Board logo

Ease of Build
EasyJimbo - 21/8/08 at 11:59 AM

Easy of Build

Hi I am considering an Indy alongside the Avon and zero from GBS as my first build, can you tell me how easy these are to build and what support in the form of manuals and backup you get in doing this. I am new to this and so want to make sure I know what I am taking on up front.
thanks
James

martyn_16v - 21/8/08 at 12:28 PM

The 'manual' is four sides of A4, but to be honest I've not looked at it since it was handed to me. It's not really all that difficult, and the tricky bits are going to be the same no matter what you build really.

There are dozens of MK builders on here, you'd be really hard pressed to come up with a problem that someone else hasn't been through and solved before.

TimC - 21/8/08 at 12:59 PM

From what I've read (no experience of building any but I did own a MK and pulled most of it apart at one stage or another) I would think that the uneven Avon bodywork makes it tough and GBS have a reputation for requiring a lot of fettling. Therefore, of the three I'd pick MK, although (assuming from the options you've listed that you're working to a budget) I'd also consider Aries Motorsport and the MNR Vortx RT.

jabbahutt - 21/8/08 at 01:04 PM

The indy manual is pretty poor from a novice's point of view (i.e mine) though every problem or question I've had has been either answered or found on this forum. The photos are particularly useful.

Apart from that the Indy kit is good quality and goes together well. No real bodywork issues except the rear tub but that is well covered here.

Good luck with what ever you build.
Nigel

eznfrank - 21/8/08 at 01:08 PM

This is my first build (Indy and it's going together really well, have a look at hellfires site for the Indy which is a much more comprehensive how to guide than you'll get from MK. And as above if you're ver stuck someone on here will know the answer.....usually in a few minutes.

RK - 21/8/08 at 01:11 PM

I just want to emphasise the fact that a relative novice cannot build one of these on a tight budget. It will necessarily involve extra costs that the home fabricator/mechanic doesn't incur. So I would check the completeness of any kit, and get the most in it you can. It will save time and cash in the long run if you do. It is a pain in the bum to go looking for parts all the time.

Bluemoon - 21/8/08 at 01:19 PM

Being close to the manufacture can be a bonus for advice

EasyJimbo - 21/8/08 at 02:22 PM

Thanks for the replies guys..DO you know if youcan buy the donor parts from MK as being a novice I was worried I would struggle to get these and woulr prefer to buy these from MK, GBS offer this service. The zero looks a much better model than the previous Robin Hood cars.. so I think it is between the MK and Zero at the moment.

EasyJimbo - 21/8/08 at 02:23 PM

Could you post the link for helfires site so I can take a look

[Edited on 21/8/08 by EasyJimbo]

PAUL FISHER - 21/8/08 at 02:30 PM

Here you go.

http://hellfire.locostsites.co.uk/

PAUL FISHER - 21/8/08 at 02:35 PM

Also MK can supply all your doner parts,or you can use as I always have done,John at a company called,"kit fit",01522778877,he supplys all sierra doner parts,either just cleaned or recondition,or new,beats crawling round scrap yards unless you like that sort of thing.

Stuart_B - 21/8/08 at 02:39 PM

quote:
Originally posted by EasyJimbo
Thanks for the replies guys..DO you know if youcan buy the donor parts from MK as being a novice I was worried I would struggle to get these and woulr prefer to buy these from MK, GBS offer this service. The zero looks a much better model than the previous Robin Hood cars.. so I think it is between the MK and Zero at the moment.


hi, i am building my first kit car and i went for the mk in the end but there build manual is not good, so i ask questions and use the search button if i am stuck. i am 16 trunning 17 soon and my mk is nearly done.

you can buy all the parts i think from mk, the pricelist is on there website if not you can try ebay or get a donnor car.

as well i have not been up to mk since i picked up the kit and that was the first time as well, as it take 3-4 hours for me to get there, so being close to the factory would really help as well.

good luck what ever kit car you chose to build

stuart

eddbaz - 21/8/08 at 02:47 PM

The indy i'm in the process of building is my first kit,it has gone together really easily, any time I have phones mk for advise they have been only too willing to help as have the members on this forum, there are some excellent photo archives showing all stages of the indy build, it is deffinately a kit I would recommend for a first timer.

stuart_g - 21/8/08 at 03:10 PM

I would go for the MK out of the two. I have experience of GBS, I'll say no more.

Stuart_B - 21/8/08 at 03:13 PM

quote:
Originally posted by stuart_g
I would go for the MK out of the two. I have experience of GBS, I'll say no more.


i have orderd a wiring loom from gbs it took 2 month's to come with no instruction's and it was different to the one i has ment to of brought.

if i did not have that trouble i would have been finshed now.

stuart

DRC INDY 7 - 21/8/08 at 06:16 PM

MK all the way dont touch a GBS aka robin hood they are what they are cheap and very nasty

lotusmadandy - 21/8/08 at 07:05 PM

i bought an indy and it was my first kit,i found it really easy to build even though the build manual just covers the basics.
all the brackets and mounts are welded on in exactly the right place and mk are only too happy to help anytime you call.

mk will get my vote everytime.dont buy a gbs, my mate is building one and it is hard work.nothing fits and whenever he buys anything it is out of stock.

Andy