Hi Guys - New

[Russ_16v]

Hey guys and gals

im Russ, i live in Wiltshire and im going to be shortly looking at starting my first kit car build.

I have stripped and rebuild/modified many cars over my 11 years of driving, and i also have 2 jobs, i work for VW during the day and buy and sell cars at the weekends, so this will be a long term project.

The thing is, i was hoping you may be able to shed some light on a few things for me, im looking at purchasing a ready made chassis, then gathering and building the rest on my own.

The problem i am facing is im not sure on what to do about the size of the chassis.Im aiming to use the 'build a sports car' book, and do a basic 'book build', but the thing im not confident onis the chassis. I have a few companies who build them ready to the books spec, which is perfect for me. The chap i have been chatting to says he can add inches to the chassis if i require it as im 6 ft3 and most of that is leg, but im not sure how to know how much extra length is needed?

Also, as far as im aware, the width of the chassis from transmission tunnel to side is 18 inches, im average build, mostly arms and legs so im trying to work out how big the chassis will need to be, is there anyone out there who is roughly 6ft3, long legs and about 12-13 stone who could give me an insite to the size? (long shot but worth a try!)

the chassis is build to the heynes build yourself on the
a sports car book measurements, are these ok and correct?

I have ordered the book ,and hoping it will turn up before the weekend.


Thanks in advance, and i apologise about the rookie questions, i just want to make sure im going to do it all right!

[mark]

Im 6ft 4" and weigh 16 stone with a 36" inside leg and i fit fine in a standard chassis.

Spud who owns saturn sports cars is about 6ft 6" or maybe even 6ft 7" and he drives a standard size roadster too, so you should be fine being a measly 6ft 3 and 13 stone :D

[mark]

Oh yeah another thing if you are new to this scene is to be careful about who you buy parts from.

I dont want to bad mouth anyone but do a little research before you buy anything.

A couple of companies i highly recommend are saturn sports cars who supply just about anything you could need and 3ge components who also make some top notch parts.

Welcome to the forum by the way too :)

[Talonmotorsport]

Welcome to the forum Russ, thought you might end up on here. No doubt some one will be along shortly to correct my width messurement which maybe alittle off, I realy must buy another book to keep at home instead of working off the top of my head.

[eSteve]

Firstly welcome, Russ,

I to am at an early stage, no chassis yet, and like you was concerned about height and fitting in the car.

Have a look at the thread 'Will I fit: footwell length and driver height' it's only a week or so old and in the chassis section. From that the chassis seems to be vary accomodating to the taller and 'larger' driver.

Hope that helps

eSteve

[Russ_16v]

Welcome to the forum Russ, thought you might end up on here. No doubt some one will be along shortly to correct my width messurement which maybe alittle off, I realy must buy another book to keep at home instead of working off the top of my head.



Lol no problem mate, i will PM you now


Thanks for the welcome guys, im really exited about doing this, im just so worried about getting the size right, nothing worse than getting it built and finding i dont fit!

[mark]

Lol no problem mate, i will PM you now


Thanks for the welcome guys, im really exited about doing this, im just so worried about getting the size right, nothing worse than getting it built and finding i dont fit!

You should be fine, if you put your location in your profile a fellow builder may be close by so you can try one out for size.

[Russ_16v]

Firstly welcome, Russ,

I to am at an early stage, no chassis yet, and like you was concerned about height and fitting in the car.

Have a look at the thread 'Will I fit: footwell length and driver height' it's only a week or so old and in the chassis section. From that the chassis seems to be vary accomodating to the taller and 'larger' driver.

Hope that helps

eSteve

Many thanks Steve, just had a read, it does seem as if i can stick to the std chassis legnth

You should be fine, if you put your location in your profile a fellow builder may be close by so you can try one out for size.


Will do now mate :)

I only worry due to me being mostly leg, i drove a Caterham at the weekend that belongs to a friend and i couldnt drive it very well at all, when i lifted off the pedals my knees hit the steering wheel, and also my elbow was half over the passenger side! (good job i didnt have a passenger with me)

Is the Heynes chassis longer/wider than the Caterham chassis?

Im sorry im a real rookie with kit cars!

[HandyAndy]

Hi Russ,

Firstly welcome to the forum, you,ll find its a happy / very helpful bunch of like minded nutters ( :D builders) on here.

The Haynes chassis is 4inches longer & 2 inches wider than the Caterham chassis so you,d have no problem with your height / size ,

Spud69 is indeed 6ft 7in tall & has a standard Haynes chassis, thats the benefit of the Haynes, much more accomadating to the taller driver , tho i,m a shorty at 5ft 8in :o aka as Shorty at Saturn sports cars.

All the best with your build.

cheers
andy

[Russ_16v]

Hi Russ,

Firstly welcome to the forum, you,ll find its a happy / very helpful bunch of like minded nutters ( :D builders) on here.

The Haynes chassis is 4inches longer & 2 inches wider than the Caterham chassis so you,d have no problem with your height / size ,

Spud69 is indeed 6ft 7in tall & has a standard Haynes chassis, thats the benefit of the Haynes, much more accomadating to the taller driver , tho i,m a shorty at 5ft 8in :o aka as Shorty at Saturn sports cars.

All the best with your build.

cheers
andy

Hi Andy,

Thank you for that information, i will see if i can do some sums but i think that should be about right for me, If Talon hasnt got the time (i feel bad to keep asking him questions!) could anyone give me the rough dimentions of the drivers side? Roughly front to back,side to side so i can work out that the length will be correct for me?

And one very last question, how far back is the pedal box positioned? Does it depend on the build?

Thanks again!

[HandyAndy]

Hang on a few minutes and i,ll get the measurements for you.

cheers
andy

[HandyAndy]

Hi Russ,

the width between the transmission tunnel & inner face of the side of the chassis is 45cm,
the length from the brake pedal to the center of the seat (backrest/spine area) is 126cm.
obviously the actual pedal box plate is further forward than the brake pedal but thought the point from the brake pedal at natural rest position gives a better measurement to work from for you.

The above measurements have been taken from Spuds car, & as said he is 6ft 7in tall.

hope this helps.

cheers
andy

[Enoch]

Hi Russ, I am in Bracknell. My chassis is far enough along so you could come and have a sit in it and see what it feels like size wise. Drop me a pm if you want to arrange.
Enoch (Dave)

[Russ_16v]

Hi Russ,

the width between the transmission tunnel & inner face of the side of the chassis is 45cm,
the length from the brake pedal to the center of the seat (backrest/spine area) is 126cm.
obviously the actual pedal box plate is further forward than the brake pedal but thought the point from the brake pedal at natural rest position gives a better measurement to work from for you.

The above measurements have been taken from Spuds car, & as said he is 6ft 7in tall.

hope this helps.

cheers
andy

Andy, i cannot thank you enough! I will template those measurements out tonight, im pretty sure that should be fine, again i really appriciate that! And just to check, that is a standard size chassis, made to 'book size'?


Hi Russ, I am in Bracknell. My chassis is far enough along so you could come and have a sit in it and see what it feels like size wise. Drop me a pm if you want to arrange.
Enoch (Dave)



HI Dave, thank you so much for the offer, your about 1/12 hour from me which is a little far to go at the moment, but i will keep you in mind, thats really kind of you :)

[HandyAndy]

No prob Russ, happy to help, :cool:

Yes those measurements are taken from a standard "book spec" chassis.

if you need any other measurements just shout.

cheers
andy

[Russ_16v]

I know this is really cheeky, but could you give me the measurement from side to side? As in from one side of the inner chassis to the other, so i can see the total width of the body? Any pictures of this car?

Again i cannot thank you enough

[HandyAndy]

the width between the inner edges of the outside chassis rails = 106.2 cm & the transmission tunnel is 17cm (clad in aluminium) central in the car.

There,s alot of pics of this car on our website www.saturnsportscars.co.uk

no prob :cool:

cheers
andy

[Russ_16v]

Fantasic, thank you again Andy!

I will drop you a PM about a few things shortly if thats ok?

[HandyAndy]

Fantasic, thank you again Andy!

I will drop you a PM about a few things shortly if thats ok?

no prob, just let me clear my PM box, it fills up too quick :eek: :D

cheers
andy

[Russ_16v]

PM sent :)

Now on the look out for a Sierra, is an XR4x4 any good?

[gingea1pom]

Russ,

Welcome, I am in Tidworth if you want to pop over for a visit.

Chassis is complete, if there are two of us we can drop it to the floor and you can have a sit in (no floor yet)

Cheers Ginge

[Russ_16v]

Russ,

Welcome, I am in Tidworth if you want to pop over for a visit.

Chassis is complete, if there are two of us we can drop it to the floor and you can have a sit in (no floor yet)

Cheers Ginge


Thanks mate that really kind, i may be back up your way soon, il drop you a pm when i know when :)