xcarguy

One other thought: fuel starvation under high G load which doesn't present itself until exiting the LH turn (possibly due to a combination of tank design, fuel pickup point and/ fuel level used during the track session).

O Racer, A couple of ideas (simply ideas; I have no experience with Webers). 1) high G load has allowed debris in tank to find its way into the filters and/or carbs.* 2) fuel/air mixture of the Webers was originally tuned for airflow through the filter vs. running without a filter. X

:iagree: New Birkin kits are 20K +. This is a nearly-new running and drivinig car for just a little more at 23,500. With 2,500 miles, it sounds win-win to me if someone's in the market for a Seven. :auto:

Okay, back to the thread. Here’s the ‘little’ I know of when it comes to what’s available (currently produced) in the U.S. and where to find product information: Brunton Stalker—various models produced (Classic, Classic R, M-Spec and XL). These cars are mainly sold in kit form, but can be purchased as a turnkey car from the factory. Support for these cars, within the U.S. is excellent. The majority of these cars are powered by GM V6 engines and backed by a Camaro 5-speed transmission, but the GM LS series engines are more common for new builds and backed up by either a TKO 5-speeds or T-56 6-speed. When I first built my car, Dennis Brunton owned the company. The company is now owned by Scott Minehart. Scott’s dad, Glen, lends a hand in the business. To reiterate my former post in this thread pertaining to parts availability, factory-produced parts (replacement or newly acquired) are one phone call and one UPS drop from my front door; that’s been my experience, both with Dennis and with Scott. Stalker web site http://www.bruntonauto.com/ Used Stalkers http://www.coilovershock.com/free_classifieds1.htm Stalker builder gallery--#70 in the gallery is unfinished and is currently for sale (the previous owner/builder passed away). This car may be a good deal if you want to build your own. http://www471.pair.com/stalkerv/gallery2/ Stalker owners’ forum http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/stalkerv6/ Birkin—produced in South Africa and sold globally through distributors (currently, there are two in the U.S. that I am aware of—see below). Just as Stalker owners, Birkin owners have their own forum (Yahoo Groups). The Birkin forum is very active with a great group of very helpful and knowledgeable folks. The majority of later model (used) Birkins will have usually be powered by either Zetec or Duratec engines and utilize the Haltech ECU followed by either the Typhoon or Emerald units. I would suggest starting a thread asking other members opinions about these ECUs and which they would prefer (I’ve heard pros and cons concerning the Haltech vs. the Typhoon, but do not have enough experience with any of these to provide a solid opinion). Birkins distributors, U.S. http://www.texasmotorworks7.com/ http://www.rmmotorworks.com/ Birkin owners’ forum http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/birkinowners/ World Class Motorsports (WCM) Ultralite—the car was originally designed and produced by Brian Anderson. The company is now owned by Loren Edwards. The majority of these cars utilize Honda S-2000 drive trains. WCM Ultralite web site http://www.wcmultralite.com/contact.htm Caterham—produced in the U.K. and, just as the Birkin, are sold globally through distributors. To my knowledge, there are several Caterham distributors in the U.S. These distributors are listed on the U.S. web site. While I have never owned a Caterham, I did have the opportunity to visit the Colorado distributorship and liked what I saw in the way of quality and function; unfortunately, at the time I visited, there was no demo available to drive. Caterham U.S. web site http://www.uscaterham.com/ Westfield—again, produced in the U.K. and sold globally through distributors. To my knowledge, there are two Westfield distributors in the U.S. and both are listed on the Westfield web site. Westfield U.S. web site http://www.westfield-sportscars.co.uk/about.html And here is another link for Wikipedia listing ‘all known?’ manufacturers of 7 replicas. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Lotus_Seven_replicas :willy_nilly:

This may be the car up for grabs: http://www.myfamilytruckster.com/ http://www.myfamilytruckster.com/construction.htm :rofl:

Superformance S1 with an attitude! I rember looking at a brand new S1 in the spring of 2000 at what was, at the time, the regional SP dealership in Chalmette, LA. It was sitting alone in the single-car show room - engine bay bare - and I never imagined being able to slip in a V8, let alone one with twin turbos. At the time, I was still a hard-core Cobra fan . . . Had I of known. :leaving:

Fast . . . slow . . . whatever . . . had to be a real hoot to get on the track and play! :driving: X

rss, Great shots!!! X

CRAFTS-MAN-SHIP TO THE Nth DEGREE!!!!:hurray:

Nose cone color!!!! I hate spell check on this phone! 😁

Wheel and nose come color . . . Don't change either; home run. 😃

Leave the duct tape: adds character.

Looks like a Mini 7

Ice, Here's the bottom line; no matter the make, no matter the engine size, straight axle or IRS, whatever . . . these cars are FUN. I've driven some of these cars with less than half the HP of my car and it didn't reduce the excitement factor of driving one bit. All of these cars are a smile-a-minute when you get behind the wheel.

My top five thoughts: • Are these shrimp boats or submarines • Now I know why the shrimp plate at the local Flying Burger restaurant is $15.50 • I always wondered where the footage for 'The Perfect Storm' was shot • Here, hold my beer and watch this and • $15.50 a plate 'ain't' enough

iceberg1234, I’ve driven Ultralites, Birkins and Stalkers and have looked closely at several Caterhams (no seat time); no experience with any other manufacturers. I used to be a hard-core Cobra fan until I got behind the wheel of what used to be Brian Anderson's Ultralite called Goldie; I've been hooked ever since. I’ve owned both a Birkin and a Stalker; the Stalker that I now own, I’ve owned twice (second rodeo with this car). While I truly liked the ‘more traditional’ look of the Birkin vs. the Stalker, I absolutely love the performance of my Stalker with its LS6. My Birkin made around 225hp at the crank, was backed by a Quaife sequential 6-speed and commanded very respectable performance. My Stalker currently puts down 370hp at the rear wheels with almost as much torque, is backed up by a Liberty Performance TKO 600 with face-plated gears and such but demands much more from the driver in the way of skill and wisdom at full throttle than did the Birkin. The Birkin, in comparison, seemed a bit more refined where the Stalker seems to be more of a raw brute. As for the available power produced by the Stalker, the saving grace is the very progressive throttle linkage I’m using which makes the power extremely manageable—I can drive this car on the street just as easily as I do my Toyota truck. Where the Birkin is more of a mail-order car (across-the-pond parts), the Stalker is produced in the US using parts available in the US and can basically be built using over-the-counter parts readily available from your local parts store; it’s just an American version of these type cars. I can’t speak for other manufacturers, but of the Birkins and Caterhams I’ve seen, they all seem to be more uniform in the build whereas the Stalkers I’ve seen are more like a fingerprint or an extension of the builder’s personality. When it comes right down to it, it all depends on what you want. Do research and look at and drive/ride in the cars you are considering. As for the Stalker, here is a link to the Stalker build galllery. If you want to look at my car, it is chassis #85: http://www471.pair.com/stalkerv/gallery2/ Price wise, you can buy an already built (used) car much cheaper than you can build one . . . regardless of manufacturer, and there are some very well sorted cars out there for sale. However, you will probably still need to make changes to any car you purchase, just ask anyone on this forum (I bought my car back last summer and it has been down for the last two-three months for winter projects). You can get a very nice, well equipped Birkin in the low to mid twenties (same for the Stalker with a super charged V6). Well equipped Caterhams seem to fetch a bit more money. The comparisons are endless and much more can be said here, but I'll stop and let someone else chime in. :banghead: I don't know where you live, but if you are close to south Arkansas, I'll be glad to take you out in the Stalker. Good luck with your search. X

Dang! I ran out of breath just reading your post. :svengo:

Hey, 80, 51 years young and still chasing the rainbow for that elusive pot o' gold. :deadhorse: And I absolutely agree with you on metal fabrication vs. epoxy; I have first-hand experience with such, and thus the main reason my floor is bare concrete. I did the floor in my garage at my last residence and within two year’s time, I had pretty much destroyed the finish with (you guessed it) lots of metal fabrication. X

Wheels are urethane; was an upgrade from Direct Lift. I went through the 'steel wheel' thing with my last garage floor-- urethane is easier to move around and less wear and tear on the floor.

Direct Lift portable four-post lift dollies.

When the boogeyman goes to bed, he checks underneath for Chuck Norris. :devil:

Klasik-69, Thanks for the compliment on the shop. The Cobra in the pics is an ERA 289 FIA; one of the nicest I've ever seen and had the privilage of owning. I sold it shortly after buying my Stalker back from Sharkey (I didn't want to maintain two cars). The Cobra sure was a looker, but performance wise in comparision to the Stalker with the LS6, it just couldn't hang.

All this planning . . . Who's buying the beer? :cheers: :cheers: :puke::svengo:

Mine came from a company called Direct Lift. I have the Pro Park 8 Plus Long: http://www.directlift.com/Pro-Park-8-PLUS-LONG-Four-Post-Lift-P54C9.aspx It's made across the pond, but I've been very pleased with the form and function thus far. Also, buy two of the Pro Jack 3500 jacks. It's another grand, but well worth it. They are made for the Pro Park 8: http://www.directlift.com/Pro-Jack-3500-P45C18.aspx

Floor!!! . . . Never mind the floor! Look at the size of that garage! And you have, not one, but two lifts? Can I come over and play? :svengo: