Hey, builders

[chiba_man]

You guys that are building/have built your RF40.. Do any of you have any sort of training in Auto Mechanics? Also, are there any of you that have none at all? I'm just curious because I'll be going to college again soon, this time to get an Auto Tech degree, and I plan to buy my kit soon after I get done. Oh yeah, one more thing for a Minnesotan, can these things have heaters, for driving in temps below 60deg F?

[Ron Earp]

Paul,

I do not know what is typical, I can only tell you what I know about myself. My only training was what my father taught me working on cars from about age 11-16 (a lot actually, thanks Dad!) and then what I learned working two summers in a garage doing standard remove and installs.

After that the real fun began building car and cycle motors, tearing a bunch up, and then putting them together again. I've done homemade turbo setups on a car, lots of engine rebuilds and swaps, couple of supercharged engine car combos, and just general rigging. Suprisingly, all Ford car stuff so I know virtually nothing on Chevys (and don't want to).

I would say my mechanical ability is just average - what is more important is having the patience to do the job right and locate all the right stuff to do it - tools or knowledge.

I know my strengths and weaknesses - I'm excellent with electronics, good with motors and mechanical bits, but absolutely an idiot with respect to body, paint, prep, etc. Just never learned these things as I was always concerned with making it fast - not pretty. Give me a rusted out car shapeded box, big motor, and I was happy.

I'm sure you can build a Roaring Forties, or any other car for that matter, if you've the time and inclination. Good luck, we'll be here on the board when you need us.

Oh, all RF cars have heaters and I think virtually all have opted for the well-designed AC system, but Robert from RF would know more. I'm sure some folks in the deserts do not hook up their heaters, but you're going to need it if you drive under 40 degrees. I doubt you'd need it under 60, remember, these things are SMALL and the engine is 4" from your shoulder blades - you'll get heat!

Ron

[ July 16, 2002: Message edited by: R. Earp ]

[ July 17, 2002: Message edited by: R. Earp ]

[John Schneider]

I'm another one like Ron, no real training just a great pop. I do have one advantage though, Hershal Bird! I learned so much helping with his and even more now that we are working on mine. Everything just seems to make more sense this time, and I've picked up a few neat tricks along the way.
Best of luck enjoy the project.
John

[John Schneider]

Paul, I forgot the most important thing I've learned from Hersh, "THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX" and to hell with what others think, make it yours-you way.
Again have fun!
John

[chip]

Dad was a service manager at 18. Moved on to sales. Felt he left mechanics behind. Discourged me to work on my own cars. Had a great friend who he insisted we take all the work. Da (still living and loves cars at 80) wanted me o graduate fm college. One of the few who did. Almost dropped out in my soph. year. He was devistated. Went on to grauate and on to grad school and finished (in a non mechanical field). Dad asked me what I wanted for graduation and I said "tools" and off to Sears we went. All self taught. Read a lot. Can figure out most mechanical systems-very slow sometime but I manage to figure it out in time (with a little help). I hate electrons and their movement. Have raced and maintained go karts, have a Unique Cobra that I do most all work on and will do the same on the GT40. I like the older cars-much simpler. And web sites like this give you a whole world of help. Get in and get dirty and have fun! cb

[chiba_man]

Cool. Thanks everyone. I realize that a full college education for auto mechanics probably isn't necessary to build one of these, but I want to anyway because I love cars so much. I want to be able to fix/build anything and maybe break into the custom automotive market in some way (I'm in engineering now but loathe being a desk jockey). I'm leaning towards building one of these because I love the car and would enjoy building it, my way. I've also considered doing a 1994+ RX-7 with a Chevy LS1/LS6 w/T-56 dropped in, but a GT40 would be so much cooler.

[ August 06, 2002: Message edited by: Paul_Nelson ]

[MK -IV J6]

Being the only person who has ever driven a MK-IV in the snow I can tell you I doubt you'll ever need a heater. You may need to block off part of the radiator to maintain water temp. Cardboard,like the kind they used at LeMans works fine.

[peluchin]

Paul,

One the other hand, If they were prizes for illiterate people in mechanics...I´ll get them all. I think that all you need is a strong will,patience, good advices and b...s.

In my particular case, I always wanted to know more about mechanics but never had the chance. I think that by making a RF40 or any other GT40 kit, even if it won´t be easy, at the end I will get my degree.

Also I live in Chile, were 90% of cars are from Japan, Korea, 10% European and 0% American, so standard parts to built with are rare and a lot of parallel thinking is a must.

You will find that there are a lot of people in here willing to share their knowlegde and always quick with a hand if needed.

I am sure that if I can do it (and I will), anyone else can.

Remember..."ignorance will give you wings"

Regards,

Javier

Javier, If you have Mitsubishi in Chile and can get a twin turbo 3000GT, though they may be called something else as they are in Japan, with its 24 valve, twin turbo, 300hp V6, you can mate that to a Porsche transaxle using a Kennedy adapter. That combination would be powerful, light, and go like crazy! There are a lot of mods that can be done to that engine to get more horsepower than 300 as well. I drive a stealth (same thing as 3000GT) and was very active in that community and the twin turbo was the most talked about.

[peluchin]

Lynn,
Great idea, but expensive if I have to buy a 300gt then a Porsche just to get my pieces [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]
Seriously, there are some of those cars around but as they are very rare and expensive I am afraid ( I´m sure) that there are no spare parts. When they break you have to import the new part. Any way I will check with my family back in spain, as the aftermarket there is huge.

I have done some research and found that the highest models of Audi 100 came with rather good engines; Audi S4 has 5 cylindres, 20 valves, supercharged, 2200 cc and 169 kW (230 CV), the other one is V8 4.2 and 206 kW (280 CV). If they fit inside the GT40 you can use the audi trans with no adaptors and maybe even the clutch. By my prior threads you may have discover that this is the aproach that I have in mind.

Hope to see you in August.

Javier

Javier, either one of those would scoot! I completely understand you logic in going that way! Did you get my email about car rentals in Santiago?

[Robert Logan]

Paul,

We have tried to produce a workshop manual that requires "little or NO engineering experience" in order to build our cars. We also have a "help line" at work and also through this forum that I was instrumental in starting with a HUGE help from Ron. These are the things that Roaring Forties do to help and if there is anything that I can do to help our owners that we are currently not doing just ask. I do not promise as your request might be illegal or maybe just irrational, but at least I will consider it.
Please talk to our owners about the manual and hopefully this will fill you with confidence.

Best wishes,

Robert

[chiba_man]

Thanks everybody, there is no question now if I will ever build one, because I will! Just as soon as I can get the money lined up! When I tell other people what I plan to do, they always say "Why not just go buy a Corvette?", I then reply "You just don't understand."

[peluchin]

Lynn,

Yes I did get your email. I have already answered it. Didn´t you get it?

Regards

Javier

[ July 23, 2002: Message edited by: Javier Jose ]

[Ian K]

Paul,

There was a fellow up in Washington who
was gearing up to build an ERA, but then
cancelled and went with an Ultima instead.
Hey had a great line as to why he wanted to
build the ERA - he had a C5, but soon after,
everybody was driving one.

Here's his link to his old GT40 pages and
his new Ultima page. I'll have to email him
to see how the Ultima is going.
http://www.chronos.nanoknight.com/

BTW, his name is Cliff Hudson, and I should
really point him to this site.

Ian

[ July 23, 2002: Message edited by: Ian K ]

[Gary Gibbs]

Link did not work.

Thanks
Gary

[Ian K]

Hmmm, it was working yesterday.

I'll keep checking.

Ian