I need some inspiration to give me the motivation for the last push - to complete my GT1 - it's nearly been a year since I collected it, and I'm nearly there. Fingers crossed!

The reason I've posted is this - I never see a finished GT1 anywhere on the web except the lovely 'Canon Williams' car, and the black one MK built.

Does anyone have any photos of other cars either in construction or finished, or know of websites showing them? I'd love to see the results of other people's efforts!

This is especially important as there will be no more - the GT2 taking over now.

Also - any idea of how many MK made, so how exclusive our little GT1 club will be?

Cheers all,
Adam.

Here's some inspiration. Get it built so's you can come round to my house and take me out for a thrash in it!

For inspiration, go and have a ride in a Locost- preferably a BEC.

You'll be racing home to get on with it after that!

James

Thanks for the kick up the pants guys!

Birmingham to Peterborough - Hmmm - I'd better wait for the weather to brighten up before trying that - might get a bit chilly in a fingers dropping off kinda way!
Tell me a more interesting road than the A14 and I just might give it a go!

But seriously, I've had a few rides in BECs, (that's why I bought it!) so just need to steel myself for the long cold nights to come.

Still not seeing many photos of finished GT1s though!

Thanx,
Adam.

a good way to get motivation back is to simply tidy the garage, get lights and heaters put in. Then you can work late without freezing! I came in at 5 and it was already impossible to read the tape measure in the garage...

Adam, how far have you got on your build and have you took any pictures. The reason I am asking is that i have ordered a Gt2 and they are supposed to be really similar. How easy did you find the build without a manual etc?
Thanks.
Tony

Tony,
As a complete beginner, I found most of it pretty easy - aluminium, suspension, steering, diff & driveshafts, engine & box, etc.

The bits which I'm finding hardest are wiring (you can't use a standard loom as they're not available for all bike engines, and it's mid-engined) and getting an exhaust made (space is a bit tight in front of the engine block - the GT2 might have a bit more space if you're lucky), as well as a few bits having to be made or adapted rather than buying off the shelf (handbrake and throttle cable routing, etc).

I don't think the lack of a manual is an issue - it would have to be so thick to cover everything it would be enormous!

This forum is very useful - someone will have probably done what you're trying to do, and even asked about it already - so you can get the answer to most things.

If you send me your email address on u2u I'll send you a few photos - I'm no photographer so they're not great, and I don't know how educational they'll be, but you can have a look.

Anyway - give us the gossip - when are you getting your kit, and have you seen a prototype / photo / drawing or anything?

Regards,
Adam

[Edited on 4/11/03 by adampage]

Maybe we should organise another South Midlands meet again?? I'm sure it gave everyone a kick up the arse last time

That's probably a very good idea, but I am working away at the moment, and I think Mark is in France - a little bit busy.

Which of course slows down the building too!

Must make a note to free up a bit of time.

Adam.

Have mark and Alice not managed to get theirs on the road yet?

It's built, and MOT'd, but due to work not SVA'd yet.

I'm sure they won't be letting that situation last too long though!

Adam.

Adam, any chance of posting some of your build pictures in your archive or on the web somewhere?

Thanks,

Alan

Never thought of that!

I'll do it when I get back to my own PC - using another one today.

You not seen any others elsewhere then?

Adam.

Adam the gt2 will be wider with the cockpit a bit further forward and a different shaped body kit that comes up higher around the driver. I never thought of ground clearence so i will probably have to fabricate a new exhaust as well.
What type of seats have you used in your and how wide are they ?
Tony

I've put a few photos in the archive now - have a look.

To answer your question - being tall and long-legged I opted for MK's fibreglass seats - very thin, so I'm basically sitting flat on the floor - and more comfy than you'd think.

Re: the exhaust - I know a blackbird-engined car has the exhaust's slung underneath - it depends on the exact position of your engine and how the exhaust runs - on mine it would run right UNDER the sump - some run more 'alongside' the sump so you may be ok.

Adam

Adam,

Thanks, very inspiring for me....doesn't help you of course.....but thanks anyway.....

Anyway I need more inspiration..

http://www.desicodesign.com/meerkat/

Well at least i know how many rivets to buy for the floor pan
Did you get the brakes and pedal set of mk mate or did you source them from elsewhere?
The loom should be quite easy if its a carbs model mat unlike the busa which has about 170 cables and a umber of resistors which need to be soldered in for it to work

Rivets aplenty I'd say!

The pedals are indeed MK's own - but I have to say they're not the right shape for me (might just be my height causing issues though).

I find the brake is a bit short and the others have outer 'wings' for want of a better word which would be better off being flat - they'll be ok, but not quite perfect.

As regards loom - I must be easily confused as although you call it easy - it still foxes me!

Cheers,
Adam.

Adam it is a lot easier working from a proper manufacturers service manual for wiring than a haynes manual if thats any help mate. Have you got the engine loom seperate from the wiring loom?
The parts i am concerned about when i start the build are how to adapt the hydraulic clutch and where to rout the accelerator cable and loom (is there room down the side of the car and did you just adapt a universal cable.I think i will wait till i get the chasis before i start panicing though

Send andy some pics of your build so we can put them on the owners club website,link at bottom of page.

Also jon ison is in the middle of a GT1 build as we type,might be an idea to have a chat with him.He is in north derbyshire

Tony,
I only have the engine loom at the moment - was originally planning to simply extend in all directions, but then realised it was a teeny-weeny bit tricky.

Regards routing stuff - there's loads of space in the sidepods for wiring / cables / brake lines / etc.

When you say 'adapt' the hydraulic clutch - I have kept my hydraulic clutch and just bought a Wilwood m/c, and plumbed it the same as my brakes. Are you doing different?

Bob - never thought of that either - I'll have to send on a few pics. Blimey - so many things to update, people to tell - I do lose track.

Adam.

The master cylinder for the clutch is part of the lever.I would have to get a remote cylinder the same size wouldnt I?
Wiring is my good side mechanics aren't.
I have also just won a pair of seats from sports powerdrive which you mentioned before,are they any good and what else do they do because i will be picking them up on Saturday?

Tony,
You're right the m/c is part of the lever - but any old generic m/c will do the same job (i.e. squirt fluid in the clutch's direction) - therefore the easiest thing to do is buy the smallest integral m/c you can find (£30ish either Girling or Wilwood from any of the usual places - Demon Tweeks, Rally Design...) and plumb it in.

The only issue with it being too big is your pedal effort will be a bit weak - but there are always questions on here about how to remedy that - some sort of spring behind the pedal usually.

Don't know much about SPD - they started off preparing 7 replicas and have graduated into their own designs (Snake, RS200...) - so I'm going to give them a try. There was some hoohah about a car which went pop on the straight at a trackday - but it seems all was sorted out in the end.

Where you from - I might be popping over there Saturday morning - have you made an appointment or is it a 'drop-in' day?

Adam.

I am in Liverpool Mate but i bid on some seats on e-bay and won.I am collecting them on Saturday morning.
The problem with the busa clutch is i have heard if the clutch is pulled to far you can damage it so the master cylinder has to be pretty spot on.
I am looking round for brakes at the moment mate did you just used recon sierra callipers or did you buy new?

Didn't know that about the clutch - must look into that for mine.

Brakes - standard sierra XR4x4 all round, but with EBC spotted & grooved disks & green stuff pads on the front and twin Wilwood master cylinders with bias bar.

You the same or going for some sexy billet calipers and alloy bells?

Adam.

I am looking at all sorts mate. I am trying to get a set of ap racing for the right price , I am trying to use all new parts to avoid registering on a Q plate.Did you get the uprights of MK with the diff kit?

I did - in with the 'extra' kit I got the diff and all 'drivetrain', and front uprights.

I'd hate to be your bank manager - all new parts, including all the top names like AP must hurt the wallet!



[Edited on 6/11/03 by adampage]

No I am just planning on calling in a LOT of favours.
Did you use a quick rack as well or an sierra standard mate?

I have the standard sierra.

I would love a quick rack, but there are several questions and answers on here to the effect that you can't get 'em.

They appear as items in all of the catalogues, but when you try to order one - no luck. Apparently a machine broke at Quaife, who seem to be the only manufacturer in the world.

Therefore no luck. There were rumours that they might consider fixing said machine if they got a bulk order - surely there're enough of us MK drivers / builders to make up an order?!

Anyway, let me know if you have a secret stash - i'll definitely have one.

Adam.

I thought rally design did a quick rack for the sierra.

http://www.raldes.co.uk

[Edited on 6/11/03 by bob]

I didn't explain properly in my previous post - they do indeed appear in Rally design, Demon Tweeks, and many others, but you can't actually get one.

There were a few posts on here a while ago of people trying only to be told that the machine had broken and that they couldn't place an order as there was no planned repair date of said machine.

If you find out different let us know!

Cheers,
Adam.

Same problems with the quick rack mate. Westfield put them in their mega range so maybe they could be a source unless they get them from quaiffe. How many would be a bulk order anyway?

I don't think the Westfield is a Sierra rack. I'm not sure, but I would guess it's either Escort mk1/2 based, or bespoke.

I don't know what they meant by bulk - I have a vague memory of 50 being mentioned - seemed a bit high to me, but I'm sure they would sell.

I must have a look for the old posts on this very subject.

Adam.