Mike400
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| posted on 22/6/07 at 09:37 AM |
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MK Indy - whats it like?
Hi all, im new to the site.
Ive wanted to build a kit car for years, and now im finally getting to the stage where I can get the ball rolling.
Im hoping to start building my garage this summer so I wont be starting my kit build untill next year at the earliest.
After a lot of research, I think a MK Indy is what im after. The kit looks well, and is very keenly priced if you go for the basic option.
The idea of bike power is very appealing, for the noice, high rpm etc, but im thinking of going down the zetec route as I feel that would make the car
more useable, and the build itself a bit cheaper.
After a lot of thought I wish to keep the zetec as standard, i.e standard induction system, standard ford ECU etc, as I feel that will make the
initial build cheaper and easier, and leave me room to save for a future carb conversion once the car is on the road.
My birthday is coming up and ive dropped a few hints about the "build your own sportscar" book (haynes) to give me something to read in
the meantime!
Any advice? as the indy seems very orientated towards the bike engine, would I be better looking elsewhere?
So to summarise, here are my requirements:
* Easy(ish) build for a newcomer with some mechanical experience
* Kit will work well with zetec power
* No need for chrome or fancy details, I want a stripped down race look, although ill be using it for the road
* Cheap build!
Thanks, Mike 
[Edited on 22/6/07 by Mike400]
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StevieB
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| posted on 22/6/07 at 09:54 AM |
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Indy is a fairly easy build and there's plenty of people who've finished them, so loads of adivice to be had 9though most se7ens are 95%
the same anyway in terms of the problems you'll experience).
And there's nothing unuseable about bike power - you can easilt live without reverse gear and if you honestly can't, then you can get a
reverse function anyway.
Don't forget there are plenty alternatives to the Indy too - MNR, Raw and Sylva riot are all worth a look if you want a proper racer feel.
Whatever you choose, there's always loads of advice on here.
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Mike400
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| posted on 22/6/07 at 10:14 AM |
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Thanks for the fast reply!
I def want to go for a se7en style car.
The only thing putting me off bike power is the expense of a decent engine? you can pick up a mondeo with a reasonable zetec lump for little cash.
But then the more I think about it, the more I would prefer a bike engine, for the 6 speed sequential box, the noise and the lightweight.
The way I look at it, a kit is a car you build with your heart, so youd be selling yourself short if you didnt push for the spec you wanted.
But at the end of the day my wallet will more than likely dictate the powertrain, and a zetec even in standard tune would push any se7en along rightly
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tomblyth
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| posted on 22/6/07 at 10:30 AM |
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Keep your eye on ebay talk to all bike breakes in your area any 1000cc+ bike engine thats water cooled will fit and be faster than anything you have
driven on the road before, go for a less popular engine but get all the running gear, you can pick up a pan 1100 engine with running gear for under
£400 and thats over 100 bhp so you could have 200bhp/ton
see ebay Item number: 8077008966
and thats a dealer so my be cheaper private
look for ZZr11's, X1's CBR1100 things which were sports tourers !
[Edited on 22/6/07 by tomblyth]
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Paul M
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| posted on 22/6/07 at 10:43 AM |
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Dont forget, with a bike engine you can drop in a low mileage unit complete with 6 speed sequentail g/box, on a cheap zetec engine, you could have a
unit that has done over 100K miles, will need a clutch, clutch release bearing and RWD gearbox sourcing before you can fit it. Most people change the
induction system as well so you are looking at £1000 for a carb system or £1500-2000 for a MBE/Emerald throttle body injection system
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Mike400
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| posted on 22/6/07 at 10:52 AM |
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never thought of looking at less popular engines!
Another issue for me might be insurance though. Would a zetec kit be any cheaper to insure than a BEC (im getting with the lingo!) as im 23?
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Mike400
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| posted on 22/6/07 at 10:56 AM |
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Good point on the induction, clutch etc.
So in a lot of ways a cheap zetec could be a false economy, although like ive mentioned if I was running a zetec it would be as standard till I could
afford carbs etc.
Glad I signed up here! Ive a while to go before buying the kit, but best to get these things ironed out now!
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nick205
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| posted on 22/6/07 at 11:12 AM |
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I think you'll find difficulties getting the standard Zetec induction system to fit without modifying it substantially. The popular route at
the moment seems to be fitting a set of bike carbs, which can be picked up cheaply, and using a Megajolt ignition set-up to control the sparks. Even
this has costs associated as you'll need a custom inlet manifold to mout the bike carbs.
The long and short is that there are costs associated with whatever route you choose and there will always be some modifying to carry out. The good
news is that most bits are readily available and the help you'll find on here is almost unbounded.
On the MK Indy, I have built one and I am very happy with the result. The best advice I can give is to visit the various manufacturers MK, MAC#1,
MNR, Tiger etc and choose by your experiences. It's also worth considering the manufacturer nearest to you as you may need/want to visit a
number of times during the buld.
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Hellfire
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| posted on 22/6/07 at 11:38 AM |
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Hi Mike, you're looking in the right place. The MK Indy isn't orientated to the bike engine. You can fit almost whatever engine you want.
If you like the idea of fitting a bike engine, then go for it from the start, you'll be disappointed if you don't. You can save a few
hundred pounds on stuff like wheels etc but make sure you get the bike engine you want.
Have a read of our build and rebuild diaries, it will give you some idea of how easily a bike engine MK goes together.
And lastly, welcome to the nuthouse.
Phil
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Mike400
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| posted on 22/6/07 at 11:40 AM |
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The main problem for me is that I live in Northern Ireland, so if I need anything from the manufacturer, its not just a case of jumping in the car.
Its a big commitment for me, hence the need to start planning now - even transporting the kit over here is going to be a slight headache.
Its the same with all the other bits and peices most of you can buy on ebay and collect, so I need to source as much as possible locally.
So If I can spend the rest of the year sorting as much as possible before buying the kit, I should be able to get problems down to a minimum.
Its looking more and more like there wont be much price difference with a bike engine, which im secretly pleased about as thats what my heart wants in
the car.
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donut
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| posted on 22/6/07 at 11:43 AM |
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I have built 2 and they are easy to build.
Andy
When I die, I want to go peacefully like my Grandfather did, in his sleep -- not screaming, like the passengers in his car.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/andywest1/
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Mike400
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| posted on 22/6/07 at 11:46 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Hellfire
Have a read of our build and rebuild diaries, it will give you some idea of how easily a bike engine MK goes together.
Phill - I think ive read every page on your website! very nice build and your site has went a long way to confirming what I want from my own build
I just want to thank you all for responding so quickly, its so refreshing to see so much enthusiasm from you all
Mike
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Hellfire
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| posted on 22/6/07 at 12:01 PM |
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Mike, I believe MK's Irish agents were/are Kits n Klassics.
Might be worth looking them up and could save you unnecessary trips over the water.
Phil
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Paul TigerB6
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| posted on 22/6/07 at 12:04 PM |
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quote:
The only thing putting me off bike power is the expense of a decent engine? you can pick up a mondeo with a reasonable zetec lump for little
cash.
But then the more I think about it, the more I would prefer a bike engine, for the 6 speed sequential box, the noise and the lightweight.
The way I look at it, a kit is a car you build with your heart, so youd be selling yourself short if you didnt push for the spec you wanted.
Well I sold a ZX9R engine kit to Brad (Roadrunner on here) for £400 and Yorkshire Engines recently advertised one on here for £650 so bike engines are
soooo cheap really.
Just ask Brad how he feels about bike engined Indy compared to car (tuned Pinto) engined Indyas he did the conversion very recently.
I built a Zetec engined Tiger prior to my current BEC so know the expense and recon the Bike Engine is the cheaper option - a modified sump could set
you back £200 for starters and you also need a Sierra gearbox as well as the engine.
Sounds like you are 90% convinced that bike engine is the way to go anyway - you know it makes sense!! 
PS for sensible power / cost - go for a carbed R1
[Edited on 22/6/07 by Paul TigerB6]
[Edited on 22/6/07 by Paul TigerB6]
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adithorp
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| posted on 22/6/07 at 12:05 PM |
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10 mounths ago I was going for a Zetec as I know the engine well. I was steering clear of bike engines as I wasn't familiar with them. Then I
had a ride in a BEC!
Plans changed within 5 mins'!!!
Adrian
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Mike400
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| posted on 22/6/07 at 01:19 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Hellfire
Mike, I believe MK's Irish agents were/are Kits n Klassics.
Thanks again, checked their website and they can supply the basic indy kit (what I want) for EUR2900, which works out at £1900, whilst £300 more than
what MK advertise it for, its certainly cheaper overall when considering how much it would cost me to get it back myself.
Interestingly, they have the build manual on their website so im gonna print it and use it as a starter to help me gather up the bits and peices I
will need.
I think im pretty much converted on bike engines now.
All that remains is for me to get this garage built!
Wont take much as Ill be building it between the neaighbours garage and my gable, and my workshop is to the rear. So I've 3 walls there already.
Just gonna build a concrete base, a metal frame to support the roof and the up and over door, and a normal size entry door at the rear.
My exsiting "workshop" is 6m x 2m, which while small, contains my bench, tools, shelving etc. This will form part of the rear wall of the
garage, and ill use it for storage, engine work that sort of thing. My boiler is in there, and its a concrete structure with concrete roof so its
always cosy warm. That will leave the garage itself clutter free. Well thats untill the wife discovers it, and starts filling it with crap!!
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ReMan
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| posted on 22/6/07 at 01:25 PM |
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6x2 ! Luxury!!
Bear in mind that if you'r tight for space and you have good self control, you can leave off most of the suspension wheels and wings until the
last 5% of the build, put the chassis on stands or a trolley to get round it.
Good luck.
BEC, you know it makes sense
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Mike400
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| posted on 22/6/07 at 01:33 PM |
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Yea the workshop is "cosy" lol
Thats 6 metres by 2 metres now!
The garage is going to be 3.1 Metres wide by 7 metres long. So while average sized, it should give me plenty of room to work round the car.
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whitestu
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| posted on 22/6/07 at 01:44 PM |
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A zetec needn't be expensive - Megajolt and bike carbs is a fairly cheap solution.
Having said that I'd go for bike power if I didn't need reverse to get my car in and out of my garage / drive.
The Indy is dead easy to build.
Stu
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Mike400
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| posted on 22/6/07 at 01:50 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by whitestu
Having said that I'd go for bike power if I didn't need reverse to get my car in and out of my garage / drive.
Reverse doesnt really bother me. Ive thought about it and thought about it but keep coming back to the conclusion that a BEC isnt gonna weigh much, so
pushing it out of the drive wont bother me.
The car will be for fun - I commute on the train, and me and the missis share a car the rest of the time, so the indy will probably sit in the garage
most of the time.
Sure it adds to the race feel lol!!!
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whitestu
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| posted on 22/6/07 at 01:57 PM |
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If I could push mine out I would!
Having built the car in the garage, when the time came to get it down the drive I discovered it didn't really fit.
After loads of messing about with ramps over next doors step and lots of going backwards and forwards I finally got the car out.
I've chopped the gate post down and can now get the car out OK, but if I had to push, by the time I had got the car out it would be time to come
home again!
Cheers
Stu
[Edited on 22/6/07 by whitestu]
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Mike400
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| posted on 22/6/07 at 02:02 PM |
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Thankfully when my garage is finished, it will only be around 5 metres to the end of the driveway, which is 3.1 metres wide the whole way to the
road.
Pushing it in or out should be dead on methinks
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zxrlocost
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| posted on 22/6/07 at 02:17 PM |
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hi
a cost of a zetec over lets say a zx9r should have hardly any difference
I know which one Id have
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whitestu
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| posted on 22/6/07 at 03:31 PM |
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I would agree that chassis looked poorly welded [my MK chassis looks really well welded].
On the bodywork front, I've only built and Indy, so don't have anything to compare it with. To me the bodywork seemed to go on quite
easily.
Are the others much different?
I'm not trying to defend MK, and if I was building again I'd probably spend a bit more and get an MNR. However I'm very happy with
mine for what it cost to build.
Stu
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iscmatt
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| posted on 22/6/07 at 04:24 PM |
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my mk chassis from april last year is also well welded hasn't fallen to bits on my test drives 
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