time for a new project
historically I built motorbikes - Harris / pecket and Mcnab etc.. -- crashed too many times - got a bit older and sorer so decided to try a car -- SAAB9000 turbo - been playing with this for the last two years - she now handles ok - and puts out 360HP / 380ft/lbs torque with a lovely broad torque band
Engine is a brick - can handle 500 hp with std internals
Engine mapping is now freely available, smart and extensive via trionic 5 + CANUSB
so i,ve got an engine - i,ve got an engine management system - i,ve got a turbo to meet 350 easy hp - but know how to take this to 450 hp
all I need now is a kit car to build
I want to marry this engine to a series 3 BMW box / diff. ( cause I know it can and the box can take the hp i,m focussed towards)
I would have liked to build a cobra based kit - but the cobra engine snobbery ( well justified) will not let me
I don,t want a lotus 7 caterham type sporty, something more all round dam,t nice road sports - car will plan to do a fair milage and long distance tours
I tend to build for keeps versus sell ( in fact I usually wreck things before I ever get round to even thinking about selling)
And as always - money is tight, but workshop skills are adequate on the fabrication / welding / fibreglassing / electrical etc.. - and imagination is not lacking
do I buy new and build or do I buy ready built and modify - - oh and what the heck do I build
as an openner
Marlin sportster is 2nd to a cobra style
all best and merry xmas