johnhetherington

Yes you can get chrome, see link http://www.starvinyls.com/inc/sdetail/22848/19949 I did try the carbon wrap on my wings, quite good, but the nose cone was a disaster Hope this helps John http://www.johnskitcar.com

There's an article in the Boys in Hoods Summer 2011 mag about my dash, this may give you some ideas, more pics on my web site http://johnskitcar.com Hope this helps John

Cheers that's great, will get some ordered, by the way just for the record mine are M10x1.5

Does anyone know what grade the 4 bolts that connect the propshat to the diff need to be, is 8.8 OK or do they need to be stronger. I took my prop off and lost the bolts, long story, so need to get some more. Thanks John http://www.johnskitcar.com

Just noticed there is a bonnet for sale on flee bay if you are still looking. It has got some marks but may be OK

I would just like to add a piece, you shouldn't have an actual number plate fitted but should have a space to fit one, the manual states An external body surface or a purpose-designed mounting system securely attached to the vehicle must be provided, to hold the plate in a fixed position. (see note 2) Note 2: A plate hanging from the vehicle with no structure or support brackets behind it would be considered unacceptable. I read that as you must have somewhere to fit the plate, the plate itself cannot be the fixing. Hope I haven't confused matters and made it worse. John http://www.johnskitcar.com

I agree with Bob, I have visited the VOSA Centre in Gillingham 4 times now, they have always been helpful, 'No pass Andy' as he proudly introduces himself is keen to give advise and has always afforded me the time, hopefully he will be the examiner when I go for the IVA. Just turn up and tell the lady at reception that you are building a kit car and would like to speak to one of the examiners, and they will come out to see you, they are glad to help. I sound like an advert for VOSA !!! Hope this helps John http://www.johnskitcar.com

Finally got to the stage where I need to colour the front cycle wings and rear mudguards. Decided on Vinyl Wrap, watched all the videos on You Tube, looks dead simple, what can go wrong. Bought 3 metres of Black carbon Fibre, looks great, textured finish, very realistic, couldn't wait to have a go. Bl**dy hell it is difficult, god only knows how the guys on You Tube manage it, mind you they were using 3M which is literally 3 times the price of the wrap I bought. Completely messed up my first go and runied the vinyl, got totally disheartened and was on the point of throwing the cycle wing across the room. Enter my wife, bless her, she covered the dash for me and understands about the laying of fabric, she worked in London many years ago as a couturier (posh dress maker)but there is no way she could make this stuff look good. What a star, took her 2 1/2 hours, with me helping by holding the hair dryer and achieved a near perfect result, no I will say virtually perfect. We have now had a go at the second cycle wing, equal result, next weekend the rear mudguards. If any one tells you Vinyl wrap is easy, don't believe them, it is not. However the result and finish of the wrap is brilliant, well pleased, this build is really turning into a family affair. Couple of pics to show our progress. Cheers John http://www.johnskitcar.com

I found this web site from Colin Usher very very useful. http://www.colinusher.info/Robin%20Hood/index.html Hope this helps John http://www.johnskitcar.com

Cheers Neil, I think I will go without the cover and get some bolts with rounded heads. John http://www.johnskitcar.com

Thanks for that, fortunately the steerring lock does seem to be working, we did try to fit the Sierra wheel but the only problem with that is I have put the speedo and rev counter behind the wheel and the sierra wheel blocks the dials, that's why we have gone for a smaller wheel to try and overcome this problem. Hence the question about the "pad" on the Mountney wheel. Cheers John http://www.johnskitcar.com

Sorry to raise this again but just want clarification on the steering wheel. I have fitted the Mountney wheel and I recall a number of guys put a cover over it just for the IVA. Is this to make it softer, also what about the horn push, does this cover still allow it to work and does it need a symbol on the horn button to show it is the horn. I am getting closer to the IVA, not there yet, but getting more paranoid by the day. Not expecting to pass first time, hoping though, but don't want a list as long as my arm of fails. Cheers John http://www.johnskitcar.com

I agree with the comments about the dash, so I tried something a bit different with mine What do you think. There are more pics on my web site if anyone is interested. John http://www.johnskitcar.com

Hi Daz I have got a pair of blue 8" front cycle wings, not been fitted so no holes, will take some pics, they do have a few scuff marks which according to the RH video should polish out, if they are what you want how does £15 sound, could post if necessary but haven't a clue what it would cost. John www.johnskitcar.com

Had my exhaust pipes coated black by Camcoat of Warrington, they made a really good job of them, well pleased. John http://johnskitcar.com

Thanks Spencer, I will give Peter a ring on Monday. Cheers John

I'm building a 2B Plus with a Mondeo 2.0L Zetec silver top engine running twin Webers 45DCOE with Option One ECU. I am having great difficulty balancing the carbs, the engine starts OK, but runs very lumpy, also get petrol dripping out of one of the carbs, very concerning. I have a Facet silver top fuel pump and the filter king regulator is set at 3.5 psi Any one got any advice, have been on the web sites but being a bit thick finding it hard to follow. Anyone in the Kent area who would like to call in and help out a struggling hoody, I would be very grateful, copious amounts of tea and bacon butties will be supplied. Cheers John http://www.johnskitcar.com

You lucky lucky *****!!!

Hi Adam You might want to look at Car Builder Solutions, they supply a good variety of runners, I found the best type to be the ones where both runners are linked to avoid the seat twisting and jamming when adjusting. Look at pages 152 & 153 in their catalogue http://www.carbuildersolutions.co.uk Good luck and welcome to the mad house. John http://www.johnskitcar.com

Has anyone else seen the article in the October edition of Kitcar magazine about Tim Barnett who bought a lightweight kit. He bought a Sierra XR4i for £50 as the donor and it took him 2 years to build. When built but not SVA'd he got an offer of a free track day at Donnington, very unlucky but the car caught fire whilst on the track and even worse, Tim inhaled fumes and got pneumonia. Anyway this guy was not deterred and he bought a Zero from GBS, transferred the parts from the burnt out shell, engine gearbox etc and completed the Zero, had it SVA'd and now is a proud owner of a very nice looking Zero on an 09 plate. Now having set the scene, my question, how on earth has he ended up with a new plate, I thought I had it all clear in my mind about age related plates, Q plates and new plates. He admits that he used the parts from his Sierra donor, engine, gearbox, front suspension, wheel assemblies, brakes and most of the remains of the front of the car, so Tim can not possibly have a new plate, DVLA say for a new plate all new parts and 1 major part reconditioned up to a recognised standard, well he doesn't qualify there, surely he should have an age related plate as the year of his Sierra donor, or have I got it wrong yet again. John very puzzled. http://www.johnskitcar.com

Has anyone else noticed the article in the Special Edition Sept/Oct excellent Kit Car magazine about running lights. On page 111 they show running lights with the sub title 'Running lights - an IVA requirement' They then go on to say "daytime running lights are a new optional requirement for all kit cars" and then how to add this function for the IVA test if you are mid build.. What !! how can they be optional if they are a requirement, doesn't make sense, they are either optional or they are a requirement they can't be both. I am sure this article has worried a few 'newbies', but fear not, daytime lights are NOT a requirement. My understanding is that they are optional but if you do decide to fit them then they must meet the criteria as described in the IVA manual. I hope I have got it right or if not I will have to run some more wires in the harness. John http//:johnskitcar.com

I upgraded my rear brakes to discs from Matt Lewis racing and the cable came with them, sorry but haven't got any name or number on them. John

Take a look on my web site, http://www.johnskitcar.com and look under build then handbrake, you will find a picture of how I fitted mine. Hope it helps Good luck John

Hi Darren I fitted a floor mounted pedal box in my 2B Plus and did encounter a few problems, take a look on my web site www.johnskitcar.com look in the section 'The build' and then brakes. Also be aware if fitting the master cylinder at that level you wont be able to top up the reservoir, an IVA failure waiting to happen. Hopefully my web site will explain a little and may just help. Cheers John