Mechanical differences between Kirkham & CSX4000

lloyds1 · #1 (**permalink**) 03-31-2010, 02:13 PM

I would like to know what the mechanical differences are between the two.

For example, suspension, brakes, frame, controls, seats, foot box, roll bar, etc.....

Also, are there any visual differences between them body/stance wise?

Thanks!

Gunner · #2 (**permalink**) 03-31-2010, 03:14 PM

Well-intended comment withdrawn. Abject apologies to all those offended.

Jamo · #3 (**permalink**) 03-31-2010, 03:19 PM

Oh well, hell, no sense anyone who owns a Kirkham (or a CSX) or is from Kirkham (or Shelby) answering this question...

lloyds1 · #4 (**permalink**) 03-31-2010, 03:45 PM

Did I miss something?

4pipes · #5 (**permalink**) 03-31-2010, 04:03 PM

There have been many variations from both manufactures, so it depends on which vintage you care to examine. There was a time when the Kirkham roller was used as the starting point for the Shelby. I really don't know how the two compare today.

patrickt · #6 (**permalink**) 03-31-2010, 04:24 PM

lloyds1, I have no idea why no one will properly respond to your question. Hopefully, someone will. In the meantime, it might help you to look over the Kirkham faq http://www.kirkhammotorsports.com/faq/index.html and to read the PDF billet book http://www.kirkhammotorsports.com/book_aoe/

kris-kincaid · #7 (**permalink**) 03-31-2010, 06:52 PM

That's not true. Shelby bought the body/chassis with all the closeout panels and footboxes. The rest is installed at the Shelby shops. I was there when Shelby first started buying from Kirkham

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4pipes

There was a time when the Kirkham roller was used as the starting point for the Shelby..

Allan A · #8 (**permalink**) 03-31-2010, 08:43 PM

Kris is right night and day.

Allan

Bernica · #9 (**permalink**) 07-24-2013, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kris-kincaid

That's not true. Shelby bought the body/chassis with all the closeout panels and footboxes. The rest is installed at the Shelby shops. I was there when Shelby first started buying from Kirkham

Kris knows what he's talking about. He built my CSX in Vegas and is a wealth of knowledge on the inner-workings between these two companies.

Jamo · #10 (**permalink**) 03-31-2010, 04:26 PM

Not really.

There are more than a few differences in aluminum CSXs and Kirkhams, but those differences depend quite a bit on how your order the rollers. Electric wiring is different, transmission mounts, brake and coilover fitments differ, and, of course, the materials used and the amount of adjustments of the suspension pieces themselves differ, depending on how they are ordered. Seats, carpeting, interior materials...all differ depending on sourcing. CSXs come usually come with fuel bladders while Kirkhams come with road race tanks.

Finally, and the biggest difference of all...you work directly with the mfg when you get a Kirkham vs. working with a dealer when you get a CSX, so much will depend on how you order through the dealer in the latter instance.

I would suggest you talk with both the Kirkhams and the folks at Shelby (or a dealer) to see what they offer, and then seek input from owners of both to determine what options you might want. I would visit Provo and Vegas (and I did before i made my choice).

Those are my comments...hopefully you'll get some input from others with hands-on experience of either or both marques.

4pipes · #11 (**permalink**) 03-31-2010, 05:32 PM

Well that was informative.

patrickt · #12 (**permalink**) 03-31-2010, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4pipes

Well that was informative.

I'll say. I can piss on an SPF and we'll have eight to ten pages of posts.

RodKnock · #13 (**permalink**) 03-31-2010, 08:53 PM

The standard Kirkham gauges are these:

http://www.thomaskirkham.com/

You can spend more and get Smiths. Shelby has their own gauges.

Kirkham's come standard with a Kwik Wire wiring harness, but again, you can probably order a wiring harness more authentic.

To me, they're very different.

I'm bummed, I missed Gunner's comment.

Excaliber · #14 (**permalink**) 03-31-2010, 08:55 PM

It IS a complex comparison with no simple answer, there are to many variables.

...not to mention the glass cars, which the K brothers don't even do!

RodKnock · #15 (**permalink**) 03-31-2010, 09:06 PM

Another difference. From what I understand, the CSX alloy roller is about $120,000 and a well-optioned Kirkham roller is $57,000. The Kirkham roller is unpainted and comes in a rough file finish. The CSX alloy roller is painted.

Ernie is right. WAY too complicated and I doubt anyone here knows all, or even most, of the differences. Even the early CSX's and Kirkham's are completely different than their respective later brethren.

lloyds1 · #16 (**permalink**) 03-31-2010, 09:27 PM

huh, i didn't realize how different they are, interesting....

patrickt · #17 (**permalink**) 04-01-2010, 04:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lloyds1

huh, i didn't realize how different they are, interesting....

There are a lot of other folks on this forum that could provide detailed answers -- I mean detailed answers and they could intelligently discuss the shortcomings of one car over the other. That can be done, but you're not going to get it. If you're seriously considering dropping a $100k on a car (and it sounds like you are), you absolutely must hop a plane and go visit the bros. in Provo. You will get answers "face to face" that you will never get on an open forum -- for a lot of reasons. Trust me, you need to take that plane ride....

lloyds1 · #18 (**permalink**) 04-01-2010, 06:37 AM

A visit to both shops would be the best thing to do for sure, just don't have the time at the moment. I'm going to visit a local Kirkham owner on Monday, so that should be a good start.

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrickt

There are a lot of other folks on this forum that could provide detailed answers -- I mean detailed answers and they could intelligently discuss the shortcomings of one car over the other. That can be done, but you're not going to get it. If you're seriously considering dropping a $100k on a car (and it sounds like you are), you absolutely must hop a plane and go visit the bros. in Provo. You will get answers "face to face" that you will never get on an open forum -- for a lot of reasons. Trust me, you need to take that plane ride....

RedBarchetta · #19 (**permalink**) 04-01-2010, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrickt

...and they could intelligently discuss the shortcomings of one car over the other.

The glass is always half-empty, huh Patrick? Try focusing on the positives when comparing this vs that and I think the world will appear a little sunnier.

Interesting thread. I think many were hoping for the easy answer/comparison. But it's obvious that it's not that black and white. The more personal touch on the Kirkham side seems to be (at least to me) more appealing during the build phase.

-Dean

patrickt · #20 (**permalink**) 04-01-2010, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedBarchetta

The glass is always half-empty, huh Patrick? Try focusing on the positives when comparing this vs that and I think the world will appear a little sunnier.

You can only have a positive, if you have a corresponding negative. Otherwise, it's all just neutral.

C'mon, it's not like I came out and said "Kirkham is better, unless you're shopping for a name."