wanna be builder
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 posted on 19/5/06 at 10:52 AM |
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Complete n00b questions
Hey all, first off sorry if i'm asking lame questions but i couldn't seem to fing the answers using the search.
first off i come from a background of hot hatches ie R5 turbos, 205 gti's etc and wondered how driving these sort of cars compares in terms of
performance? i'm not looking to build a motor that requires superhuman skill to drive just something a bit different.
i bought the book and have been reading it for some time and i'm still trying to figure out how long the build time take for a amature with
passion to build (i dont have a trouble and strife and/or sprogs to hold me back)
does anybody have a recomended "simplist" build?
many thanks
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graememk
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| posted on 19/5/06 at 11:02 AM |
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arghghgh a chav builder might see the first burberry interior lol
hello and welcome, regards to your question, i've been out in many 7 style cars becs and cecs and as of yet we've never been left at the
lights, if that answers your question. kits weigh much less that corsa'a with big stereos
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zxrlocost
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| posted on 19/5/06 at 11:05 AM |
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hi mate depends what engine you want
but all have superb handling and have a low centre of gravity etc etc
my r1 MK does almost 60mph in first gear and gets there inbetween the late 3's early 4's
I was driving it round yesterday and had some powerful cars try and keep up with me for about 1 second
and when I say these pull away from most modded cars I mean pull away
up to 100mph it would take one hell of a super car to beat you
you have to respect the car otherwise it will be in control and its a bit phsyco at times
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mookaloid
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| posted on 19/5/06 at 11:06 AM |
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You don't have to be superhuman to drive one of these cars but it helps.
Seriously these can be very fast cars and they dont have much in the way of protection for their occupants so they should be treated with respect.
If you are used to driving hot hatches fast and safely then you are probably going to enjoy one of these cars too. You will have to get your head
round rear wheel drive, and understand that these cars are very much more sensitive to suspension setup, tyre pressures etc, etc
As for time, if you want a quick build get a kit. I believe a lot of the time in building your own chassis etc is taken up with thinking and planning
time, so the ususal supspects MK, MNR, MAC#1 etc are worth considering.
HTH
Cheers
Mark
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Hellfire
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| posted on 19/5/06 at 11:06 AM |
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Welcome to the madhouse. To answer your first question, there really is no comparison between a hot hatch and a seven. They're not in the same
league.
If you have the necessary skills to build your own chassis, then you may want to go down that route. Alternatively, if you want to get on the road a
bit quicker, you could always consider buying a kit. It really depends on what your skills are and how much you want to spend.
Lastly, have you ever considered a bike engine?......................
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David Jenkins
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| posted on 19/5/06 at 11:07 AM |
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First of all - the driving experience will be absolutely nothing like a hot hatch! At the moment I am driving a Golf GTi turbo, which is a very nice
car, but it doesn't give the raw excitement of my '7'. The low weight gives tremendous acceleration, even with a small-ish engine
like mine (around 100bhp), and it has incredible road-holding. Think street-legal go-kart.
On the flip-side, it's nowhere near as comfortable, you get wet when it rains, wind will batter you about, and you will spend more time fiddling
with the car. None of these factors stop me enjoying the driving of this car!
I can't speak about build time, but to keep it to the shortest possible, buy a decent kit from the range of suppliers that many will recommend
here. Some have finished their builds in under 6 months of part-time work. If you're prepared to pay a heap of money for a Westfield kit you
could do it in 7 or 8 days, if you put 8 or 10 hours in per day.
The MOST important thing is to realise that a car like this is a big boy's toy to play with now and again, rather than an every-day runabout
(although a few do).
David
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wanna be builder
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| posted on 19/5/06 at 11:25 AM |
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" chav builder might see the first burberry interior" an inspired idea but no! i wasnt that kind of hot hatch driver, the reason i drove
car like that was so that i could get to work but also take it to castle combe ( i lived about 5min away) at the weekend. Now i'm starting to
get a bit older i think its time for a more dedicated track car and a shed for getting to/from work.
Mookaloid mentions MK, MNR, MAC#1 as a good suppliers of kits, do you knowlagable folk agree with him
i know is gonna be months away but i have to ask a sensible question how do you go about getting insurance for these types of car? do you have special
deals with insurers?
many thanks again
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flak monkey
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| posted on 19/5/06 at 11:36 AM |
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Hi, welcome to the nut house
Any of the manufacturers listed on this site are good places to start. Luego recently went bust, so might be wise to steer clear of them at the
moment...
Get in touch with a few of the manufacturers, take rides in their cars. Speak to them and see who you get along with. Everyone on here is biased to a
certain opinion as to who the best manufacturer is.
Take your time deciding. If you have any questions, ask and someone will be able to help. We are a helpful bunch really!
David
PS dont listen to Hellfire...he tells everyone to fit a bike engine....  
Sera
http://www.motosera.com
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wanna be builder
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| posted on 19/5/06 at 11:40 AM |
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Thanks for the warm welcome people
a bike engine sounds fun prob goes like stink and is gonna wee the neighbours off something rotten when i fire it up (all good things)
but due to living in Nottingham atm (speed camera city) anything too quick is gonna reduce me to pedestrian status again
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graememk
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| posted on 19/5/06 at 11:42 AM |
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yes mate sorry if my burberry comments come across as rude, i have a mk indy very nice cars if there built right, however mmr mac one etc etc are all
in my opinion are all as good/bad as each other. i love my indy and had the 1st drive in it wednesday, loved every min of it. might be worth seeing if
anyone local to you will let you have a ride along in there kit
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BKLOCO
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| posted on 19/5/06 at 11:42 AM |
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So whats the betting that a certain person posts an MK advert in this thread?
Experience is what you get when you don't get what you want!!! 
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Marcus
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| posted on 19/5/06 at 11:43 AM |
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Even a 1300 crossflow would out accelerate the vast majority of hot hatches on the road, so your licence is in serious jeopardy!
Come to Newark next month, have a ride, dont' jump into anything without researching.
Marcus
Marcus
Because kits are for girls!!
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graememk
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| posted on 19/5/06 at 11:45 AM |
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i think he's busy getting someone to pump his tyres up or he'll be eating donuts whilst watching.
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David Jenkins
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| posted on 19/5/06 at 11:47 AM |
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If you're in Nottingham, then the Newark show is just up the road - well worth a nose around, even though it's not a big venue for kit
suppliers.
David
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BKLOCO
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| posted on 19/5/06 at 11:48 AM |
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On a more serious note:
We don't know where in the country you are but a strong consideration for many is location of the manufacturer relative to the builder.
It's no fun if you have a 2 or 3 hundred mile round trip if you need to visit!
This was one of the deceiding factors in my choice.
Remember you will not have the luxury of being able to pop to your nearest main agent when you have a problem.
You either sort it yourself (with help from here) or go to the manufacturer!
Experience is what you get when you don't get what you want!!!
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zxrlocost
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| posted on 19/5/06 at 11:51 AM |
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insurance on a kit car is mega cheap
age 22 nissan skyline GTr and 300zx swb tt
=£3000
now r1 indy would wee on my above old cars up to 100mph
£400
explain that one to me
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wanna be builder
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| posted on 19/5/06 at 11:52 AM |
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"yes mate sorry if my burberry comments come across as rude"
No worries i thought i was funny! i just have a dark side to me which wishes a slow and painfull death to all chavs hence the disgust at being
included in their ranks!
thanks again for pointing me in the right direction for good kit producers, i gonna hunt round them for some ideas, then harass you guys for more
information when i have a better idea of what my plan is
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wanna be builder
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| posted on 19/5/06 at 11:58 AM |
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the newark show looks spot on i think i'll be going to that is anybody else going?
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Hellfire
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| posted on 19/5/06 at 12:03 PM |
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Most of the major manufacturers will be there, as will a good selection of cars.
Living in Nottingham would make you quite close to MK...........
Pop round on any Saturday morning and take a look.
Disclaimer - Other manufacturers do exist (so people say)
PS - Have I mentioned bike engines??
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wanna be builder
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| posted on 19/5/06 at 12:08 PM |
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LOL
let me guess you work for MK?? Are they likely to be at the show?
as for bike engines, i think i might fit a lawn mower engine so i can keep my licence for now
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Hellfire
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| posted on 19/5/06 at 12:11 PM |
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No I don't work for MK Just another satisfied customer Yes, MK will be at the Newark show.
You can drive slowly through speed cameras, even with a bike engine. 
[Edited on 19-5-06 by Hellfire]
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BKLOCO
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| posted on 19/5/06 at 12:19 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Hellfire
No I don't work for MK Just another satisfied customer Yes, MK will be at the Newark show.
You can drive slowly through speed cameras, even with a bike engine.
[Edited on 19-5-06 by Hellfire]
You just sound like an annimated hair drier
Experience is what you get when you don't get what you want!!!
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wanna be builder
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| posted on 19/5/06 at 12:28 PM |
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^
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stevec
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| posted on 19/5/06 at 01:25 PM |
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Has anyone mentioned bike engines yet !
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pajsh
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| posted on 19/5/06 at 03:03 PM |
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This came up this morning.
Cl
ick Here
If I wasn't already building I'd take a serious look.
Plenty of parts at a knock down price, alot of the hard work done and looks a nice job.
Possibly well worth collecting from London too. User is on here as Reck you could U2U him also.
[Edited on 19/5/06 by pajsh]
I used to be apathetic but now I just don't care.
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