Hey All,
I drive an imported 1995 R33 Nissan Skyline GTS but it is almost 16 years old and time is starting to show. Wheel arches and wings are starting to protrude the signs of rust. I lived in the highlands of Scotland where Snow and Salt have played a large part in the cars decay. The engine, turbo and running gear is still good and the standard 250 bhp is hopefully still mostly there!
For years I have always thought of a contingency plan as I don't want to scrap or sell it. I have always been keen on building a Kit car, although I never actually built one. I first looked into a Mini-based kit as I liked the idea of that but the donor car I had agreed to buy off a mate got sold to someone else. I was willing to pay whatever he wanted too! Just to get the vehicle.
I have looked into many different Kit types, the seven replica, cobra replica, etc . But haven't found any that would accommodate an R33s RB25DET engine and running gear. I was even thinking about designing something myself but trying to get dimensions on the Internet is like a needle in a haystack. I thought about building a mock chassis from wood whilst stripping the needed Skyline components down. Then put the 2 bits together in a mock build.

So, I'm on here for help and advise? What is the general thought on first time builds? Or first time designs?

Cheers

Rob

Iirc it's a 2.5l straight 6? Shouldn't be too much of a problem there's one kit mentioned (Zero?) that can use a BMW straight 6...

What about the GKD thats bigger that the average or McSorley +44

Yes its the 2.5l straight 6. Single turbo. RWD model.

I like the exposed chassis look for a kit. The other styles are nice but I'm thinking power to weight ratios. The less bodywork panelling. My welding skils are good but my body repair skills are rubbish. So the exposed chassis would be easier to repair? Not that I'm a bad driver and would need to constantly rebuild dents and scrapes!

I'd be looking towards that type kit, if there is one that my parts would comfortably fit into without much fuss.

if you can fit THIS into a 7, you can fit your lump

http://www.v10viento.co.uk/gallery.htm

Funny you should ask about a skyline engine fitting in a kitcar i have just been looking at fitting the same set up in a mk indy
the answer i came up with is it will fit IF you modify the tunnel for the bell housing the only concern i have is the weight

Jacko




[Edited on 18/2/11 by jacko]

There is somebody out there putting one in a haynes chassis, I'm pretty sure he has lengthened the chassis though, I think the gearbox is huge. Threres a video of it on youtube if you do a search.

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I'd be looking towards that type kit, if there is one that my parts would comfortably fit into without much fuss.

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I'm liking all those options.
Never knew the viento would accomodate that engine, that cool! The GKD and Mcsorley 442 are also possiblities I've never thought of!
A lot that I see are sierra based etc. I haven't found anyone out there that at least offers a kit with my choice of engine. Or that doesn't take mega £££££ to build myself.

http://www.skylineowners.com/forum/showthread.php?t=151935&highlight=rb25det+kit+car

Have a look at this

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Originally posted by snapper

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I'd be looking towards that type kit, if there is one that my parts would comfortably fit into without much fuss.

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I thinks that's the nub of it.
You will be the first......
In principle as long as the general dimensions of the components fit in the chassis you can do it.
In reality even the running gear a kit is designed for takes some effort.

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I'm salivating with all the possible choices. I'm not sure however if I want a Skyline powered MK Indy or Skyline powered Raw Striker for e.g? Or if I was to design and build from scratch then It would be a Skyline powered 'Robs Car' (name pending)? I'm being picky now?

A mock chassis from wood will allow me to get measurements I'd need before building a steel/ aluminium spaceframe chassis.

I would even think about starting up as a business myself once I have a prototype built. But there probably isn't a market yet?

Maybe as a first practice, I could use another companies chassis etc? I am liking the options out there which I'd never come across before so cheers.

[Edited on 18/2/11 by lovernotafighter]

Luego Viento Chassis is big enought for most engines and the tunnel quite wide at the gearbox end.

takes a BMW straight six and gearbox without any major mods. and the front axel is still forward of the engines mass.

Paul

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Originally posted by lovernotafighter
<big snip>......... aluminium spaceframe chassis.........<more snipping>.....

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Anything's possible!go for it.

cheers all
I'm really considering all my options now. I've looked into the IVA stuff with great detail. What I'm still trying to figure out is, buying a ready to go kit the chassis number is already allocated to make things simple for IVA.

If I was to design and build the chassis myself, how do I go about allocating a legally recognised chassis number? Can I give it one or is that something that the IVA examiner would allocate?

If I could find somewhere in Scotland or anywhere I could look into moving to that built Kit cars I would love to get a job with them to get the experience and hands on at building Kits. I keep checking the jobsite on the Net but nobody seems to advertise for that area.

I don't have anywhere to build My project yet but am looking into a big enough space. I'll have to rent a small garage or persuade my Stepdad to let me use a space in his farm shed.

give it to me instead i really want one lol

Cheers for that link, I'll look into it. Hopefully it'll shed some light on the question of assigning my own chassis number.

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Originally posted by lovernotafighter
Cheers for that link, I'll look into it. Hopefully it'll shed some light on the question of assigning my own chassis number.

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Cheers.
Its the small things that are the confusing details. My Skyline is an import and got an age related plate. If I was to use the original chassis then things would be a lot easier. I could use the existing chassis numbers and reg. numbers.
As I want to design and build my own chassis thats where I'm getting the confusion. I would like to make my own number up.

As I have said, I'm wanting to design and build my own kit. I was thinking about stripping the Skyline and then building a Mock chassis from wood as I'm struggling to find all the dimensions I'd need to draw it up from scratch. I have thought about getting professional help. I have looked at the first princple design website and I may seek help from there. I would like to know if there are any other options. I tried the DIY 3D CAD program and I'm still trying to figure it out.

If I can't get anywhere with that I'd like to pitch my idea to an existing company. Hopefully look into getting a job with them too. The nearest one to me is Luego Sportscars in Kintore Aberdeenshire. That would be a dream come true. (Don't think Jim'll Fix It for me though!)