Post by dhinsayjunior on Aug 10, 2014 22:20:49 GMT
Hello my name is Raj and me and my Dad have been thinking of building a car for one year now, initially we were considering to do up a Mini into a rally car because we both love the Mini. When we visited the Stoneleigh kit car show (May 2014) we saw two cars that we thought would be an interesting and enjoyable first build; these two cars were the Cobra and the Mev Rocket. But we quiet liked the Rocket as we thought it would be a better suited first project. As we decided upon building the Rocket we contacted RTR inquiring if we could visit there workshop. When we visited RTR's workshop and saw a Sonic 7 being constructed and we were in two minds on whether we should build a Sonic or Rocket but finally we came to the conclusion that the Sonic 7 we be a better car for us as we wanted more weather protection.
Decision made! We placed our deposit on the Sonic 7 (27th June 2014).
The project begins! The first job was to search for a Ford Focus MK1 so that we could use it as a donor car. Me and my Dad created this list to explain what we needed from the Ford Focus...
Parts needed from donor car:
Things to check:
-Engine running
-Test the breaks and steering
-Engine
-Gearbox
-ECU
-Steering column
-Rear discs and callipers
-Manifold and cat can be used but are not expensive to buy if they are damaged.
-St170 engine(SVT)
Donor car found! (June 2014). Although an estate it is still well equipped for the job. The only problem they have rear drums not discs, although a setback an easy resolution.
www.flickr.com/photos/126030627@N04/14857658996/
Oh no! We aren't ready to move the car into the garage. Due to our garage been previously used as my mums beauty room.
www.flickr.com/photos/126030627@N04/14880634115/
That's better; we are able to move the car onto the garage, with some cleaning up and re designing the garage it is ready.
www.flickr.com/photos/126030627@N04/14694514880/
www.flickr.com/photos/126030627@N04/14880634055/in/photostream/
You sure can't be scared to get you hands dirty because stripping the engine is a dirty job!
www.flickr.com/photos/126030627@N04/14878342724/
Me and Dad had to make a trolley to wheel the engine into the back garden to clean.
www.flickr.com/photos/126030627@N04/14694104527/in/photostream/
I would recommend using some De Gunk solution and old toothbrushes to clean the engine thoroughly. Cleaning the engine will take a couple of hours I would also recommend using hot water so that the solution comes off and gives the best end value.
www.flickr.com/photos/126030627@N04/14857913616/
In between all the chaos we visited the Curborough Kit Fest (July 2014) to get some inspiration and to ask Sonic owner how they did certain things and what they recommended doing.
www.flickr.com/photos/126030627@N04/14694413517/in/photostream/
After cleaning the engine we had to respray so that it looked new and meanwhile respraying the engine we had to remove the ECU wiring loom having already bought the engine loom as an optional extra from RTR. We also replaced the clutch which was a reasonably quick job.
www.flickr.com/photos/126030627@N04/14877982151/
www.flickr.com/photos/126030627@N04/14900907913/in/photostream/
www.flickr.com/photos/126030627@N04/14858047866/in/photostream/
www.flickr.com/photos/126030627@N04/14877910591/in/photostream/
The day we have been waiting for... The kit arrives! 10th August 2014!
www.flickr.com/photos/126030627@N04/14900991263/
www.flickr.com/photos/126030627@N04/14694483169/in/photostream/
www.flickr.com/photos/126030627@N04/14880787042/in/photostream/
www.flickr.com/photos/126030627@N04/14694513808/in/photostream/
www.flickr.com/photos/126030627@N04/14858130516/in/photostream/