Hi, having been messing around with cars on a DIY basis for a few yr's now, I made the unfortunate mistake of buying the latest Haynes Build Your own sports Car Manual! I now have insomnia and the only cure is to build a Locost! Apparently
I'm located in Co. Durham 20 mins from Newcastle, Gateshead and Sunderland! Any Locost Builders nearby?

Welcome, yes there are members nearby.I am sure they will pop up soon.
Steve.

Nowhere near I am afraid, but welcome to the world of the insane and a world where "locost" doesn't actually mean what it says...

Mark

Thanks guys, I hope the vertical learning curve will enhance the feeling, when (or if, I don't want to sound too eager!) completion is attained!

I'm nearby although I've only just got started myself.

How are you doing? Where abouts in Durham are you. I'm in a small village known as White le head near Stanley?
Have you decided on a donor?

I'm not far from you then. I'm in Chester-Le-Street. I'm currently part way through building the chassis. I don't intend to use a donor as I don't have room. I have collected most of the Sierra drive train and intend to use a 1.8 Zetec from a Mondeo.

Sounds interesting, are you going for a aftermarket ECU set up? Who supplied your Steel? I'm going to go for an Mx5 set up, I could be swayed to a Zetec SE if it has the same bolt pattern as the mx5?
I need to finish a couple of ongoing projects before I can commence with the chasis.

I'm still deciding over fuelling at the moment. I've read quite a few posts on here and carbs sound the easiest option but that means finding an engine pre 95 for SVA. I intend using a Zetec because they are cheap and budget is still a factor (although I went passed £250 without any struggle).

I bought the steel from Metal Supermarket in Gateshead (Team Valley)

Thanks for that, Were they reasonable?
Did they supply the roll bar steel?

Are you doing your own welding?

I haven't gotten all the steel yet. I'm more at less at the stage shown in the photo archive. I don't have enough experience of buying this sort of stuff to comment on value for money but when their have been a couple of occassions when I've gone to B&Q (because I've been there) and bought a metre or two just to push things on and Metal Supermarket is proberly half the price.

Oh and yes, unfortunately I welded it

Your welding looks fab! What sort of welder are you using? do you think a 135 amp gasless mig is up to the job?

How long has it taken to get to that stage?

What a compliment for just a fiver! Seriously its not so great, more a case of trial and error. I'm using a Clarke 90EN converted to use gas so less powerful than what your talking about and I've had to be creative with the angle grinder to get penatration. I'm no expert but your kit should be okay. I did not like gasless though.

I've been called cheap in my time! But a fiver
I'm a bit of an Electronic injection freak, so carbs for me would be too much
What has your £250 bought you?

I'm roughly £400 in. Chassis is as you see minus the diagonals I've added to the rear plus five metres of tubing to add. I have a type nine gearbox plus shafts and hubs, calipers and uprights for the front. I' have undoubtly spent more than I needed to already 1) by laziness and 2) becuase I don't have room to break a donor.

Yeah being able to break a car would save you quite a bit!
I'm going to have to depart, as in 6 hours I will have two hyper children jumping on my head!
It would be good to meet up some time?

m4rksteel7@hotmail.com

Cheers

quote:

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Originally posted by Steely
Hi, having been messing around with cars on a DIY basis for a few yr's now, I made the unfortunate mistake of buying the latest Haynes Build Your own sports Car Manual! I now have insomnia and the only cure is to build a Locost! Apparently
I'm located in Co. Durham 20 mins from Newcastle, Gateshead and Sunderland! Any Locost Builders nearby?

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What has your £250 bought you?


Some wood, 48 metres iron and 4 new ball-joints

So never gonna make it with 250 .....

Just don't tell anybody you're way over de 250

[Edited on 12/5/07 by t.j.]

quote:

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Originally posted by t.j.
What has your £250 bought you?


Some wood, 48 metres iron and 4 new ball-joints

So never gonna make it with 250 .....:

(Just don't tell anybody you're way over de 250

[Edited on 12/5/07 by t.j.]

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I have set a budget of £1500 to get myself to pre SVA. Wether or not that includes my welder purchase? It should be do able if I get my donor for around £500. I'm going to try and time my purchases to winter season as this seems to create a few bargains!

My donor was 50 Euro
Escort rack 50 Euro,

So who wants a sierra rack for only 50 Euro ?