Where to begin?

[Tim_T]

Hello Fellas,

I'm new to this, and having searched around don't know where to begin?

As I live in Qld. and don't want to re-invent the wheel, What is the way to go?

All help is greatly apreciated.


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Points of clarification
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Concept - not looking for 'exact replica' form follows function.

Chassis - Which is better Jag or custom Fr/end?

- Which IRS Ford,HOlden,Jag, etc..?

Engine - Would LPG make it easier???

Can all above be answered by obtaing a suitable donor vheicle with Engine,Box,IRS,etc..?

[400TT]

Best advice is to come to Club meetings and join if you haven't already. They are on the 1st Sunday of the month at Sanctuary Cove for breakfast. Start at 7:30am. Normally a run afterwards. You will get to see most of the kit types available and get a few different perspective.

Here is my opinion...I hope this comes out right, I'm having a bit of a sick spell at the moment.

I would put at the top of your list Harrison or DRB. They are made up here and as a result you will have more support, knowledge and resources locally to help with build.

So your building a hot rod Cobra...

I prefer fabricated A Arms, others prefer donor like Jag & Torana. Donor can be cheaper, but not as cool I reckon. To be honest they all do the job. Harrison uses fabricated, DRB uses Torana or Jag.

Rear end, well it depends on what you are after. Traditional is Ford 9"(shortened), but these days independent rears like Skyline R32 GTR and more expensive XR8 LSD are popular. I like Skyline, good value and it bolts into Harrison. DRB uses old trusty Jag rear end as does RMC.

Forget LPG, no chance of approval. In QLD we now have 5 year old rule. It basically means with a bit of fudging you can get away with any Ford EFI 302 windsor, newer Ford 4.6lt modular, Holden(chev) LS1 or Lexus 1UZFE 4lt. All have advantages & disadvantages. Lexus normally works out to be the cheapest, buy a Soarer/Crown front cut and use radiator etc and sell the rest. Wreck a falcon and use 302w, T5 etc.

Also be aware of waiting times. I think DRB are well over a year now and boy do they pump them out. Harrison is a lot shorter. With my brother I built a DRB 7 years ago and a Harrison 2 years ago.

Check out "Is it Worth It" thread for some more info and do a search.

Have fun.

Budget 30k+ and that's being very, very tight. So using all 2nd hand stuff and doing everything yourself.

And remember swap meets & trading post are your friend.

[Tenrocca]

Tim,

There are a lot of threads like this where people (me included) have posed the same question. They generally get a flood of responses, so a little browse through previous posts is the way to go. I know Ive learnt a LOT by spending many many work hours looking through old posts :P.

Try this one Where to start link

for starters. But there are 4-5 just like it with all the info youll need as a starting point.

Cheers

[Tim_T]

Sorry for the delay in replying.

This forum has really helped.

400TT Why LPG bad?

[400TT]

Well I sort of assumed you would only want to run LPG to improve emissions of a carby setup. I don't think there would be a problem with LPG on an compliant EFI setup, you would have to check.

Remember you've got to fit that bottle somewhere and will end up with very little boot space.

There are a few LPG Cobra's around, all the ones I have seen have been carby LPG.

[GAV MILDURA]

There are some pretty flat compact LPG tanks for sale now.
I know a freind who has had gas fitted to a hilux duel cab and the tank fitted where the 14" spare wheel lived and does not hang down below the car. It is 65ltr tank with 50ltr usable.

Gav