Hello people, brace yourselves this is gunna be a long one!

I have been following the site for a while now, browsing just enough to keep my enthusiasm going whilst finishing Uni.
I must say Im impressed with the helpful and well mannered nature of everyone on here.
In keeping with the lazy student label I seem to have picked up over the last three years, I have only gone and purchased a book spec chassis (thanks Simon), and am now clear ish about whats needed...........I could be hopelessly wrong so feel free to tell me in no uncertain terms!

1) A 2ltr Pinto will fit
2) A type 9 box is a better size for the 'Book' chassis (im expecting flack for that statement)
3) A sierra xr4x4 back end is suitable for the 'Live'? rear axle (I want disks all round)
4) Cortina uprights etc for the front end as they are lighter and easier to work with than sierra ones

Im aware there is much more to it than that but just to start with.
I hope I haven't just spouted a load of mixed up rubbish there?

Any advice on the years of the relevant donor parts etc. There is a 2ltr sierra just down the road which I can get hold of for peanuts, not sure what year it is yet.

I appologise that these are exhausted questions but I want to make sure Ive got things right so as not to make any drastic mistakes!

I realise that purchasing a 'Book' chassis without much of an idea of whats going to go in it, is a bit dangerous' but thats just the way it's worked out. I am aware that adjustments may have to be made in order to fit things in etc.

There we are, ill leave it at that for now (had to make the first post a good un)

Any help/advice would be greatfully apreciated,

SALAD (Slack Student)

i'll try and help..

first thing i noticed is you say about a sierra 4x4 rear end as a live axle. this isn't the case. a live axle is basically a beam axle as per the mk2 escort/cortina/capri (there are different types between the aforementioned cars) the sierra rear end is for an independant rear suspension (IRS) based car so you need to make your own rear wishbones etc as per the mk/luego velocity/stuart taylor etc or use a dedion tube such as caterham/mk/gts/dax etc.

there is loads of info available via a search of this site especially about donor details, but generally older 2ltr sierra's have drum brakes and pinto engine's with type 9 boxes whereas newer sierra's may have rear discs/abs, a 2ltr dohc engine and an mt75 box. the 2ltr dohc is not very highly regarded as there are not many tuning parts available and the chain drive can fail apparantly.

the pinto has far more tuning parts available and they both weigh about the same and both are normally connected to a type 9 5 speed box.


cortina uprights are imho better, but are becoming scarce and expensive, the sierra ones are heavier but a widely used alternative with one of the holes drilled out and an adapter in the strut mount/hole.


hope this lot gets you started..

Ned.

the sierra rear end is a independant rear suspension and not a live axle. many locost type kits use the sierra rear but you need a different chasis for it.

Nowt wrong with drum braked rear on even a fairly quick 7. Discs can be too much on lighter cars, you may end up biassing them off anyway to stop lock up. I was in a 2.1 pinto demo car, approx 140bhp and brakes were mighty fine (std sierra drum set up).


Ive got a spare type 9 for sale - £15.

Like the speedy reply guys, thank you!

OK, if this sierra turns out to be an older model (up to 89?) it should have a pinto and type 9 box? Which should fit the 'book' chassis?
As far as the rear ends concerned for a live axle, in order to fill the arches better, capri?
If going the de dion route, is there major reworking of the chassis required?

Appologies for so many questions but novice is not the word!

Darren - Sounds reasonable, I'll have to check this car out first to see what shape its in.

All sierras upto about 1989 had the SOHC engine in. And from 1984on some were injection, some werent.

Pinto and type 9 will fit book chassis, but you will need to chop the sump, and move the rocker cover oil filler.

There are no major changes to incorporate de dion. Take a look on http://www.gtstuning.co.uk. There are plans for the changes to the rear, only need to change the bottom rails slightly.

If you want to stick with live axle, a capri axle is slightly wider than an escort one, and will fill the arches better.

David

I'd probably go for the Sierra rear end and use a DeDion set up as per GTS cars. It's only a minor mod to the chassis, but worth it.

Marcus

Salad,

Dont apologise for the qty of Q's. Its a nightmare getting started as there seems to be an infinite number of options to achieve essentially the same thing. I learnt from experience though that if you canvass everyone about everything you end up more confused. In the end i decided what i wanted the end reult to do and for what type of budget and then worked back-over to get the spec.

Good luck. Lets have some more Q's.

i mentioned the 'budget' word above. my original one was £3,000. Im half way through and spent £3,700! After digi dash, alloys, SVA etc etc ill be up to £5.5K!! The rule seems to be set a budget, double it and add 20% contingency!!!

Thanks Darren,
I think Ill take it one step at a time, calling in favours and utilising the skills my friends have, after giving things a go myself for learning and enjoyment purposes.
The chassis is already sat in a friends workshop, tools a-plenty, qualified welder friend to hand, so hopefully any problems that may arise can be easily overcome.
Not having done anything like this myself before and being my first build, Im inclined to purchase certain parts for peace of mind, ofcourse only after ive given things a go and exhausted all other options in an attempt to keep costs down.

However, we shall see, us students aren't known for our money skills!

Dont fret Im sure theres plenty more questions to come from me yet.

Thanks for your advice,
Sam

quote:

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Originally posted by SALAD
Not having done anything like this myself before and being my first build, Im inclined to purchase certain parts for peace of mind, ofcourse only after ive given things a go and exhausted all other options in an attempt to keep costs down.

However, we shall see, us students aren't known for our money skills!

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This would be true Darren if I was an engineering student, being a Business Management student Im kinda finding it hard to think of necessary skills that can be applied!!
Never mind, its all fun and games.................. 'till someone looses an eye!