t_benn_1
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| posted on 15/8/06 at 08:37 PM |
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Newbie
Hi,
Have been thinking at building a locost for a while, but now have decided to look into it in detail.
I'm a keen welder and know my way around an engine etc
Few questions for you guys.
Is the Haynes manual accurate?
Is it worth buying a chassis/frame or is it simple to cut/build?
What is the simpliced/easised donor car/engine etc?
What's the insurance like on a complete car if you've built it yourself?
Any help will be great.
Cheers
Tom
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JoelP
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| posted on 15/8/06 at 08:47 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by t_benn_1
Hi,
Have been thinking at building a locost for a while, but now have decided to look into it in detail.
I'm a keen welder and know my way around an engine etc
Few questions for you guys.
Is the Haynes manual accurate?
Is it worth buying a chassis/frame or is it simple to cut/build?
What is the simpliced/easised donor car/engine etc?
What's the insurance like on a complete car if you've built it yourself?
Any help will be great.
Cheers
Tom
hi mate. 
the book has several errors in it, do a search as they are quite well documented (i dont know them all)
If you just want a fast build, and dont mind 'cheating', buy a chassis. Making one is more fun but time consuming, and if you have trouble
with motivation, it could kill the whole project.
No idea on simplest build, stick to an engine that has been used before an it will be easiest.
Insurance is universally cheap, i pay 250 fully comp and most pay less.
hope that helps!
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JoelP
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| posted on 15/8/06 at 08:47 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by t_benn_1
Hi,
Have been thinking at building a locost for a while, but now have decided to look into it in detail.
I'm a keen welder and know my way around an engine etc
Few questions for you guys.
Is the Haynes manual accurate?
Is it worth buying a chassis/frame or is it simple to cut/build?
What is the simpliced/easised donor car/engine etc?
What's the insurance like on a complete car if you've built it yourself?
Any help will be great.
Cheers
Tom
hi mate.
the book has several errors in it, do a search as they are quite well documented (i dont know them all)
If you just want a fast build, and dont mind 'cheating', buy a chassis. Making one is more fun but time consuming, and if you have trouble
with motivation, it could kill the whole project.
No idea on simplest build, stick to an engine that has been used before an it will be easiest.
Insurance is universally cheap, i pay 250 fully comp and most pay less.
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nib1980
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| posted on 15/8/06 at 08:50 PM |
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I cheated as it were, buy buying a prebuilt book chassis, and I'm still sorting bits out with plenty to do.
do what ever you want, it's gonna be your car, just remember to have fun with it.
good luck
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t_benn_1
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| posted on 15/8/06 at 09:09 PM |
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I'm only 18, 19 when i'd hopefully get it on the road thats why the insurance is a question.
My father has a ginetta with a 1.7 crossflow.
As he knows quite a bit i was thinking of this engine or the 1.3.
Would any escort/early ford be usable?
[Edited on 15/8/06 by t_benn_1]
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roadrunner
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| posted on 15/8/06 at 09:14 PM |
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I m with Sureterm Direct , i m 34 and live in a small town and fully comp with 3000 miles limt it only costs £100 for the year. 
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big_wasa
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| posted on 15/8/06 at 09:33 PM |
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Dont get me wrong ive loved building my chassis but my recomendations is to buy one  .
Errors: one or two, best advice here is only tack the chassis together untill you are 300% sure its all in the correct place.
Easiest engine: Any ford depends how much power you want. 1800 cvh mega cheap easy to work on and has the type nine on the back.
Making the chassis isnt hard its all the brackets that are.
All imho
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rayward
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| posted on 15/8/06 at 11:15 PM |
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HI,
as already mentioned, there are quite a few errors in the book,do a search on googleor on here for the McSorley Plans,they are far more accurate.
as for engine, i would stick a 1300 Xflow in,then you have the option to easily change it for a16/1700 when funds/insurance allow.
Ray
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907
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| posted on 15/8/06 at 11:34 PM |
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If I had a pound for every time somebody mentioned those "book errors"...
and another pound for every time somebody failed to tell you what they were...
I'd have a Caterham, bugger the Locost.
Paul G
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zetec7
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| posted on 16/8/06 at 03:30 AM |
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I decided to build my chassis, using McSorely plans. I wanted to do it myself, and I wanted to do my own welding (I've been gas welding for
decades, but this gave me an excuse to buy a MIG). My chassis is complete, as is my suspension, and I'm thrilled with it. My welding has
improved to the point where it's hard to tell them from TIG welds, and I'm proud to show off my work. It would be hard to get that
satisfaction from buyng a frame. And I agree with rayward, use McSorely's plans. They are TOTALLY accurate if you cut the steel to his angles.
His plans also make it very easy to set up the suspension. Since you're already a competent welder, why not do it all? It'll take a
little longer (but not that much, with your skills), and cost a lot less, which leaves you more money for go-fast stuff!!
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