jamesbaa
|
| posted on 21/7/09 at 11:32 PM |
|
|
best option's
Hi guy's and girl's, I hope im not going to ask a question that has been asked to many time and i also hope you can help me!
Basically iv done a couple of track days in my current car and iv seen how your little kitcars handle and perform and i now want to build one. My
problem is im a qualified mechanical engineer but i have no welding or fabricating experience!
What is my best option, i havent got an awfull lot of money so i cant afford to buy a kit in full, i was ideally hoping to buy as i was going along!
Is this possible? Im not in anyrush to complete it but im just after the best options for my situation!
thanks for any advise guy's!
[Edited on 22/7/09 by jamesbaa]
|
|
|
|
|
blakep82
|
| posted on 21/7/09 at 11:39 PM |
|
|
well, first up, welcome 
er, you'll see in the photo archive, my car is very different, so i don't have any experience of the kit car companies, or anything, but
it is possible you can buy a full kit from one, or just a chassis, or chassis and donor pack, etc, so all the welding and most of the fabrication is
done already. you might find the odd bit you need done, plenty of top folk on here can help.
perhaps not the best answer ever, but surely someone else will be along to help more. might be tomorrow though 
________________________
IVA manual link http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/detail?type=RESOURCES&itemId=1081997083
don't write OT on a new thread title, you're creating the topic, everything you write is very much ON topic!
|
|
|
kb58
|
| posted on 22/7/09 at 12:38 AM |
|
|
Sounds like Chris Gibbs' book, "Build your own sports car on a budget" would be good.
Mid-engine Locost - http://www.midlana.com
And the book - http://www.lulu.com/shop/kurt-bilinski/midlana/paperback/product-21330662.html
Kimini - a tube-frame, carbon shell, Honda Prelude VTEC mid-engine Mini: http://www.kimini.com
And its book -
http://www.lulu.com/shop/kurt-bilinski/kimini-how-to-design-and-build-a-mid-engine-sports-car-from-scratch/paperback/product-4858803.html
|
|
|
Flamez
|
| posted on 22/7/09 at 05:16 AM |
|
|
mac1motorsports allow you to build in stages as you please
http://www.mac1motorsports.co.uk/index.php/Cars-Kits/Type9R.html
my build mac1motorsports
|
|
|
mad4x4
|
| posted on 22/7/09 at 07:37 AM |
|
|
Only welding I had to do to my factor MK chassis was weld on a bracket here and there and make engine mounts. The rest was bought off the shelf so to
speak
Exhaust was another item I ended up welding but that was becasue I couldn;t find a supplier locally
Scot's do it better in Kilts.
MK INDY's Don't Self Centre Regardless of MK Setting !
|
|
|
whitestu
|
| posted on 22/7/09 at 08:00 AM |
|
|
The cheapest route is probably to buy a basic completed and SVAd car. There have been a few for sale lately that have gone for less than it would cost
to build them.
Stu
|
|
|
nick205
|
| posted on 22/7/09 at 08:25 AM |
|
|
I'd be looking for someones unfinished project as a start point - there's always plenty around
Choose a shortlist of manufacturer's - MK, MNR, MAC#1 (and don't rule out a well built Locost either) and then look at a few part builts
to see what you'll get for your money.
You'll save a fortune over buying the kit and all the parts from scratch and you'll also get some of the enjoyment and satisfation of
having built something.
Familiarise yourself with the new IVA test regs before you start looking so you can make a judgement on suitability of what your looking at.
You'll get all the kit car help you need on here and if you want/need it you'll also fin that you can get help on pretty much anything
else in life from this reourceful bunch of people 
Enjoy!
|
|
|
NigeEss
|
| posted on 22/7/09 at 08:51 AM |
|
|
quote:
Originally posted by jamesbaa
Hi guy's and girl
Welcome but there is more than one girl on here !
Cheapest way is probably buy a chassis (from about £600) and as per the first book
keep your eyes peeled for parts at auto jumbles etc. Occasional bargains on the Bay
but getting rarer as it's outgrown itself (IMHO)
Time is an illusion. Lunchtime doubly so.................Douglas Adams.
|
|
|
pif
|
| posted on 22/7/09 at 08:59 AM |
|
|
similar to you i wanted to do a book locost but knew i couldnt weld i bought a basic chassis kit from MK and i had little engineering experience and
defo cannot weld that was going to be needed. I did not have any built up funds for anything other than the chassis.
it was quite easy just to go along and save for bits as i needed them, they hardest thing was the waiting.
went to MK for all the extra bits i needed like exhaust and manifold and roll hoops etc. Only diffulcty there was a needed to take the car with the
engine in situ to get the exhaust done.
Only once did i need some welding at home and i paid a local fabrication firm to come out with a "portable" welder to fit the mounts for
my seatbelt mounts. IIRC it was less than an hour and about £60.
as said above an unfinished project may also be an option, although i worried i would spend more time undoing things than doing them.
pif
been a bit of a rush job really, bodged it all together in just 5 1/2 years.
|
|
|
franky
|
| posted on 22/7/09 at 09:03 AM |
|
|
buy a part built, thats the way I did it as I couldn't afford a £12k build cost, £3k instead of the 8k the previous owner had spent already.
Plenty around just have to be careful as there's a lot of poorly built cars about.
You then get to build the car to your chosen spec and have the fun of the build. You can then pick your budget, i'm going for £6k total for a
zx12r powered fury.
|
|
|
smart51
|
| posted on 22/7/09 at 09:04 AM |
|
|
quote:
Originally posted by jamesbaa
My problem is im a qualified mechanical engineer
Yes, I can understand how that would be a problem Joking asside, I am a qualified electronics engineer and I built my car with no welding or
fabricating experience. Most kit car companies will sell you parts in stages to stagger the cost. You can also pick parts up on here or on eBay for
little cost. If you're in no rush then that is the cheapest way to go.
As a mechanical engineer, I'd say you're ideally placed to build a car. Welding is not that hard too. I learned easy enough by welding
scrap metal until I got it right.
|
|
|
jamesbaa
|
| posted on 22/7/09 at 09:21 AM |
|
|
thanks for all the quick replies, i wasnt quite expecting to wakup and have so many! what are the best companies to go for that sell parts as you go
along? does anyone know of any good part built kits for sale?
|
|
|
RichardK
|
| posted on 22/7/09 at 09:56 AM |
|
|
Welcome James, thats exactly how I did my scratch built locost using the mcSorely plans, just had a mate set up my welder and practised until I got it
right then off I went. Nearly 4 years later and £1800 (+sva,ins etc) later I had my car on the road.
To be honest that was quite an enjoyable part to the build was sourcing the bits that I could make fit!
Have a look through my gallery below for insperation. And use the search feature on this forum as most questions will have already been asked and
answered many times!!
Cheers
Rich
Gallery updated 11/01/2011
|
|
|
RK
|
| posted on 24/7/09 at 03:46 AM |
|
|
Keep an eye on Pistonheads and on here if you want part built.
|
|
|
