Replica conversion Kits

[Autojunkie]

Hi,

I decided to open this discussion for replica kits in general, however I am specifically in the early stages of doing a MR2 --> Ferrari F355 conversion.

I have read a previous discussion on this topic, which weighed up the pro's and con's of building replica Ferrari cars. Obviously some people find it a ridiculous, sad idea, whilst other people think it is a good idea, good fun and a good hobby.


At the moment I am

1) Budgeting and organising my project
2) Trying to decide on a decent kit

Why am I doing this? Basically I like Ferrari's, and can't afford one, but I don't see why that should rule out a kit. I think they are good. Ferrari style, a nicely tuned up MR2 Donor car, fun building it, fun driving it, pose value and cheap and reliable to run. Also I get a nice looking car without skinning myself financially. Why should it just be the rich that have all the fun?

Obviously this is a hot topic and many will disagree, but I don't really want to discuss the ethics etc. They have been well documented before. What I am interested in is the actual building, logistics, etc of these projects, as I haven't done one before. Firstly, what is the best type of kit. Is it one of the 'Extreme Cars' ones ie with 43 or so pieces, or the 'Exact 355' Kit with a lot fewer pieces?

Is it true that one of them kits with lot's of pieces will rattle to pieces?

I have a full set of basic tools, less angle grinder + welder, any Ideas as to what extra I will need?

If any one has done one of these before, any comments would be appreciated.

[Meeja]

Welcome to PH Autojunkie!

If you have searched through this forum for threads about MR2 body conversions then you will already know to expect negative comments. Please take them for what they are. Opinions. Without opinions this would be a very boring place.

Whilst the "fake Ferrari" is not everyone's cup of tea (mine included), you will find support from a few members here.... and it's always good to see someone having a crack at something like this. Good luck with the job - keep us up to date with pictures!

Whereabouts in Derbyshire are you from?

[Mr2Mike]

6 inch wheel spacers, 4 cylinder engine, Jap interior. Nuff said.

Have you considered the 360 replica based on the Pug 406 Coupe? Still crap, but much nicer than the 355 replicas IMO.

[Davi]

I can't recommend any of the kits as I've never looked into them, but I can say that bodywork on one of the other extreme kits I saw at a show was on the bad side of past being poor quality!

I'd suggest you get yourself on the net and look for some dedicated forums and blogs, plus go back and read up on the (numerous) threads on the subject here as there was one that cropped up a few times as standing head and shoulders above the rest in terms of proportions and finish. Unfortunately you will most likely as you suspect just get abuse from very narrow minded individuals here.

Best of luck with it though, only other bit of advice I can give is that a weeks worth of research at this point can save you months worth of hard graft in the workshop, so don't skimp on it.

ETA: don't skimp on the angry grinder either - they are so cheap now that a quality one is well worth the extra few quid! Nothing more annoying than desperately needing to grind something off only to find that the cheap and nasty spindle lock has broken off so you're stuck with a half used /broken disc.

Edited by Davi on Friday 13th June 12:42

[tim the pool man]

I have nothing against body kits per se, but please don't put Ferrari badges on it!

Enjoy a nice looking, cheap car, but if you pretend it is something it isn't then yes, that is very sad.

[Autojunkie]

Hi,

Thanks for responding.

Good point about the Angle Grinder! - I'll take that on board.

Regards the kits:

Extreme kit

This kit is in 43+ pieces - It looks a good copy, but I read somewhere that after driving a lot, all the panels get thrown out of allignment - then it would not look so good. Advantages to the kit - each of the panels are seperate as on the real car, so If they didn't get dis aligned it would look more authentic, perhaps. Plus it is a nice looking kit.

As each of the panels are seperate, you could fit one at a time, etc, ease of fitting/ manoverability.

Exact 355 Kit

This kit is the other one that I thought looked a good copy, It is not in as many pieces ie the front bumper and wings are stuck together, as is the rear of the car. Advantages to this are that it is unlikley that it would get thrown out of alignment, as it would be more solid' perhaps easier to fit as there are less pieces, less need for alignment etc...

All in all I think that the Exact 355 kit is probably better for a 1st Build as it looks simpler, and the issues of the panel alignment after driving with the extreme kit concerned me. Why spend hours getting everything right if after a couple of thousand miles on the road it all goes wrong.

Disadvatages. As the panels are joined together this may look bad on close up inspection, I have heard some people colour in where the gaps should be with black paint/ marker - why??? It is a replica after all...

As for the 360 replica - I admit it looks very good, but to be honest I prefered the F355 - there are a couple of nice Lambo ones about, but I have always prefered ferrari's...

[Davi]

I know this isn't the most cohesive thought process, but I wouldn't buy a kit off a company that can't even be arsed to make sure there website is viewable - which exacts isn't.

[Autojunkie]

Yeah Davi,

That concerned me a bit too - Extreme's website is much better - It's tricky. These kits are about £4,000 and it is a lot of money, that's why I want the best there is...

I ain't goina make any rash decisions. Am lookin for an MRII Turbo also, Low milage and in good nick. I recon £1000 - £1500

So That's £5,500 Say £6,000 with extra's initial outlay.

Then there's the painting to do.

[Z-Cars]

Wow thats a great f'#;ing idea man. Super cool. Im thinking of converting my mini cooper into a Bugati. We will have to have a drag race.

[Davi]

Z-Cars said:

Wow thats a great f'#;ing idea man. Super cool. Im thinking of converting my mini cooper into a Bugati. We will have to have a drag race.

ahhhhh and so it begins Autojunkie - still, you did quite well to get this far before they started turning up...

[Autojunkie]

Davi said:

Z-Cars said:

Wow thats a great f'#;ing idea man. Super cool. Im thinking of converting my mini cooper into a Bugati. We will have to have a drag race.

ahhhhh and so it begins Autojunkie - still, you did quite well to get this far before they started turning up...

Z Cars to change a Mini Cooper to a Replica Buggati it is quite an ambitious project. I doubt the wheel base would be long enough (by a long shot) for starters. Why not try it with an MR2? As I am doing with the F355?

[trackcar]

hmm someone from zcars laying into the component car industry? you sad fker

I say go for it on your MR2 conversion, you seem to have a clear idea of what the finished car will be about : fun building it and fun driving something you created yourself. Don't let the narrow minded cretins on PH get you down.

[Z-Cars]

Im really serios about my conversion. So much in fact that I have opened my own forum. My next project will be converting a shipping liner into a Lambretta scooter.

[briSk]

have you thought about something more 'inspired' rather than 'faked'? Something like this:
http://pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&t...

It's more "kitsch" than "tragic".

[Autojunkie]

briSk said:

have you thought about something more 'inspired' rather than 'faked'? Something like this:
http://pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&t...

It's more "kitsch" than "tragic".

Yeah, they are nice, especially the dark one on their home page. Rear end lets it down a tad though... but its not exactly what I wanted to do... I will give it some thought though.

Any Ideas on which type of kits, rather than which model are best ie the ones with lots of pieces or the ones with fewer pieces are best

[Davi]

Autojunkie said:

briSk said:

have you thought about something more 'inspired' rather than 'faked'? Something like this:
http://pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&t...

It's more "kitsch" than "tragic".

Yeah, they are nice, especially the dark one on their home page. Rear end lets it down a tad though... but its not exactly what I wanted to do... I will give it some thought though.

Any Ideas on which type of kits, rather than which model are best ie the ones with lots of pieces or the ones with fewer pieces are best

TBH I think it's not so much which type of kit is best, it's the ability of the builder that is going to make it or break it. Ask yourself honestly what you think you are going to be best able to cope with, with your current skill sets. Don't kid yourself as you'll only hinder the project.

If you are honestly a very practical minded individual that can usually see ways of improving on existing ideas (because that is a frequent requirement!!!) and making good lots of close fitting panels, I'd suggest that the more parts there are the better - you could fettle any inaccuracies out. It will also be less likely to crack and craze if there is insufficient rigidity.

On the other hand, if you can just about follow instructions but tend to get easily frustrated with things that don't go to plan quickly, and just want something that'll look "good" - go for as few a parts as possible!

[Autojunkie]

Thanks Davi,

I think all in all the Extreme kit would be better - I have taken on board what has been said about things getting misaligned - but they don't on other cars... It would have to be done properly.

I think that I will do as much as I can myself, and anything I am having particular dificulty with - then enlist the help of others.

The Extreme kit was my first choice intil I saw the Exact kit... TBH The extreme kit does look top notch

[Autojunkie]

http://www.extreme-sportscars.com/prices.htm
http://www.extreme-sportscars.com/gallery_red.htm

Yeah, I think I'll go with this one, it looks the best.

£4,000 for the kit. Expensive!

OK now I need to get to grips with a donor car. Does any one know a lot about MR2 Turbos Mk2?

[Davi]

Autojunkie said:

http://www.extreme-sportscars.com/prices.htm
http://www.extreme-sportscars.com/gallery_red.htm

Yeah, I think I'll go with this one, it looks the best.

£4,000 for the kit. Expensive!

OK now I need to get to grips with a donor car. Does any one know a lot about MR2 Turbos Mk2?

before you make your final decision, go and have a look around the factory and at the bodies coming out the mould (or at least one that isn't a "finished example". If the finish isn't up to scratch you'll spend more months trying to rework it than you'll spend days fitting.

[Z-Cars]

I agree with the first point, partly agree with the second. Dont agree with the third and confir with the forth. Hope this is of help. Good luck mate, ive converted my T.V remote controll into a digital camra which you can use to take pictures of the differant stages of development.