Chris,
Many thanks for that. I would love to get my mitts on your build phots and any other tips you have. I'll drop you a PM with my address etc. I'm not taking delivery until Christmas time-ish as I have too much on between now and then (mainly the end of a race season and then car re-prep for the next race season) but I am trying to use any spare minutes to research etc.....
Any top tips would be really useful, particularly with regards to SVA/IVA issues although it sounds like Andy has them well gripped. Any crocodiles I should watch out for during the build?
I think I have the most recent build phots. To be honest the only thing that is a little disappointing is the 'build manual' which isn't great. However, it could be that it all becomes very obvious when I have the chassis etc in front of me in which case I'll take that back!
My only concern is the completeness of Andy's spreadsheet of build items. I am already starting to spot little odds and sods that aren't covered on his spreadsheet and I just hope I'm not going to find anything expensive missing which isn't, therefore, budgeted for. I'm sure I won't. Again, it will probably be all clear when I have the chassis in front of me! 
Engine wise all I know at the mo is that I'll be using an LS. It will be a couple of years before I need to buy the lump and exchange rates and developments may have radically changed by then, so I'll decide on the spec at the time. I do know I'll be going dry sump though as this car will end up on the track from time to time. If I were buying now I'd go for the 535hp version of the LS3.
Gearbox wise I'll be going for a G50/52 probably. I like a rod change and they seem fairly plentiful and ok for road use. If you hear of any coming up at a good price, please let me know! I am undecided on the Porsche LSD vs Quaife ATB issue. I run an ATB in my race car and like its characteristics. I guess I'll see what I can turn up.
Induction wise I am again undecided. I'm having the 'other' style roll bar - single hoop with rear stays to make the setup more track friendly and to provide helmet clearance. That means I must have a hole in the engine cover for the rear stays to run through. So, purely for aesthetics, I need something sticking out from the top of the engine! I quite like the Holley-looking single, large throttle body unit that is in one of the cars that Andy looks after. It looks like a big Holley but allows the use of standard injection and appropriate fuelling etc. It just replaces the intake manifold. If I were buying now, I'd go for that.
For engine management, I'll probably go for the set up that Andy has developed to keep it simple - it is known to work well on the car.
Out of interest, did you buy all parts from Andy or did you source alternative suppliers for the more generic items such as lights etc....?
Cheers!
Paul
hi Paul
good to talk to you! will sort out some pics next week. engine wise i got a great deal from weber race engines when the exchange was good (full forged LS6 for circa £1.7k+ shipping ) for a short motor. they were doing full engines at the time with ported heads and cams at about £3.5k +shipping. mine makes about 480bhp i guess. more than enough for me at the mo. 500bhp and reliable is plenty for most people.
gearbox- i have the rod change G50 with a quaife diff i fitted myself, wasnt too difficult. seems to drive well and is reasonably controlled out of bends with lock on and throttle control (some at least! )
i did source some bits and bobs from elsewhere and andy doesnt have a problem with you doing that, but it was mainly trim related/lagging/heat shield/cut out switches type stuff plus other fixtures and fittings, steering wheel/boss etc etc that are needed. one thing i did look elsewhere for was the inlet/ecu etc etc and i went carb/msd so i could do it all myself and not have to rely on efi/mapping etc. but the majority of "biggger" bits (ie seats/light covers)are almost GD unique and so its easier to get them from andy to save time and hassle. if you have a long build time and no rush i've no doubt you could do a lot more sourcing yourself if you needed.
i was on very good terms with "kit car builder" suppliers etc for many months and demon tweeks (expensive) got well used as did numerous suppliers of braided hose fittings etc etc.
my inlet manifold/carb/msd box and ignitor packs only cost circa £1k all in and work well enough for track/sprints and general driving but may not suit sva compliance.
dry sump- i almost went wet sump and then was advised to spend the extra and dry sump it with mine being mainly track used/sprints. this is a fair expense when you factor in 2 oil coolers and hoses/fittings (which were anodised), i guess i spent £2.5k on the dry sump and fittings etc.
throttle bodies/trumpets- i think webcon do a system for the ls engines now, kinsler is pretty expensive £5k or so but its a big budget step if you go that route. i ended up with a big 4 barrel carb and large oval billet alloy filter box which looks good but isnt 100% authentic in terms of trumpets!
other budget costs which i hadnt allowed for were plumbed in extinguisher etc and originally i thought about sourcing alloys from elsewhere but it proved to be loads of hassle to get anything like a split rim look i wanted so ended up with "knock on" replicas from Image via andy. i need a second set now for wet weather tyres as 888s are useless in wet weather!
hope this helps
regards
