scoop2004
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| posted on 20/5/08 at 09:28 PM |
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Im new and need ideas on a basic set-up
Hey guys, im new. Name is craig from fife in scotland and want to build a locost as a nice project (im currently tidying up an escort with parts from
other fords,but hate having my car off the road for more than 4 hours at a time)
so if possible i'd like a reply or two within this topic telling me what the most common/easiest way to build a locost is and what kinda price
range im looking at...bearing in mind im not afraif to get my hands very dirty and know some people who can do some of the harder parts with
me..including possible welding.anyone able to help?
main thing i'd like the car to have is a zetec engine..2.0 silvertop ideally
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carpmart
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| posted on 20/5/08 at 09:31 PM |
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welcome!
Cheapest way is to buy someone else's project
Purist way is to get a copy of 'the book' and start welding!
Easiest way is to buy someone else's build and just go out for a blat!
You only live once - make the most of it!
Radical Clubsport, Kwaker motor
'94 MX5 MK1, 1.8
F10 M5 - 600bhp Daily Hack 
Range Rover Sport - Wife's Car
Mercedes A class - Son's Car
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carpmart
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| posted on 20/5/08 at 09:32 PM |
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Oh and by the way - you will likely have an avalanche of posts saying to ditch the car engine and stick a bike engine in it! 
Do your own thing though! 
You only live once - make the most of it!
Radical Clubsport, Kwaker motor
'94 MX5 MK1, 1.8
F10 M5 - 600bhp Daily Hack
Range Rover Sport - Wife's Car
Mercedes A class - Son's Car
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worX
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| posted on 21/5/08 at 05:21 AM |
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I reckon you should ditch the car engine and stick a bike engine in it!
Steve
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Macbeast
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| posted on 21/5/08 at 06:21 AM |
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There is no easy way to build a Locost
One major decision is whether to buy a ready-made chassis from a kit suupplier - maybe £900, or to buy the steel and fabricate your own.
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eccsmk
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| posted on 21/5/08 at 08:37 AM |
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try this
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wilkingj
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| posted on 21/5/08 at 09:35 AM |
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Whatever you choose to do, you have started in the right direction by joining up here. Loads of help and advice (often conflicting especially where
the engine is concerned)
It depends on your budget, and skills.
If you can construct your own chassis, its cheaper, and you also have the pride of doing yourself. I would suggest Chris Gibbs Book (Haynes) as this
is well sorted if your making your own chassis, as there are errors in the original Ron Champion books. Also Rons book is for an Mk2 Escort donor and
these are now rare or being restotred.
Chris's book is Sierra Based and has independant rear suspension rather than a live axle.
You can buy a chassis. Luego are based in Aberdeen, and the product is good, albeit probably not the cheapest.
MK Indy is a well sorted (Loads Built) kit and at a good price.
Mac1 are also good.
Robin Hood are OK, but needs lots of work and fettling to make a very well finished car. Nothing wrong with RH's at all... just more work needed
to get a nice car (IMHO).
Just my 2d worth.
1. The point of a journey is not to arrive.
2. Never take life seriously. Nobody gets out alive anyway.
Best Regards
Geoff
http://www.v8viento.co.uk
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mad4x4
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| posted on 21/5/08 at 11:36 AM |
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The puriest will say build the Chassis,
But that could take anywhere from 1-2 months to 1-2 years.
I would buy chassis as a start point if you want the complete build. Then at least you know the welding will (should) be up to scratch and the
chassis will run straight and true.
- buy the way you don;t need a bike engine - stick with what you know- but have fun doing it.
Scot's do it better in Kilts.
MK INDY's Don't Self Centre Regardless of MK Setting !
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scoop2004
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| posted on 21/5/08 at 05:05 PM |
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cheers for ur inputs guys. think i may have to buy a chassis as i dont think i could get a chassis made to such strict tolerances..it may end up
crabbing a bit
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Jon Ison
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| posted on 21/5/08 at 05:16 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by scoop2004
cheers for ur inputs guys. think i may have to buy a chassis as i dont think i could get a chassis made to such strict tolerances..it may end up
crabbing a bit
You can.
There is nothing wrong with buying a chassis but I enjoyed that part of the build, it is perfectly possible to build a chassis in your garage at home
to the tolerances you need, plenty have and they have started from a position of having to learn to weld 1st.
Not sure there is an "easiest" way as such, its all down to the individuals skills and motivation to get the job done and from what
starting point they are prepared to start from, be it a pile of 25mm box or a bought kit ?
BTW, the job is never finished every winter brings on a new set of improvements/ideas.......
Welcome.
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iank
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| posted on 21/5/08 at 05:46 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by scoop2004
cheers for ur inputs guys. think i may have to buy a chassis as i dont think i could get a chassis made to such strict tolerances..it may end up
crabbing a bit
Some of the manufacturers jig built chassis are quite a way out (up to an inch or so). You can do better with a decent hacksaw, a good ruler and some
care.
p.s. not mentioning any names as it just starts a flame war.
--
Never argue with an idiot. They drag you down to their level, then beat you with experience.
Anonymous
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darrens
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| posted on 21/5/08 at 06:12 PM |
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bugger the bike engine, stick a V8 in it, miles better than the constant whine from a bike engine or trumpet 4 pot.
my 2 penny!!!
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scoop2004
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| posted on 21/5/08 at 07:13 PM |
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bought the book, so if a chassis is at most 900 quid,what we looking at for the extras (body panelse,lighting)
obviously a scrap sierra is less than 200 quid and a zetec engine about 180 inc wiring/ECU etc so is it gonna cost near 2k (my maths on 900 + 380 +
wheels and seats and interior)
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iank
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| posted on 21/5/08 at 07:24 PM |
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They can be made for close to £2k depending on the finish you want, but you need to be very careful to get close to that £4-5k is closer to the mark
once it's finished.
It's very easy to underestimate the dozens of £5 bits you need, not to mention the p&p.
Add in the price of oil, brake fluid, new tyres, brake disks+pads, SVA, registration, those nice alloy wheels you decided you had to have, silicone
hoses that were a 'bargain' at only £100 etc etc etc.
--
Never argue with an idiot. They drag you down to their level, then beat you with experience.
Anonymous
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Simon
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| posted on 21/5/08 at 07:35 PM |
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Sccop,
First, welcome!
Right, to start with, if you can use a hacksaw, read and weld; getting a rolling chassis from scratch should take no more than a fortnight (full time
- I took some holiday).
That'll cost little more than a hundred quid.
Bodywork (scuttle/bonnet and nose, rest from reclaimed/new ally) you can make. quite easily, though I'd suggest you buy a nosecone just to save
a bit of time.
It really doesn't matter if your chassis is slightly banana shaped, so long as all suspension pick ups are relative and pointing in the same
direction.
Ignore everyone else and pick an engine that you think will suit your circumstances, purpose and use, though I'd highly recommend a Rover
V8
Use as much of donor as poss to simplify things.
Things you probably will want to treat youself to will be seats, rollbar, lighting pack, instruments and coilovers.
You need to allow when finished for cost of SVA (+retest?), registration fee, rfl and insurance.
I got on the road including above costs for £3000 and that included a couple of mistakes along the way.
Try and avoid paying for a Sierra, as they are still plentiful
My alloys were a hundred quid secondhand (already scuffed, but you don't notice it when they're going round
ATB
Simon
[Edited on 21/5/08 by Simon]
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