This is a read-only archive of the old Madabout Kitcars forum. New posts and replies are no longer possible, but every thread is still here to browse and read.
New member here, about to start on my first kit car, and chose the MX250. Went for the hard top option as really like that 1960's coupe look. I think this will be the first MX250 built in Belfast (if anyone knows any different please let me know). Thanks to Dan and Chris for their help so far in answering my questions.
Got my donor car sorted (see picture) - flew to Southampton, then picked it up and drove to Holyhead through Snowdonia (good fun!!!) before getting the ferry to Dublin, then a drive up to Belfast. Got a good solid Mk2 with brilliant sills and rear arches, reasonable service history and low mileage. Only problem was the lacquer was peeling - like that is an issue!!! Have sourced most of the additional parts needed, just need to find a petrol cap, front grille and door mirrors. Oh, and of course rims and rubber (though got some good tips off the Wheels page already, thanks).
Anyway folks, just thought I would say Hi, introduce myself and apologise in advance for all the annoying questions I will be asking!!!
Hi and welcome.
When you say you need front grill do you mean the surround?
If so I have one you can have, it's currently painted black but may need a new coat.
Thanks for the welcome. To be honest i would take any advice........ I was looking for a Mondeo grille as mentioned in the suggested parts list in the build thread, however i was looking for some kind of chrome surround that i could then use with some mesh???
Brilliant Chris, thanks. I need to speak to Dan too, when my kit is being sorted I am after pair of light covers and a rear window too. Really appreciate the grille.
Hi guys, just about got everything I need, and hopefully my kit is getting delivered next week. However really having problems sourcing some wheels, I have been trawling Ebay looking for something complete with tyres (keep the cost down) that will look the part. I have gone for a 30mm drop on the springs and have already got my 25mm spacers for the rear. All I seem to find at the moment are BBS Mk2 Golf wheels, and defo don't want to go down that avenue. Any pointers or advice would be gratefully received.
Look at the finished cars on the site. Most look best with big alloys rather than small wires. Not much choice second hand because they will be an odd size with the MX PCD and required deep dish and off sets. Plenty of choice for new wheels on ebay but you won't get much change out of £500 for a set. After the kit itself the wheels and tyres make the biggest contribution to the end result so its worth spending a little extra to get it right.
Thanks for the advice Lucky. I was thinking of going big and chunky, currently following a set of staggered Borbet A's, with the desired 7.5 and 9 width and the correct offset. As you said tho, no change out of 500 nicker!. Thanks again.
Been on the phone with Chris today, courier is picking my kit up on Tuesday, it should be in Belfast on Friday. Time to get busy, watch this space for the odd piccy and loads of daft questions !
So, finished work a bit earlier today ready for Easter weekend. Thought I would take advantage of a dry day and the fact my kit should be here next week and make a start. Not exactly a huge start, however I don't want to peak too early!!!!
So first daft question - do the front arch liners need keeping for refitting into the new front end, or can I just bin them?
So, finished work a bit earlier today ready for Easter weekend. Thought I would take advantage of a dry day and the fact my kit should be here next week and make a start. Not exactly a huge start, however I don't want to peak too early!!!!
So first daft question - do the front arch liners need keeping for refitting into the new front end, or can I just bin them?
Woke up this morning to a dry, bright day so thought I would get stuck in, a couple of hours later and I was going great guns - bonnet off, rad header tank off, fuse box off, wings taped and cut, took the off side wing off and discovered I had a snapped front spring. No great drama as I have a set of 30mm lowering springs in the garage. I wasn't going to fit them straight away as I didn't want to restrict wheel options, however needs must.
Started removing the shock and ended up having to cut the anti roll bar drop link off as the nuts were rusted solid so will need to order new drop links. Then noticed a suspicious bit of rust bubbling on the outrigger and set to with the grinder to see how bad it was - you can see the result in the pics. Off to Halfords to buy a Mig welder!!!!
So todays daft question - What thickness steel should I be using to fabricate a piece of outrigger? I am thinking 2mm but want a second opinion.
Probably cheaper to knock them up yourself (he charges £36+vat per side), but he has done the hard work.
Thanks mate, I have actually managed to source some 1.5mm plate. Went to a local fabrication company and they gave me some off cuts for free! Most of the rot now cut out and ready to start shaping the in fills. Thanks for the tip on the welder, I ended up borrowing an arc welder of a mate so all sorted.
Todays daft question - I was reading some of the build threads last week and came across a part number for decent chrome wiper arms, and of course being an idiot didn't make a note of it. Now a week later I can't find the right thread or the part number. Help please!
Another question, how do you put pictures into a thread, all I can see to do is save them as a link?
