Building Kit Car (Locost)

Wicksta

Wicksta

Wicksta

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Joined
14 Sep 2005
Posts
10,445
Location
Burnham, Bucks
I've been wanting to do this for a while, but finally I'm going to! I've always wanted a Caterham style kit car and to be able to build it myself, since we moved last year I've got a double garage at the end of the garden to play with and I started to look around for a kit to build.

After looking at the Tiger Avon I noticed a partly built kit extremely nearby to me. After investigation of the kit (http://www.ariesmotorsport.co.uk) I decided I'd have a go at bidding on the auction, and I won with my maximum bid!

So now in the garage I have a chassis with the steering installed, some wiring done and the aluminium panelling done (Not a job I would relish):
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I also have a load of bits:
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I'm probably going to go for a 1.8 Ford Zetec engine (silver top), mainly due to ease of availability, price and it is a common conversion so there are many parts available as well as advice.

Hopefully I'll end up with something looking a bit like this:
caterham_seven-L.jpg


I'll post updates in here as and when I get stuff completed. :)
 
Begbie said:
Normally have to find a donner, the sierra being the most popular.

Nice one dude, hope it all goes well. Always dreamed of doing this.
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Yup. Late 80's early 90's Sierra, or Escort Mk1/2 as they are RWD and give you a fun toy.

As far as I know we still have the running gear from a 1.8 Sierra in the garage at home from when me and my brother were going to do a Locost about 4 years ago...he may have scrapped it now though as when I was on the phone the other day to my mum mum she said he was clearing out some of the rubbish from the garages.

I'd love to do one, but unfortunately don't have the time or money at the moment due to being at uni.

The Zetec is a FWD is it not? So that'll make for a different setup to most, how well would it work?

InvG
 
You can mate up a Zetec engine to a Type-9 box (5-speed Sierra RWD box) rather easily :)

Megaquirt & Megajolt it, along with some bike carbs, and you'll have a nice machine! ;)
 
Could you bung a new Duratec unit in there if you wanted to?

I just think that if I did something like this I'd want a nice new modern engine in there not something a couple decades old that I'd have to spent weeks cleaning and rebuilding anyway!
 
Confused said:
You can mate up a Zetec engine to a Type-9 box (5-speed Sierra RWD box) rather easily :)
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Ah, fair enough.

NathanE...I know what you mean, when we put the Sierra engine into the garage and forgot about it the thing was not very good state...I'm sure it's horrible now. :p

InvG
 
The zetec engine uses the MTX75 gearbox the older sierra box is the MT75 and should be a bolt on replacement for the FWD tranny.

edit : Forgot about type 9 that is what i am going to use.
 
If you don't mind me asking how much did you get it for? and is it going to be a track day car or just something for a sunday afternoon?

Aero
 
NathanE said:
Could you bung a new Duratec unit in there if you wanted to?

I just think that if I did something like this I'd want a nice new modern engine in there not something a couple decades old that I'd have to spent weeks cleaning and rebuilding anyway!
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You can put whatever engine in you want, thats the whole point. Just the old sierras where a easy swap.

Saw people put 2litre turbos in them, motorbike engines. All sorts.
 
NathanE said:
Could you bung a new Duratec unit in there if you wanted to?

I just think that if I did something like this I'd want a nice new modern engine in there not something a couple decades old that I'd have to spent weeks cleaning and rebuilding anyway!
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Yes, Duratec, Zetec, Ka engine, ST170, any of the Ford inline 4 petrol engines from the 1960's 105E Anglia up to present use the same bellhousing pattern.
 
Thanks for everyone's comments!

Aero said:
If you don't mind me asking how much did you get it for? and is it going to be a track day car or just something for a sunday afternoon?

Aero
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All the bits cost me just over a grand, I priced up all the bits I've got and I'd say there are at least £2500's worth. I got a load of Sierra bits needed with it as well, including the wiring, steering column, switches, horn, diff, prop etc. I'm going to make it road legal by getting the SVA test done, I may well take it on track a few times as well but to be honest I'd rather do a race series than a trackday so I may look into that. That all depends on funds though as a few years of racing some years back was VERY expensive.
 
Ben M said:
he said modern :p

This looks like it's interesting... important question now, what colour are you going to paint it? or is it staying yellow?
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It will be painted for sure! I might do that sooner rather than later and then mothball the panels in the garage loft. I'll also be painting the aluminium on the side so I need to looking into acid etching primer etc.
 
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