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Build or buy
JamJah - 14/2/04 at 07:47 PM

Hi guys,
I am not sure whether to buy or build a chassis. I can see the benefits of buying, cheap and hopefully safe, but don’t want to feel like I am copping out of a major part of ‘my baby’s infancy'!
I’ve been advised (thanks to all the guys at NFLG. I’ll be back next month!), that a longer length frame would be more comfortable as I’m 6ft2. (and well the extra bodging /stretching /compacting room for building /driving / hitting a tree room is always handy anyway!). I guess most companies would be happy to build this, even if it is for a few extra notes, but who makes good frames? Whose have proved to be strong and has good service.
Also what are people’s thoughts on a full roll cage? ie goes up and over driver. I quite like the sporty look of them. Something I have thought about is somehow incorporating the front stays to how the windscreen. Not sure how Id do it yet or how structurally sound it would be.
These are only a few thoughts. Probably sound be in Exterior too, but hey, here now!


Viper - 14/2/04 at 08:03 PM

Build or buy the choice is yours, if you are going to buy then take a look at MK, luego and stewart taylor all do good products at good prices, if you can weld and have access to all the equiptment then fabricating your own would be cheaper and some say more rewarding, personely i bought mine coz i couldn't be bothered to build one as i do that kind of stuff al day and didn't want to do it at home as well.by the way don't bother with the Tiger unless you are a masochist.
Tim


Mark Allanson - 14/2/04 at 10:46 PM

Are you a builder or a driver?

If a builder, go for it, build your own chassis and you will be finished in (av) 2 1/2 years.

If you are a driver, buy the most comprehensive kit you can get and you will be finished in 9 months. The initial cost will be more and the build may cost you 10% in the end, but you will be driving 2 years before me!

You will know the answer


robinbastd - 14/2/04 at 10:54 PM

You will know the answer ......................Follow Mark's advice. I did................and am buying a GTM Libra!


Graceland - 15/2/04 at 09:13 AM

built my own chassis for a few reasons :

1) i'm to tite to buy one
2) its mine so i know how i want it
3) i did all the work meself
4) i had a week off work and was bored.

also, i'm 6'2 and using a standard "book chassis" size - no problems now i've made pedalbox and can press the pedals as needed lol


Alez - 2/3/04 at 05:35 PM

Hi!

I just noticed that the Formula 27 chassis is not mentioned, plus the Tiger Avon is not getting very good karma (why?). Apart from these and the MK, Stuart Taylor, Luego Locost and MK Indy, I guess we are not missing anything in the true Locost arena?

Cheers,

Alex


quote:
Originally posted by Viper
Build or buy the choice is yours, if you are going to buy then take a look at MK, luego and stewart taylor all do good products at good prices, if you can weld and have access to all the equiptment then fabricating your own would be cheaper and some say more rewarding, personely i bought mine coz i couldn't be bothered to build one as i do that kind of stuff al day and didn't want to do it at home as well.by the way don't bother with the Tiger unless you are a masochist.
Tim


ned - 3/3/04 at 10:38 AM

don't forget our friendly de-dion based kit, by darren @ gts tuning...

Ned.


Alez - 3/3/04 at 11:00 AM

That's new to me!! Nice one.


Kitlooney1000 - 3/3/04 at 02:05 PM

Build it Jamie. much more satisfying. plus you then know everything will fit easier if you build it roung the engine and gearbox


JamJah - 3/3/04 at 02:16 PM

Scarey. Was just about to email you asking where you got your steel from. Parents dont know it yet but the back garden is a temporary location!


Kitlooney1000 - 3/3/04 at 02:27 PM

Try Halls and pickles in eastleigh (023 8065 1815 ), reasonable prices. and they let you raid there scrap bin for any other bits you need if you ask them


Dreckly - 4/3/04 at 02:41 AM

JamJah,

Sorry to be late at the party.
Just my 2 pennies worth.
I bought a GTS kit from GTS Tuning because I'd seen the demo chassis at the Exeter show.
I liked the idea of using standard length Sierra driveshafts, the DeDion was a neat set up and the oval front wishbones looked the part.
The chassis seemed well constructed and the fibreglass was exempliary.
I had my chassis made 4" longer in the cockpit so the only difference in body panels are the sides which are being lengthened accordingly by GTS.
They have also made a roll bar to my spec to comply with MSA regs, as posted in the GTS section.
For the price charged it wasn't worth dusting off my mig welder and I would still have needed to buy springs/shocks and bodywork if I had built my own chassis and these came with the deal.
HTH
Cheers. Ken.


Julian B - 4/3/04 at 08:07 AM

Dont forget the DAX by Dj Sportscars

You can have DeDeon, Irs and at the front if you go for a bike engine you can have their camber compensation system

They do a long wheel base option with a dropped floor for the tall amongst us. Also you can have a chassis built to take a Busa, Rover V8, crossflow or a pinto.

A class company with some very sorted products

Cheers