Newbie from Peterborough here

[poshguy]

Hi guys thought i would come on here and give a hello as im very new to this side of the car world and i have taken delivery of my haynes book so now my project will hopefully take off shortly.

hopefully all the help i need will be on here and it will possible be quite alot of help lol

[K4KEV]

welcome bud ...plenty of build logs on here to peruse thru and if you get stuck just ask....main thing ....get started even if its just collecting bits and bobs
kev

[poshguy]

thanks kev im just trying to decide where to decide as i need to chose a donor and am looking to see what options i have.

if i went for a standard chassis what are the options engine wise as sierras are fairly limited these days lol.

i see alot of people talking about mx5 but didnt know if there were options other than these 2

[skov]

Welcome poshguy
Nice to see another member not too far from my neck of the woods, we're a bit thin on the ground round here!

[poshguy]

glad your fairly close to me skov nice to know there are people near.

i have been looking around at part built kits etc but i think the best way forward is to start from scratch.

[K4KEV]

Main thing is to see whats available or hang fire until you see what you want whether its the mazda or sierra route... engine wise ....owt ya like:D ....200sx engine going in mine...thats the beauty of the roadster complex or simple YOU get to choose.

[poshguy]

thanks kev yeah well im going to have a good read of the book then try to make some sort of plan that i will prob never stick too lol.

skov i have just read your about your build and it looks very good, there is some bits in there that i really like but would not even have the confidence to do.

im trying to decide if i want to try welding my own chassis or if i should see about a ready built chassis but obviously if i go mx5 route i would have to make the mods to fit.

Skov are there many mods mx5 wise.

my apologies for my newbie questions

[poshguy]

found a good donor if only i was ready for it http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1997-MAZDA-MX-5-MONZA-GREEN-/260823694739?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item3cba4dbd93 lol

[skov]

I've (more or less) followed Saturn's MX5 design. He's kept it as close as possible to 'book spec', so there are very few changes.
If you get hold of his build guide it details all the changes he's made. It should be available for download on Monday, or over the weekend if you email him. Look for Spud's thread in the chassis section.

I hadn't done anything like this before I started my build and only had a couple of hours welding experience. You soon pick up the skills you need. Belive me, if I can knock up a chassis anyone can!
What I don't mention in my thread is all the mistakes, dodgy welds, and bits I've had to re do :rolleyes: It's all part of the learning experience though!
If I could go back in time 6 months I'd do a welding course before I started, as it would have saved me a whole lot of trouble!

[poshguy]

thanks i will have to look at options with regards to the donor i would like to do an mx5 rather than the sierra but not sure how confident i am with making the changes needed but i will take a look at the plans.

is there many more of us in this neck of the woods

[skov]

found a good donor if only i was ready for it http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1997-MAZDA-MX-5-MONZA-GREEN-/260823694739?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item3cba4dbd93 lol

I don't think I'd go with that one to be honest. I think you need a 1994 or earlier donor if you want to avoid needing a cat convertor for the IVA test.
Plus if that's a 1997 1.6 it will only have 90bhp.
Up to ~1994 the 1.6 had 115bhp, but they dropped the 1.6 power down to 90bhp when the 1.8 was introduced in 1994.

[poshguy]

thanks its little bits of info like that that i really appreciate as i was just looking around to see what was about but i will bear that in mind.

has anyone got any for or against for mx5 or sierra or is it just preference

[skov]

thanks i will have to look at options with regards to the donor i would like to do an mx5 rather than the sierra but not sure how confident i am with making the changes needed but i will take a look at the plans.

is there many more of us in this neck of the woods

If you're building from scratch / flat pack then it's no harder than building the book version.
Not sure how hard it would be to convert a Sierra chassis to an MX5 one. I guess the main change would be grinding out and replacing the top of the diff cage, which could be tricky to access.

The only other builder I know of round here is james3004, who's a few miles down the road from me. He's using a Sierra donor, but sticking a beast of an engine in (ZVH turbo I think).

[poshguy]

sounds like it could be good.

with regards to the engines i just have to decide if im confident enough to dviate from the book and also if im confident enought to buy a flat pack chassis which i dont know if i am lol.

confidence confidence confidence.maybe ill find some soon and ill be away or at least i hope so.maybe jumping in at the deep end is the best way to learn.

[ayjay]

Hi and welcome to the madhouse:D

Just to encourage you a little.I went through the same angst but decided that if I do it then I do it all--otherwise I may as well do a kit car(which this is not).
I'm glad now cos its been a great learning experience and to my mind more satisfying to do it yourself.Everyone on here has been really helpful--no one ever said they were sick of being asked the same sort of question again and again--I felt really helped through(thanks all!) still a long way to go!

If you do go self build chassis GET A REALLY GOOD MIG WELDER ;)

Enjoy

Adrian

http://s1189.photobucket.com/albums/z429/ayjay50/

[vmax1974]

Welcome to the forum bud the mx5 route as d donor can seem a bit limited with regards engine choice but when you dive a little deeper you still got loads of options there is supercharger and turbocharger kits 1.6 which revs to about 7k or 1.8 that is a bit more powerful but heavier then you got the whole range of japanese tuning mods that will go on the engine the list just goes on and on not to mention what you can make back from the bits you dont need from the donor have a look at what saturn (SSC) have to offer give him a ring send an email have a look at his chassis kits do your homework then get cracking and enjoy

[poshguy]

ajay and vmax thanks appreciate the advice

decisions decisions

[poshguy]

if i go sierra route can any1 tell me is it best to go for the pinto engine and if so what year where they fitted upto if any1 knows.

i have found a bit of info that shows them being fitted upto 88 but i just want someone to confirm this for me as this is a very new world to me and i dont really want very big expensive mistakes like buying the wrong car lol.

cheers

[Talonmotorsport]

I think your choice of doner depends on what you plan to do engine wise after the IVA. If you plan on leaving the engine alone or just upgrading to a better cam and carb(s) then a pinto is not a bad way to go, it's used in all kinds of stock cars and there's lots of tuning parts out there for them. This route means as long as you use a one car doner you'll end up with an age related plate.
If you plan on swaping the engine after the IVA for some thing more modern with more tuning or turbo power then you could go for a 1600-1800 CVH car, which means it makes it easier to swap for an 1800-2000 zetec later on as all the mounts will fit and some of the manifolds are the same. This way you get an age related plate but have fewer problems with IVA emissions test, one draw back is taking every thing out that you've all ready put in once and made good.

A very rough guide to what sierra came with what running gear
1600-2000 pinto type 9 drum brakes
1600-1800 cvh type 9 drum brakes
2000 twin cam mt75 disk brakes

[poshguy]

thanks talon. i like the sound of having the option of changing the engine once all is built ect but obviously i dont know what i will do once it is built engine wise.

so really if i go down the later route i can go for an early 90s sierra.does any1 have any advice on engine size ie any positive or negatives etc

[james3004]

Hi and welcome;)

John (Skov) beat me to it... we now have 3 builders in this area Whoop!

As Skov Said I'm using the sierra donor (a J reg 2.0 ghia estate) but putting the ZVH turbo in it which is probably gonna be far from straight forwards:p

[poshguy]

james nice to see people in the area. it would be nice to see some of these cars to se what im letting myself in for lol.

james where you a novice when you started or did you know alot about it before hand

im watching this any advice on whether its suitable to use.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1992-FORD-SIERRA-AZURA-WHITE-/250862034882?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item3a688adfc2

cheers
Craig

[skov]

That one looks too good to break!

[poshguy]

ill be honest there dont appear to be that many floating about.

how much would you expect to pay for that car.

would that fit the bill for a roadster build ok

[skov]

They are getting pretty rare now, which is partly why there is so much interest in using MX5's.
I don't know too much about Sierras, but I would have thought that would be ideal. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong?
Again, not too sure on price, but I would have thought £300-ish.

[poshguy]

the only other 1 i can see is
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230653791839&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

i would love to go down the mx5 route but i fear im not confident enough to weld the chassis and and fabricate the bits i would need to change and fear i would always be bugging people for help etc.

being new to this and never havin seen one of these either being built or fully built im slowly building up my courage as this will be only me building it as i have no1 into cars to help or assist etc (apart from this very good forum)

[poshguy]

who ever knew it would be so difficult to decide bewteen sierra and mx5 donors.

i was previously thinking sierra but am now thinking mx5 and am awaiting the plans which are due shortly

[james3004]

I wouldn't say I was a novice when I started, I knew my way around cars a fair bit, and had helped out a mate who owned a garage quite alot, and I'm a Welder by tradeso have a good engineering background . But having said that I have learnt during the building process.

[james3004]

Both of those sierra look good to me, I paid £400 for my donor from a garage in bedford

[poshguy]

thanks james, the welding bit is the bit that is slowing me down on choices at the mo but hopefully ill overcome that.

just need to chose a donor now but that is proving difficult at the first hurdle lol

[carlknight1982]

Hi and welcome;)

John (Skov) beat me to it... we now have 3 builders in this area Whoop!

As Skov Said I'm using the sierra donor (a J reg 2.0 ghia estate) but putting the ZVH turbo in it which is probably gonna be far from straight forwards:p



Oh nice :P Bedford too far away for you lot!! :P Hey posh guy I will post some pics of my carsoon its currently at saturn awaiting IVA, once its done i'll take you for a blast in it as my family is up in deeping.

[carlknight1982]

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=226867407357754&set=a.140379332673229.26161.100001034908076&type=1&theater



http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=225745000803328&set=a.140379332673229.26161.100001034908076&type=1&theater

[skov]

Oh nice :P Bedford too far away for you lot!! :P Hey posh guy I will post some pics of my carsoon its currently at saturn awaiting IVA, once its done i'll take you for a blast in it as my family is up in deeping.

Yep, wrong county, lol :p
According to google maps Bedford is only 29 miles from me, so I guess that counts! For some reason I thought it was a lot futher away than that...
I might have to ask you nicely for a ride post IVA if you can forgive me :D

[carlknight1982]

Lol All forgiven.

https://picasaweb.google.com/ckms2009/HaynesRoadsterBuild?authkey=Gv1sRgCJ_vkvjAwcfu4AE# 5635501131007057842


im located at MK44 2DG prob closer than bedford

[poshguy]

Carl thanks really appreciate the offer and would love a ride in yours when you get it back as i have never been in 1 so least i will see what im letting myself in for lol.

cheers
Craig

[poshguy]

your car looks good ive looked at your bottom link but i cant see the 2 facebook links as it sas they are not there.

[carlknight1982]

Look at the Picassa link it's all there

[poshguy]

ive checked out that link am just reading through your blog about the build

[carlknight1982]

blogs out of date lol dont think i could restart it if i had the will

[poshguy]

you car looks good what spec did you go for

[carlknight1982]

Pinto 2L running twin 40 Dcoe carbs lightened flywheel fast road cam, megajolt ignition.

best advice i can give you is build it to pass the IVA then change it after. Mine would have been built half a dozen times over by now if i had.

[poshguy]

thanks for the advice i just cant deicide sierra or mx5 and i am very indecisive and take ages and ages to decide lol.

im hoping someone can convince me to go down 1 road or the other with so good points of what to chose.

im watching a sierra but its only got an hour left and it aint in bad condition for the bits i need but i cant chose :confused:

[carlknight1982]

The mistake I made was building without a donor, its definately harded and has condemned me to a Q plate

[poshguy]

carl what is your personal opinnion on sierra or mx5

[poshguy]

well i have gone down the sierra route does anyone have any opinions on the car i bought
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250862034882&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&autorefresh=true&autorefresh=true

please be honest and thanks for any comments

[skov]

Nice one posh :cool:
I recon you've got yourself a bargain there, and on your doorstep too, result!

[poshguy]

thanks for the advice guys i wont be changing my plans but already wanting to build an mx5 1 aswell lol.

this will be a very steep learning curve and im already scared to pick the car up and start breaking it.might have to ask around for some help breaking it as i dont want to be taking ages hopefully i can get what i need of it and get someone to collect it all in a weekend or maybe im mad :eek:

[poshguy]

adrian you say about engine mounts needed are land rover 1s can you be more specific or link me to a pic of them.

my reason for asking is that jezzer is selling a set of engine mounts but if they can be fabricated or picked up relatively easily then i dont need to worry about them at the moment

thanks
Craig

[poshguy]

my apologies as im full of questions.what is the best way to deal with my donor car with the new laws about insureing cars that are taxed as i dont want to insure as it is going in the garage to strip.

also when i get the shell collected surely the scrap collectors are going to want the log book but i want it for the age related plate so how do i get around these queries.

thanks for your time
Craig

[Talonmotorsport]

The landrover engine mounts are nothing special they are just two lumps of rubber with an M8 stud on both sides, they can be found on ebay for £2.40-6.00 each.

http://i812.photobucket.com/albums/zz50/talonmotorsport/487a_12.jpg

[poshguy]

thanks talon appreciate it

[poshguy]

Guys wht are the best bis to take of the ar in the first instance as i really need to leave it rolling so i can put it back in the garage when i have finished with it as i am struggling to find anyone here in peterborough to pick up a shell that is not rolling.

anyone have any suggestions

[will_08]

I chopped my donor up into bits with a recip and took it to the scrap yard, remembering to remove all identifying numbers of course :rolleyes:

Will

[Talonmotorsport]

Just write free to collector across the bonnet and I'm sure it will go. If you get completly stuck when it comes to removing the shell give me a shout.

[poshguy]

i thought about that talon but when i remove the axles i reall need to have arranged collection of it as where i live once i have pulled it from the garage it will be in the car park out the back of my house and if i leave it there i dont think it will go down very well.

im trying to sort out being able to get it picked up before i start stripping it and also i need to confirm if just sending the tax back and declaring it sorn will suffice for the dvla for me to not have to tax it under the new laws.

Can you collect shells Talon?

[Talonmotorsport]

I've got a trusty old transit recovery with a 12,000lbs winch, 2 scaffold bars and some brute force and ignorance. Will a 20ft long truck fit in the car park and is there any height restrictions? If you send the V5 to the DVLA fill in the yellow section regarding scrapage, fill it in with your name etc. The scrap yards I deal with just regard any thing with no plates or engine as a shell and it goes in the crusher before I've even left the yard.

[poshguy]

ok thanks talon appreciate ou taking time to reply,

no restrictions to get into car park ie no height barriers and plenty of turning space

dont i need to keep the logbook to be able to get an age related plate as that was my other concern i need th plates and v5 etc unless someone can tell me different

[Talonmotorsport]

Don't quote me on this but I think that a photo copy can be used to prove the age of the doner along with the chassis and number plates. How ever if you sorn a car and you can prove it's not on the road by having pics of it in bits I think that counts as it being off the road .
Please note I'm not 100% sure on this though.

[poshguy]

again thanks for your help i am going to be ringing the dvla in the next couple of days to see what there opinion is on it,(if they even know):rolleyes:

What would you want to collect it if i need ya.

[poshguy]

Managed to pick myself up a brand new 1.5 tonne engine crane for the princely sum of £50 let the fun commence.

[poshguy]

Talon you have pm

[poshguy]

Has anyone got any advice on what is needed to take of my sierra that isnt listed in the book i.e anything i may need down the line as once its stripped it will be going.

Cheers
Craig

[will_08]

i took everything off that would come off. sold the doors, boot lid. the dash was particulary valuable, centre console. ive still a box of trims in the garage. I just kept everything, nuts and bolts the lot. suppose it depends on hoe much space youve got. you cant go in my garage without being impaled on somethings sharp at the minute though :eek: :)

I just thought get everything you can off now, then loose the shell then you can slowly whittle through whats what. remembering to remove all trace of the vechicles ID, vin plate, stamp in drivers footwell, the glass on mine was etched etc

Good luck Will

[carlknight1982]

All pipes all electrics all nuts bolts etc Especially those on the prop and brakes.
keep as much as you can and flog as much as you can even if you got £20 for all the lights off it thats £20 towards your build, wait for a no insertion fee weekend on ebay and flog the lot.

[poshguy]

sounds good guys i have not got pace enough to keep everything but ill at least get everything i need as i could do without getting impaled on things when going into the garage lol.

is there anything specific i may need to keep for my build that is not listed in the book.

[big_wasa]

The indicator relay is behind the dash and easy to miss. Not the end of the world but its another tenner to replace.

Ive had about 12 sierra's. I never bothered selling the bits on, but they are rarrer now.

I am just up the road. Mine is a scratch built locost if you ever want a look to see lay out ect.

cheers

[poshguy]

Big Wasa i appreciate the offer and would love to take you up on that and maybe pop over to have a look if you dont mind we can discuss via pm..how far along is your build.i will look for realys and fuse box thanks for advice.

i think im just going to get what i need from it and then let it move on as i would rather crack on with the car than spending all mytime stripping bits and pieces and trying to get shot of stuff.

[big_wasa]

Yeh I allways felt there was more to life than making a couple of quid on the scrap.

Just little bits left as I get it ready for iva.

[poshguy]

sounds good and would be good to see it when your available having not actually seen or been in 1 and jumping in at the deep end

[big_wasa]

There is a classic / kit show at maxey next saturday. If the weather is good there should be a few there and only £3 per adult and under 14 free.

Are you in Peterborough or one of the villages.

Mine and only 7 years in the making lol

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq148/big_wasa/SDC10458.jpg

[poshguy]

That looks very good yeah tsm locost let me know about the maxey show and i may pop along.

i am in peterborough itself