Evening all,

I am hoping to start a first build this spring.

I'd originally planned a GKD Legend and I'd wanted to strip and refurb donor parts myself for learning purposes. However, last couple of months I'd been drawn heavily towards a BEC build - in particular an MNR Vortx or a MK Indy.

BEC would seem more complicated due to turning engine/gearbox around, mating to a diff and then having a loom which would probably too short. I'm thinking R1 to avoid the complication of a dry sump.

I'm not a mechanic - I've spent last few months stripping and rebuilding a zetec engine to see if I have the aptitude and staying power and I think it went ok with a lot of help from the people on here.

I can't weld (or rather I've never tried) and I've never done any fabrication - I don't have a lathe/compressor/welder or anything like that.

So my question is how many of you have built a working BEC as a first build from a similar starting point as me ?

Did you rebuild your engine or have you since you finished it ?

Is it likely to be too much or should I throw caution to the wind and worry about problems as and when they come up ?

Finally, what it's like finding spares for the bike bits ?

long post so thanks for reading
Paul

I did a BEC as my first build and I reckon it was easier than a CEC would have been - there's nothing more complicated about the build and the lightness of the engine makes life a whole load easier when to comes to installing the motor.

I'm building an R1, never done it before but don't think it's any harder than a car engine would be, probably easier in a lot of ways, no messing about trying to mate a different gearbox. Plenty of companies can sort the prop out. Reverse box is probably
biggest issue now with IVA but can be done for reasonably low cost (mine's cost about £200). Wiring loom is straightforward, just a case of lengthening some of the wires, & loads of help on here of course so no reason not to have a go.

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Originally posted by StevieB
I did a BEC as my first build and I reckon it was easier than a CEC would have been - there's nothing more complicated about the build and the lightness of the engine makes life a whole load easier when to comes to installing the motor.

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I also did a BEC as a first build and I too believe that they are probably more straighforward than a CEC. As noted above, a BEC comes with gearbox built in so you only have a single unit weighing about 60kg (in the case of a blade).

Can be a problem getting through emmisions at IVA but not unsurmountable.

You have probably identified the best kits for BEC, I would also add MAC#1, these should all be able help you with any queries.

Concerning welding etc. don't. worry as you won't. really need to do any with the above kits.

Just go for it.

HTH

Simon

+1

never built one before.

R1 in MNR - simples !!

was it worth it...., OH YES

GeorgeM

the cost of a bike engine/props/low diff/gearchange etc etc does add a whole chunk to the cost of a build over a bmw donor or other.

Just something to think about!

Thanks for the responses folks - that's certainly encouraged me further.

franky - good point re additional costs - I'll have to go back to my budget spreadsheets !!

I'm also not a mechanic, though car inclined

My first (and second) build was an MNR,
I wanted a full chassis / bodykit as I don't weld nor have the experience to do a proper fiberglass work.
Both are R1 engined (actually, they shared the same engine as the first car was crashed during a trackday)

Stay with a decent fabricator (MNR is good, others should also be considered) and everythinkg will be easier.
Go through a well known path (R1, busa, blade) with the correct manuals, and it will be easy.

Best of luck,
Joao

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Originally posted by pdm
Thanks for the responses folks - that's certainly encouraged me further.

franky - good point re additional costs - I'll have to go back to my budget spreadsheets !!

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IMHO BEC is easier than CEC. Main reason being size and the fact that the gearbox is built in to the engine. Also they are easy to set up and use.

I only had to weld a couple of cooling pipes when making my indy so you shouldn't have any problems there.

Go ahead and enjoy a BEC but remember to take your time and do it right first time.

pdm - you have a U2U...

Hi, I went the MNR route with a R1 engine for a first time build and id say we didnt use too much specialised equipment and when we did most of it was picked up usually from ebay or machine mart and did the job pretty well. With the brackets mnr make for the chassis its a fairly simple job to fit the drive train and engine especially as the bec lump can be lifted by 2 people easily. The whole build was definitely a challenge of my skills but its all worth it when its done. As for rebuilding engines i think if you buy from malc the majority are happy and have no complaints to use a second han engine straight away. If it does go bang i think most tend to replace rather than rebuild any way. The real difficult part of my build was getting the engine running as beneath the factory looking wire protection the wiring was a mess making it a real pain in the arse to get running but thanks to people off here it got sorted and theres nothing better than completing a project of this magnitude.
Adam

[Edited on 24/1/10 by bassett]