Donor for simplicity...

[veezee]

I'm looking to (possibly) start on a build over the coming summer, as I've now no longer got college to concern me and thus need to begin my search for a good donor.

My mechanical experience is minimal, although I do pick up how to do things very easily - and I still need to arrange garage space at the moment. I'm only 18 :P

For my first build, I'd love to jump straight in with something immensely powerful - frankensteining a car like this: CLICK

But, realistically I'll have to K.I.S.S. So, what car do you recommend for a first time dismantlation and rebuild? There are plenty of places to rent equipment within 20 minutes of me so tooling should be ok, though I'm well aware I'm going to be stretched financially.

I've also got a library of car repair, modification, restoration and building at my disposal, so I should be fine with a simple project.

I'm going to guess that a Sierra would be your first answer - if so, what years and what model (ie. Engine/Spec). Same applies for other suggestions.

Thanks for reading, look forward to your knowledgeable replies.


Oh, on a side note, does anyone hail from SE London/Kent? Seven style cars are few and far between here - so I wonder.

[MikeB]

Go for a sierra then you wont have to change the book design.
Try and get a pinto to save £s but these are getting rarer.
Most of the other sierra engines aren't worth using.

My view is get any sierra that you can get your hands on cheap.
As long as the gearbox and diff are good.

Then get a small zetec if insurance is a problem.
You can then upgrade to a bigger one without any drama later.
Plus they are dirt cheap engines!

Mike
PS Good Luck!

[codo]

Hi Mike,
By small zetec I assume you mean a 1.6? The 1.25 from the Fiesta is not a "proper" zetec?!? Is there a 1.4 Zetec?

Cheers

[paul the 6th]

I've wondered about the zetecs myself - what's the deal with getting a zetec to fit, say, a type 9 gear box from the earlier sierra's? I'm assuming all the modern zetecs generally use the mt75 box? so would it just be a case of adapter plates and bellhousings etc?

[UncleFista]

Originally Posted by paul the 6th

I've wondered about the zetecs myself - what's the deal with getting a zetec to fit, say, a type 9 gear box from the earlier sierra's? I'm assuming all the modern zetecs generally use the mt75 box? so would it just be a case of adapter plates and bellhousings etc?

If an engine will bolt to one Ford gearbox (unless it's a Yamaha engine a la 1.25 Zetec, and the newer Duratecs) it'll bolt to any

The Zetec just bolts straight up to either an MT75 or a Type9.

Just to note, 'boxs from V6 Ford have a longer input shaft and need a spacer plate to use 'em with a 4 cylinder, although they are stronger than 4 pot ones.

[paul the 6th]

Originally Posted by UncleFista

The Zetec just bolts straight up to either an MT75 or a Type9.

you've got to be winding me up! seriously? just bolts straight on without any adapters or adjustments to be made?

this could well change things for me if it's as 'easy' as that everyone's been harking on about how cheap & plentiful & common the zetecs are. Are they any more difficult to get through sva (like the older old engines which only needed a visible smoke test, as opposed to the new ones measured on emissions?) If they're just as easy to fit and pass on sva, I might well be changing my mind yet again!