just after some comments and opinions, a friend and myself are contemplating buying 2 kits and building them in tandum, to be used a fast road/track
cars.
Can anyone offers some comments as to a good kit for a first time build please?
We would be looking at a car engine, ideally are dry sumped zetec turbo'd probably using a c/cooler depending on space
If you are going down that style of engine/car and also being your first build(s) then I would suggest looking at an MX5 single donor kit, many of the
manufacturers now offer this option (MNR, Westfield, Roadrunner, GBS, Locost etc.). If you pick up a mk2 MX5 1800 with a torsen diff you will have a
very good car to start off (and IVA) with and there are several turbo or supercharger kits/builds around for that engine. This would not be that much
less powerful than a turbo'd zetec and much easier to build and get through IVA.
Just my 2p worth to kick things off.
it would depend on how techinical you are and what your fabricating skills are
personaly i would try and seek out somthing that fits your skillsets and budget and offers a comprehensive kit of parts
other option is to find a unfinished kit you could finish yourself
Thanks very much for that, good food for thought, only reason im keen on the zetec is within my circle of friends and their comapnies they specialise
in building/installing and mapping them so support and custom parts are very easy for me to get hold of as opposed to starting a fresh with a new
brand of engine. (and im a ford fan, shoot me now)
Been looking at the ford based GBS kit which seems to be a bargain, if not a little too cheap which alarms me a bit simply because I know nothing
about the latest 7 kits. I do love the MNR vortx inboard but not sure if thats a bit over kill for what im after, certainly looks the business.
Its cheap because its basic. That's not a bad thing but you will need to pay extra for things like engine mounts, lights, dash etc which some other kit makers include
Do a bit of work as to what is actually in a 'kit', as it's not standard across all manufacturers. From memory, MNR are very good at
including parts that other manufacturers might consider optional. I have a feeling they have one kit on their website that is pretty much 'add
engine', and that's it!
GBS do cheaper kits, there's nothing wrong with that but you might find you have to buy more bits, and they may not be as much of a saving.
Alternatively, have a look at Talon Motorsport to deliberately start with the basics (chassis + wishbones), then build the rest up from a donor car or
off the shelf. It's a bit more hard work to collect things together (especially two of everything), but at least there won't be any
surprises.
edit: Luke beat me to it! 
[Edited on 6/5/15 by Slimy38]
NTDWM but this one on here strikes me as a bargain if you don't want to start with a pile of steel and end up with a car - see RichB's post
"Unfinished Luego Velocity Xt for sale".
Problem is most builds from scratch take far longer than anyone anticipates.
I think the longest on here is 17 years but 3 or 4 years isn't unusual.
So you need to weigh the time factor against how soon you want to be driving it.
The spec/price on this one seems pretty good and you could easily swap the Toyota for Ford power if that's a priority.
HTH.
Cheers, Pewe10 
quote:
NTDWM but this one on here strikes me as a bargain if you don't want to start with a pile of steel and end up with a car - see RichB's post "Unfinished Luego Velocity Xt for sale".
Problem is most builds from scratch take far longer than anyone anticipates.
I think the longest on here is 17 years but 3 or 4 years isn't unusual.
So you need to weigh the time factor against how soon you want to be driving it.
The spec/price on this one seems pretty good and you could easily swap the Toyota for Ford power if that's a priority.
HTH.
Cheers, Pewe10
not sure I approve of that post recommending the luego
I am now counting pennies :-( lol cheers
Looks like a great base, need to do some research and thinking, which even kit I got for it has to be boosted
A part built project is a great way of learning, as you find that you take the whole thing to bits for peace of mind, then reassemble!
Part built projects can take even longer than a new kit...
cheers for the feedback, the actual mechanical assembly doesnt worry me, ive built a few cars but they were CARS not kits, I heard lots of horror
stories about parts not fitting etc so was thinking which is the best kit v price for a straight forward build, ive done a lot of modifications to my
current kitcar which I bought already built which is the main reason I want to start from scratch with my own stamp on it so to speak.
But that luego :-( FML
that is so tempting and I really like the shape. I was thinking the MNR but if im honest I just dont like the look of it, but besides the looks it
appears to have the best bits ive found so far.
quote:
Originally posted by Autoflock Motorsport
just after some comments and opinions, a friend and myself are contemplating buying 2 kits and building them in tandum, to be used a fast road/track cars.
Can anyone offers some comments as to a good kit for a first time build please?
We would be looking at a car engine, ideally are dry sumped zetec turbo'd probably using a c/cooler depending on space
The best quality and easiest build would be a Westfield, they are not a lot more expensive than other kits either tbh.
The quality of fibreglass panels is massively better than other manufacturers
quote:
Originally posted by CosKev3
The best quality and easiest build would be a Westfield, they are not a lot more expensive than other kits either tbh.
The quality of fibreglass panels is massively better than other manufacturers
currently in talks with getting 2 818r kits shipped over from Boston MA. The factory Five kit seems really special and some of the online footage on track is breathtaking.
quote:
Originally posted by Autoflock Motorsport
currently in talks with getting 2 818r kits shipped over from Boston MA. The factory Five kit seems really special and some of the online footage on track is breathtaking.
yes i know mate, a friend pointed it out to me and i sort of fell in love instantly, its got a lot of lotus/s2000 in it. But it certainly stands out and looks very good quality. FFR seem to have a great reputation from what I have read.
I certainly wish you all the best in the build and look forward to watching a build diary! 
Following on from Ugg10's suggestion of an MX5 SDV I noticed this part-built SR2 up for sale on eBay:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/231556939326
(NTDWM)
Personally if going MX5 I'd seriously think about forced induction options such as the supercharger kit mentioned in the ad, they're pretty
gutless in N/A form.
I would recommend the MNR as in very easy to build.
I built mine in around 3 months, that's the amount of time I spent on it not the time it lay idle in the garage for months while I was
working.
2 of you in random is the perfect balance of enthusiasm and helping each other out.
Chris and Mark at MNR are very helpful with problems and the new fibreglass body is very good.
I was well on my way to turbocharging the st170 engine in mine and had even gone as far as mounting the rx7 intercooler in the nose. Plenty of room
for a turbo engine with fmic.
Good luck!
Steve