479 replies to this topic

[Chris C]

I swoon to the sound of BorgWarner turbos.

[benmoffat]

Really just repeating what everyone has said already, but just wanted to say congratulations on building a truly amazing, completely original car. What you have achieved in 18 months is staggering. Can I ask what you do for a living, and what training or previous work on projects had you done prior to starting this? Im guessing you must work in the motorsport or tuning industry?

The attention to detail in all aspects of the car, and the imagination used to create it are very impressive. And you have ended up with a unique car thats is exactly what you want, and by the looks of it no comprimises have been made!

I have been thinking of building a Zcars mini for ages (although being my first project is going to be very much on the modest end of the scale! ) and this has inspired me even more and goes to show just what can be done.

Glad to hear you have had such good service from Zcars and the quality of the parts and fitment is so high. Another reason to go ahead with the build. I know its a difficult question to answer, but can I ask in your opinion how hard would it be for someone like me (who has worked on cars, done servicing and maintenance but never any wiring or building from scratch) to build one myself. I wouldnt be planning on doing any bodywork or fabricating new parts, very much just the mini, zcars kit and bolts on parts like brake kits etc. Any advice you can give would be greatly appreciated.

I hope you get plenty of enjoyment out of the car and dont get rid of it too quickly, even though I would sure be interested to see what you would come up with next if you do decide to take on another project.

All the best, from the UK

[PhotoguyUSA]

Believe it or not Im a professional photographer.

Its really not that hard. I've done several builds but this one was done for the most part by me. You really cant screw anything up that badly with these. I tore the whole car down in less than a day from dropping the engine and gutting the car. Its not hard and yes this was my first mini. Get the build DVD and you wont have any problems. Of course its not ALL on there but the basics, the rest you can figure out. I guess the hardest thing for me was making the things I wanted my way and just the basic design. The wiring is a different story but there are many universal harnesses that will work. As far as the engine harness is concerned there are options for that as well. Its all out there its just finding it.

Zcars was awesome through the whole build. Richard and Chris know there stuff and the customer service is tops.

Im still not completely done yet... still more carbon and am replacing the header and exhaust with titanium.

[miniQ]

did oyu bond the carbon roof on and with what?

[PhotoguyUSA]

did oyu bond the carbon roof on and with what?

Its actually held on with double stick automotive tape and bolted down in each corner. Other people have used a product called fusor (sp?) it is made specifically to bond metal and fiberglass together. I did not cut my roof out like most. I wanted the structural rigidity of it with all the power I have.

[cptkirk]

In for an update, surely you have got it all together by now?

I'll bet your out enjoying it too much to worry about posting pictures up on here?!?!

[PhotoguyUSA]

Surprisingly no I haven't had a chance to really have fun with it. After the engine tuning we ran into a over boost problem with the turbo. It meant having to redo the exhaust manifold. Well me being me decided that why redo it in steel when I can do it in titanium. So sent the existing manifold out for fitment and have it redone the right way in titanium. Then that led to "well the exhaust wont match the titanium". So off goes the exhaust to the same place to have it redone in titanium too.

But Im adding a couple of things to the car as well trying to get ready for the big show in December. It a $25,000 purse so Im doing all I can to make things perfect. But, I haven't had a whole lot of time to do anything. I will post up picts as soon as I can when the exhaust gets back.

[cptkirk]

Fair Play - if I could have a titanium exhaust I would have one also......

As this is my first build I now know what you mean. I find my mind wandering off into carbon composite land then having to bring myself back down to GRP world. I cna imagine the same happening with the eggsauce system, only you went with it - good work......

[miniQ]

w0w mad car lol, i read earlier in the post your ditching the engine and putting a built k24 engine in? if this is so are you having it built for you or are you doing it by yourself 0.0 ty

[PhotoguyUSA]

I was thinking about going with a K24 but then after being on the dyno and seeing what kind of numbers were attainable I decided to just keep the K20 thats in there now. My HP goal was 450 which is going to be easily met. IF for some reason I need to do another engine it would be a built K24 though.

[irishdude]

I was thinking about going with a K24 but then after being on the dyno and seeing what kind of numbers were attainable I decided to just keep the K20 thats in there now. My HP goal was 450 which is going to be easily met. IF for some reason I need to do another engine it would be a built K24 though.

Is it still a stock block k20? You're using the z block so is that around the max 450hp it can take or are you pushing it a little. 450Hp will be nice and CRAZY

Can you post some pics of your seat brackets? I am in the middle of making some for my car and just want to see the route you went..

[PhotoguyUSA]

The bottom end is stock. There have been many reported cases of a stock block getting to the 550-600hp mark. Its all in the tuning......bad tunes Ive seen them go at 400.

Let me see if I can find some picts for you.

[irishdude]

The bottom end is stock. There have been many reported cases of a stock block getting to the 550-600hp mark. Its all in the tuning......bad tunes Ive seen them go at 400.

Let me see if I can find some picts for you.

Thought you might like this. Was looking for some nice gauges and came across the Defi Super Sports Cluster




There are some nice vids of it on youtube. This thing is wicked. Only problem is you need to know someone in Japan, cause they only sell it in Japan and you have to buy it installed from a Defi Dealer, its pricey too, but its really really nice set-up.

I really want this bad!!!

[PhotoguyUSA]

I was going to go with it actually, but my SPA setup was much cheaper if you know what I mean

However if you do want it let me know I should be able to get it for you.

[cptkirk]

Hey Lyle - Any Updates??