Post by buildityourself on Jul 11, 2017 19:14:54 GMT
Hi,
Been busy reading the build threads, but time to say hello.
I built a Rickman Ranger, and a Quantum over 20 years ago, but after a long kit car void I am hoping to build another kit car with my teenage son as a way of helping him understand how cars work and giving him something to focus on. We've set our sights on the Sonic7 as it offers a bit more protection than the Rocket style kits that my son loves.
The plan is to join a local car club when its finished for us both to try out autotests/slaloms etc still before he can drive on the roads and then later on the road. This means keeping the engine size down to allow lower formula entry and the possibility of road insurance, so we are intending to use the 1.6 Zetec engine.
I spent a few months looking for a suitable donor, but found the biggest problem with Focus's is that most of the them have been half way to the moon, and those advertised with reasonable mileage had had a new dash at some point so also had similar mileage. I eventually found a genuine 2003 model with 53k on the clock for a bit more money. After a decent clean and check once home I found that it was a brilliant example. Pics attached.
Everything works, but a downside is it is a Ghia, so the wiring is going to be complex. To be honest I'm feeling a little guilty planning on destroying such a tidy car, but will give the sonic a good basis.
After studying the focus and the build threads I realised the engine manifolds are reversed on th 1.6 compared to the 1.8/2.0 and this creates some challenges especially as the catalyst is under the gearlever on the 1.6. The intake manifold is quite large also.
After talking to equilibrium @ Stoneleigh we found out this hasn't been done before as far as we know. We were waiting for confirmation that the engine would physically fit in the Sonic7.
From the forum I found local Sonic7 owner petes and last night I met up him to talk Sonic7 (thanks Pete) and I also managed to check the engine bay dimensions, and it looks ok from the inlet manifold perspective. A custom exhaust should solve the other issue.
The next step is to finish off some diy projects, clear some space in the garage and start stripping...order the kit and create a build thread.
Any advice on donor or kit options welcome.
Stu & Mikey
Been busy reading the build threads, but time to say hello.
I built a Rickman Ranger, and a Quantum over 20 years ago, but after a long kit car void I am hoping to build another kit car with my teenage son as a way of helping him understand how cars work and giving him something to focus on. We've set our sights on the Sonic7 as it offers a bit more protection than the Rocket style kits that my son loves.
The plan is to join a local car club when its finished for us both to try out autotests/slaloms etc still before he can drive on the roads and then later on the road. This means keeping the engine size down to allow lower formula entry and the possibility of road insurance, so we are intending to use the 1.6 Zetec engine.
I spent a few months looking for a suitable donor, but found the biggest problem with Focus's is that most of the them have been half way to the moon, and those advertised with reasonable mileage had had a new dash at some point so also had similar mileage. I eventually found a genuine 2003 model with 53k on the clock for a bit more money. After a decent clean and check once home I found that it was a brilliant example. Pics attached.
Everything works, but a downside is it is a Ghia, so the wiring is going to be complex. To be honest I'm feeling a little guilty planning on destroying such a tidy car, but will give the sonic a good basis.
After studying the focus and the build threads I realised the engine manifolds are reversed on th 1.6 compared to the 1.8/2.0 and this creates some challenges especially as the catalyst is under the gearlever on the 1.6. The intake manifold is quite large also.
After talking to equilibrium @ Stoneleigh we found out this hasn't been done before as far as we know. We were waiting for confirmation that the engine would physically fit in the Sonic7.
From the forum I found local Sonic7 owner petes and last night I met up him to talk Sonic7 (thanks Pete) and I also managed to check the engine bay dimensions, and it looks ok from the inlet manifold perspective. A custom exhaust should solve the other issue.
The next step is to finish off some diy projects, clear some space in the garage and start stripping...order the kit and create a build thread.
Any advice on donor or kit options welcome.
Stu & Mikey