DreamofBoost Posted January 13, 2015 Share Posted January 13, 2015 I currently have two S2000s as my toys. One being a 650whp turbo street car and the other being supercharged mainly used for track days and autox. I did all the work my self so I am no stranger to working on cars. I do not mind working on cars to upgrade them but having to constantly fixing something would get old quick. I want to be able to enjoy the car rather then work on it fixing issues non stop. I would like to replace my supercharged S2000 with a seven. I was ready to make an offer on a 2013 Birkin S3, until I read all the issues Kitcat had with his 09 Birkin. Were his troubles common or was it because it was TMWs first duretec build? The car I am looking at was also built by Texas Motor Works. Do these cars have junk for wiring? Or is it the builders fault? Thats one thing I want no part of, chasing down electrical issues that is. Does TMW do quality work on their builds? I did get a chance to talk to Dick in regards to these cars a little while back. He seemed very passionate and knowledgable. He was willing to spend nearly 2hrs on the phone with me discussing the cars and upgrades available like his supercharger which I would definitely buy down the rode. Anybody have experience with the supercharger on these cars? I left the conversation feeling like there is support from him in case of issues with these cars which made me feel good but don't want a car that is constantly broken. Thanks in advance for any input and/or advice. Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
powderbrake Posted January 13, 2015 Share Posted January 13, 2015 I cannot speak to the reliability of the Birkins as produced by TMW, but the sevens in general are a conglomeration of parts of many cars, and the woes which you refer to may be just the problems of getting all the parts to work together. If you are a S2000 fan, then you should consider a WCM Ulltralite. It is designed around an S2000 engine and transmission, and can easily be supercharged. The man to see is West Texas S2k. He has built and supercharged these cars and he owns the company. http://www.wcmultralite.com/ I built my kit in 2005, and have never needed to work on the drivetrain. It is extremely reliable, just needing a new parking brake pad, and a fuel sender which failed. I have replaced some heim joints, which being all metal, will wear. But all in all, it's a Honda, so you start it up and drive it. And welcome to the USA7s Forum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davemk1 Posted January 13, 2015 Share Posted January 13, 2015 You might also consider the Westfield Mega S2000 which of course uses an engine you are already very familiar with. I'm really enjoying mine. If you build it yourself you'll know it's right and just how you want it. dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gherkin Posted January 13, 2015 Share Posted January 13, 2015 Hi Martin, First off welcome to the forum. I own a supercharged Duratec Birkin built by TMW and would love to give you any insight I have on the car and TMW. Dick is a good guy, helpful and as you said he is passionate about these cars. With that said his mechanic does not necessarily do things the same way I would. I purchased the car from TMW and it was very honestly described as a whole, any issues I had with the car laid mostly in the details. A car like the Seven will always need some sort of fetteling, it's part of the "charm", but I did need to change/fix a few issues from the original build. My car has a bit of a history so its needs included many of the issues Kitcat mentions and went above and beyond. Any "home built" car like these should be gone over carefully when built by someone else. Once the car is all dialed in it should be a reliable, insanely fun, driver. Since these are practically race cars for the street you will find they are more work than most production cars, especially a Honda, mostly in routine going-over to check bushings, bolt/nut torque, etc. Much like the S2000 the Duratec engine is reliable, parts are readily available, and there is a lot of support in the tuner community. I didn't have any allegiance to a specific power source but I like the slightly lower hood (bonnet) line offered by the Duratec powered cars. I'll PM you my contact info, please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Automoda Posted January 13, 2015 Share Posted January 13, 2015 I have a 2003 Birkin S3 and it's very reliable. I've enjoyed the heck out if it and have about 22,000 miles of mixed driving in it. Any problems I've had have had nothing to do with Birkin's kit, but rather, the parts I installed on it (Such as a cheap alternator etc). I highly recommend Birkin. I look at the new suspension designs they have and I admit I am jealous. I don't think there are many things I've purchased that I've been so happy with (and that includes the various Russian and Asian brides). To be honest I don't know why Cat gets all the attention and nobody in the USA thinks about Birkin, when its such a great machine and soooooo sexy looking! http://herb.linkrealms.com/lotus/Birkin_July_2014_01.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xcarguy Posted January 13, 2015 Share Posted January 13, 2015 Martin, Welcome to the forum! :seeya: I'm the former owner of Chris’s (Gherkin) green supercharged beast (a beautiful car, BTW) and the current owner (second time around) of an LS6-powered Stalker (jokingly called Storkers :jester:) that I built, sold and bought back. Up front, ‘ALL’ of these cars—regardless or make, regardless of who built it, no matter how well sorted and maintained, no matter what drivetrain—will require a bit more attention when it comes to maintenance and, of course, breakage. Yes, sadly, they do break. Having said that, I can’t name a single car I’ve owned that’s more fun than a well sorted, dialed in Seven, especially when you are driving the car the way it was meant to be driven. From crossflows to V8s, these cars are challenging to own, yet very rewarding to drive. Any of them will frustrate you, yet keep your fun meter pegged in the red. You simply have to be willing to turn a wrench every now and then; comes with the territory. As for TMW’s, a few of us here (including me) have had issues that we, for the sake of the Seven community, are careful about sharing. From what little I know, let me stress that the quality of the Birkin (as delivered from the factory) has ‘NEVER’ been the issue. The details of my personal experience with TMW’s, I keep under my hat, but will share one-on-one (privately) if interested. Having said that, do not let my words (neither now nor later) sway you from purchasing a Birkin; they are very well designed, excellent examples of Sevens. A well-sorted, dialed in example is the Birkin of Folis Jones who has been tracking the car for a few years (see photo below and link to his videos). I don’t know where you’re located, but JeffersonRaley (JR) and I will be running at Texas World Speedway Feb 28-March 1. JR will have his Birkin at the track and I will be bringing the Storker. It may be an opportunity for questions, etc. if you could make it to College Station, TX that weekend. Good luck with your Seven search. Shane :cheers: https://www.youtube.com/user/folisjonesracing/videos Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DreamofBoost Posted January 14, 2015 Author Share Posted January 14, 2015 First off thank your for the warm welcome and quick replies. I'm really looking forward to owning a seven and contributing to the community. Can anybody comment on the blown duretec motors in Birkins that have been on the track. I came across a few on these forums. Is there a fix besides putting a dry sump on the car? Powerbrake, I was under the impression that the wcm ultralite were no longer being produced. I thought about holding out for a used one but would like to have the weather gear. Not sure if that was offered on the wcm sevens. Davemk1, I saw your car in the gallery section. Looks amazing btw. I have considered the westfield mega S2000. I would like to be able to enjoy it this summer and I am not sure if I really have the time to get it done. Also not sure of what the lead times are for getting a chassis delivered. Would you be willing to share the costs and time it took to complete the build. Maybe in private message if your prefer. Automoda, thanks for sharing a picture of your beautiful Birkin. You have definitely enjoyed a good amount of miles in your Birkin. Any of those track miles? Shane and Chris pm sent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NVP66S Posted January 14, 2015 Share Posted January 14, 2015 First off thank your for the warm welcome and quick replies. I'm really looking forward to owning a seven and contributing to the community. Davemk1, I saw your car in the gallery section. Looks amazing btw. I have considered the westfield mega S2000. I would like to be able to enjoy it this summer and I am not sure if I really have the time to get it done. Also not sure of what the lead times are for getting a chassis delivered. . Welcome to the forum. Just FYI, my Westfield was configured for the Mazda (not Honda) powertrain, but chassis delivery time was 5 months. Dan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
powderbrake Posted January 15, 2015 Share Posted January 15, 2015 Powerbrake, I was under the impression that the wcm ultralite were no longer being produced. I thought about holding out for a used one but would like to have the weather gear. Not sure if that was offered on the wcm sevens. I suggest you send a PM to WestTexasS2k, the WCM Ultralite company owner, he is generally up to date on Ultralites that are for sale. Where are you located? It is always handy to see the location of the poster in his profile. An offer to "come by and see my car" is not much use if you are 2000 miles away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Hill Posted January 15, 2015 Share Posted January 15, 2015 Powder brake I like the way you think with your location suggestion. However... I don't see your info either! Paul Morrisburg, Ontario Canada Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitcat Posted January 15, 2015 Share Posted January 15, 2015 Look closer Paul. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croc Posted January 15, 2015 Share Posted January 15, 2015 Top right of a persons post Paul. I can see Jerry is St Louis MO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bball7754 Posted January 15, 2015 Share Posted January 15, 2015 Because of a change in policy at work, I now access the site from my phone. The location of a member doesn't seem to be displayed on my IPhone. It does when I access it from my PC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Hill Posted January 16, 2015 Share Posted January 16, 2015 That must be the difference for me as well. I almost always access the site by phone, presently a relatively new Samsung Note 4. Posting pics by phone doesn't seem to be possible either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DreamofBoost Posted January 16, 2015 Author Share Posted January 16, 2015 Powderbrake, thanks for giving me his user name on here. I'll have to reach out to him. I'm located about thirty minutes out of Chicago. Id love to meet up with a seven owner to get to check one out. I'll have to get on a PC and fill out the profile on here. Thanks for all the replies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xcarguy Posted January 16, 2015 Share Posted January 16, 2015 Well, Martin, I suppose Chicago makes College Station a 'no go' for next month. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rx7locost Posted January 16, 2015 Share Posted January 16, 2015 (edited) I'm located about thirty minutes out of Chicago. Id love to meet up with a seven owner to get to check one out. I've got a lowly street driven Locost and am in West Chicago,IL 60185. Nothing fancy. Powered by a '91 RX7 drivetrain. If you care to swap stories, you're free to stop by. Edited January 16, 2015 by rx7locost Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fastg Posted January 17, 2015 Share Posted January 17, 2015 I am not far away from rx7locost in Glen Ellyn. I have a CMC that is going through a Honda K24 engine swap. Your welcome to come over and check it out. Graham Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ropaSeven Posted January 18, 2015 Share Posted January 18, 2015 Powderbrake, Wasn't Chuck Spera (2 Ultralites) located in Minnesota? And there is a Stalker V6 owner near St Paul/Minneapolis - Brent Swartz (xr7locost knows him) and he would be glad to talk about the Stalker if it's not too far from you. xr7locost, Isn't there a light blue Caterham near you in Chicago (they came to the 7's get together when it was up there). Also, are you ready for Mays get together in Galena?? Dale Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WestTexasS2K Posted January 18, 2015 Share Posted January 18, 2015 Chuck Spera sold his car to a guy in Waco Tx. last year. He still has XR7 model to autox but no pass seat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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