Opirun
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| posted on 31/3/13 at 04:55 PM |
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First time build, long time ambition!
Hello all,
This is my first post here, I would really appreciate input from the community. I am looking to build my first kit car. My first decision to be made
was CEC vs BEC, and despite the drawbacks of the BEC, I have decided that this would be my preferred choice simply for my ambition to build and drive
a bike engined kit car. I then decided that the Honda FireBlade would be my choice of engine, for two reasons, cost and the fact that that it would be
more than enough power for me for my first kit car build. I hope I am making the right choices here (I guess there is no right or wrong here, just
preference?)
I am now trying to decide on a chassis option. I am too novice a builder and do not have the equipment or space to build a chassis from scratch, I am
therefore looking for a starter kit that I can purchase. I have looked at three options which I appreciate are low budget options. MK, Tiger and GBS
Zero. I have looked at the material on the three kit websites and read around these options. What I am not sure about is which option would be the
optimum for me in terms of my choice of Engine (and maybe even the option of upgrading to a more powerful bike engine in the future).
I look forward to you input, experience, recommendations, etc.
Thank-you
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daniel mason
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| posted on 31/3/13 at 05:01 PM |
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MNR! well worth a look,and can be done on budget. customer service second to none. if you stick to a carbrd blade or R1 you can build on a budget and
mnr will allow you to buy as much or as little as you want from them and source the rest yourself!
welcome to the forum,and if you need anyn extra advice feel free to ask.
other options id consider would be aries/stm or raw
or if buying built,a used westfield
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Opirun
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| posted on 31/3/13 at 05:12 PM |
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Thanks so much for your post Daniel. I really appreciate your suggestions. Simply a personal choice, I prefer the look of the chassis options I
suggested. Nothing at all against MNR, they seems like a great kit car supplier and I am glad you had a good experience with them (nice blog btw
 ).
I didn't realise that the R1 would be a cost contender against the blade? Also, I am not sure how much I would save on going for a carbed option
(not sure if anyone has any ideas on this). However, I would be more than happy to go for a carb option, as budget is key for me at the moment.
Thanks again.
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daniel mason
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| posted on 31/3/13 at 05:25 PM |
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not trying to push them but have you seen the mnr chassis? quality of finish is very very good.
the carbed R1 (2001 5jj are 150bhp i think,) i had one in an mnr. the injected engines produced more power but need ecu,power commander etc and
generally more expensive to but. although andy bates from AB performance has an rr5 blade motor for sale complete at £800. look in for sale section as
its cheap
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mac1ZR
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| posted on 31/3/13 at 05:25 PM |
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Mac#1 with ZX10r. Don't choose anything else, especially if you need assistance with any part of the build, they are very helpful with all
aspects
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SausageArm
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| posted on 31/3/13 at 06:04 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by mac1ZR
Mac#1 with ZX10r. Don't choose anything else, especially if you need assistance with any part of the build, they are very helpful with all
aspects
I built one of these as my first kit car, they're a good pair of lads to talk to and deal with, pop in for a chat prior to buying, have a look
around and see what you think would be my advice, but I've not met anyone with a bad word to say.
If you want more build info I've got a start to finish build thread you could read/look at.
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Opirun
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| posted on 31/3/13 at 07:52 PM |
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daniel mason, how easy was it to adapt the R1 carbed engine to the MNR?
mac1ZR, SausageArm, Thanks, I had not considered the Mac#1, no idea on price compared to Tiger, MK and GBS Zero, I have to request for a price list,
which I will do.
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norm007
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| posted on 31/3/13 at 08:27 PM |
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Where abouts are you Opirun???
I ask as a mate of mine has a badly crashed Fireblade in his garage.
I cant see him wanting a load of money for it.
The engine survived along with all the electrics that you would need.
He is in Knotingly near Pontefract
Something about this, so very wrong.....I have to laugh out loud, I wish I didn`t like this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Opirun
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| posted on 31/3/13 at 08:41 PM |
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I am in Leicester. Thanks norm007, I will keep this in mind if I decide to go with the Fireblade.
By the way I am not sure of the forum rules, can we post in different groups in the forum, e.g. posting in the chassis section, to ask about chassis
recommendations for my project, etc.
Thanks
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mac1ZR
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| posted on 31/3/13 at 08:55 PM |
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Have a ride up to Sheffield, and talk directly to Mark and Colin at Mac 1, top blokes!
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mookaloid
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| posted on 31/3/13 at 08:57 PM |
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Forum rules are quite relaxed here so post away
A major thing to consider when choosing your chassis particularly for a first time build is that you want the manufacturer of the kit to be
geographically near to you as you will probably want to call in for advice and collect parts quite regularly
"That thing you're thinking - it wont be that."
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Opirun
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| posted on 31/3/13 at 09:10 PM |
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quote:
Have a ride up to Sheffield, and talk directly to Mark and Colin at Mac 1, top blokes!
I would like to find out if this will be out of my budget, can seem to find prices online. Guess I will have to wait until later on in the week to
find out 
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ReMan
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| posted on 31/3/13 at 09:32 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Opirun
quote:
Have a ride up to Sheffield, and talk directly to Mark and Colin at Mac 1, top blokes!
I would like to find out if this will be out of my budget, can seem to find prices online. Guess I will have to wait until later on in the week to
find out
I'm in Leicestershire, Fire blades a good start, I'd ask what the posters mate wants for it......?
But dont double post the same qustions in each forum as they all look the same when theyre on the front page 
Might even wash an drive mine tomorrow, whereabouts are you?
www.plusnine.co.uk
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Steve
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| posted on 31/3/13 at 09:48 PM |
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Hi norm007 I'm in ponte and looking for a bike engine how much does your mate want??
Sorry or jumping in opirun
Cheers steve
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Opirun
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| posted on 31/3/13 at 10:04 PM |
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ReMan,
Thanks, what's you experience been with the combination of the fireblade and MK Indy? Is your engine carbed or fuel injected? I am in the east
side of the city. Hope the weather will be good for you tomorrow, nice way to spend the bank holiday 
norm007, No problem, go ahead if you get a deal you are looking for , even if I did go for the fireblade, I would first look at something a little
closer to home
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ReMan
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| posted on 31/3/13 at 10:13 PM |
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Old '92carbed blade, been as good as gold , if not a bit tired now.
MK are fine all things considered, as a budget motor,
I'm no driving god
They're better/quicker than me and most others
[Edited on 31/3/13 by ReMan]
www.plusnine.co.uk
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HappyFather
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| posted on 31/3/13 at 10:42 PM |
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If you're on a budget, also consider an Aries Locoblade. The site: www.ariesmotorsport.co.uk
Aries is just 30 miles away from you, north through M1, near Ilkeston.
In terms of budget, it is in line with MK, Mac#1. I can't compare with Tiger nor GBS Zero because I didn't check those at the time. It is
cheaper than MNR. And Steve, the man behind Aries, gives stellar support during the build!
In terms of engine, Blades are probably cheaper than R1, but the big difference is carbs or injection. Carbs will be cheaper because you can use the
bike's ancillaries, if you go injection you may need to buy a custom management system and then get the car on the rollers to configure it
properly.
Also, a pre-1994 carb'ed engine does not need a catalyst for IVA, any engine after that will require one and have stricter emission rules.
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Opirun
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| posted on 1/4/13 at 03:50 PM |
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Thanks HappyFather,
I will put them on my list to check out and contact.
quote:
Also, a pre-1994 carb'ed engine does not need a catalyst for IVA, any engine after that will require one and have stricter emission rules.
How difficult would it be to pass regulations on the later models?
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HappyFather
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| posted on 1/4/13 at 06:27 PM |
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It is not difficult. It just requires tuning the engine at a rolling road shop with proper equipment. Because besides having a catalytic thing on the
car, you also have to set up the electronics to behave according to what sensors feed it. So that emissions are below the required levels.
I believe (from reading around) that people even have two maps configured on a rolling road session: 1) for IVA and MOT, that offers less power but
has lower emissions; 2) for track and fun use. The driver/builder can change the maps at home with just a laptop connected to the car.
I just pointed out the fact because if you are on a budget, going for an old engine saves you money on the engine, on the auxiliary stuff (cat, ECU),
and on the rolling road. The downside being less powerful engines and less green engines.
Cheers,
HappyFather
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norm007
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| posted on 2/4/13 at 02:12 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Steve
Hi norm007 I'm in ponte and looking for a bike engine how much does your mate want??
Sorry or jumping in opirun
Cheers steve
U2U sent
Something about this, so very wrong.....I have to laugh out loud, I wish I didn`t like this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Opirun
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| posted on 2/4/13 at 04:38 PM |
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Just wondering if anyone has undertaken, seen or know of a GBS zero with a bike engine? I haven't seen many about in the research so far.
Thanks.
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AndyW
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| posted on 2/4/13 at 05:12 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Opirun
Just wondering if anyone has undertaken, seen or know of a GBS zero with a bike engine? I haven't seen many about in the research so far.
Thanks.
Not doing a bike engine, but the factory have. I have seen the chassis on a prior visit. Ring them, ask for Richard and he will tell all!!
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theduck
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| posted on 2/4/13 at 06:30 PM |
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Go to stoneleigh, visit all the manufacturers and talk to them, try to ignore the sales rubbish and get down to the service and the product. For me,
if buying a new kit, there is only 1 option.
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Opirun
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| posted on 2/4/13 at 07:12 PM |
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Thanks theduck, thats one of the reasons I am here, I have been to the recent kit car show, had the sales.... 'material', now I need the
real stuff
quote:
For me, if buying a new kit, there is only 1 option.
Oh you are leaving us in suspense, what is it?
P.S why am I still "unverified" after 30 odd posts ? Is it because I am just a kit car building wannabe at this stage?
[Edited on 2/4/13 by Opirun]
[Edited on 2/4/13 by Opirun]
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theduck
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| posted on 2/4/13 at 07:21 PM |
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Haha. Sorry I didn't mean to leave it like that. I'd buy an mnr. From the research I did they were by far the best quality kit with the
best level of service. Also the 'cheaper' kits would end up costing just as much if not more to build then the MNRs.
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