheap and it performs it has to look great and not too similar to Mr Toyotas cars as a used MR2 is often cheaper than a kit.
I would say styling is of paramount importance.
The question is what should it look like. Maybe a new thread with the aim of attracting vibrant discussion on a future middy coupe locost theme would iron this one out. I will be looking and I will put my hand in my pocket and build a prototype if positive feedback comes through. I wont be the only one either as I know of a few kit firms who are looking for direction.
Regards Stuart
Due to the unconventional styling of the R3 it was as not a big hit and is now only available to special order.
I always try to come up with designs that are easily distinguishable from main stream cars. If I was to make the R3 a two seater, increase the nose length and fit front hinged doors it would be comparable to an MR2. Then we look at costs and the Japs win every time. True we can sell the performance and handling aspects which walk all over MX5's etc but so do most kit cars.
Make a car extreme like the Rocket and sales flood in, try to compete with Mazda and you have an uphill battle.
So I reckon that if we can produce a kit that is a true performance machine but practical as in it has a roof and doors, then produce it at a locost, we may have something. That said, introduce all the above elements and get the styling wrong and the low price becomes irrelavant.
Next move then is to redesign the R3. Make it a 2 seat coupe with luggage space and a sliding hard top. Keep the price right and base it on a Mundaneo and it might work.
Ah but again even if its cheap and it performs it has to look great and not too similar to Mr Toyotas cars as a used MR2 is often cheaper than a kit.
I would say styling is of paramount importance.
The question is what should it look like. Maybe a new thread with the aim of attracting vibrant discussion on a future middy coupe locost theme would iron this one out. I will be looking and I will put my hand in my pocket and build a prototype if positive feedback comes through. I wont be the only one either as I know of a few kit firms who are looking for direction.
Regards Stuart
stig mills said:
Bright and early this morning Italo.
Due to the unconventional styling of the R3 it was as not a big hit and is now only available to special order.
I always try to come up with designs that are easily distinguishable from main stream cars. If I was to make the R3 a two seater, increase the nose length and fit front hinged doors it would be comparable to an MR2. Then we look at costs and the Japs win every time. True we can sell the performance and handling aspects which walk all over MX5's etc but so do most kit cars.
Make a car extreme like the Rocket and sales flood in, try to compete with Mazda and you have an uphill battle.
So I reckon that if we can produce a kit that is a true performance machine but practical as in it has a roof and doors, then produce it at a locost, we may have something. That said, introduce all the above elements and get the styling wrong and the low price becomes irrelavant.
Next move then is to redesign the R3. Make it a 2 seat coupe with luggage space and a sliding hard top. Keep the price right and base it on a Mundaneo and it might work.
Ah but again even if its cheap and it performs it has to look great and not too similar to Mr Toyotas cars as a used MR2 is often cheaper than a kit.
I would say styling is of paramount importance.
The question is what should it look like. Maybe a new thread with the aim of attracting vibrant discussion on a future middy coupe locost theme would iron this one out. I will be looking and I will put my hand in my pocket and build a prototype if positive feedback comes through. I wont be the only one either as I know of a few kit firms who are looking for direction.
Regards Stuart
StuartDue to the unconventional styling of the R3 it was as not a big hit and is now only available to special order.
I always try to come up with designs that are easily distinguishable from main stream cars. If I was to make the R3 a two seater, increase the nose length and fit front hinged doors it would be comparable to an MR2. Then we look at costs and the Japs win every time. True we can sell the performance and handling aspects which walk all over MX5's etc but so do most kit cars.
Make a car extreme like the Rocket and sales flood in, try to compete with Mazda and you have an uphill battle.
So I reckon that if we can produce a kit that is a true performance machine but practical as in it has a roof and doors, then produce it at a locost, we may have something. That said, introduce all the above elements and get the styling wrong and the low price becomes irrelavant.
Next move then is to redesign the R3. Make it a 2 seat coupe with luggage space and a sliding hard top. Keep the price right and base it on a Mundaneo and it might work.
Ah but again even if its cheap and it performs it has to look great and not too similar to Mr Toyotas cars as a used MR2 is often cheaper than a kit.
I would say styling is of paramount importance.
The question is what should it look like. Maybe a new thread with the aim of attracting vibrant discussion on a future middy coupe locost theme would iron this one out. I will be looking and I will put my hand in my pocket and build a prototype if positive feedback comes through. I wont be the only one either as I know of a few kit firms who are looking for direction.
Regards Stuart
Just a different Gmt..., but pretty early this morning...:9
I totally agree with you on the considerations above, I'll open up a new hread for us all to discuss ideas.
Italo
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