I've just started my chassis, I will set up a build blog soon, has anyone else attempted their own chassis build? If so what problems can you remember ?

Time

Building the basic frame is just a couple of weekends, it's adding all the little bits that takes time like shorterning the steering rack to eliminate bump steer, making front and rear wishbones, adding brackets, rear uprights, pedals etc.

Although there is a lot more pre-made parts available now, I was cash constrained so made as much as I could spending the cash on decent brakes, wheels etc.

It's all good fun

If I was to make one again I would build the frame around a roll cage (design this and get bent up in CSD as a flat pack as you will struggle to make decent bends), make it smaller and narrower (= faster and lighter), forget poly bushes and make using 1/2" rose joints.

Also used the savings to buy an AC/DC TIG set so made the fuel tank etc.

Not attempted, completed and now sprinting it.

[Edited on 9/5/15 by mark chandler]

Built mine (and all the bodywork) using RC book as a template but changed to IRS and added 4" to width.

No specific problems but I did do a lot of thinking

ATB

Simon

I'm going to start mine as soon as the room becomes available.

Built 3 cars already, first was a Striker in 94, kit was basically a chassis and some body work, had to make a few parts.

Older and not wiser now but feel confident I will pull it off...

I scratch built a a Ron champion locost back in 2002, passed sva, and sprinted it before I sold it,
I like the challenge of scratch build, I will fabricate my own wishbones too, not sure about the rose joint options, had a race car before and was very harsh but still leaving options open

Yup! Half finished chassis in the garage rafters due to buying a bargain fury project...

Bought the A4 file with plans in it........from F27 near Bristol , probably mid 1990's . Building the chassis was straightforward , also the wishbones and trailing arms for the rear suspension etc. I think the thing at the time was having to make everything.......had a few periods of inactivity...then finished it.
I remember completing it just as the Locost book was published....... i liked the proportions of that more than the F27.Although I did make a few changes anyway.....the rear in particular , as it had a strange "kick up at the back" When we moved house I sold the F27and have since owned a Caterham , Westfield and now have an MK Indy. It was a tremendous sense of achievement creating something from nothing , would I do it again.......????

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Originally posted by anthony1
Bought the A4 file with plans in it........from F27 near Bristol , probably mid 1990's . Building the chassis was straightforward , also the wishbones and trailing arms for the rear suspension etc. I think the thing at the time was having to make everything.......had a few periods of inactivity...then finished it.
I remember completing it just as the Locost book was published....... i liked the proportions of that more than the F27.Although I did make a few changes anyway.....the rear in particular , as it had a strange "kick up at the back" When we moved house I sold the F27and have since owned a Caterham , Westfield and now have an MK Indy. It was a tremendous sense of achievement creating something from nothing , would I do it again.......????

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Yup I made one to the book


Only advice is a small deviation early on bites you in the ass later on Build it basic and upgrade latter. Keeps initial cost down and gives you years of upgrades to keep you interested.


Now collecting parts for one more. It did take me ten years to finish the last.

Mine is a scratch build in progress, I have more time than money so everything is being made from raw components.

I think the one thing I'm starting to realise is 'be organised'. A car in bits takes up far more space than a complete car, and you need certain parts at certain times. Anything that isn't needed should be stored and covered.

And keep all the nuts and bolts from the donor, you can't usually use them for the final build but it's good to know fixing sizes. And it saves using up the good bolts and nyloc nuts just to test fit things.

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Originally posted by big_wasa
Yup I made one to the book


Only advice is a small deviation early on bites you in the ass later on Build it basic and upgrade latter. Keeps initial cost down and gives you years of upgrades to keep you interested.


Now collecting parts for one more. It did take me ten years to finish the last.

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Yes chassis and wishbones. I didn't make the fibreglass as I just didn't have space.

Yep made mine from scratch and some of the fiberglass,
finished in 1999 and would never do it again !

steve

I'm currently building a Haynes, I'm getting on with it ok, it's challenging but that's what I like, never built a car before, i think financially your worse off but you've built your own car and not just brought someone else's, I think it depends how much time you have, good luck, I've a build thread in the Haynes section if your interested

Yep I done one and really enjoyed every minute of building almost every part I could on my car about the only thing I didn't make myself was the grp.

I can feel I have at least another one in me
Next one I may even design myself who knows

I definitely don't have the skills for a scratch build. Not an easy task!
I found building a kit difficult enough!

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I definitely don't have the skills for a scratch build. Not an easy task!
I found building a kit difficult enough!

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