pdm
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| posted on 23/1/10 at 07:54 PM |
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BEC vs Novice first time builder - who'd win ?
Evening all,
I am hoping to start a first build this spring.
I'd originally planned a GKD Legend and I'd wanted to strip and refurb donor parts myself for learning purposes. However, last couple of
months I'd been drawn heavily towards a BEC build - in particular an MNR Vortx or a MK Indy.
BEC would seem more complicated due to turning engine/gearbox around, mating to a diff and then having a loom which would probably too short.
I'm thinking R1 to avoid the complication of a dry sump.
I'm not a mechanic - I've spent last few months stripping and rebuilding a zetec engine to see if I have the aptitude and staying power
and I think it went ok with a lot of help from the people on here.
I can't weld (or rather I've never tried) and I've never done any fabrication - I don't have a lathe/compressor/welder or
anything like that.
So my question is how many of you have built a working BEC as a first build from a similar starting point as me ?
Did you rebuild your engine or have you since you finished it ?
Is it likely to be too much or should I throw caution to the wind and worry about problems as and when they come up ?
Finally, what it's like finding spares for the bike bits ?
long post so thanks for reading
Paul
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StevieB
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| posted on 23/1/10 at 08:01 PM |
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I did a BEC as my first build and I reckon it was easier than a CEC would have been - there's nothing more complicated about the build and the
lightness of the engine makes life a whole load easier when to comes to installing the motor.
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bodger
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| posted on 23/1/10 at 08:08 PM |
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I'm building an R1, never done it before but don't think it's any harder than a car engine would be, probably easier in a lot of
ways, no messing about trying to mate a different gearbox. Plenty of companies can sort the prop out. Reverse box is probably
biggest issue now with IVA but can be done for reasonably low cost (mine's cost about £200). Wiring loom is straightforward, just a case of
lengthening some of the wires, & loads of help on here of course so no reason not to have a go.
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smart51
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| posted on 23/1/10 at 08:10 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by StevieB
I did a BEC as my first build and I reckon it was easier than a CEC would have been - there's nothing more complicated about the build and the
lightness of the engine makes life a whole load easier when to comes to installing the motor.
Exactly right. The bike engine on my MNR just bolted straight in to the car and on to the prop shaft adapter. Easy. The fact that the engine and
gearbox combined = 60kg meant I put the engine in by myself using only a plank to balance rest it on over the chassis. Car engine = engine crane.
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asn163
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| posted on 23/1/10 at 08:12 PM |
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I also did a BEC as a first build and I too believe that they are probably more straighforward than a CEC. As noted above, a BEC comes with gearbox
built in so you only have a single unit weighing about 60kg (in the case of a blade).
Can be a problem getting through emmisions at IVA but not unsurmountable.
You have probably identified the best kits for BEC, I would also add MAC#1, these should all be able help you with any queries.
Concerning welding etc. don't. worry as you won't. really need to do any with the above kits.
Just go for it.
HTH
Simon
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GeorgeM
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| posted on 23/1/10 at 08:14 PM |
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+1
never built one before.
R1 in MNR - simples !!
was it worth it...., OH YES 
GeorgeM
My conscience is clear - I drive a GREEN car
MNR Racing
essexkitcarclub.com
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franky
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| posted on 23/1/10 at 08:15 PM |
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the cost of a bike engine/props/low diff/gearchange etc etc does add a whole chunk to the cost of a build over a bmw donor or other.
Just something to think about!
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pdm
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| posted on 23/1/10 at 08:36 PM |
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Thanks for the responses folks - that's certainly encouraged me further.
franky - good point re additional costs - I'll have to go back to my budget spreadsheets !!
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JoaoCaldeira
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| posted on 23/1/10 at 08:42 PM |
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I'm also not a mechanic, though car inclined 
My first (and second) build was an MNR,
I wanted a full chassis / bodykit as I don't weld nor have the experience to do a proper fiberglass work.
Both are R1 engined (actually, they shared the same engine as the first car was crashed during a trackday)
Stay with a decent fabricator (MNR is good, others should also be considered) and everythinkg will be easier.
Go through a well known path (R1, busa, blade) with the correct manuals, and it will be easy.
Best of luck,
Joao
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franky
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| posted on 23/1/10 at 08:46 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by pdm
Thanks for the responses folks - that's certainly encouraged me further.
franky - good point re additional costs - I'll have to go back to my budget spreadsheets !!
the other expense is the lack of donor parts that you'd have to buy.... uprights/calipers/diff/ blah blah blah.
I think a bike build will cost 2-3k more, oh power commander too for emissions etc.
Having been in a few BEC and CEC now I can see the appeal of both.
2k would get you m3 running gear for a gkd legend.
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Mark G
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| posted on 23/1/10 at 08:48 PM |
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IMHO BEC is easier than CEC. Main reason being size and the fact that the gearbox is built in to the engine. Also they are easy to set up and
use.
I only had to weld a couple of cooling pipes when making my indy so you shouldn't have any problems there.
Go ahead and enjoy a BEC but remember to take your time and do it right first time.
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Steve Hignett
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| posted on 23/1/10 at 11:19 PM |
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pdm - you have a U2U...
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bassett
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| posted on 24/1/10 at 10:22 AM |
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Hi, I went the MNR route with a R1 engine for a first time build and id say we didnt use too much specialised equipment and when we did most of it was
picked up usually from ebay or machine mart and did the job pretty well. With the brackets mnr make for the chassis its a fairly simple job to fit the
drive train and engine especially as the bec lump can be lifted by 2 people easily. The whole build was definitely a challenge of my skills but its
all worth it when its done. As for rebuilding engines i think if you buy from malc the majority are happy and have no complaints to use a second han
engine straight away. If it does go bang i think most tend to replace rather than rebuild any way. The real difficult part of my build was getting the
engine running as beneath the factory looking wire protection the wiring was a mess making it a real pain in the arse to get running but thanks to
people off here it got sorted and theres nothing better than completing a project of this magnitude.
Adam
[Edited on 24/1/10 by bassett]
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