Notices
Other Marques Non-Subaru Vehicles

Bike powered kit car

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 19, 2007 | 11:44 AM
  #1  
Probein's Avatar
Probein
Thread Starter
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 452
Likes: 0
Default Bike powered kit car

Just been looking around on PistonHeads, and came across:

Kit Cars : 2003 mk indy fireblade

Looked up some vids on Youtube of MK's in action, and dear god they are absolutely unbelievable. I've always wanted a motorbike, but haven't been keen on the risks involved. I know a kit car isn't exactly safe, but it's a little safer than a motorbike. Coupled with the fact that they're cheap to run and insure, I think it might be a good move for me in the future.

Anyway, my main question is: as a complete mechanical NUB, would it be viable to buy something like the one above? If something horrible went wrong, would it be really, really difficult to find somebody to look at it and repair it? I'd do my best to learn the absolute basics, but as I said I'm really not mechanically minded (i just like going fast ).

Any tips?

Cheers!
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2007 | 12:02 PM
  #2  
The Chief's Avatar
The Chief
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 8,328
Likes: 0
From: There is only one God - Elvis!
Default

been looking at Indys myself and the general consenus i can get is if you are spending the majority of time on the road maybe a car engine will be better, however the bike engined versions are a bit more raw - but who cares if it is a weekend toy.


Kit Cars : 2003 mk indy fireblade bike engined


Kit Cars : MK INDY 2.0 pinto car engined.


A lot of car for the money
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2007 | 12:04 PM
  #3  
The Chief's Avatar
The Chief
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 8,328
Likes: 0
From: There is only one God - Elvis!
Default

With regards to mechanical - i would imagine a competant biek mechanic would be able to work on these as the engines are so acessable
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2007 | 12:26 PM
  #4  
Probein's Avatar
Probein
Thread Starter
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 452
Likes: 0
Default

Thanks for the reply mate.

I'd be using it only for weekend/track use, so I think a bike engined car would be alright.

And yea, I was thinking a decent bike mechanic could probably do work... A good friend of mine is a bike mechanic, so might be able to get him roped in.
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2007 | 01:09 PM
  #5  
Nido's Avatar
Nido
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 990
Likes: 0
Default

Do you know what year blade engine it is using? They start at 893, then 918, 929, 954 and finally 998 cc, going from carbed to injected at the 929 stage. Each step has it's own charachter!
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2007 | 01:43 PM
  #6  
The Chief's Avatar
The Chief
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 8,328
Likes: 0
From: There is only one God - Elvis!
Default

Originally Posted by Probein
Thanks for the reply mate.

I'd be using it only for weekend/track use, so I think a bike engined car would be alright.

And yea, I was thinking a decent bike mechanic could probably do work... A good friend of mine is a bike mechanic, so might be able to get him roped in.
A bike engined Mk looks ideal.

If you've got a mate whos a mechanic i think your pretty much sorted.

go for it
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2007 | 02:44 PM
  #7  
Brendan Hughes's Avatar
Brendan Hughes
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 11,314
Likes: 4
From: same time, different place
Default

Note that kit cars are (were) often built by highly competent mechanics, who are (were) bloody awful electricians.

Should have been progress since "my day" as I think many kits now offer ready-made looms for sale, but there's a warning for you.
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2007 | 02:08 PM
  #8  
Tidgy's Avatar
Tidgy
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 23,118
Likes: 150
From: Notts
Default

z-cars do bike powered mini's and lotus elise replica's
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2007 | 02:18 PM
  #9  
finchyboy's Avatar
finchyboy
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,107
Likes: 0
From: Wellingborough
Default

If you plan to use it on the road look for something with a 2.0 Zetec in it preferably on throttle bodies. The bike engined stuff is better left for full on trackday weapons.
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2007 | 03:11 PM
  #10  
classic Subaru Si's Avatar
classic Subaru Si
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,458
Likes: 0
From: location, location, location
Default

is it true that the reverse gear's are crap on the bike engines - if they even have that option?? Been looking at the mini's with R1 engines in them - would love a play in one!! Anypone got a link for z cars??
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2007 | 03:28 PM
  #11  
classic Subaru Si's Avatar
classic Subaru Si
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,458
Likes: 0
From: location, location, location
Default

Originally Posted by classic Subaru Si
is it true that the reverse gear's are crap on the bike engines - if they even have that option?? Been looking at the mini's with R1 engines in them - would love a play in one!! Anypone got a link for z cars??
ignore that, just found it - they have got some real tasty mini's there, look like they know what they are doing too!! $00bhp turboed busa engine in a mini, or elise - Jesus, moses & doggy style Mary!!!
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2007 | 04:04 PM
  #12  
Tidgy's Avatar
Tidgy
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 23,118
Likes: 150
From: Notts
Default

Originally Posted by classic Subaru Si
is it true that the reverse gear's are crap on the bike engines - if they even have that option?? Been looking at the mini's with R1 engines in them - would love a play in one!! Anypone got a link for z cars??

zcars.org.uk

Reply
Old Dec 21, 2007 | 11:00 AM
  #13  
Bald Speed Racing's Avatar
Bald Speed Racing
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 517
Likes: 0
From: In a house
Default

Pro-Motive - Home for a fwd drive version ran by my mate Darren
Reply
Old Dec 21, 2007 | 01:10 PM
  #14  
The Chief's Avatar
The Chief
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 8,328
Likes: 0
From: There is only one God - Elvis!
Default

Originally Posted by Bald Speed Racing
Pro-Motive - Home for a fwd drive version ran by my mate Darren

Seems quite expensive as the kit is 5k plus an engine and a car.

My buddy in the Smacs can do these with a Busa engine in it and i'm sure he would not charge anything like that - with engine
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Iqy7861
Engine Management and ECU Remapping
22
Oct 12, 2015 09:21 AM
ossett2k2
Engine Management and ECU Remapping
15
Sep 23, 2015 09:11 AM
walterwhite
ScoobyNet General
18
Sep 16, 2015 11:05 AM
ossett2k2
General Technical
9
Sep 13, 2015 09:35 AM
alcazar
Other Marques
9
Sep 9, 2015 05:42 PM




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 10:59 PM.