Erk
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| posted on 14/5/07 at 07:46 AM |
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Which seven kit... (yep what a corker)
After much deep thought I have decided I want to build a BEC seven. the question is- which kit? I don't want to do much welding, so want to buy
a complete chassis, and budget is probably around 4-5k. I want it to handle well, am not bothered about it having a fabric roof available. The reason
I ask is I bet lots of people on here would possibly buy a different kit if they had their time again, which ones are not so good?
All opinions wanted!
Erk.
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DaveFJ
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| posted on 14/5/07 at 07:52 AM |
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ere we go........
Dave
"In Support of Help the Heroes" - Always
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smart51
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| posted on 14/5/07 at 08:05 AM |
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The best thing to do is look at all the major manufacturers and see which car you like best. Go to a show and see them all in one day or go to their
factories or look at the cars of people who live near you.
MNR and MK are quite popular. That was my shortlist, after Luego said they wouldn't support my build if I fitted a bike engine.
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graememk
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| posted on 14/5/07 at 08:09 AM |
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depends on where you live, but mac1 mnr and mk would give you the bec you need
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Hellfire
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| posted on 14/5/07 at 08:11 AM |
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You'de be advised to do a search using the search facility... this is discussed at (very long) length frequently and TBH, it brings up all sorts
of opinions about the various manufacturers... do a search and decide for yourself is my advice.
Steve
PS Welcome to the Madhouse and enjoy your build, whatever you decide! 
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speedyxjs
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| posted on 14/5/07 at 08:16 AM |
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Where abouts in the world are you? If you can get to kent,
Total Kit Car is on at brands. Go there and have a
ride in a few cars and talk to some people.
How long can i resist the temptation to drop a V8 in?
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stevebubs
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| posted on 14/5/07 at 08:28 AM |
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Is it just welding you want to avoid, or general fabrication also?
If the latter then Westfield and Caterham are probably the only true "bolt together" options and unfortunately out of your budget.
If it's just welding then have a hunt round the dedicated forums for problems people have encountered.
IMHO, it's also worth considering the distance to the factory. However building a car within your budget may be a real stretch as any
"production" kit will take a huge chunk out of that.
[Edited on 14/5/07 by stevebubs]
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Erk
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| posted on 14/5/07 at 09:42 AM |
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Firstly thanks v much for all the replies. Lots of really good angles. I based my budget on a friend of a friend who built an MK R1 for 5 1/4k. I was
thinking of maybe a cheaper engine (ZZR or blade), and some crafty purchasing, along with a mate who has access to a pretty big car breakers yard
stock at the right money. And of course when do you ever actually come in on budget, I'll just have to sell a kidney if the money runs out.
I am quite happy to do plenty of fabrication work, even a little bit of welding, just didn't want to get into welding my own chassis, as I would
get bored before it resembles anything like a car.
What difference is there between a caterham chassis and the mk (new or old) chassis? Is there really lots and lots?
Am in staffordshire, but have a work car with free fuel so kent is not a problem. Already went to stoneleigh but there was just too much information
to take in all in one go.
Off to look at MNR website now.
:-)
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worX
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| posted on 14/5/07 at 09:58 AM |
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ERK, there are a couple of subtle differences between caterham chassis' of a few years ago and most 7 manufacturers, and one decent difference -
Price!
I would be (pleasantly) surprised if your mates budget of £5250 for an R1 MK was entirely accurate, but obviously you know him better than me.
I built a MAC1 Worx (£600 extra for the worx kit) and a couple of extra goodies like brakes and suspension), but even with a £570 blade engine my OTR
total was nearly £9000...
hth
Steve.
edited to add - there are wa few people nearish to you (esp with your free company fuel!) that would be happy to take you out for a spin 
[Edited on 14/5/07 by worX]
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James
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| posted on 14/5/07 at 09:58 AM |
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You won't go far wrong going with MK, MNR, GTS, Luego.
In fact, if you could combine the best bits of them all you'd have an amazing car! 
Cheers,
James
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"The fight is won or lost far away from witnesses, behind the lines, in the gym and out there on the road, long before I dance under those lights."
- Muhammad Ali
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Erk
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| posted on 14/5/07 at 10:23 AM |
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Not sure whats up with the MNR site, I cant seem to get the module pages to work at all.
I went out in an MK (blade I think) last year when I went to see the factory, my memory of it was that it was an incredibly intense experience!
Just out of interest what build costs have people on here paid in total then?? I don't know the R1 chap very well so not 100% on the build cost,
I have exchanged a few emails with him, was going to go over and see his car at some point, maybe I might go in the next week or so.
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Pezza
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| posted on 14/5/07 at 11:52 AM |
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Mine is still on target for 4k before sva.
I cheated and bought a part built one cheap though :p I've been very careful with my spending though.
Having a well equiped garage has helped too on the fabrication side of things.
You couldn't pwn your way out of a wet paper bag, with "PWN ME!!" written on it, from the "pwned take-away" which originally contained one
portion of chicken tikka pwnsala and the obligatory free pwnpadom.
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zxrlocost
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| posted on 14/5/07 at 01:10 PM |
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part built is the way to go for budget
I spent over 10 grand on my black car
bit daft really
although i got most of it back
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donut
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| posted on 14/5/07 at 02:02 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by James
You won't go far wrong going with MK, MNR, GTS, Luego.
In fact, if you could combine the best bits of them all you'd have an amazing car!
Cheers,
James
Now there's a good idea!!
Andy
When I die, I want to go peacefully like my Grandfather did, in his sleep -- not screaming, like the passengers in his car.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/andywest1/
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speedyxjs
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| posted on 14/5/07 at 05:13 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Erk
Just out of interest what build costs have people on here paid in total then?
So far iv spent about £5-600 (including donor car) and i have at least 30% of what i need. I have budgeted £2000 for my build but im using a lot of
parts from my donor. I havn't started my build yet (would have started chassis but got electric problems in the garage) but i think i should
finish within my build target...hopefully.
How long can i resist the temptation to drop a V8 in?
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