Hi All,
So here I am taking the plunge... after much debating with my wife I am finally being allowed to build!!
This is my first foray into the world of car building although I'm a competent enough mechanic and car electrician, I just need to brush up on my welding!
I'm planning on building a fairly standart Gibbs locost (except for a few mods to the interior and bodywork, but all cosmetic) and I've been looking at all the usual suspects for donors (sierra/cortina/mx 5). The only thing is I'd really like around 200 (or more) hp from the engine, and I'd looooove a V6 - one thought was an alfa one, like the old 156, but would I be able to re-use any other components from it?
Or can anyone suggest another donor? If at all possible I'm trying to avoid having to buy two donors, one for the running gear and one for the engine.

Thanks
Sam

hi mate welcome to the fun house (what a terrible mistake you are making :p)

you could always build using a sierra (CVH or Pinto engine) to get the car through IVA and on the road, then upgrade to a either a Zetec if using a CVH (st170 engine anyone?) or Duratec if you used a pinto (exhaust is on nearside for CVH & offside for pinto). Both modern and tune-able upgrade routes whichever way you go...

Just a thought as it's a fairly well trodden path and an upgrade which won't get you in the pocket in a single hit

[Edited on 9/9/09 by paul the 6th]

Sierra Cosworth?

Welcome to the site by the way

Cheers

Mark

How about a Granada 2.3? They have a 4 pot 16 valve engine that can be tuned to death and you only need 1 donor? I'm going to be using an RX 7 myself, collecting on Sunday, yippee. The Alfa V6 is of course a brilliant engine, sounds nice, good grunt etc but you will need more than 1 donor. It may be worth looking at 4 pot engined cars first. Just my opinion.

Cosworth would be great, just the cost...
I think I may just get it through IVA with a pretty standard engine, then swap it later on.
Thanks for the quick suggestions... great community!!

morris minor no need to pay for tax lol then change to sierra cosworth after iva

Would a cologne V6 out of a Granda (And most probably a sierra) fit? would mean all the bits by the book from one car with mods.

I don't know enough to be sure though

Im going to suggest what i always suggest. A jag?

Sam

In the same position as you are, at the thinking stage. How about the Nissan 200SX or the Silvia. Both have a layout very similar to the Sierra, and if you pick the right one, 210BHP. Another plus point is they are Japaneese, and just about unbustable. Good donors (with a bit of body damage) from £300.

I do love the Alfa V6, would be my choise, but definatly dont want 2 cars as donors.

Good luck

Chris

quote:

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Originally posted by morcus
Would a cologne V6 out of a Granda (And most probably a sierra) fit? would mean all the bits by the book from one car with mods.

I don't know enough to be sure though

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There's always the option of no donor.

I took the "pick 'n' mix" approach. Tina uprights, Escort rack, Sierra diff etc. etc.

Don't tell Speedy but I've even used a Jag prop.

Cheers
Paul G

Thanks for all the replies guys... I think I'm going to get a sierra donor to start with, and depending on cash/space I may try to sell the engine from that one and get an alfa otherwise just stick with the sierra one to start with - after building a car swapping the engine won't be a big deal!
So now I just need to move house, then the build can start... grr, I hate waiting!

quote:

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Originally posted by 907
There's always the option of no donor.

I took the "pick 'n' mix" approach. Tina uprights, Escort rack, Sierra diff etc. etc.

Don't tell Speedy but I've even used a Jag prop.

Cheers
Paul G

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The MK1 Mondeo had a V6 flavour didn't they? I'm sure you could pick one of them up for (possibly cheaper than) Sierra money and they'd be easier to find too.

In fact quick look on autotrader finds one for £800

[Edited on 12/9/09 by Ninehigh]

Other tham a Sierra or a Mazda MX5, What other SINGLE car donors have been used. I would be realy interested to know, and guess there are others who would like a different choice of donor. Is there a list of useable cars anywhere?

Chris

Book mentions the merc 190 and the bmw 3/5 series, and possibly the old RWD Corolla.

I'm sure I've seen MGB's, Rover P6's/SD1's and even Morris 1000's being used/Recomended online and in mags.

These look interesting;

single donor and a 6 pot

Dax are developing a BMW donor version of the Rush at the moment

I suppose what you'd count as single donor, the book mentions Transit and Maxi parts. You could always get an engine out of a write off and does that (technically scrapped) car count as a donor?

I've put the fruits of my engine research on my web site, might help you out? http://alfadax.com/content/before/engine_choice1.htm

The duratec v6 from the mondeo apparently weighs a ton, and is huge.

Alfa is good but only comes in FWD flavours, so fitting a gearbox is a pain - a couple on here have built their own bellhousings to match to a ford type 9, I bottled it and got an engineering firm to make me up an adaptor.
The other problem with all modern v-engines is the width of the things.

BMW 3-series seems to be the donor choice of the future - there are a couple of kits with them now.

Ive got a "c" class merc,manual box
use one of those and paint your kit silver and call yourself von Tripps!

plus youll have to wear white overalls with white flying hat!!

You could always think about a V6 ecotec, 207 Bhp

I didn't use a single donor and I paid for it... I like the idea of the GKD Beemer all in one donor. Seems like it could be a way to go, especially since the word is that Sierras are harder to come by. I don't live in England so I may be way wrong.

Having said all that, the Sierra path is well trodden, and might keep things simple. A different engine like mine (CA18DET from a Japanese spec 200 SX) caused all sorts of headaches that could have been avoided; although I look forward to using 200 HP out right of the gate, with no mods except the usual locost style exhaust and cold air intake. IE you lose all your room in the engine compartment and need a top mounted pedal box, which doesn't look as good and makes life generally HARD!