64 replies to this topic

[PhotoguyUSA]

Chris,
Please let us all know when you come out so we can have a Zcars meet! You'll have to drag Richard along too.
Lyle

[mgecko1]

The Kit is in good shape even the packaging was simple but effective. Well, I'll be keeping the hubs/uprights along with the rest of the parts incase I ever want to do another car. Lets see what new hub and upright look like, I can blasted and refinish the parts, unless they are new. I bought a blaster a while ago and have only used it once, messy I remember.

Thats great news that your getting a bit of business from here in the states! Let keep you in business If you do make here to CA please look me up, we can have a couple of drinks and hang out! Lyle's idea of having a meet is a great idea! Would be a great way to get us and everyone else who is even remotely interested in a kit/car to come by and meet you and see some of the cars that you have helped create. Kinda like a satellite 'going to down to your shop activity' - like the tours that Tesla does, maybe you could even bring a couple cars and just work it in to a track event. I know a hand full of guys that would go to a track event! Ok getting a little carried away, but hey, here in the states we can write that off as promotional activity, marketing, one can always dream

Ok made very little progress today - But we got our Xmas tree, and did a bit of shopping! Need to clean and set up the shop before I can machine some proper spacers. Will do that tomorrow. Maybe some progress tomorrow.

Cheers,
J

good to see the kits there ok and you have got started
just for info the hubs and uprights are from a drum braked model i think with an aftermarhet disc conversion which is a pretty rare thing
also even when you get the new hubs they are a tight fit on the register that goes inside the brake disc
be sure to clean any rust or imperfections off wuith a bit of emery tape before fitting them
they are a tight fit so that when they get hot they still keep a decent fit between the alloy and steel parts
we are getting big interest from the states at present due to the pound being so cheap against the dollar so expect more USA customers soon
theres also a chance i will be coming out to california in 2009 so maybe we can visit some of you and have a look at the cars
chris

Edited by mgecko1, 14 December 2008 - 04:25 AM.

[tommycrf450]

Hi, looking good. Why don't you just buy my car built!!!! Its the Mk1 race spec advertised on here in the z cars for sale section. Seriously though if you have friends out there that want one without the grief of building let me know. Its a very high spec car.

Thanks

Tom

[mgecko1]

Hi Tom,

Thanks! I'll keep your car in mind if any one asks. I have looked at your car more then once, it is very impressive. It's a shame that you are wanting/having to part with it, I would be heart broken if I had to sell something that I put so much time and effort into and enjoyed just as much. Your car is top notch, almost exactly what I would want too, but for me the grief of building it is going to be 80% of the fun! In a sick and twisted way, I kinda enjoy the problems and solutions that are required to put something of this scale together and not be ghetto! Well I wish you the best of luck selling - I'm sure there is someone out there who wants a fantastically built zcar like yours!

Cheers,
J

Hi, looking good. Why don't you just buy my car built!!!! Its the Mk1 race spec advertised on here in the z cars for sale section. Seriously though if you have friends out there that want one without the grief of building let me know. Its a very high spec car.

Thanks

Tom

[mgecko1]

Made good progress today. Made a set of aluminum spacers for the shock mounts. The spacers I had, that would fit, caused the lower shock body to interfere with the frame mount and rocker arm when the shock body was rotated. On the lower shock mount the use of a large spacer and a small spacer also causes the center line of the lower shock body rose joint to be off set. The solution was to machine a pair of spacers (in my case) 0.238" thick to mount the shock bottom rose joint centered. This solved the interference problem, now the rose joint moves smoothly through out the bearings range. I also made a similar set of spacers for the upper shock rose joint to take up the 0.053" gap the two small spacers left. Doing so will prevent deforming/damaging the aluminum rocker arm lugs when tightening the bolt.

Had to file both upper knuckles, the production milling operation showed signs that the tool was deflected while cutting the part. This resulted in the upper knuckles being slightly narrower at the bottom not allowing the front tie rod to align with the bolt holes. After filing, the front tie rod, solid ends, would fit and moved freely through out the useable range.

At this point all bits that can be done with the parts in hand are done. Waiting for the last couple of parts from zcars to finish the front end.

Cheers,
J

Edited by mgecko1, 15 December 2008 - 08:34 AM.

[z cars chris]

just had time to look on the forum again i can only get on every few days
its mad still here at Z Cars getting kits out to customers for them to build over the christmas break shipped one to sweden one to finland one to scotland (allan Mc D) one to guernsey as well PHEW !!
going to put my racer together over christmas and do the stock taking as well
im definatly coming to the states next year to look into a couple of potential dealers out there we have a big push going on in the export market now as the timing is perfect for us to do it
when i do come i do want to get together with as many Z Cars owners as i can so i will publicise it as much as i can
chris
PS Merry Christmas you guys

[irishdude]

Loved that picture of the crate arriving and the kit inside.. I would have probably rippit open with my bare hands to get inside, definitely a nice Christmas Present. Looks like you are going to have a killer set-up.. There is going to be a good few Zcars over here in CA we will need to organise a get together, just wait for me

[hayman9644]

Chris let us know when you are going to be in the states. It would be great to get together with some of the cars and see them in person finished or not.

[mgecko1]

Well the holiday break is coming to an end... So long 2008, "worst year ever"... 2009 already seems to smell a whole lot fresher... With that, Happy New Years Every One!

Well not much progress over this wintery break. My friend Bob came over on New Years day and helped me unload the back half of the car, Bob all I can say is thanks you the man!!!. Ordered the bolts need to finish off the front subframe and engine mountings.

Got to playing with the "thing" I'm going to call the "Foot Pedal to Motorcycle Throttle Ratio Converter" (Is there is a better name for this?)

Well, the one I got had a bearing that was pressed so tightly into an undersized hole that the bearing was seized up and need to be replaced. I would have to say this part's finish quality was definitely not as "quality" as the rest of the billet pieces.

To replace the bearing I bored out the original bearing location to .75" and fitted a new ABEC5 sealed bearing. Machined a dust cover and spacer to to keep the whole thing clean and the bearing where it needed to be.



J

[mgecko1]

new kid+move to a new house=projects on hold until now! YA!

Dusted everything off.
Engine is in.
Wiring Harness is done.
Body is cut out and ready for a dry fitting almost.

Here are a couple of pictures.





Cheers,
Jeff

[Saxo-Fiesta-Mini]

great work really love the Z cars conversions one question how do u get the complete frame into the mini ???

[mgecko1]

from what I understand you ratchet strap the front legs together a bit, tip the body and frame up and thread the two together. That the theory, have not done it yet. Will post timelapse when we get there. Any tips or suggestions more then welcome . Can't wait.

Cheers,
jeff

great work really love the Z cars conversions one question how do u get the complete frame into the mini ???

[irishdude]

Looking forward toseeing this going ) We'll definetly have to meet up and have a ZCars California gathering.

[mgecko1]

Me too! For sure we are going to meet up just a matter of time May be this spring!

Cheers,
Jeff

Looking forward toseeing this going ) We'll definetly have to meet up and have a ZCars California gathering.

Edited by mgecko1, 19 February 2010 - 03:43 AM.

[mgecko1]

Discovered that on a MK1 hydro-spastic shell, the tower bolt holes do not fit the ZCars front sub-frame exactly. NC Milled some brackets this week to change the offset of the holes for the tower bolts. Test fit next weekend. Fingers crossed.