Is a donor necessary??

[Deleted]

In your experiences so far as rocket builders, would you say a donor car is needed.?

The reason I ask, is that im torn between the donor route, or the ebay/breakers route. I see there's pro's and con's, but if you were to build another, what would you do?

As a note, im happy with a Q plate, and not too bothered about age related. For ease, I intend to IVA with a basic 1800/2000cc zetec engine, then change it out later.

[airforceone]

I bought a donor car just to give me a basic knowledge of how a car works and how it's put together.
As I'm now 4 months into my build I can easily say that I will probably only be using refurb rear calipers, steering column and possibly the engine mounts, everything else I've stripped off has been sold or will be sold. So to answer your question, if you are happy with your mechanical skills then you don't need to get a donor you could simply buy all your items from ebay or a car breakers company.

I've bought a new engine (2.0 litre and gearbox along with most other items), If you are planning a different engine in the future you might have to speak to RTR as I don't know if it is possible to use anything other than a 1.8/2.0 once your kit is made and delivered.

It is possible to mod these engines with throttle bodies, supercharger or turbo along with a performance ECU, there are a couple of 200BHP cars on this site.

Ned

[wilmat]

I would say yes, if you haven't built a car before, i'm using the ecu, keys, steering column, engine mounts, rear brakes and cables, i know the car started before i stripped it, the ford focus are now so cheap the parts dont get much but you can always weigh the car in for scrap once you have taken the parts off.

[Deleted]

Thanks for the quick reply, the engine will be staying a ford unit.

I have a Jenvey throttle bodied blacktop zetec, with modified rods and pistons. I need to look at how (if it were to fitted for iva) would it be measured as the last IVA emissions test went off the year of the engine.

I suppose finding a 2000cc donor with rear discs would be ideal

How much of the focus loom have you used? just the engine side?

[Deleted]

Oct 28, 2011 22:58:52 GMT @markharnett said:

I have some rear calipers and carriers that will be for sale if you are interested.

PM'd

[Deleted]

I think so far, I'm going the scrappyard route, the engine I have will just be fitted and not changed out. I should be able to keep the emissions down for IVA.

The concern I had was the test is based on the year of manufacture of the engine, and I'm using a different compression ratio. However, if I use stock injectors and cat, as you've already said above, should pass IVA emissions test no problem.

[andychalmers]

I would say it depends on your budget. If you are building a brand new Rocket from new parts then you dont need a donor. If you are not bothered about what bits you use I would get a Donor.
I have built mine brand new using new parts. I am a very skilled DIY mechanic so to speak, my big issue with buildign the car is knowing what bits you need. The Build manual in a word is "basic" and not much use. I spend more time looking at the car working out what I need to buy next than anything else. Then you spend ages trying to find the bits on ebay etc. I have prob spent a fortune on p&p, if you spent say £400 on a donor it would make life easier, however you need to strip the car yourself. When you start the build you instantly know you need shafts, hubs, calipers etc but the bits that hold you up the litte things you forget about. E.G. brackets, clips etc.
Also if you buy a Donor you can make sure everything works correctly prior to dismantling saving time later.