kennyrayandersen

good points. Well at least, since it is already set up for RWD, and the 3S-GE is a pretty popular motor, it might be good for at least the engine and tranny. I don't thing there would be too much trouble to get a drive shaft made that would adapt the JDM tranny to whatever rear end was 'normally' used in the kit. i've just been reading a lot about the Ford trannies leaking, which thing I would prefer to avoid. Also, I'm starting to lean toward a more traditional build, which does limit the engine choices a bit. I think this one is pretty compact, if what I've been reading is correct.

I was afraid that it might be hard to integrate the IRS into the chassis, I guess I wasn’t thinking too much about the rest of the suspension, but rather, I wonder if it is close enough that you could install the IRS, driveline and engine. I’m not sure how much of a concern the JDM ECU would be since 1) all kinds of JDM engines are imported already (this has got to be about the best and easiest way to find a high performance 4-cylinder), 2) somebody is either using an aftermarket ECU, adapting the JDM unit, or integrating and likely re-chipping an American ECU. I know on the Honda Hybrid site, they play pretty fast and loose with all the electronics, but My guess is you might have to get some help (I’m no electrical wiz, though I have built my own amp, pre-amp, and electronic X-over, and dozens of loudspeakers with passive x-overs) – car electronics is kind of specialized, so I’d probably go somewhere and get that done. The Birkin Australia site seems to be pushing the Toyota lumps – maybe I’ll poke around a bit more and see what they are doing for their IRS setup. Come to think about it the Raw engineering Striker is also pushing a lot of Toyota stuff – I’ll check over there as well. It might be nice to be sitting on a few hundred ponies, without having to force feed it air, if you know what I mean…

I was doing a little research to see if Lexus made any 4-cylinder engines that might be a good choice, and though not imported directly into the States, I ran across this one and thought it would make a nice donor. Engine and tranny would be a sweet combo, but I’m not sure how you would integrate the rear into a kit version. Anybody know whether there are any kit versions that would readily accept the rear as well? Seems like the Australian Birkens are Toyota powered… http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/JDM-3SGE-Beams-DUAL-VVTi-6-Speed-RWD-Engine-Swap-3S-GE_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem5883545689QQitemZ380160464521QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

I'm surprised there are that many in Japan! I was there for four days -- never say a one. I saw one on a Japanese internet site once -- that's about it. They have ALL kinds of barriers set up to thwart cars from coming into the country, so it seems unusual that a specialty manufacturer would get that many in. Hmmm, makes me wonder if they aren't pulling the standard "it's a 1969 Lotus" shenanagans.

AFAIK, TX for instance, specifies some numbers. I assume, then, that each state does as well. A national standard would be great, because at least you'd know what to expect, but I fear some guys would be worse off as they would then have more restrictions and specifications than they do now.

Actually, I’m a bit jealous of everything but your healthcare and taxes (lol). Your 15 year rule, as opposed to our 25 year rule, would REALLY open up importing a lot of cool cars from Japan [and elsewhere] (Honda Beat, Suzuki Cappuccino, older Porsches, 2CVs, Minis etc.) – man! Dream a little dream! The Caterham folk in Canadia might not be too bad of a choice since they are likely familiar with the ‘community’ (sometimes known as a cult). Cars come up for sale all of the time (mostly when you aren’t looking). I suspect now is a pretty good time to be looking. There were likely VERY few Caterhams or other 7’s sold to Japan. Now if you want to MAKE one, they have tons of good donors (think Skyline etc.) – 220 HP Nissans and the like, but as far as already built 7s, my guess is that this would be a VERY collectible car in Japan and once in country, it ain’t leaving again.

Wanting to learn what I could, I figured hey sign up over at the UK locost sight as well. That whole call thing was a real road block. Reminded me of a discussion I had with some IT folk at work. I told them their security was so good even I couldn't log on to my own account! I don't mind the call to the UK even, it just I could not make it go through from Korea, where I'm working. I tried the cell phone and the land phone and they both said the number wasn't in the registry, whatever that means? There was an alternate method, but that just got me an e-mail bounce. I guess it's a pretty tight club. Anybody belong to the other BBs can offer a tip on either what I'm doing wrong on the call, or some other method of getting hooked up over there?:banghead:

I thought the front end looked similar too. If they been around since the 80s, that would make the S2K the... aaa... anyway they are both sweet. Sorry, BEC?

The regs you pointed me to clearly show that the body and frame can be imported,so that should be no problem. The only thing remaining is suspension. brakes. engine. wiring, and lights. Of those, only the suspensions pieces might pose a bit of a problem. If you can get to that point you can either have a Canadian supplier order them for you, or you could have them fabbed -- hundreds have done their own. Everything else could VERY likely be sourced in Canada. I think there is a tenancy for people not to actually find out how something CAN be done and just not put forth the effort. Why down here in AMeriKa, people will lie, cheat and, yes even steal to get their cars 'legally' on the road.

Anybody hear of these guys before? Doesn't this look like a WCM Ultralite S2K body http://www.mnrltd.co.uk/index2.html Single vehicle Mazda sound a bit interesting...

I guess when you get a wide-angle lens, and get the Birkin behind and the S2K up front close, the S2K looks a lot bigger -- your pics make them look much more the same size -- perspective is everything. I joined the S2K group, but for some reason I can't seem to post.

The Honda engine is pretty tall, comparatively speaking. Is anybody out there putting on a dry sump to lower the engine and putting in in a regular style Birkin/Caterham-sized body/chassis? Obviously the S2K is using the power plant, but anything else out the using it, other than scratch built? How about scratch built? Just wondering. I really like the Birkin-sized car and the classic look, but I'm not that sweet on the Ford i.e. having to import the tanny and whatnot. It would be nice of that drive train could be shoehorned into something a bit smaller (or better said more traditional).

Also, you could have somone with a shop import the suspension bits, since Canadia allows the importation of parts. You would then buy those from a 'domestic' supplier and be able to show you DMV the receipts. Work the problem!:banghead::smash: and then :driving:

looks like it is entirely possible -- you just have to do it carefully -- read also the FAQ in kitcars which is helpful. I wrote a longer response twice but some silly timeout error keeps screwing it up so I got tired an won't do it again (kind of stupid): Amateur building of kit cars from imported starter kits Is a starter kit a car or parts? Shipment contents provide useful clues, and each import is considered on its own merits. TC may ask for a complete parts list (not including attachment hardware). In a parts shipment/starter kit, important systems such as the fuel system, the brake system, the power train and the suspension system are not included. When these systems are completely absent, the kit will likely pass Customs if: the kit is not assembled (the body and frame are separate); the wiring harness, steering system and interior parts are not installed (with the possible exception of the windshield, some trim and the instrument panel).

I'd be surprised if you couldn't import the parts, build it, and then get it licensed in Canadia. Usually the problem is that you can't import an already made car. The exceptions are in the EU, where the UK has a pretty straightforward method of registering a self-built car. People from around the EU take their cars to the UK, license them, and then 'import' them back to their home country because of reciprocal agreements to take each others cars. There is a strong tradition in the UK of building your own vehicle so props to them for keeping up the tradition whilst others around them go bonkers and crush creativity and industry.

Lol – I guess everything is relative. Your point is well taken – another reason to paint either of them a retina searing color. I couldn’t agree more, which makes it a tough decision. I’m one of those who gets a LOT of satisfaction for working with my hands. I really enjoy when you make something and it’s better than downtown and people are all "you didn’t make that, really?” but having said that generally you are right about comparing your vocational compensation. I also make jewelry, among other things (loudspeakers, etc.). People are always saying – “man, this is really nice. Have you thought about doing it for a living?” My reply is – “I couldn’t afford to work for $5 bucks an hour”. I’m just too slow an meticulous. As an engineer I get paid to be slow an meticulous (aren’t you glad the wings don’t fall off the airplane you’re riding in? lol) I think the biggest mistake most self-constructers make is that they think there time is worth much. This is NO slight to anyone, but it’s just reality – anyone should be considering they are putting as car (or whatever) together for fun – selling for anything much beyond what you got into it (unless maybe it’s 100% scratch-built, in which case you might nearly get a ‘kit’ price out of it), is gravy. Case in point is Chad Marsh’s car, which looked to be fabulously and meticulously assembled… let’s just say someone got a heck of a deal on that one, eh? So, even for me, bolting a kit together ain’t about saving any money, it something I would REALLY enjoy. If I ever won the lotto (which would be pretty tough since I don’t buy lotto tickets), I would just buy some land, build a shop, and that would pretty much be the last you’d see of me! Thanks for the link, I’ll check out the site and see what the chatter is. There used to be some performance versions of the Focus – is that still the case? Europe always seems to get the hot-hatch versions that we in the States seldom get. Since I’m right near the track at Cresson, the car may eventually see some track time. It would be nice to have a couple hundred horsepower available for that, though I’m not trying to get to hung up on that. Being FROM TX, and actually in the area where both of these gentlemen are doing business, and being a guy that is pretty interested in cars, you hear about people doing business here. I’ve heard good things about both Brian and Dick, so that doesn’t concern me too much – I’m more interested in the actual cars, assembly or maintenance issues, parts availability, and any particulars that make one or the other more or less desirable. I realize that they are ‘different’, but they both look plenty fun and appear to be a quality products. I’ll just have to get over to Arlington and Lancaster and check them both out.

I considered it pretty long and hard -- I got the book, down loaded some plans etc. For me, it's a time thing, as in I ain't got none. I'm not exaggerating when I say I have worked 60 hours a week minimum for the last 5 years and 56 a week the year before that one. Last year I worked a bit more than 3400 hours;so, I really don't have time to sort out a lot of stuff -- I want to be bolting. Don't get me wrong, I like the concept, but right now it would just take me too darn long to do it from scratch -- I give you props though and r-e-s-p-e-c-t for going that route. I've got another dream of making a Guzzi-powered Morgan 3-wheeled replica -- and I'll have to do that one from scratch. I thought I'd cut my teeth on this one, before jumping headlong into the scratch building.

I'd rather drink root beer than look at it on my car :lol: However, it doesn't seem too safe of a color

HAha

On a more serious note, I read where regular exercise turns on around 450 good genes and turns off something like 50 bad genes. People say long life is in the genes, and that certainly is true to some degree, but it does appear that you can affect your longevity by your behavior (like that had to be said).

WOW – I always thought that the Ultralite looked fairly small in the pictures – that’s a REAL eye opener. It looks down right huge next to the Birkin. Your wise counsel is well taken. I’m in Korea working right now and driving a Matiz (800cc), my last 4 cars in the States were an Mazda 3, Echo, Corolla, 944 turbo, so none of them big, in fact quite small. Since, when I’m home living in the States, I’m in TX, land of the free, home of the brave [packing heat]; I can get to both WCM (Brian) and TMW (Dick) to try them on and check them out up close -- Both of them are just down the road from Ft. Worth Ah, decisions, decisions! Like I was saying I think I like the looks of the Birkin, but would prefer a domestic product, though I think the Duratec is available in the States no? Isn’t that what’s in my Mazda 3? Still, that Vtec Ahhhh! Is most of the other stuff that comes on the Birkin hard to source? Do you have to go to Birkin to get spares? Does the Birkin ‘kit’ come with the engine etc.? What is required to complete (for comparison purposes, since I have a pretty good handle on the S2K situation). I’ve heard some from the S2K guys – any Birkin guys want to chime in? I’m pretty sure I don’t want a Caterham as I can’t afford to be authentic (lol). The Westfield is nice, don’t get me wrong, but for some reason I don’t find them quite as attractive. The S2K is kind of edgy and updated, the Birkin more classic. Thoughts?

Thanks y’all for the inputs and PMs Actually I really like the looks of the Birkins and Caterhams – maybe even a bit better than the S2K, so you won’t hear me dissing any of them. I have more of a Danish butt than an American one lol, so the wide cockpit isn’t that big of a concern and I actually prefer the narrow bodies as far as looks goes. Still, most of them are pretty good looking (except that homebrew someone posted on E-bay the other day, now that was ugly!). I mainly just want to keep it simple, so I want to stay away from any kind of custom engine installation, or major deviation for ‘standard’. I figure the less complicated it is the higher the chance for success. The points about the Miata are well taken; though I have to wonder by the time I got the ‘Pallet’ Miata, and the turbo et al, whether it wouldn’t be a fair bit more than the S2000 engine/tranny. Anyway, it’s not such an easy decision because there are some GREAT-looking Se7ens out there, and I’d be happy to own quite a few of them. I just think it’s is simpler when the hardware doesn’t have to be imported (enough tales of woe on that one…). I’m still several months away as I’m in Korea living and working at least until the middle of January, so I have some time to peruse and make the final decision.

these days just about any Japanese engine is pretty reliable -- wish I could say that for the last Ford I'll ever own. 2 Hondas, 1 Toyota, and a Mazda later -- there's no going back. Big three got some work to do. BTW, I do own a Chevy pickup that I'm pretty happy with! Also, to me that's what makes the S2K (and the Westy/Miata, to a lesser degree) look so appealing.

New ‘Official’ lurker here. I’ve been wanting a 7 off and on for a while. I’m and engineer, pretty handy and have rebuilt a few engines and worked on cars quite a bit and done some light fabrication and machining. I’ve thought about building one from scratch, but I’ve come to realize that I do nothing but work 60 hours a week and so am short on time (doesn’t seem to keep me from engaging in a lot of hobbies – silversmithing, stained glass, lapidary, and wood working – I guess I like working with my hands!). So, I was thinking I would probably be better off looking at a ‘kit’ where most of it had been sorted out. I like the looks of the Westfield, but since I’m State-side I don’t want to mess with a non-imported powerplant. The new Miata version would be OK, but kind of down on power, and to get a lot of power it seems to come at the expense of bucks and an engine that’s rather high strung (I could be wrong on that). There are a couple in Australia that I find appealing as well as a couple in the UK, but again I don’t really want to go too much into the import thing because it just subtracts from money that could go into the car ;so, I think I’ve narrowed it down to the WCM SK2. Money-wise, if you do it yourself, it doesn’t seem THAT much more than a Westfield Miata, and you get 240 HP bone stock with Honda reliability, which both seem pretty desirable. Plus, as a side note, I live in Texas and Brian is just down the road… yee haw! So I see a fair number of Ultralite S2Ks floating around the forum. I’ve think I would prefer building one, just because that’s where I get my thrill – it’s not really a money issue – I just enjoy building stuff. Talking to Brian, I think most of them are sold turn-key, but they will on occasion sell to someone that will not go stupid on them. So, if there is anyone out there that has one, or especially if you have built one, I would appreciate some feedback on how the build went, what kind of documentation (manual?) comes with the car, and any special problems that you encountered. Also, it would be interesting to hear any “if I did it again, I’d do this differently” comments [from anyone, not just S2K builders].