andyboy
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| posted on 18/11/09 at 12:51 PM |
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Advice please :-)
Hi all,
It's my first post here so be gentle 
Been thinking about starting a big project for a while, and after me and my coursemate spent yesterday drooling over Caterhams and crying over the
prices, I thought a bit more seriously about making my own car.
I've spent a while reading what I can find on the internet, and have ordered the Gibbs book - can't wait to give it a read.
How does the design of this car compare to other locost-style cars?
I'm 6'6" - How easy/possible is it to modify the chassis to fit me?
While I have good general engineering skills, I've never welded before. I'm thinking of either taking a course, or buying a pre-made
chassis. Either way, I'm prepared to take the time to get my skills up to scratch and do a proper job. Thoughts?
How easy is it to make the car suitable for more general use? (hood, maybe even heating??)
Any other advice?
Bear in mind this idea is still a pipe dream, I'm just trying to get some advice before I do something silly or bite off more than I can
chew....
Thanks!
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tegwin
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| posted on 18/11/09 at 01:00 PM |
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This is the entire point of building your own car...
If you want something specific, or you have an idea... you CAN ACHIVE IT!
Simply extending the chassis or relocating the pedal box etc could give you extra space internally.... and yes, building a roof, hard or soft top is
not difficult if you think things through..
If I were you I would buy myself a DECENT MIG welder and learn to use it.... Haynes do a pretty good book..... Once you are happy with the welds,
then order the steel and build the chassis..... 
Good luck
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Would the last person who leaves the country please switch off the lights and close the door!
www.verticalhorizonsmedia.tv
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Mr Whippy
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| posted on 18/11/09 at 01:06 PM |
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Do searches on manufacturer’s names on this forum to get an indication of their supply reliability before ordering kits
Quite a few folk are selling up at the moment and often you'll see chassis etc up for sale which might be worth buying to save time
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Steve G
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| posted on 18/11/09 at 01:09 PM |
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Welcome to the lunatic asylum. As said there's plenty you can do to make the car to fit yourself - move the pedal box, thinner seat etc. I
wouldnt try to go too far though - and unless you're a gymnast then i think you are going to have real issues getting in a se7en with a roof on
(think it'll be like trying to post yourself into the postbox )!!
These cars arent much fun to drive in the wet at all and personally i wouldnt try and build it to use as a daily driver / general car. Keep is as a
toy / 2nd car
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speedyxjs
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| posted on 18/11/09 at 01:25 PM |
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6'6 is nothing. There are some pretty lanky people on here and alot of them have standard cars.
My car is based on the Haynes roadster (the one to build imho). Im 5'9 and have to have the seat quite far forward to reach the pedals! 
ETA - Maybe someone closer to you could let you sit in their car to check the size? I dont think it will be a problem thoug.h
[Edited on 18-11-09 by speedyxjs]
How long can i resist the temptation to drop a V8 in?
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MikeR
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| posted on 18/11/09 at 01:57 PM |
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I'm 6'3" and fit in the standard ron champion chassis ok. The gibbs (newer book) version is bigger so you should be fine.
Make your own seat - don't buy one and you'll find you probably have to move a bit closer to the pedals!
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jacko
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| posted on 18/11/09 at 02:10 PM |
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Welcome to the mad house
all you will need to know is on here
if stuck just ASK
Jacko
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coozer
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| posted on 18/11/09 at 02:14 PM |
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Agriv8 is a big tall guy and has a V8 in his, 2 challenges there that were overcome..
1972 V8 Jago
1980 Z750
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blakep82
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| posted on 18/11/09 at 02:43 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Mr Whippy
Do searches on manufacturer’s names on this forum to get an indication of their supply reliability before ordering kits
ha ha definitely 
________________________
IVA manual link http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/detail?type=RESOURCES&itemId=1081997083
don't write OT on a new thread title, you're creating the topic, everything you write is very much ON topic!
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andyboy
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| posted on 18/11/09 at 03:10 PM |
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Thanks for the support :-)
Now two more questions:
Are there any locost owners in the South Wales area??
How long have people taken to make their cars?
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Staple balls
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| posted on 18/11/09 at 03:16 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by andyboy
How long have people taken to make their cars?
How long's a piece of string?
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MikeR
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| posted on 18/11/09 at 03:26 PM |
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9 years and still building
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speedyxjs
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| posted on 18/11/09 at 03:35 PM |
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If i get mine done by feb, 3 yrs (hopefully)
How long can i resist the temptation to drop a V8 in?
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blakep82
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| posted on 18/11/09 at 03:42 PM |
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bought my chassis in 2003...
________________________
IVA manual link http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/detail?type=RESOURCES&itemId=1081997083
don't write OT on a new thread title, you're creating the topic, everything you write is very much ON topic!
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l0rd
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| posted on 18/11/09 at 04:48 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by andyboy
Thanks for the support :-)
How long have people taken to make their cars?
How many needles does a train wagon full of steel produce?
In other words
From a couple of months to never completed
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l0rd
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| posted on 18/11/09 at 04:49 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by MikeR
9 years and still building
You should be banned from the forum until you finish it
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Tatey
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| posted on 18/11/09 at 05:12 PM |
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Im currently building a haynes roadster. Im 6'6" and i fit into one with ease, there is someone 6'10" building one, so im sure
we'll fit . I started making mine back into july, i've nearly finished the chassis ready for it to be fully welded by myself (i had
never touched a MIG welder before i started my weld, but picked it up quickly).
Im hopefully going to be finishing mine by the start of the summer, funds allowing of course. Are you a member of the Haynes Roadster forum?
http://www.haynes.co.uk/forums/index.php
Lots of very friendly and knowledgeable members on there. Chris Gibbs also posts quite frequently.
[Edited on 18/11/09 by Tatey]
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andyboy
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| posted on 19/11/09 at 01:46 PM |
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Thanks for all the advice! I'm now on the Haynes Roadster forum too.
Been reading more on the project, and not yet been put off, so looks like it's still going to happen
Now I know this subject has been done to death, and it's not really the right forum, but I just want to make sure I get this right before I
start anything...
As far as I am aware, the Gibbs book uses a Sierra engine with a type 9 gearbox. I've seen that a good route to go down is use a sierra 1.8 CVH
engine, and after passing the SVH, switch it for a zetec.
Is it better to follow the plans, fit a type 9, and convert it for the zetec afterwards?
Or, fit a MT75 to start with along with the CVH, and then switching to zetec?
How much work is involved with each combination of engine and gearbox? Any advice would be much appreciated.
Andy.
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RK
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| posted on 20/11/09 at 01:28 PM |
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If funds are an issue, buy one second hand and rip it apart and rebuild it as you like. This is the cheapest option for 90% of the people doing it
(professional mechanics/engineers excepted), unless you want to take 6 years doing it.
I would love it if this were proven to be false!
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andyboy
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| posted on 20/11/09 at 02:20 PM |
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The Book finally arrived today, pretty excited! Will give it a good read and plan my dream car....
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