Building a Kit car

[hsvchris]

Hi there,

I am interested in building a kit car, and was wondering if any here has ever built one?

Searching the net though I can only find Shelby cobra and hot rod kit cars suppliers in Australia. Buildng a Shelby cobra would be nice but I would like to know what else is available. Does anyone have any links or info about other kits/suppliers?

Thanks

[Souljah]

PRB do a clubman type kit car. I thought "that looks like some fun to build" until my friend who was keen phoned up and got a price. Average build - $40,000 :S

[German Statesman]

Lemme guess...you want something different, but with a drivetrain you know and trust. You want something that will go like a kicked cat, yet you can floor them at the run-what-you-brung sessions at Wankerbank dragway by saying "I built that myself." You want style, speed and simplicity in a package that's unique and not what you're going to see at the next set of lights.

I'm about to undertake a design in chassis construction, and my dream is to eventually build a 102" wheelbase front-engined rear wheel drive full chassis that will take front & rear chassis subframes/powertrain assemblies from a donor VY-up SS/HSV sedan. A freelance artist mate has drawn up a grand tourer two seater body with styling cues similar to an 80's Maserati BiTurbo/De Tomaso Longchamps coupe but updated in looks. It'll be low, wide and have big guards to take deep dished 8" wide wheels and shock horror - it'll have PRESENCE!! (eat that, AURION!!!)

PM me if you'd like some help & info on adapting English/American kit car designs for Australia.

Cheers

JOHN

[WE OWN 2 GEN 3s]

Do something different , there are way to many cobra's , westfields
how about
Ford GT40
or my favorite replica is lamborghini murcielago with a mid mounted ls1 which a company in vic are building

STU

[Road Warrior]

Yeah go the GT40

With the Ford 4.6 quad cam in it or an LS1

Or one of these

http://www.factoryfive.com/table/ffrkits/GTM/GTMkit.html

http://img.waffleimages.com/a95e8fa2f619052cac9c7ccb1ff9450f6d47c423/t/4604a.jpg

Designed to be fitted with an LS1 and Porsche transaxle and it looks http://i.somethingawful.com/forumsystem/emoticons/emot-flashfap.gif

[German Statesman]

Yeah go the GT40

With the Ford 4.6 quad cam in it or an LS1

Or one of these

http://www.factoryfive.com/table/ffrkits/GTM/GTMkit.html

http://img.waffleimages.com/a95e8fa2f619052cac9c7ccb1ff9450f6d47c423/t/4604a.jpg

Designed to be fitted with an LS1 and Porsche transaxle and it looks http://i.somethingawful.com/forumsystem/emoticons/emot-flashfap.gif

Don't forget the DRB GT40 - they also offer a widebody version that takes 11" wide wheels on 315 tyres :nyuk: :nyuk: :nyuk:

Nice car - the frame has too much RHS steel in it for my liking, but its run on the track OK.

Cheers

JOHN

[Road Warrior]

Another one I forgot that looks f'kn awesome is the K1 Attack:

http://img.waffleimages.com/149a342741b8f0d677c2cbc78509c2231acfa9be/t/aba076b.jpg (http://img.waffleimages.com/149a342741b8f0d677c2cbc78509c2231acfa9be/aba076b.jpg)

Faggoty name though and it is powered by a mid mounted Honduh Accord engine :shiner:

[VYSSBlack]

http://www.elfin.com.au/

Im not sure if all there cars can be bought in kit form but some of them can.

[Dickie Knee]

Not high-performance, but I did build one.

TD 2000

http://images.carsales.com.au/private/589396.jpg
( the one I built was green )

MG lookalike kit that used Nissan pintara drive line.

[Yoda]

Well if you want a cracking kit car, that goes like there no tomorrow and corners as if it is on rails, I think there is only one choice. Caterham
http://www.caterham.co.uk/
Sure there are a few others faster (ultima) or more road friendly but for a pure driving experience, a Caterham Superlight is hard to go past.

I have several friends that have put these toughter now.
They are not cheap here, but in the Uk where I lived for the last 6 years they were affordable. The top range one was about £35000, (the bottom was about £12,000)
For that you got a car that does 0-100 in 3.1 secs. I was lucky enough to steer a super light caterham at Bedford racing complex in the UK via a friend and I must say WITHOUT doubt it was the best "drive" I had ever had.

cheers

[OPPYLOCK]

I've always been interested in building a kit car myself.
All the cars mentioned above would definately be on the list but for me I think a Porsche Spyder 550 would have to be the one.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Porsche-550-Spyder-Replica-1955-Porsche-Beck-550-Spyder_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ6058QQihZ011QQit emZ320039345728QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW
I know there is a company in Oz that do these kits but I can't remember their name. They run Subaru flat fours and the one I saw race at a hill climb was fitted with a WRX STI donk. Set one of the fastest times of the day.
I hope the crash safety is a little better than the original, just ask James Dean!!!

[2001 ITR]

If it was me I’d start off at the easier end (clubman) before trying a more complicated kit. Westfield (aka flexi flyers) are cheapish clubbies, and if you want to go cheaper there are the various Locost frames.

Dickie Knee how did the TD 2000 go? I sprinted against one in MSCA sprints years ago and it wasn’t that quick (don’t know if it was the car or the driver), just interested in what you thought of it. They seemed quite well finished, the frame looked simple (ladder frame with a live rear end?), did they use the 3v Nissan 2.4 litre 4 cyl or was it a 2.0 litre? The design passed through a few companies over the years, I can remember one of the original stands at a motor show boasting that Larry Perkins was involved in some shakedown tests. Were Bolwell involved in producing the fibreglass clamshells?

RC Speedsters do a 365 replica - http://www.rcspeedsters.com.au/Traditional%20Speedster.htm

[German Statesman]

Whatever happened to that X7 replicas business that were making ls1 powered Clubmans?? They got Brocky to do some testing for them, and I saw that David Morley the journalist had a fang in one & nearly stacked it when the throttle jammed.

Cheers

JOHN

[2001 ITR]

There was a post on here a year back about it. The Elfin guys were pretty dismissive about it – ladder frame and a live rear end (not that there is anything wrong with a live rear end if it’s done correctly). Some tuner had it or worked on it. I know that Brock had a bit of a go in the Elfin Streamliner don’t know about the X7.

I saw what I think was the prototype at a Sandown sprint a few years ago – it didn’t look road legal (the windscreen, no wipers or washers) to me. What it DID do was come flying down the front straight quicker than anything else that day, very, very quick.

[German Statesman]

Yeah, I read the roadtests on their site, and Morley said it was one of the most lethal things he had ever driven. The power to weight ratio would've been spine-tingling, but the RHS construction with that LS1 at the front is just suicide..

Cheers

JOHN

[2001 ITR]

Here is the link Germ Staty - http://www.ls1.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=48465&highlight=SANDOWN
Sounds as if it’s even more of a weapon now!

[seedyrom]

Many moons ago I was dead keen on getting a Pontiac Fiero and putting a kit over the top of it to turn it into a Ferrari 355.

http://www.kitcars.com/Classifieds/Pictures/8726-1.jpg

I did a HEAP of research, and was almost ready to start looking for a suitable donor that had already been converted to RHD.

I had budgeted that the project would cost me around $40,000. There is also a Toyota MR2 conversion that gives you more modern running gear, but obviously needs a more expensive donor vehicle.

Anyway ... after a lengthy chat with the owner of The fiero shop in queensland, he talked me out of it. Even though he's done them many times before (albeit 308 bodies).

They guy warned me, and I hadn't anticipated this in my initial budgeting, that the cost of the project would most likely blow out to $60,000+.


I'm glad I didnt start it now ... but each to their own.


However my old man finished his kit car a couple of years ago.
He did a Westfield and got 3rd place in the Peoples choice at their Australia wide clubman annual meet. Not bad for his first attempt.

I dont have any real pics of it - it looks similar to this
http://www.dove21.com/assets/speed_blur.jpg

And here's the only couple I could find.
Interior
http://www.oz8.org/gallery/albums/Seedyrom/clubman1.jpg

and he's just turbo'd it using a WRX STi turbo, and fabricated everything else up himself.
http://www.oz8.org/gallery/albums/Seedyrom/clubman2.jpg

Of course it helps when you have a full workshop including computerised lathes and mills plus the rest


You'll want to be patient and do it right - or be insanely fastidious like my old man, who ended up casting and milling his own parts, just so that they'd be perfect.

At any rate ... it'll cost you .... but my old man sure has gotten a lot of enjoyment out of the project.
And yes, he is talking about the next one - so he wasn't turned off by the process.

Also the registration procedures have changed making road registration more difficult.

Might want to check out the www.ozclubbies.com forums for tips and advice.

Cheers,
Seedy

[OPPYLOCK]

I chased a turboed super 7 through the national park at stanwell tops on my cagiva a coupla years ago. By chased I mean tried to keep up and failed. Something that can out punch a 1000cc road bike is pretty damn quick in my book.
Hope next time I see him I'll be driving this bad boy!!!
http://www.webwombat.com.au/motoring/news_reports/weineck-cobra-780cui.htm

[amckiwi]

I have heard it is very dificult to get these cars engineered and road worthied
Do all the research first
Buyer beware or whatever

I have a mate who is clever and good at building things he has a Lotus 7 replica that cannot be registered even though done properly.

As an aside all GT40 replicas I have seen none were running cats how do they get away with that?

[seedyrom]

I have heard it is very dificult to get these cars engineered and road worthied
Do all the research first
Buyer beware or whatever

I have a mate who is clever and good at building things he has a Lotus 7 replica that cannot be registered even though done properly.

As an aside all GT40 replicas I have seen none were running cats how do they get away with that?
I know my old mans had an old jumper shoved in the airbox to reduce intake noise for drive-by noise testing.

And as for those side exhausts that are ultra loud? ... well when you go to get your engineering .... well sometimes it might not be the exhaust that you end up running ;)
mmmmmmmm ... steam pipe

http://www.oz8.org/gallery/albums/Seedyrom/zorst1.jpg

http://www.oz8.org/gallery/albums/Seedyrom/zorst2.jpg

http://www.oz8.org/gallery/albums/Seedyrom/zorst3.jpg

It has a flashy stainless guard around the exhaust with those stamped out holes now ... so its not dangerous if you touch it

http://www.oz8.org/gallery/albums/Seedyrom/zorst4.jpg

[LS1 Cobra]

I'm building a Cobra with LS1 power. There are plenty of other options out there than the Cobra.

I'd been tempted to rebody a datsun 260Z 2 seater to make a Ferrari 250GTO replica. There are a few people still making kits and a rough and rusty 260Z can still be picked up cheap. Doesn't ,atter too much what the body work looks like cause it'll all be covered up or replaced except the roof and rear hatch.

The other advantage of doing one of these is that you dont have to register it as an ICV, it's just a modified datsun.

Repower it with your choice of engine. I reckon an LS1 would be a great transplant. Add some red paint and a set of wire wheels and you've got a real head turner.

Here's a link to a nice one: 250GTO Replica (http://www.cardomain.com/ride/236622)

Cheers

Michael

[ProVK]

What about a Ultima, awesome chassis, would be nuts with a LS1 sitting behind your seat.

http://www.ultimasports.co.uk/

The Ultima GTR is awesome, definatly would turn some heads.

[Beejay Cobra]

I have heard it is very dificult to get these cars engineered and road worthied
Do all the research first
Buyer beware or whatever

I have a mate who is clever and good at building things he has a Lotus 7 replica that cannot be registered even though done properly.

As an aside all GT40 replicas I have seen none were running cats how do they get away with that?

It certainly is a bit of work to get through the engineering process, but worth it in the end. Building a Cobra is not for everyone, but I like my package of LS1 power, 1150 Kg and 11" wide rubber.

Beejay

[Bane]

What about a Ultima, awesome chassis, would be nuts with a LS1 sitting behind your seat.

http://www.ultimasports.co.uk/

The Ultima GTR is awesome, definatly would turn some heads.

Agreed, one of my dream cars to own one day.

Here's a link to a great complete build site.
http://www.ultima-gtr.info/

[hsvchris]

I think I will start with a PRB clubman as a first build car because no fabrication is required and all the parts needed come from PRB.
Maybe after that I will go on to something like the 250GTO or GTR. :)

[Sonic_Brew]

I have always wanted to build a Lamborghini Diablo kit car. I like the idea of having absolutely everything built the way you want it. Only downside for me would be the plastic looking shell and the interior noise from the engine would be overbearing I would imagine.


Looking at this though has forced me to reconsider it.:evil:


http://www.factoryfive.com/table/ffrkits/GTM/images/rollingchassis/B2.jpg

[German Statesman]

Not the best looking chassis, but nicely done.

[pagey]

Don't forget the DRB GT40 - they also offer a widebody version that takes 11" wide wheels on 315 tyres :nyuk: :nyuk: :nyuk:

Nice car - the frame has too much RHS steel in it for my liking, but its run on the track OK.

Cheers

JOHN

The DRB.. while externally can look "pretty" are dead set nothing more than a glorified trailer chassis.. though with the demise of Roaring Forties.. there is very little alternative.



As an aside all GT40 replicas I have seen none were running cats how do they get away with that?

You may have missed them.. they are usually built into the "gonzo" or simlar type mufflers.. as per below.
http://www.oz8.org/gallery/albums/Pageys-Gallery/gt40_4.sized.jpg

[German Statesman]

The DRB.. while externally can look "pretty" are dead set nothing more than a glorified trailer chassis.. though with the demise of Roaring Forties.. there is very little alternative.

Agreed - RHS steel in chassis is a cheap way to build and its not all that strong for track applications or durability: you don't see RHS in V8 Supercars. The only proper chassis construction should be with quality tubing and fishmouth welds/joins.

It's sad Roaring Forties went into liquidation, they had a lovely product. Unfortunately, much of the industry is price driven and as long as a chassis will do the occasional track day and commute, most people are happy.

Cheers

JOHN

[pagey]

yes.. they were one of the better chassis & moulds.. actually taken of an original car MK1.. though they do still need reasonable hand finishing.

Unfortunately the turkey running R.F just had no idea.. and after attempting to screw many in Oz.. thought he would also try it in South Africa.. which ultimately left many thousands out of pocket after paying deposits.. and him out of bussiness.

The chassis jig and moulds were actually for sale not long ago.

With PLENTY of attention.. they can come up great.. this is one of 3 that I was lucky enough to be around from ground up builds. It is about as close to original race spec as possible... though they (original race cars) were all a bit different
http://www.oz8.org/gallery/albums/Pageys-Gallery/gt4012.sized.jpg

[LS1 Cobra]

Mild steel is a good material for making a road car space frame chassis from. Here's why...

Chrome molly is stronger for its equivalent weight than steel so that means race car chassis can be made of thinner materials to reduce weight for the same strength. It's a great material but you wouldn't use it on a road car. That high tensile strength has a down side in making the material brittle. The constant pounding the chassis recieves on the road would have welds cracking in no time.

Chrome molly is fine for a race car that sees a couple of seasons work on a nice smooth track but it's crap for a road car designed to do a couple of hundred thousand KM.

Mild steel's give and ability to flex a bit without work hardening is it's saving grace.

What about aluminium then? Great material but not as strong as steel for it's equivalent weight so to get the same strength the material has to be thicker negating much of the weight advantage. Welding an aluminium chassis presents another problem Because of it's expansion rate when heated it distorts like a bastard when welded. Welding up an aluminium chassis anf getting it to come out of the jig the same shape every time is a challenge. Repairing it presents a whole new set of problems. Aluminium is an expensive option.

I've looked closely at both RF and DRB GT40's and I know people that own both cars. Personally I like the DRB over the RF car. I'm not so fond of all the rivet on paneling in the RF car i.e. the floor pan and bulkheads. The DRB uses welded in bulkheads and floors made from a corrugated steel sheet. These are stitch welded in place which is far stronger than riveting. The Floor and Bulkheads are essentially shear planes and add a great deal of strength to the car. I reckon the DRB chassis would pull produce better torsion and beaming figures than an RF chassis. How pretty it looks often doesn't have much to do with how strong the design is.


Both RF and DRB GT40's are a country mile awar from an original GT40.

They may have the same physical shape but that's about where it ends. The original GT40's built by Lola in the UK were an aluminium monocoqe chassis. Esentially a bunch of rolled and folded aluminium sheet welded riveted and bonded together. Nothing like the tubular steel space frames in the replicas.

About the only one that really comes close is RCR but you would need a big pile of cash to buld one.

Race Car Replicas (http://www.race-car-replicas.com/)

Cheers

Michael

[German Statesman]

Your comments about the construction of the chassis open the old can of worms about kit car construction - road or race, strength or comfort. You are dead right when you mention the 'give' that is needed in chassis to make them comfortable rather than bone jarring, and I've had the experience of feeling both with the arse-o-meter :)

It would be stupid to refer to a chassis purely on looks - my comment about looks referred to the useage of RHS in its construction, and I'm from that group that think its not suited to high hp and torque stresses found in component cars. I also look upon its use in chassis as a cost-cutting exercise by kit car manufacturers to fit their product to a price, and not so long ago in the 'States there was a raging argument in kit car forums about the rights & wrongs of doing this.

I've been keeping an eye on this over the last couple of years http://www.saker.co.nz/

I wasn't keen at first because it had a WRX engine in them, and I wasn't prepared to accept the issues this engine has in order to live with it. I see they are available now with the H6 six cylinder out of the SVX/Outback wagon, and a turbo version can be obtained through the Jap engine crowd. They were launched here in QLD as a completed car 2yrs ago for around the $90K mark with the WRX engine - for a race car, that's a bargain. I don't know how they've sold though.

If I was to pick a car along those lines as a kit car, I'd angle for the GTP Corvette from the mid-80s - much nicer design and good ol' LS1 power with a Porsche G50 transaxle sounds the goods.

Cheers

JOHN

[2001 ITR]

The original Lola chassis for the GT40 was aluminium then Ford changed it to a (heavier & rust prone) steel monocoque. Lola kept on going with aluminium on their T70’s. Some cars sufferer from lozenging where the sideways stress around the rivet holes caused it to expand from a circle to a slot, Lola tried to get around this by nitrogen cooling the rivets before they were inserted (gave a tighter fit).

The frame for the RF GT40 looked a bit “light on” – single plane, withought much triangulation. This is just an amateur’s opinion but a lot of mid-engined chassis seem to do that, why not a few braces back from the roll hoop yo the rear suspension mounts?

[German Statesman]

The best chassis I ever saw, was a skeleton view of a Lamborghini Miura SV - the concept was a tub centre cockpit with sills with subframe-type legs that held the drivetrain and suspension assemblies.

Beautiful design, and strong as anything

Cheers

JOHN

Just found a link.

http://www.autodrome-cannes.com/lamborghini_miura_p_400s.htm

Look how strong the frame looks.

http://web-cars.com/miura/miura_turin_1.html
http://web-cars.com/miura/miura_turin_3.html


Its almost as beautiful as the whole car :love: :) :bow:

http://www.miurasv.com/4870/index.html

Cheers

JOHN

[seldo]

Mild steel is a good material for making a road car space frame chassis from. Here's why...

Chrome molly is stronger for its equivalent weight than steel so that means race car chassis can be made of thinner materials to reduce weight for the same strength. It's a great material but you wouldn't use it on a road car. That high tensile strength has a down side in making the material brittle. The constant pounding the chassis recieves on the road would have welds cracking in no time.

Chrome molly is fine for a race car that sees a couple of seasons work on a nice smooth track but it's crap for a road car designed to do a couple of hundred thousand KM.

Mild steel's give and ability to flex a bit without work hardening is it's saving grace................snip

Cheers

Michael
It is something that is not always taken into consideration.
IIRC when Porsche were running their fearsome 917s at Le Mans, they had a C-M chassis and because of the cracking problem, they actually had the tubular chassis pressurised with an inert gas, so that when it lost pressure, they could tell they had a crack....before it broke

[mido2k]

I was always keen on a Lotus 7 replica, specifically the Westfield kit.....

But then, i found out about one of these....
The Ariel Atom.......

YES I KNOW ITS NOT A KIT BUT STILL, who wants a kit when it comes ready to go like this!!!

http://www.arielmotor.co.uk/04/profile.htm

http://www.arielmotor.co.uk/04/side/side.jpg
http://www.arielmotor.co.uk/04/rear/rear.jpg
http://www.arielmotor.co.uk/04/front/fornt.jpg
0-60 mph : 3.5 sec. (2.9 Supercharged)
Top Speed: 140 mph (155 mph Supercharged)
Power: 220 bhp (300 bhp Supercharged)
Weight: 556 kg (1,226 lb)
Transmission: 6-Speed Close Ratio Manual w/ Reverse
:bow: :bow: :bow: :bow: :bow:

It's a shame it wont pass ADR in Australia coz its damn fast.. For thos Top gear fans out there, no doubt you have seen the episode where they race this car against the Honda CBR600RR around the test track....
Even when Jeremy test drives it and it turns him into an "Alien" See (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdkEV-t9jg0) It here...

[VX2VESS]

http://www.supercars.net.au/supercars/turnkey.php

[HSV,_I_GOT_ONE]

:bow: :drool: Some of these cars are so HOT!! How did you guys find these sites everytime I try a search I come up with crap!
What I wouldnt mind having a go at.... when I have spare cash sitting around.... is either a DeTomaso Pantera replica or a Saleen replica. Anybody got any links?

[mido2k]

:bow: :drool: Some of these cars are so HOT!! How did you guys find these sites everytime I try a search I come up with crap!
What I wouldnt mind having a go at.... when I have spare cash sitting around.... is either a DeTomaso Pantera replica or a Saleen replica. Anybody got any links?

Use advance search in google...
Also read lots of forums!

[LS1 Cobra]

:bow: :drool: Some of these cars are so HOT!! How did you guys find these sites everytime I try a search I come up with crap!
What I wouldnt mind having a go at.... when I have spare cash sitting around.... is either a DeTomaso Pantera replica or a Saleen replica. Anybody got any links?

Why bother building a replica of a Pantera when you can buy a good clean original one for about $75K. It would cost you at least that to build a replica with the way the rego laws are these days for ICVs (Individually Constructed Vehicles)

I had a ride in a GT5 Pantera a few years back and it's a weapon.

Cheers

Michael

[2001 ITR]

Pantera. Feel like a $60k gamble? I don't know how much of the stuff posted in the ad is true.

http://www.j-spec.com.au/list/index.php?ID=8211

[seldo]

I had a ride in a GT5 Pantera a few years back and it's a weapon.

Cheers

Michael
Yes, they go ok, but awful to drive. Because the front wheel wells intrude into the foot-well, you have to sit half-sideways with feet angled towards the centre of the car, and being designed by and for Italians, if you are of half-normal Aussie stature, you have your arms fully extended and your knees up under your chin. I'm neither a big bloke nor particularly long-legged (nor long-anything..;)) and I found them to have a particularly uncomfortable driving position....far worse than most Italian cars which often tend to that long-armed short-legged shape

[LS1 Cobra]

Yep, your right. I reckon the seating position was designed for an Orangutan. My head was jammed into the roof lining and the wheel well was a pain. I don't think I could live with one without some serious ergonomic mods.

I like the head room in my Cobra. I've spent a lot of time getting the ergonomics right in my car. I built all my pedals from scratch and made everything adjustable. I've driven a few Cobras now and sat in heaps of them (I did the scrutineering at the nationals a couple of years back). A lot of them have horribly cramped foot boxes with no room to rest your left leg. The pedals are often so closely spaced that you cant drive them in anything but racing shoes.

Here's my pedal arrangement. I should be able to drive this thing in Blundstones.

http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/data/500/Gas_Pedal_4.jpg

Cheers

Michael

[HSV,_I_GOT_ONE]

Yes, they go ok, but awful to drive. Because the front wheel wells intrude into the foot-well, you have to sit half-sideways with feet angled towards the centre of the car, and being designed by and for Italians, if you are of half-normal Aussie stature, you have your arms fully extended and your knees up under your chin. I'm neither a big bloke nor particularly long-legged (nor long-anything..;)) and I found them to have a particularly uncomfortable driving position....far worse than most Italian cars which often tend to that long-armed short-legged shape

I dont care, if I had the cash I would buy one right then and there!! Whats with the relatively cheap value of these things I reckon they are one of the hottest cars around!
Sorry if I sound immature but as one of my mates says "I am so gay for that car!"

[German Statesman]

I agree, they are total car porn & I've had a chubby for them since I was a kid.

I bought a pommy classic car mag not so long ago that had a test of a Pantera against a Ferrari 328, and they bagged the Pantera for they driving position, headroom and steering (they used a cheap & rough RHD setup with a bar across the firewall for the brakes). The one thing they were in awe of with the Pantera was that it was so quick and sounded intimidating with its worked Clevo.

Wouldn't mind doing this kit http://www.hawkcars.co.uk/parts/stratoswheels/coffinspokes.html the Lancia parts list scares me though, and I think our VZ 3.6 would be a good alternative in it.

Cheers

JOHN

[LS1 Cobra]

Buy one that someone has spent all the dough on already: Stratos (http://www.carpoint.com.au/used-car/LANCIA/STRATOS/New%20South%20Wales/1971954.aspx)

Cheers

Michael

[vh-holden]

try and get hold of series 8, episode 7 of top gear. the three of them try to build a caterham 7.

[pagey]

I've looked closely at both RF and DRB GT40's and I know people that own both cars. Personally I like the DRB over the RF car.

Both RF and DRB GT40's are a country mile awar from an original GT40.


Race Car Replicas (http://www.race-car-replicas.com/)

Cheers

Michael

Have to agree to disagree there ;)

Bingo on the originals.. they were rough.

Also have a DRB Cobra in the shed with an XR8 engine shoe horned in complate with A/C and heated seats (and a nice bottle of gas;)) The DRB cobra is just plain SHIT.. to have the drive shaft of centre by a HUGE margin (to the extent that it almost fouls on the tunnel) is just a joke.. but hey.. it will still look ok and go well.. so it'll do.

Personally - I steer people away from DRB.. they are ust down teh road.. and I have had a reasonable amount to do with them.. not impressed.. but for the $$.. they fill a niche in the market that's for sure

[LS1 Cobra]

The DRB Cobra is a different animal. I'm talking about their GT40 replica and it shouldn't be compared with the Cobra.

I looked at all the different Cobra replicas before deciding on the one I chose. The DRB Cobra kit was ruled out pretty much straight away. The body shape is way wrong and just doesn't look right to me at all. The choice of donor mechanicals and design of the chassis doesn't do much for me either.

Cheers

Michael

[German Statesman]

I did straight gas LPG conversions to DRBs in the mid 90s and I remember not being impressed by them. We did one to an RMC and it was definitely better.

This is the new venture by Dennis Bedford who kicked off DEB Cobras

http://www.copycatcars.com/

Not sure if they'll be as successful as the Cobras for him.

Cheers

JOHN

[German Statesman]

Dredging up an old thread again...:D

Did anyone see the August-October issue of Race magazine?

On page four in the Letters section, is a drawing of a Ferrari-like kit car a bloke wanted to build, with VS-onwards V6 drivetrain and suspension.

Install one LS1 :driving: :woot: :yahoo: :up2sum: :idea:

Still keen to do this...can't get it out of my head

Cheers

JOHN

[crafty888]

....... my supercharged LS2 powered Ultima GTR....

http://www.ls1.com.au/forum/showthread.php?p=792965#post792965

[German Statesman]

....... my supercharged LS2 powered Ultima GTR....

http://www.ls1.com.au/forum/showthread.php?p=792965#post792965

The only thing that puts me off Ultimas is the bulbous screen and hump over the cockpit - just an aesthetics issue, but it stops me...

[LS1 Cobra]

I finally got the LS1 in my Cobra running on the week end. I'm grinning like an idiot at the moment. I hope to have it on the road ready for Shelbyfest in April next year.

Shelbyfest is a big race meeting we have at Winton raceway for Cobras, Daytona Coupes, GT40s and Shelby Mustangs. Last year we had about 60 cars. Great to watch these cars go past at full noise on the track.

Here's a little video of starting the Cobra today. I'd already had it running a few minutes earlier, just wasn't patient enough to set up the camera for the first fire up. Besides having the camera running for the first fire up may have tempted Fate to cause a Funniest home videos moment.

Cobra Fire Up Video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WabIHz2NfA)

Cheers

Michael

[RedVYIISS]

well done Michael, it's a major milestone.

[German Statesman]

Good to see - well done.

[diablo]

I'm building a 99 diablo vt with an LS2 and porsche g50 gearbox. The best advice I could give you is;
1. You better really really want to build one.
2. You better have a lot of free time & money, (40,000 is not nearly enough, try 100,000). No matter what anybody tells you, it is always going to cost more.
3. There are quite a few places in AUstralia but prices are quite expensive.

If you want any specific information just post me.

[German Statesman]

I saw a '59 Vette replica with an LS2 and C5 Vette suspension - looked beautiful and it got me wondering how we'd go with the same thing in RHD.

A VT-VZ crossmember with steering rack and airbag suspension all round with a VT-VZ IRS rear end - sounds do-able.

Cheers

JOHN

[Sonic_Brew]

or my favorite replica is lamborghini murcielago with a mid mounted ls1 which a company in vic are building

STU

Any info on this? I just found a guy in melbourne who has built/building a merci with a HSV 6L.

Would be an absolute dream to have one of these!

[Sonic_Brew]

Bumpo.

Also, on the handling of kit cars: is a tube space frame chassis better than anything currently being made by production manufacturers? It seems like that type of chassis is just perfect... but most high end performance manufacturers still use a monocoque chassis.

So a kit car should kill a real lamborghini/ferrari around the bends?

[HSV,_I_GOT_ONE]

Bumpo.

Also, on the handling of kit cars: is a tube space frame chassis better than anything currently being made by production manufacturers? It seems like that type of chassis is just perfect... but most high end performance manufacturers still use a monocoque chassis.

So a kit car should kill a real lamborghini/ferrari around the bends?

I'm no expert but I would say you would still have to have the right weight, suspension and even driveline to catch the high end exotics around a track. Remember these cars are worth a lot of cash because they have spent stupid amounts of money on research and development.

[seldo]

Bumpo.

Also, on the handling of kit cars: is a tube space frame chassis better than anything currently being made by production manufacturers? It seems like that type of chassis is just perfect... but most high end performance manufacturers still use a monocoque chassis.

So a kit car should kill a real lamborghini/ferrari around the bends?
Sorry - Afraid not. Unfortunately most kit cars are built to a price and convenience, so the chassis are rarely very scientifically designed and you often still get a fair bit of chassis flex plus most have fairly agricultural suspension design...(yes, I know there's always the exception though). A well designed Monocoque should be both stronger and lighter, and will almost inevitably have better designed suspension geometry as well as little flex which means that the suspension will actually work in the way it was designed to = better handling

[Sonic_Brew]

Sorry - Afraid not. Unfortunately most kit cars are built to a price and convenience, so the chassis are rarely very scientifically designed and you often still get a fair bit of chassis flex plus most have fairly agricultural suspension design...(yes, I know there's always the exception though). A well designed Monocoque should be both stronger and lighter, and will almost inevitably have better designed suspension geometry as well as little flex which means that the suspension will actually work in the way it was designed to = better handling

Chassis build quality would come down to the builder. A reputable builder would ensure their chassis won't flex and would build it with weight distribution, use, and suspension components in mind.

Exotics spend so much cash in pre-production because they make everything from scratch, test it, and then re-design it again and again until they are better than their competitors. Whereas if you DIY you can just pick and choose any aftermarket product with all its info already in front of you.

The area where exotics would rule is the engineering balance between each component (chassis, suspension, steering, brakes, power etc). They have the money and time to allocate the best engineers to test and ensure that all the parts work efficiently together. BUT, pleasing a team of engineers is totally different to pleasing an individuals (the buyers) wants. I’m sure 90% of exotic buyers “wished” their car turned into corners differently or had more or less acceleration or luxury or were louder etc.

Pleasing the masses does not mean being the best overall.

Just my opinion.

[seldo]

Chassis build quality would come down to the builder. A reputable builder would ensure their chassis won't flex and would build it with weight distribution, use, and suspension components in mind.

Exotics spend so much cash in pre-production because they make everything from scratch, test it, and then re-design it again and again until they are better than their competitors. Whereas if you DIY you can just pick and choose any aftermarket product with all its info already in front of you.

The area where exotics would rule is the engineering balance between each component (chassis, suspension, steering, brakes, power etc). They have the money and time to allocate the best engineers to test and ensure that all the parts work efficiently together. BUT, pleasing a team of engineers is totally different to pleasing an individuals (the buyers) wants. I’m sure 90% of exotic buyers “wished” their car turned into corners differently or had more or less acceleration or luxury or were louder etc.

Pleasing the masses does not mean being the best overall.

Just my opinion.
Go back and actually read the post that I answered - The reference was to "high-end manufacturers" and specifically cars like "Lamborghini and Ferrari"...
I stand by what I said before.

[Sonic_Brew]

Go back and actually read the post that I answered - The reference was to "high-end manufacturers" and specifically cars like "Lamborghini and Ferrari"...
I stand by what I said before.

I was also talking about Lamborghini.

There are basic cheap kit cars that are built just for show that use low powered V6's, so I would imagine they would be pretty poor in almost every department except for looks. - Maybe this is what you were talking about compared to a real Lambo.

The type of DIY car I'm talking about building would be one that you pretty much build yourself from scratch using all the best aftermarket performance parts (including a well build chassis designed with a specific suspension/engine combo in mind). The only "kit car" parts you use are the body panels, doors, glass etc.

I am by no means an expert. What were you talking about, and do you have any experience in this area?

[Lukkyphil]

Yeah kit cars are built to a price. Second-hand donors parts are the norm, you will spend a bit of time hanging around wreckers, and will still end up having to machine the odd bit to make it work. Also put aside a couple of years, have a very understanding missus, and be prepared for alot of compromises.

I did a lot of research, talked to a lot of people, and then bought an Elfin, as it was cheaper to buy than build what I wanted. Not too many kit cars have the benefit of the development time that Mike Simcoe/GMH assisted Elfin with and it shows, they do not drive like it came out of your back shed.

[OLDYELLA65]

IMO ...Almost all the kit cars produced in Australia are a compromise due to $$$, but due to the ADR'S that these vehicles have to adhere to...i would say that most of the chassis that are produced at both ends of the scale are probally over engineered ...with the beam test(torsional rigidity)in mind these chassis's are on a whole at a minimum 3 to 4 times that of a current model vehicle, i remember the AU unit measured bare at 1500nm where as my chassis had a rating of 15000nm .With crumple zones to an engineers satisfaction being this rigid allowed me to run geometry's to best make use of this..
With the AutoCad programmes available these days on a whole it should be easy for someone with a little mechanical aptitude to build a slick and performing kit car that will be appreciated at all levels just as some of these over priced Euro's are revered !!...IMO




I did a lot of research, talked to a lot of people, and then bought an Elfin, as it was cheaper to buy than build what I wanted. Not too many kit cars have the benefit of the development time that Mike Simcoe/GMH assisted Elfin with and it shows, they do not drive like it came out of your back shed.

I think you'll find with a little more research that Mike Simcoe has been along with Elfin given wayyyyyy to much Credit for the MS8 ...In fact Mike Moore the designer and builder of the X7 Roadster should be lauded with the credits you should have called him... anything is possible with this guy and you would have had a better performing car overall and $50K EXTRA IN YOUR POCKET!!!

ATB with your Build!!

[Lukkyphil]

I think you'll find with a little more research that Mike Simcoe has been along with Elfin given wayyyyyy to much Credit for the MS8 ...In fact Mike Moore the designer and builder of the X7 Roadster should be lauded with the credits you should have called him... anything is possible with this guy and you would have had a better performing car overall and $50K EXTRA IN YOUR POCKET!!!

ATB with your Build!!

Agreed MS was mostly involved in the Streamliner shape, but he was the catalyst that got Elfin/GMH talking and the V8 into the cars.

Saving $40K - Be curious what sort of car you could build for $40K when the brakes (AP 6 pot fronts and AP4 pot rears, with 2 piece rotors) and coilovers (Koni shocks/Eibach springs) easy retail for $20K by themselves. Don't leave alot for the rest of the car....

[OLDYELLA65]

Agreed MS was mostly involved in the Streamliner shape, but he was the catalyst that got Elfin/GMH talking and the V8 into the cars.

Saving $40K - Be curious what sort of car you could build for $40K when the brakes (AP 6 pot fronts and AP4 pot rears, with 2 piece rotors) and coilovers (Koni shocks/Eibach springs) easy retail for $20K by themselves. Don't leave alot for the rest of the car....

$20K ...YOU GOTTA BE KIDDING ME.... Where are you shopping and there are comparable if not better options available... $50K a figure based on a $125K turnkey build ...as i thought this was the ball park for the MS8 STREAMLINERS .the 2 elfins are essentionally the same car under body work.... and like I said Performance wise you would have a better car in the
X7 and i'll stand by that to the grave!! Any one can finish a car...The X7 as presented AT Calder was the very first built so it was Given A SKIN to make it look like a car and not a go kart it was to be an evolving design process..

To go out to Calder as MS and Co did to view a potential Small volume production vehical along with the Great Man PB who loved the X7 ....Shake hands and then 6mths later do a deal with Elfin ..and then have the balls to take credit for the X7 design in an Elfin skin...SORRY!!! No time for the people who ripped the heart out of this guys IDEA and to Claim it as thier OWN.:vpo:

[QUOTE=OLDYELLA65;948464]$20K ...YOU GOTTA BE KIDDING ME.... Where are you shopping and there are comparable if not better options available... $50K a figure based on a $125K turnkey build ...as i thought this was the ball park for the MS8 STREAMLINERS .


:doh:OK i was a bit out in my pricing...I based the figure on an article that stated a 125K PRICE for the Streamliner..
:teach:Now with the CLUBMAN at around 90K and the STREAMLINER at 105K Optioned up... I'd still end up with 20K to 30K respectfully in my pocket and it's better in my pocket than someone elses..
As i said atb with your build.... I've driven the X7 quite a bit and they are a hell of alot of FUN!!! I'm sure you'll enjoy the MS8!!!:)

[griffonfamily]

300 hp and 850 kgs. Fully road registered.

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s196/griffonfamily/P1010146.jpg

[seedyrom]

ahhhh kit cars. I've finally taken some pics of my dad's one.

http://upload.cainer.net//uploads/seedydadscar1.jpg

http://upload.cainer.net//uploads/seedydadscar8.jpg

http://upload.cainer.net//uploads/seedydadscar2.jpg

http://upload.cainer.net//uploads/seedydadscar5.jpg


The old man's one is about to celebrate its 3rd birthday. It was his first attempt at building one, and it won 3rd place in the Great Aussie Clubbie Roundup annual awards. Not bad going for a first timer.

http://upload.cainer.net//uploads/seedydadscar13.jpg

How time flies.

Obviously, as he works 70+ hours a week, spending time on her has been hard for him at best, but he just finished the next stage of the evolution on the weekend.

It had a Toyota 4AGE Black Top engine. This is a cute little 20-valve 4 cylinder engine from the hot corollas. Whilst it does have an 8,000rpm limit :) and does sound like a screaming banshee when going full noise :D it only cranked out 57rwkws at a CHE dyno day.
It moves okay though, as it weighs only 600kgs.

Plus its a circuit car, straight line mumbo isn't always everything.

http://upload.cainer.net//uploads/seedydadscar15.jpg




Well yesterday the new engine combo cranked over. Started first go.

The parts sourcing for the new engine was ebay :)

He got a Silver Top engine and threw forged pistons in there, new springs, new valves etc. There's conjecture as to which is better. Blacktops had higher compression, and lighter connecting rods to allow easier revving. But the silvertop was a stronger unit (albeit also heavier). Gee the valves/springs seats etc are SMALL. My god.

Anyway, he then went and got a turbo from a subaru wrx, and worked out a way to get it all together. Also had to learn how turbo's work etc, as he's a bit old skool :)

Unfortunately, this now meant that a hole needed to be cut into the bonnet due to the height of the turbo (there was nowhere left to cram it).

http://upload.cainer.net//uploads/seedydadscar7.jpg

http://upload.cainer.net//uploads/seedydadscar4.jpg

Please excuse the fibreglass dust.

He'll glass up a pod of some kind to cover it. Could be a little warm if you rested against it ;)

http://upload.cainer.net//uploads/seedydadscar16.jpg

http://upload.cainer.net//uploads/seedydadscar17.jpg



I'ts a pity I didn't take any pics, but he machined 4 little ram air throttle bodies, and made a boost proof airbox to cover them.
Similar to this airbox he made for his old blacktop engine.

http://upload.cainer.net//uploads/seedydadscar10.jpg

So there should be some nippy response in it.

Its running on the standard Toyota computer at the moment (its a little rich and is shooting flames out the side exhaust :D :D :D :cool: )

http://upload.cainer.net//uploads/seedydadscar3.jpg

but tonight he drives it to an auto elec to get the motec wired up.


The ol' upside down intercooler routine at play again

http://upload.cainer.net//uploads/seedydadscar6.jpg


Now the old man had to teach himself to fibreglass, which then progressed to carbon fibre. He made up these neat little stone chip guards for the rear panels

http://upload.cainer.net//uploads/seedydadscar11.jpg

http://upload.cainer.net//uploads/seedydadscar12.jpg

Gee CF is light. He's going to start re-doing panels in carbon fibre.


But yeah ... kit cars ... you're only imited by your imagination.

You might have noticed the 'simmons' wheels in some of the above pics.
They are actually my old mans design.

http://upload.cainer.net//uploads/seedydadscar14.jpg

He bought a set of old simmons, removed the centres, then designed his own wheel centres, made them, and put them on. He's saving more than 12kgs :)

I really should get in to the kit car scene myself.
Especially with someone capable like that to help me.
(Can you now understand why it breaks his heart when I get other people to work on my car and never involve him?)

[German Statesman]

Ive been itching for years to do a kit car ever since i got involved with hot LPG systems on some DRBs and RMCs in the mid-90s. This has now somehow progressed to a desire to build a full size GT-style coupe/convertible along the lines of a De Tomaso Longchamps :confused: and one bloke ive known for years is talking about a limousine-type vehicle on a new full airbagged chassis using a mid-70s Lincoln body structure with new front & rear panels, dash, interior. local steering/braking, etc and a Powerstroke diesel :weirdo: At least the limo guys are excited....

As for kit car designers using AutoCad...you'd be surprised how many are still using the ol' pencils & paper. I'm undertaking a Auto Design course at present for CAD and I'll be one of the first to offer those services to them if they're keen to sublet the work.

Love this thread :) G'day to all of you :moon:

[chrism697]

Ive been itching for years to do a kit car ever since i got involved with hot LPG systems on some DRBs and RMCs in the mid-90s. This has now somehow progressed to a desire to build a full size GT-style coupe/convertible along the lines of a De Tomaso Longchamps :confused: and one bloke ive known for years is talking about a limousine-type vehicle on a new full airbagged chassis using a mid-70s Lincoln body structure with new front & rear panels, dash, interior. local steering/braking, etc and a Powerstroke diesel :weirdo: At least the limo guys are excited....

As for kit car designers using AutoCad...you'd be surprised how many are still using the ol' pencils & paper. I'm undertaking a Auto Design course at present for CAD and I'll be one of the first to offer those services to them if they're keen to sublet the work.

Love this thread :) G'day to all of you :moon:
AutoCAD is crap for 3D work though.....its good for drawings but shit for modelling, hence why it is not really used in the automotive industry

it is a good starting point though, and i believe reletively cheap.

[German Statesman]

AutoCAD is crap for 3D work though.....its good for drawings but shit for modelling, hence why it is not really used in the automotive industry

it is a good starting point though, and i believe reletively cheap.

Gotta start somewhere :) i downloaded a Rhino demo but i'll start with the basics first - if i was a full time professional then i'd be definitely looking at something more in depth

[chrism697]

yeah definantly the best place to start,
it all depends on what sort of work you want to do as well.
good luck with it

[iamhappy46]

Yeah, CAD is a little hard to use for 3D work. It also leaves you guessing as to how the car reacts when it is no longer static(moving)

[Sonic_Brew]

Are there chassis engineers/builders out there that I could start looking at to design a chassis for a kit car?

Any info appreciated.

[Big_Valven]

Aerial Atom! Aerial Atom!

Dammit they're not kit cars. But I would like one oh-so-much...

[crafty888]

There's a few kits out there like the Atom:

The last one is a 3 seater - driver in middle


http://www.superlitecars.com/
http://www.mevltd.co.uk/
http://www.sdrsportscars.co.uk/

http://www.superlitecars.com/img_roadster/fullsize/rcr_roadster_1_fs.jpg

http://www.mevltd.co.uk/images/side%20new%20cover.jpg

http://www.sdrsportscars.co.uk/images/gallery/stoneligh/thisone033.jpg

[Sonic_Brew]

I found a chassis and a kit that I want, but they are made in the USA and UK. How can I go about making sure they are ok for Australian Design Rules?

There is very limited help for building kit cars in Australia.

[mac06]

It depends on how much you want to spend. Have a look at these. They are ADR compliant and are like the Caterham 7 kit cars. I'm sure they're available locally to you.

http://www.birkin.com.au/Component_Kits_and_Pricing.php

There was also a thread I posted some time ago about some fun driving in one. Cainer doesn't work anymore so I'll try upload it again and post here for easy reference.

[Sonic_Brew]

It depends on how much you want to spend. Have a look at these. They are ADR compliant and are like the Caterham 7 kit cars. I'm sure they're available locally to you.

http://www.birkin.com.au/Component_Kits_and_Pricing.php

There was also a thread I posted some time ago about some fun driving in one. Cainer doesn't work anymore so I'll try upload it again and post here for easy reference.

I'm not after a clubman type car, so the chassis i need has to be built to suit the kit I want:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1136/1443851450_7494b90b70.jpg

[mac06]

Oh well, have a look at this anyway it's quite good.
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa35/mac06_07/th_ChrisEvans.jpg (http://s198.photobucket.com/albums/aa35/mac06_07/?action=view&current=ChrisEvans.flv)

[iamhappy46]

Sonic Brew:
Sorry, I was in hospital while this thread restarted.

What exactly are your goals for your own style of kit car?

Rear engine + rear wheel drive or front engine + rear wheel drive?

After a semi-civlised street car or a hill-climb/track day warrior?

Single seater or room for the missus to pick you up from the Pub?

What sort of power output are you chasing, or more specifically the power to weight ratio?

Regards,

Matt

[seedyrom]

My old man's (in the background of this pic)

http://www.oz8.org/gallery/albums/Seedyrom/engine.jpg

is registered as:
Make: Homebuild
Model: Westfield

When he passed emmissions and sound and all the rest, he went with his paper work to the RTA. They gave him a massive list he was able to register his Model as, including Lotus 7 amongst others.

He ended up choosing the option of the spaceframe designer.

[Sonic_Brew]

Sonic Brew:
Sorry, I was in hospital while this thread restarted.

What exactly are your goals for your own style of kit car?

Rear engine + rear wheel drive or front engine + rear wheel drive?

After a semi-civlised street car or a hill-climb/track day warrior?

Single seater or room for the missus to pick you up from the Pub?

What sort of power output are you chasing, or more specifically the power to weight ratio?

Regards,

Matt


I want to build my own car so everything is exactly as I want it. I'll never be completely happy with a commodore sedan no matter how much I do to it, and buying an exotic is a waste of money (IMO) considering bang for buck compared to aftermarket options. I love the idea of building a car, so I may as well go all out and do it properly.

Style - I've chosen a Lamborghini LP640 body. Always loved lambo's. I have a source for all the body panels and everything I need to complete the exterior.

Being a Lambo, it is mid/rear mounted engine. No real point going for AWD so it will be rear wheel drive.

Engine will be a strong LSx with a PD supercharger - should be good for a very easy 500rwhp if I want to take it that far. That kind of engine setup should allow more than enough power with very good road manners. I want to be able to drive it daily with minimal maintenance, but it will probably only come out on weekends. There are plenty of daily driven commodores with similar setups.

Chassis - Tube space frame. I am talking to a builder at the moment that can build a great chassis to suit the body. They also have a high quality suspension system that is suited to the chassis. I would expect incredible handling ability from a tube frame chassis, and from what I have been told these chassis handle like they are on rails and would be comparable to if not better than most exotics.

Power to weight - About 500rwhp, and I'd expect the final build should weigh somewhere in the 1,300 - 1,600kgs range.

Should be a fantastic package that can cruse around town or tear around a track. Exotic looks with all the custom interior/exterior features I want to have. Low maintenance, and all done for less than the cost of a HSV W427. It will be licenced a Individually Constructed Vehicle (ICV). The guys building the chassis said they can point me in the right directions to get it registered.

[Beejay Cobra]

Sonic,

What you plan to achieve is doable, but will be a lot of work.

Make sure you use as many factory parts as possible, and it will make life easier. I am building a Cobra, and even though it is a tested chassis and standard build there is still a lot of work to do to register as an ICV.

Make sure you work closely with your engineer, and double any budget you would like to meet!

BJ

[ImpulSSiVZ]

Check these out mate, cheap and go like hell.
Mazda MX5 + V8 = insane fun!

http://www.youtube.com/results?q=Monster+Miata+V8&search_type=

[iamhappy46]

If your going to go V8, you may as well stick it in the back :) Plenty of room for a PD type blower as well :bow:

http://www.superlitecars.com/img/SL-C_03_large.jpg

[Knawful]

No-ones mentioned the Purvis Eureka (http://www.eurekacarclub.com.au/page/models.htm).
...not that i saw on a brief scan of this thread (and using search)


The Purvis Eureka caused an instant sensation when it was unveiled at the Melbourne Car Show in March 1974.
13B rotary in a 780kg Eureka = fun, so imagine it with a blown lsx

http://www.eurekacarclub.com.au/pics/dweeb15.jpg

[Beejay Cobra]

The RCR cars are a great track car, pretty cheap for the performance too.

For the darksiders - RCR SL-C Photos - Club Cobra (http://www.clubcobra.com/forums/showthread.php?t=87768)

BJ

[Uncle Tone]

A pic of this cars chassis was up on the first page of this thread. I'm loving the Factory Five GTM!! :drool:

http://www.factoryfive.com/gtm/gallery/cheney/images/B1.jpg

Cars like this looks soooo good with stripes!!

http://www.factoryfive.com/gtm/gallery/shanev/images/1.jpg

I have emailed them for prices.
Looks like a very nice kit!!

C5 corvette suspension, and all parts used are GM.

[German Statesman]

The VW floorpan provided a whole range of unwelcome issues but to their credit they were one of the first kit cars available in reasonable numbers in Australia.

Reasonably priced in its day, but positively antique nowdays :)

[iamhappy46]

The VW floorpan provided a whole range of unwelcome issues but to their credit they were one of the first kit cars available in reasonable numbers in Australia.

Reasonably priced in its day, but positively antique nowdays :)

Yeah, the old Purvis Eureka is getting a bit old and the chassis is hardly cutting edge. I did remember one that had an early model WRX engine conversion that went like a torpedo.

[German Statesman]

There was one with a Leyland 4.4 V8 here in Brisbane that went like the clappers but would swap ends like a swinging pendulum at the blink of an eye in a corner...:eek:

I think it would do a little wheelie from memory too :)