bike/car powered road/track kit car advice
Discussion
Hi
I need some advice on buying a kit car for some fun I have been looking at various cars both bike powered and normal car engined variants. I have £6000 to spend but need something that is reliable but something that i can track, I am fed up buying cars with the kids in mind so this is my chance to have some fun. Which is the best way to go it needs to be road legal but reasonably competitive on the track would just be taking it out on the track on the odd weekend so nothing too serious.
Have seen quite a few on piston heads but not in any rush.
I realise that the bike engined cars will rev higher but need some good advice e.g do all the cars that have bike engines have reverse?
Thanks
John
I need some advice on buying a kit car for some fun I have been looking at various cars both bike powered and normal car engined variants. I have £6000 to spend but need something that is reliable but something that i can track, I am fed up buying cars with the kids in mind so this is my chance to have some fun. Which is the best way to go it needs to be road legal but reasonably competitive on the track would just be taking it out on the track on the odd weekend so nothing too serious.
Have seen quite a few on piston heads but not in any rush.
I realise that the bike engined cars will rev higher but need some good advice e.g do all the cars that have bike engines have reverse?
Thanks
John
You can have a look here
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Or here
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
And no not all becs have a reverse gear but you can fit one.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Or here
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
And no not all becs have a reverse gear but you can fit one.
No, they do not all have reverse. Some like my old Furyblade have a mechnical reverse. Only downsides are about 10kgs weight and SOME vibrate, my didn't at all so might just be an installation issue. Upside is you get 6 reverse gears and 100+ mph backwards......
Some have electric reverse, to varying degrees of success. Most are sorted installations now i believe, and allegedly can actualy make the car go backwards. Several years ago, many could not pull the skin off a rice pudding. Downsides are 2 or 3kg weight, and your animal of a sportscar sounds like a milkfloat going backwards. Also probobly will not drag you back up a steep driveway.
Or, like mine, some have NO reverse. It was the first "to do" on my list when I got the car, but now i am not going to bother. As long as you think about what you are doing and do not park downhill against a wall you will not have any problems. I can push the car easily, even slightly uphill on gravel, so it is not an issue.
£6k is a fair budget for a BEC at this time of year. For a seven-esque look, MK Indy's are plentiful, or a grand or two more should get you a good Fury.
PLEASE do not ask "car or bike engine?"!!!!!
Some have electric reverse, to varying degrees of success. Most are sorted installations now i believe, and allegedly can actualy make the car go backwards. Several years ago, many could not pull the skin off a rice pudding. Downsides are 2 or 3kg weight, and your animal of a sportscar sounds like a milkfloat going backwards. Also probobly will not drag you back up a steep driveway.
Or, like mine, some have NO reverse. It was the first "to do" on my list when I got the car, but now i am not going to bother. As long as you think about what you are doing and do not park downhill against a wall you will not have any problems. I can push the car easily, even slightly uphill on gravel, so it is not an issue.
£6k is a fair budget for a BEC at this time of year. For a seven-esque look, MK Indy's are plentiful, or a grand or two more should get you a good Fury.
PLEASE do not ask "car or bike engine?"!!!!!
Thanks will have a look at it I have also seen a westfield fitted with a 2.0L Vauxhall C20XE redtop engine with SBD 196 Throttle body kit and ARP rod bolts
5 Speed gearbox for £6995 sounds and looks good but is it worth the money. Its up in Skipton. Will look at the car you mentioned and get back to you thanks john
5 Speed gearbox for £6995 sounds and looks good but is it worth the money. Its up in Skipton. Will look at the car you mentioned and get back to you thanks john
Thanks appreciate that but need something that is road legal, plus would prefer something along the lines of westfield, seven, etc but glad of the advice.
Any chance someone can give me their opinion on the westfield for £6995 with the vauxhall engine I have read that they are comparible to the BEC's but have more torque and are better two up, is this right? As previously stated being a novice to the kit car world dont want to spend this kind of money on a shed.
John
Any chance someone can give me their opinion on the westfield for £6995 with the vauxhall engine I have read that they are comparible to the BEC's but have more torque and are better two up, is this right? As previously stated being a novice to the kit car world dont want to spend this kind of money on a shed.
John
It only needs a number plate!
The westfield will be dependant on build quality, if its factory then you shouldnt have any bother if its home built then scrutinize it well. The Vauxhall engine is perfectly adequate in standard form but is one of the best engines to tune if you feel like more power. The more power you try to extract the more expensive it will become though.
Try and get a full spec on the car noting all the components, if your using it at the track then fully adjustable shockers are handy for altering the handling with relative ease, from softer on the road to the track to harder for on the track. The more extras its got will save you getting them later if you feel you want more performance from it. There should be a few good examples around this time of year, so be choosy.
You wont go wrong with the XE.
The westfield will be dependant on build quality, if its factory then you shouldnt have any bother if its home built then scrutinize it well. The Vauxhall engine is perfectly adequate in standard form but is one of the best engines to tune if you feel like more power. The more power you try to extract the more expensive it will become though.
Try and get a full spec on the car noting all the components, if your using it at the track then fully adjustable shockers are handy for altering the handling with relative ease, from softer on the road to the track to harder for on the track. The more extras its got will save you getting them later if you feel you want more performance from it. There should be a few good examples around this time of year, so be choosy.
You wont go wrong with the XE.
Thanks for that info, this is the spec on the car I am looking at:-
2.0L Vauxhall C20XE redtop engine with SBD 196 Throttle body kit and ARP rod bolts
5 Speed gearbox
Sierra 3.9 LSD
Omex adjustable rev-limiter and shift-light
New light weight 'Polo' radiator fitted Jan 2006
Engine stripped and rebuilt 2006 new main and big-end shells, crank oil seals, valve seals and timing belt.
Westfield VX exhaust manifold and repackable Zorstec Polished Stainless Steel Silencer with removable baffles
Running gear
Disc brakes all round front vented with Green Stuff pads fitted.
AVO Steel bodied dampers to front 2 ½" springs
Fully independent rear suspension
Factory Spax adjustable dampers to rear
15" 'Minilite' style wheels with nearly new Toyo Proxes T1S (spare wheel and carrier included
What else should I be looking for? What things do I need to ask him? Ive raced karts and had an M3 but when it comes to looking for a track/road car I need as much advice as possible.
Thanks for all your help.
john
2.0L Vauxhall C20XE redtop engine with SBD 196 Throttle body kit and ARP rod bolts
5 Speed gearbox
Sierra 3.9 LSD
Omex adjustable rev-limiter and shift-light
New light weight 'Polo' radiator fitted Jan 2006
Engine stripped and rebuilt 2006 new main and big-end shells, crank oil seals, valve seals and timing belt.
Westfield VX exhaust manifold and repackable Zorstec Polished Stainless Steel Silencer with removable baffles
Running gear
Disc brakes all round front vented with Green Stuff pads fitted.
AVO Steel bodied dampers to front 2 ½" springs
Fully independent rear suspension
Factory Spax adjustable dampers to rear
15" 'Minilite' style wheels with nearly new Toyo Proxes T1S (spare wheel and carrier included
What else should I be looking for? What things do I need to ask him? Ive raced karts and had an M3 but when it comes to looking for a track/road car I need as much advice as possible.
Thanks for all your help.
john
Furyblade_Lee said:
No, they do not all have reverse. Some like my old Furyblade have a mechnical reverse. Only downsides are about 10kgs weight and SOME vibrate, my didn't at all so might just be an installation issue. Upside is you get 6 reverse gears and 100+ mph backwards......
Some have electric reverse, to varying degrees of success. Most are sorted installations now i believe, and allegedly can actualy make the car go backwards. Several years ago, many could not pull the skin off a rice pudding. Downsides are 2 or 3kg weight, and your animal of a sportscar sounds like a milkfloat going backwards. Also probobly will not drag you back up a steep driveway.
Or, like mine, some have NO reverse. It was the first "to do" on my list when I got the car, but now i am not going to bother. As long as you think about what you are doing and do not park downhill against a wall you will not have any problems. I can push the car easily, even slightly uphill on gravel, so it is not an issue.
£6k is a fair budget for a BEC at this time of year. For a seven-esque look, MK Indy's are plentiful, or a grand or two more should get you a good Fury.
PLEASE do not ask "car or bike engine?"!!!!!
he heSome have electric reverse, to varying degrees of success. Most are sorted installations now i believe, and allegedly can actualy make the car go backwards. Several years ago, many could not pull the skin off a rice pudding. Downsides are 2 or 3kg weight, and your animal of a sportscar sounds like a milkfloat going backwards. Also probobly will not drag you back up a steep driveway.
Or, like mine, some have NO reverse. It was the first "to do" on my list when I got the car, but now i am not going to bother. As long as you think about what you are doing and do not park downhill against a wall you will not have any problems. I can push the car easily, even slightly uphill on gravel, so it is not an issue.
£6k is a fair budget for a BEC at this time of year. For a seven-esque look, MK Indy's are plentiful, or a grand or two more should get you a good Fury.
PLEASE do not ask "car or bike engine?"!!!!!
The Kitcar Workshop demo car (Fury) had a VX Redtop in. Martin said to me that in a straight line upto 100mph it was a bit slower than a BEC, over 100 it was the same and then it had about an extra 20mph top speed! (150mph). It was quite a bit slower round a track due to the lump of weight upfront, but remember, all things relative ALL these cars are fast as hell compared to regular cars and you are just splitting hairs. Unless you plan on racing / competing the a VX redtop is a great engine. However, that demo car only had a mild 170bhp... A VX Westfield is a great car.
thanks I suppose I need to think is it just for racing or on the weekend as well, need to do a bit of both! I keep looking as I have said there is no rush so will wait till the right one comes along.
What should I be looking for when I go and see one? Is there certain items that will show if its been bodged together. Ive read other reports that say go for the wide bodied one with removable rear wheel arches Why is that better? Is it for stability and can remove the rear wheel arches if they get damaged. If its been gel coated how easy is it to spray it another colour?
Loads of questions I know
Thanks John
What should I be looking for when I go and see one? Is there certain items that will show if its been bodged together. Ive read other reports that say go for the wide bodied one with removable rear wheel arches Why is that better? Is it for stability and can remove the rear wheel arches if they get damaged. If its been gel coated how easy is it to spray it another colour?
Loads of questions I know
Thanks John
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