Hiya guys,

Having partly stripped my donor I've come to the conclusion that it's past resurrecting. This being the case I have a decision to make and was hoping you lovely lot would help me make it.

The way I see it I have two options...

Option 1)
I get myself a new donor and strip it for parts.

Pro's: All the parts needed to hand and probably cheaper.

Con's: Very limited for space so would have to strip then build. Hassell of getting rid of donor after stripping. Potential probs getting the donor (if a non runner) to my house as I don't have a trailer.

Option 2)

Buy the parts I need seperately on fleabay and from scrappy.

Pro's: Can get the parts as and when I need them for the build. Can get straight on with the build.

Con's: Possible delay getting parts, More expensive?

So what do you think I should do?

For the record I wanna use a zetec lump and most of the tranmission from a FWD mondeo and utilise it in a mid engine configeration. I should also point out that as I'm a student and only work part time I am working to a budget.

You will buy a cheap mondeo with short t&t that you could legally drive home for not a lot of money.


Ive got a guy that takes my scrap same day no questions asked. I dont get anything for it but there is NO hassell.

Ring around the local scrap metal dealers and ask them if they are interested in the shell etc when you have stripped it. If they'll collect then get yourself a runner as you at least get to confirm the condition of the bits you need.

Last thing you want is a shell and then have to pay for it to be collected rather than maybe being paid.

With the current prices of scrap metal you should get people fighting to take the shell away. I would get myself a donor if I were you. Ebay is far too much hassle and individual parts too expensive unless you are just buying the odd bit here and there. You could also make a few quid selling a few bits off the donor that you dont need.

Ok next question...

Assuming I get another donor what are the best zetec's to look for? Remember I'm on a tight budget.

I know that there are 5 versions (to date) of the zetec as well as the Zeta... which would you go for?

Personally i'd go for a post 99 2L blacktop. OK, you will need to meet tougher SVA emmissions requirements by going for an engine newer than Aug 95 but the later engines have mechanical tappets rather than the hydraulic ones and bigger valves. The easy route for emmisions though is to go for a pre Aug 95 engine.

Have a look here if you havent already