Just got the book

[Mike400]

Hi all

Got the book there for my birthday from my daughter (well technically my wife, as my daughter is 3 months old!!!)

Anyway im a member of the locost forum, and thats where I found out about this site.

Im currently about to build a garage so wont be building a kit probably till next year or so. But I thought I had it all worked out, I was going to get an MK indy, run it with a fireblade engine etc etc. But after reading the book (twice since friday!) Im starting to think building the roadster with the pinto from the donor would be so so so much cheaper, and a far better start, plus its going to be cheaper to insure than a bike engined kit?

Only thing is, I cant weld, and was kinda hoping I could buy the chassis and all the other bits and peices ready made. The mk sportscars site advertised a kit for the car from the ron champion book, £995 including the chassis, some bodywork, and most of the other bits and bobs you would have to fabricate yourself:

http://www.mksportscars.co.uk/locost.htm

Im guessing this is out of date now, especially reading on here that MK no longer sell anything but the grp bits.

[NEroadster]

Mike,
personally I would recommend learning to weld there is plenty of advice and support on the internet. MIG wleding just takes a bit of practice but is a very usefull skill to develop. If you are still wanting to buy the various parts then Martin Keenan who was involved in the development of the roadster can be contacted at the following website and also has online part store whihc list various roadster partshttp://www.mkdevelopments.co.uk/index.htm

Unfortunately the parts website does not seem to be working properly today.

You will probably struggle to find a pinto engined Sierra as they are quickly spotted by other Kitcar builders as they become available and they are starting to become rare. I would recommend getting a 1800CVH engined Sierra as these are much easier to find. You get all the running gear you require and when you get the chance you can change the engine for a Zetec. The 2.0DOHC I believe is taller than the CVH or Pinto and therfore makes fitting a bit more difficult.

[Mike400]

Thanks for the reply, I think ill at least give the welding lark a go, it couldnt be that hard........(famous last words)

And you arent far wrong on the pinto front! Ive seen none since I started looking! All the sierras either have the dohc or the CVH ive seen!

So the CVH engine isnt too bad then? I suppose its a more modern engine anyway. But will it not need a cat? or is that just cars post 1993?

I think a donor is prob the best part to get first, as once you have all the bits off the car, cleaned up and organised, its something less to worry about.

Oh yea, and on the subject of CVH, isnt that the same engine as fitted to the rsturbo escort? so in theory you could mount a 1600 turbo cvh mated to a type 9 into your locost?

Oh dear, now the cogs are turning in my head...........

[NEroadster]

The CVH is not the best engine in the world and with regard to tunning options they are limited. Thats not to say its not possible. If you want a bit more info about the CVH try Wikipedia for a general overview.

Up until recently the same bellhousing bolt hole pattern was used on ford engines it is only the most recent Duratecs that will not mate with the type 9 directly. In Theory I believe you could use the RS Turbo engine if you could find one.

I started by getting a donor and stripping it for all the neccessary parts. I plan to recondition them as a break from fabrication work.

When finished I suspect I will switch to a Zetec after a while as they are a better engine overall and have more support within the tuning community.

The emmission requirements are related to the age of the donor car / engine. Pre 93 engines will not need a CAT post 93 will. This essential means the CVH will not need a CAT but the ZETEC will. The Pinto falls into a similar category to the CVH.This statement is is a bit of a generalisation so bear that in mind before taking it as gospel