Hi all,

I'm currently building a Locost based on the McSorley 442 with the Rorty IRS back end. The frame is nearly finished, so I'm starting to look at the next steps. I'm happy with the fabrication and the engine mechanics, but I'm kind of guessing with the rest of it

I'm starting to look at the front suspension/steering. I've got the Haynes "Build your own sports car..." book, and it talks about taking the front hub assembly from the donor car (it talks about a Cortina), but I got my engine from a Discovery so none of the other parts are really appropriate (plus they're all at the scrap yard now).

I've found a number of forums/articles dated back over the years, saying use Sierra uprights (is that the correct term?), don't use Sierra uprights, use this donor, use that donor. Most of the article are several years old, and mention other cars that are difficult to get hold of.

I'm going to apologise for my lack of knowledge now, and ask for some really basic help.

1) What should I be looking for? I think I need hubs and uprights, but I could be using the wrong terminology
2) What donors are people using these days? Ideally I'm looking for something I can get really really cheap that will fit (to get a rolling chassis to move it in and out of the garage), and something decent for use when I'm actually looking to get it on the road.
3) I'm going to need a steering rack as well, for which I guess I'm also going to struggle getting a Cortina one as mentioned in the book. What are people using for this these days?
4) Lastly, what shocks are people using? I've been looking online but all the sites I found list their shocks by target car, not by min length/max length/spring strength

Any comments much appreciated - like I said, this is an area I really don't know that much about.

Cheers,
KEv.

I think you had better buy the current Haynes "Build your own sports car on a budget" book and use the comprehensive einformation in that to design you front end, even if it means modifying whaty you have alrwady built.

It uses Sierra front uprights with a Mk2 Escort rack, and you can buy wishbones etc from a number of different suppliers. It's a tried and tested design, and your questions sugggest you would be better off following it than to try to wing it on your own using bits of info from here and there.

Theres a group buy going on for the shocks BTW


Cortina ones are about but they are 150 quid ebay or on this forum
Sierra stuff is less rare and that's about 60 quid second hand
Use a MK modified sierra rack and your sorted
Schimples

Here is a set here
Cortina front uprights and hubs and M16 calipers on eBay (end time 19-Jan-11 22:13:44 GMT)
and cheap so far

Cheers
Brian

interestedparty, thanks for the book advice - I've just ordered it on ebay. Let's see if it explains things any better than the older one..

mangogrooveworkshop, can you point me in the direction of the group buy? I did a search but couldn't find any info.

Cheers,
KEv.

Group buy is here http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/forum/34/viewthread.php?tid=148805

And it's me organising so let me know what you require.

Thanks!

Iused to run AVO and tbh didnt think much of them. Not slagging them but I couldnt get them right. I changed to Protech and I have only set the ride hights so far and not played with the damping apart from the initial few clicks when I put them on the car. Brilliant they are. Maybe I fluked it when I put them on, who knows. I also spoke to the man from Protech at the show on the weekend next to the MNR stand (good bunch of blokes also).
Basicly a good shock as far as I am concened

Kev, may I say......what a very polite way you have posted your request for help/advice etc

This forum is full of very helpful folk, I,m sure you,ll get all the info you need.

I,ve cut many chassis kits for the Haynes Roadster ( the book you,ve just ordered for guidance) & if I can help with any advice you need from that book, just get in touch or visit the Haynes forum dedicated to that book .

best wishes for the rest of your build.

cheers
andy

Interestedparty, I just got the current Haynes book - it's much more comprehensive, so thanks for the pointer! I'm going to do some reading over the next couple of days..