37 replies to this topic

[bengreen55]

Thanks bennyboybusa that's very handy to have chears

[edsmini]

chris,

 

Thanks for the update.

 

I for one am interested in the new idea of using a cheaper engine, its always been a big chunk of the cost for either bike engine or v-tec.

 

I take it the vw engine will be based on the 20v 1.8t? if so, this will be a great base to start from as they are readily available at able to get around 220-240 bhp on the standard setup i know a few guys that have used these engines and they seem to get good performance.

 

another thing i would like to know for the new business --- will the fibreglass arches be available. and the monte carlo shells?

 

Thanks again,

 

Ed

[Bennyboybusa]

Thanks bennyboybusa that's very handy to have chears

 

 

no problem at all dude

[Air2air]

Latest update for you all
I know it's taken a while but things are progressing now
Work is well under way on the new website
I've just got back from a 3000 mile round trip to Spain where I picked up a lot of the old z cars stock that was bought by z cars customer down there
That's now in ashford with David rose
David has two z cars minis a white v tec one which was featured in mini world late last yr and a hyabusa turbo
He has bought the rights to the mini kits jigs web name etc etc
He had already purchased a lot of the mini stock and now has the vast majority of what was in the stores when performance engineering closed
The intention is to service the needs of the old customers initially and the stock is pretty much there to do this

We have spent the last few months looking at the situation and trying to work out the best solution for everybody who already has a car
By obtaining the parts jigs etc I think we have achieved that

A lot of thought has gone into where to go next with z cars
Last autumn I don't mind admitting I was in a bad place with it all
However having discussed with David what might happen I've had a lot better few weeks
His new premises are now secured and electricians are in there wiring etc as I write this
There is a definite feeling of good things going forwards now
I've been looking at where the old kits were and what could be done to improve them
This seems like a good time to sort some of this out
In effect the design was one I did over thirteen years ago with very minor mods along the way.
Over the last five years I've had no input into things as I was busy with FastMast .
Back in 2010 I was looking to change some stuff on the cars and both myself and David are keen to do this now

We have bought two donor cars one for a rear wheel drive engine the other for a front wheel drive kit

The r w d kits have been very successful and we have fitted a couple of vw engines in them for individual customers
The honda v tec is getting harder to find and looking at the TFSI engines they are available cheap and easily make good power
We can fit a diesel diff / gearbox which gives high top speed/ gearing even on small wheels and David has REVO agency for tuning them

So the first change is to go to vw engines and running gear

The second car we bought is a ford Eco tec three cylinder turbo
The intention is to produce a front wheel drive conversion with decent power and road manners
This will not be a std mini subframe cut and shut but a full house high quality conversion that can be your daily driver

If you have never been in one of these cars just go have a demo drive in a ford focus with one in they are really surprising in how they go
In a mini they will be very good

This development will take a little while to achieve but we are actively working on it

My role in the new venture is to look after research and development give advice on the old kits and help David in any way I can so the name of Z Cars can carry on

If you need a chat about anything don't hesitate to call me on 07786707734

Hopefully the e mails and website will kick in over the next few days and then contact will be easier
Chris

 

Great news. you have a new customer here Chris.

 

Good to hear about the improvements, I had resigned myself to finding one of the very few cars here in the states.  Was even looking at FWD but I have one of those already.  

 

I was even contemplating one those VeTech Hayabusas they just announced - then saw they are pricing it at an absurd 11K!  Those guys are about to learn that pricing methodology is based on what the market will pay, not what you think you deserve.  www.vetech.co.uk/hayabusa   

 

You getting back into business is bad news for all the guys ready to launch products based on the excitement you generated so long ago.  At 13 years Z Cars has been in production almost a third as long as the mini!

Edited by Air2air, 14 February 2016 - 04:10 AM.

[Luigi33]

chris,
 
Thanks for the update.
 
I for one am interested in the new idea of using a cheaper engine, its always been a big chunk of the cost for either bike engine or v-tec.
 
I take it the vw engine will be based on the 20v 1.8t? if so, this will be a great base to start from as they are readily available at able to get around 220-240 bhp on the standard setup i know a few guys that have used these engines and they seem to get good performance.
 
another thing i would like to know for the new business --- will the fibreglass arches be available. and the monte carlo shells?
 
Thanks again,
 
Ed

As far as Im aware TFSi is 2.0 16v turbo engine found in golf gti v and others not the 1.8 BAM you are referring to

[edsmini]

the TFSI, would certainly be easier to get and with lower mileage. most of the 1.8t are high mileage. if they decide to use the newer engines, i would like to know how they would make them run? there are a few companies doing plug-n-play looms....  i guess, we will have to wait and see what happens.

 

Ed

[BLING BLING WHEELZ]

Latest update for you all
I know it's taken a while but things are progressing now
Work is well under way on the new website
I've just got back from a 3000 mile round trip to Spain where I picked up a lot of the old z cars stock that was bought by z cars customer down there
That's now in ashford with David rose
David has two z cars minis a white v tec one which was featured in mini world late last yr and a hyabusa turbo
He has bought the rights to the mini kits jigs web name etc etc
He had already purchased a lot of the mini stock and now has the vast majority of what was in the stores when performance engineering closed
The intention is to service the needs of the old customers initially and the stock is pretty much there to do this

We have spent the last few months looking at the situation and trying to work out the best solution for everybody who already has a car
By obtaining the parts jigs etc I think we have achieved that

A lot of thought has gone into where to go next with z cars
Last autumn I don't mind admitting I was in a bad place with it all
However having discussed with David what might happen I've had a lot better few weeks
His new premises are now secured and electricians are in there wiring etc as I write this
There is a definite feeling of good things going forwards now
I've been looking at where the old kits were and what could be done to improve them
This seems like a good time to sort some of this out
In effect the design was one I did over thirteen years ago with very minor mods along the way.
Over the last five years I've had no input into things as I was busy with FastMast .
Back in 2010 I was looking to change some stuff on the cars and both myself and David are keen to do this now

We have bought two donor cars one for a rear wheel drive engine the other for a front wheel drive kit

The r w d kits have been very successful and we have fitted a couple of vw engines in them for individual customers
The honda v tec is getting harder to find and looking at the TFSI engines they are available cheap and easily make good power
We can fit a diesel diff / gearbox which gives high top speed/ gearing even on small wheels and David has REVO agency for tuning them

So the first change is to go to vw engines and running gear

The second car we bought is a ford Eco tec three cylinder turbo
The intention is to produce a front wheel drive conversion with decent power and road manners
This will not be a std mini subframe cut and shut but a full house high quality conversion that can be your daily driver

If you have never been in one of these cars just go have a demo drive in a ford focus with one in they are really surprising in how they go
In a mini they will be very good

This development will take a little while to achieve but we are actively working on it

My role in the new venture is to look after research and development give advice on the old kits and help David in any way I can so the name of Z Cars can carry on

If you need a chat about anything don't hesitate to call me on 07786707734

Hopefully the e mails and website will kick in over the next few days and then contact will be easier
Chris

 
Great news. you have a new customer here Chris.
 
Good to hear about the improvements, I had resigned myself to finding one of the very few cars here in the states.  Was even looking at FWD but I have one of those already.  
 
I was even contemplating one those VeTech Hayabusas they just announced - then saw they are pricing it at an absurd 11K!  Those guys are about to learn that pricing methodology is based on what the market will pay, not what you think you deserve.  www.vetech.co.uk/hayabusa   
 
You getting back into business is bad news for all the guys ready to launch products based on the excitement you generated so long ago.  At 13 years Z Cars has been in production almost a third as long as the mini!

Word of warning the z car kit is a lot more than 11k to build i know this as i am building one

Most of the people i speak to with the kit spend between 20-30k to finish it i am close to that
It is not a cheap thing to build and finish

[jorre]

Are the vtec chassis still going to be produced?
Cause i have just done restauring my mini Shell for a vtec conversion

[jorre]

Are the vtec chassis still going to be produced?
Cause i have just done restauring my mini Shell for a vtec conversion

[minitoadhall]

V tec kit on ebay.

[minigbg]

V tec kit on ebay.

Do you have a link to the ad.

[bengreen55]

222017950875

[cptkirk]

Latest update for you all
I know it's taken a while but things are progressing now
Work is well under way on the new website
I've just got back from a 3000 mile round trip to Spain where I picked up a lot of the old z cars stock that was bought by z cars customer down there
That's now in ashford with David rose
David has two z cars minis a white v tec one which was featured in mini world late last yr and a hyabusa turbo
He has bought the rights to the mini kits jigs web name etc etc
He had already purchased a lot of the mini stock and now has the vast majority of what was in the stores when performance engineering closed
The intention is to service the needs of the old customers initially and the stock is pretty much there to do this

We have spent the last few months looking at the situation and trying to work out the best solution for everybody who already has a car
By obtaining the parts jigs etc I think we have achieved that

A lot of thought has gone into where to go next with z cars
Last autumn I don't mind admitting I was in a bad place with it all
However having discussed with David what might happen I've had a lot better few weeks
His new premises are now secured and electricians are in there wiring etc as I write this
There is a definite feeling of good things going forwards now
I've been looking at where the old kits were and what could be done to improve them
This seems like a good time to sort some of this out
In effect the design was one I did over thirteen years ago with very minor mods along the way.
Over the last five years I've had no input into things as I was busy with FastMast .
Back in 2010 I was looking to change some stuff on the cars and both myself and David are keen to do this now

We have bought two donor cars one for a rear wheel drive engine the other for a front wheel drive kit

The r w d kits have been very successful and we have fitted a couple of vw engines in them for individual customers
The honda v tec is getting harder to find and looking at the TFSI engines they are available cheap and easily make good power
We can fit a diesel diff / gearbox which gives high top speed/ gearing even on small wheels and David has REVO agency for tuning them

So the first change is to go to vw engines and running gear

The second car we bought is a ford Eco tec three cylinder turbo
The intention is to produce a front wheel drive conversion with decent power and road manners
This will not be a std mini subframe cut and shut but a full house high quality conversion that can be your daily driver

If you have never been in one of these cars just go have a demo drive in a ford focus with one in they are really surprising in how they go
In a mini they will be very good

This development will take a little while to achieve but we are actively working on it

My role in the new venture is to look after research and development give advice on the old kits and help David in any way I can so the name of Z Cars can carry on

If you need a chat about anything don't hesitate to call me on 07786707734

Hopefully the e mails and website will kick in over the next few days and then contact will be easier
Chris

 

Great News and I am sure this will put a few peoples minds to rest.....

[Goacher65]

Z Cars Mountune Mini has a ring to it......   

 

Their bolt on upgrade kit takes it to 165 BHP from a 3 cylinder engine, for just £1400!

[edsmini]

Dave rose ha ha... Must have been planned. Dave rose was the original producer for Zcars TVs series back in 1962....

Ed