gtmdriver
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| posted on 14/2/11 at 10:29 AM |
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Donor Car Information Needed.
Hi,
My name is John Dickens and I'm the Technical Editor of Complete Kitcar Magazine.
Along with Ian Stent the editor I am putting together a book to replace the older Monty Watkins 'How To Build A Kitcar' edition.
As part of the rewrite there will be a section on the more modern donor cars in use currently so I am looking for information and advice from actual
builders.
The donors I am particularly interested in are the
Mazda MX5;
BMW 3 Series;
Ford Sierra.
I would appreciate any advice on choosing a particular model, engine spec, braking system or whatever and also any points to check before purchase,
known faults or weak areas.
Thanks in advance for any help you can give.
John Dickens
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Mr Whippy
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| posted on 14/2/11 at 10:34 AM |
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Hi your going to get stick for the avatar size, even though I like the Fugitives
The Sierra IMHO is too old to be considered a viable modern donor, there are not many left these days
I think the future of kits cars is FWD converted to mid engined layouts anyway
Fame is when your old car is plastered all over the internet
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nib1980
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| posted on 14/2/11 at 10:34 AM |
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1st tip.
avatar is a bit big and don't leave much room to write! lol
sierra's a great but getting rare now.
kits are being made for both BMW and Mazda now so guess it's kinda take your pick really
sure someone else will explain in detail in a bit
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gtmdriver
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| posted on 14/2/11 at 11:00 AM |
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I think I've cured the avatar (I hope). Sorry about that.
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nick205
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| posted on 14/2/11 at 11:07 AM |
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BMW 3 series and Mazda MX-5 have to be the choice now, Sierra's are just not readily available any more. Spotted an article on Piston Heads
last night announcing the 900,000th MX-5 being built and there must be as many if not more 3 series built as well.
Will the book focus on 7-a-likes or on kit cars more generally?
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gtmdriver
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| posted on 14/2/11 at 11:16 AM |
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The book will be a guide and working document for builders of all types and marque of kit car.
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pdm
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| posted on 14/2/11 at 11:40 AM |
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For the MK1 the post 94 1.8 is best bet - after 94 the gearbox bearings were beefed up, the diffs are bigger and stronger, brakes are bigger and
engines make a bit more power. also more super/turbo kits for a 1.8. T'internet says they don't respond to ITBs too well but I know
Jenvey have just released a kit for the MX5 as there's a chap who building a race car with them.
they are easy to get spares for and they are also easy to sell bits on - there's a strong demand out there as there are a lot of DIYers.
and they are mega easy to work on and the loom isn't that much more complicated than a kit really.
when I broke my BMW before I changed direction, that was a different kettle of fish - immobilisers into ECU on later models and the wiring is
unbelievable. there is so much of it. I found it was hard to shift on bits I didn't want as not many people tend to do diy on them. also 6
pot engines and gearboxes are massive although franky on here is doing ok with his M3 Legend !!
at the end of the day though both donors are the same - an engine, a box, a prop, diff and drive shafts - simple layout
ETA - with an MX5 you can basically lift the body off the car and then take it all apart later, just make sure you undo the hubnuts first lol ask me
how I know !!
[Edited on 14/2/11 by pdm]
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b14wrc
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| posted on 14/2/11 at 12:27 PM |
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I have to agree, the sierra should not be considered Modern.... Some are older than me!
I have gone down the FWD route using a powerful Fiat Coupe 20v Turbo donor car in a mid engined arrangement.
Disappointingly there are not a lot of books showing you the details of how to build a MEC (mid engined car), I really would like to see more of this
as it opens up more options than the MX5 and 3 series. Plus I personally think for the cash – a greater level of performance could be achieved.
Rob
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Doctor Derek Doctors
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| posted on 14/2/11 at 12:40 PM |
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There is also the consideration that many kit cars nowadays won't have a 'main' donor car and just have choise picks of parts from
many.
Also Bike Engined Cars (BEC) are becoming more popular and so the motorbike will be the main donor vehicle. My car for example uses Bike Engine and
Wriring but with MK2 Escort Steering Rack, Cortina Front Uprights, Sierra Rear Hubs and Freelander Diff. So although it does use a few car parts there
is no real donor car.
The other problem with the Sierra is that scrappy's no know they are rare and are starting to charge strong money for kit car bits like the
hubs, steering and driveshafts.
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