nelmo

I think you're right and i have the feeling i have been a tad mislead by the sales guy but my own fault for not clarifying. Ah well, it's only the kids inheritance

(Should i be starting new threads in the relevant subforum?) Called the place in Sevenoaks to ask about diffs and they replied in fluent 'technical' (i always feel like a pleb when talking to mechanics). They basically offered to effectively build me an almost new diff with any spec i wanted but said i need to tell them certain things. First off, are the drive shafts bolt or push-fit? Research says bolt are stronger in the long term but push fit should be fine - are both options easily available and cost the same? Any preference? (I might try refurb these myself - found a guide which looks pretty easy). Presumably, i just want a standard 3.92 diff? Lower ratio better for cruising, i believe, but you lose acceleration, which i don't want. The mechanic-alien asked me what size tyres/wheels I'd have - i have no clue right now but i assume that just helps determine what diff ratio to use. If i just want a 3.92, wheel size is irrelevant, no? He also asked if i wanted 7" or 7.5". I have no idea what this measurement is of and why its important but i assume i just want a 7" (most on sale seem to be that size)? Sorry for lots of questions...hope you can help.

Don't be so upset - it's not your cash I was hoping to only spend £12 - £13k but my own desire to not do any refurb work myself means I'll probably have to spend more. GBS suggested £13k for a ' basic' Zero and i assume that means a refurbed gearbox from them, which is £800. So, if i get one for £575, i am 'doing a budget build'. Happier now?

Thanks, I'll definitely use them considering GBS want £800 for the gearbox. Also much closer to me...

By the way, I'm famous! I'm in the picture of the GBS stand at Stoneleigh, on the blog on the GBS website (large, greying bloke in the blue t-shirt). I'll be signing autographs at a Waterstones near you soon...

Hmmm, i have no idea what a 'new' gearbox should look like but that wouldn't match my expectation ...

Nice one - thanks for that Although those prices don't include VAT - the eventual price isn't much less than GBS, which is actually a good sign as I'll probably end up getting everything from them anyway (I'm very lazy that way).

I searched and only found GBS and Tiger - could you post an example you found? However, had a thought, do GBS alter the diff to fit the chassis mounting points? So buying from elsewhere may be tricky, no?

Who wouldn't ? The problem is that i don't have the tools and knowledge to strip a diff, for example, and replace seals/bearings or whatever is in there. I guess i knew that was going to be the answer - will just have to bend over and take it like a man If any of you ever meet my wife, the car cost £12k, ok?

Well, I've ordered this one - hope its ok: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00CSU8642/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A7QXIY40BFQIN

Thanks all - is there any particular brand that's better/worse? There are rivet guns on ebay for less than a fiver - I assume they're to be avoided?

Hi, starting on my first build soon and need to get some tools I've never even heard of before. .. Any recommendations for a reasonably priced but decent quality rivet gun? Hundreds on-line...

Yes, i was thinking of getting stuff from elsewhere. However, GBSs prices look pretty good - an unconditioned diff, for example, is £125 from them, which is cheaper than most of the options on eBay. However, thd reconditioned diff is £620, which seemed a bit expensive.... So, to get a new registration, i just need invoices to show the main parts (engine, diff etc) are new - i don't have to get them from GBS, correct? Unless there's a big difference, i won't bother but again, they were a bit sneaky with the engine cost - all the prices on their leaflet included VAT but the engine was on the stand priced at £800 but that didn't include VAT - actually £1000!

Gents, a more general question (not sure if i should start a new thread but not an obvious place to post it)... When i first investigated GBS, they sent me a spreadsheet of items for a full Ford kit, with a final cost of about £17k. At the time, Tiger were quoting £13k for their Ford kit, so i pretty much discounted the GBS. Unfortunately, i had forgotten this when i went to Stoneleigh (because of the 2 month gap) and at the show, GBS were also quoting £13k for their kit. The guy showed me a blue GBS on the stand (pic in my blog) and said the owner had done it for about £14k. Annoyingly, i hadn't remembered about the spreadsheet they had sent me otherwise i would have queried the sudden difference. I'm going to call them to discuss but what do others think? Is £14k build cost achievable considering i am not getting my own donor or doing any of my own refurb? Or have they been a tad sneaky (i did explain what i wanted)? I know prices will go up if i decide to get better seats or nicer dials etc but they advertised a 'full kit' for £13k.

Well, i did hope you were joking but always difficult to tell on a forum and i didn't want to upset anyone on day 2 of my build! :-) That slip does sound like the sort of thing i would do...

That is a superb set of photos and instructions - I will be using that when it comes to it - many thanks :-)

No, not at all :-) - just a personal thing...

Darn, very sensible but i know I'd feel like I'm cheating...although i guess i won't be saying that as i sit there with a dented, buckled piece of metal in my hands By the way, started a blog: http://zerokitcarbui...logspot.co.uk/ Anyone know how i get this in a sig on each post?

Nice! How are you doing it? Did a search and there seem to be numerous different ways of painting ally...

Any particular reason for that? I'm expecting it to be difficult but quite looking forward to it...

Good point - initially gone for the Oxford Blue but my son wants it to be bright red (but he is 11). Engine is standard 2l Zetec. I've only ordered the starter pack for now so not many options - powder coated everything, GT chassis and lowered floor ( which is FOC because i ordered at the show) and sport cycle wings. Never considered going for s/steel panels - is that a good idea? I would quite like to have all the panels painted but i don't want to spend £1500 on it - is that a DIY possibility?

Thanks Richard - i have the feeling your build blog will be invaluable ...

Well gents, today was D-Day (decision day) and the deed has been done. I had a pre-booked camping weekend with some bike mates but I cut it a little short to go to Stoneleigh today (not a hardship since the rain peed down in the Peak District and my geriatric tent finally gave up the ghost). All omens were good since my new job was confirmed to me on Friday (start in a week) and the sun started shining at about the time I arrived at the show. Saw the MNR first (just by chance) and seemed very nice, particularly at £10k all-in with a 1.6 MX5 engine. Then the GKD Legend - BMW-based and a particularly good sized cabin. Only £11k with a donor. Then my first shock - the Tiger Avon, which was my first choice, was just too small for me, even with the wider body! I was sure it had been ok on the factory visit but not now - maybe because the GKD had been so big? On to the GBS Zero and the best of all - biggest cabin and decent space in footwell (GT body and lowered floor). I really liked the price of the MNK and GKD but I just couldn't get over having a 10 year old, 100k mile engine in my pride and joy. So, GBS it was and I paid my deposit, just on the starter kit for now. I now have 8 weeks to get my garage sorted - wish me luck

Yeah, thats where I got the name from. Would a BMW engine be too complex for a home builder, maybe?

Does anyone know anything about the GKD Legend? http://www.gkdsportscars.com/index.html BMW based kit and they are less than an hour from me in Kent. Prices look very reasonable as well...