How to approach a build

[Glade]

I was planning on getting a new bike this year. However I've always had a hankering for a 7 type car and to be honest my bike is more than capable... So I was thinking I may start a build, something like an MK Indy.

Would it seem reasonable to start collecting the donor parts, and reconditioning them?
Then get the kit in 6 to 12 months time and bolt it all together.

[Steve_D]

No problem with that but you will need to make your kit selection so that you procure and refurbish the right donor parts for that specific kit.

You should also get an idea from the kit maker as to lead times for an order. Depending which one you go for there may be a wait of many weeks so you may need to order straight away rather than wait until the donor parts are ready.

Steve

[gingerpaul]

Steve's advice is spot on. If you order a Dax Rush you'll be waiting at least 3 months for a chassis for example. It's worth getting all the doner stuff out of the way before the chassis arrives if you can too.

[Glade]

Right then... just need to choose a kit!! Spent hours looking and keep coming back to the MK Indy. I'd rather bolt it together than have to fabricate most of it myself.

Not sure if I'll buy a donor car or just start buying the parts as I come accross them.
I don't have room to have an old sierra hanging around outside so it would fill the garage, and then i'd have to get rid of the old chassis. Any tips??

[gingerpaul]

I think you'll find Caterhams are the only 7s that really just bolt together. Westfields are the next closest. Everything else will involve lots of fiddling to get it right. It's the just way it is, and it's fun too.

Your best bet is to start visiting kit car shows and talk to people who have actually built the various kits. Of course there are bound to be people on here who have built most of the kits.

It's worth checking out the Locostbuilders website too. Lots of helpful people on there.

[singlecoil]

MK Indy would be a very good choice. Probably the best value for money out there. Lots of examples already built.

[Steve_D]

Glade said:

.....I don't have room to have an old sierra hanging around outside so it would fill the garage, and then i'd have to get rid of the old chassis. Any tips??

It will not take long to strip a donor and you will want to strip it outside so the scrappy can lift the shell onto his truck.

If the donor is to supply engine,'box, axles etc. then it is best to get a road legal runner and drive it for a few weeks so you know the state of the bits. I have seen builders who insist that the engine has to be stripped and rebuilt where it could have been really sweet as it was and only needed a clean up and lick of paint. Once you have built a car the thought of having to take the engine out again is no problem so when building on a budget put in what you have and once it is on the road pick up another engine and build that to the condition and tune you want then just swap them over.

Steve

[dean100yz]

I agree the MK Indy is a nice choice. Poss have a look at MAC1 as well. I looked at both when I bought my used (90% complete) model and for me found the MAC1 was brilliant. Excellent components fitted and quality with enough space under the bonnet for err further development in the future.

MK is equally as good though tbh I guess its what you prefer. as said have a look at shows etc

[spdpug98]

Glade said:

I don't have room to have an old sierra hanging around outside so it would fill the garage, and then i'd have to get rid of the old chassis. Any tips??

That's exactly what made me make my decision to buy an MNR kit, overall the cost is a couple of grand more than the MK but I get all my parts all reconditioned, cleaned, and ready to fit

[andygtt]

Pick the engine you want, then the kit... for example I got an MK indy and was fitting a bike engine and I only needed very few donor parts so just bought these from MK themselves, way less hassle than having a donor.