I am looking at the possibility of building a Tornado and was looking for a bit of advice. I realise it may be a bit of an open question but what do you think is a realistic build cost ? I would be doing the majority of work myself through time including the engine. Car would just a bit of a play thing with the possibility of using it at a few trackdays. I would probably build an engine myself but have no experience of the Ford V8 engine. Have built various ford race engines over time all of them 4 cylinder. Also what is the general thoughts of fitting a rover or chevy V8? I realise this will go against the grain in the minds of all Ford fans, but i suspect Ford V8 parts are quite hard to come by in the UK. I am planning to keep the car externally looking as original as possible , but suspect I will have difficulty in tracking down a lot of the period parts. Internals would be a bit of a compromise with modens switches /guages etc etc. I realise this is a vague question but I dont really want to take on something that I can not see to completion. I have sort of budgeted around £20,000 in parts over the space of around 3 years , does this sound realistic?
Ts gt40 build?
- Thread starter brisca943
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Hi Robin,
You are right on target!
We offer two types of Deluxe Component Package.
One is 19995 GBP, which is everything less engine and ancilliaries, gearbox and wheels and tyres.
The other Deluxe Component Package is 27595 GBP, this is everything needed to complete a TS40 less engine and paint.
Please visit our extensive website or ring Andy Sheldon for a chat for further info.
Cheers,
Scott
You are right on target!
We offer two types of Deluxe Component Package.
One is 19995 GBP, which is everything less engine and ancilliaries, gearbox and wheels and tyres.
The other Deluxe Component Package is 27595 GBP, this is everything needed to complete a TS40 less engine and paint.
Please visit our extensive website or ring Andy Sheldon for a chat for further info.
Cheers,
Scott
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Hi Robin
I believe that you cost & time targets are realistic. Nothing wrong with a Rover V8, especially with current fuel prices. I understand one forum member got close to 30mpg on a trip down to Le-Mans this year with a Rover V8. Adapter plates are available to fit Ford cam covers on to Rover heads, so only the very knowledgeable would spot it’s the ‘wrong’ engine.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com
 or Flee-bay. Parts are cheap and the big US companies (<?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns =)
<st1:City w:st="on">Summit</st1:City>, Jeggs etc) will ship direct from the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1
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Go for it, you won’t regret it :laugh:<o></o>
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Regards<o></o>
Andy<o></o>
(see separate PM)<o></o>
I believe that you cost & time targets are realistic. Nothing wrong with a Rover V8, especially with current fuel prices. I understand one forum member got close to 30mpg on a trip down to Le-Mans this year with a Rover V8. Adapter plates are available to fit Ford cam covers on to Rover heads, so only the very knowledgeable would spot it’s the ‘wrong’ engine.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com
lace w:st="on">US</st1lace></st1:country-region><o></o><o
></o>Go for it, you won’t regret it :laugh:<o
></o><o
></o>Regards<o
></o>Andy<o
></o>(see separate PM)<o
></o>Go for the Ford Robin- I realise that Rovers are relatively plentiful in the UK, but at the end of the day a SBF (289/302w) even in the most basic std form with the 180° headers & a 4bbl will give around 230/240hp with plenty more to come later if you feel inclined. They are perhaps the easiest of the three ( Chev/Rover/Ford) to build and you will find plenty of info/help on this site. Just do not be scared to ask or use the search function.
Ian Anderson
Lifetime Supporter
Hi Robin
Realistically I think you are a bit light on the budget. I have a feeling on the Tornado prices need you to add VAT so the £20k becomes £23.5k
I can also confirm I returned about 30mpg on my Rover Dax on the trip back from Le Mans- regularily over 25 but this was exceptionally good- but it is 3.9l and Efi through a plenum so does not "look" the part
A cheeper option could be to get a ready made 2nd hand car and rebuild it to you specs - can be got even cheaper if you will accept a Q plate.
Ian
Realistically I think you are a bit light on the budget. I have a feeling on the Tornado prices need you to add VAT so the £20k becomes £23.5k
I can also confirm I returned about 30mpg on my Rover Dax on the trip back from Le Mans- regularily over 25 but this was exceptionally good- but it is 3.9l and Efi through a plenum so does not "look" the part
A cheeper option could be to get a ready made 2nd hand car and rebuild it to you specs - can be got even cheaper if you will accept a Q plate.
Ian
Read GT40 Enthusiasts Club magazine article " for what its worth "
Brett James-McCall
Moderator
Robin,
I've been building my GTD for 5 years now (I really must get it finished...), and like you I try to opt to do as much as can myself to save cost where possible. Going through your points:
Ford Engine - As Andy says do not worry oabout a Ford engine, They are a doddle. I have some engine experience and they pull apart and go together again easily and if you are worried there are books available to help. Like Andy says use the people in the US. I have. Even after shipping and tax it works out generally cheaper (by quite a bit) but always make sure to do your maths. To give an example. My birthday last month saw me save over £250 compared to buying in the UK for a load of parts. Ordered from Jegs Sunday night... knock on my door from a neighbour Wednesday and the box was there. I don't even get that service from Real Steel the other side of London!!!
Parts - are not that to find period parts or period style parts. All the internal dials and switches can still be had and you will see from supporting vendors they can do BRM/Halibrand wheels... and yes Vintagecan supply them cheaper from the US than Image here in the UK.
On other factors if you want completely period, then your budget will go out of the window straight away, as transmission will have a massive effect on this. If you for a correct ZF, be prepared to lose a good 25-30% of you buget you stated. Myself I have gone for an Audi.
On the building cost of a Tornado, I would recommend speaking to Paul Walton who like you sourced a lot of his own parts after buying the basics from Tornado. He has built an excellent example.
Brett
I've been building my GTD for 5 years now (I really must get it finished...), and like you I try to opt to do as much as can myself to save cost where possible. Going through your points:
Ford Engine - As Andy says do not worry oabout a Ford engine, They are a doddle. I have some engine experience and they pull apart and go together again easily and if you are worried there are books available to help. Like Andy says use the people in the US. I have. Even after shipping and tax it works out generally cheaper (by quite a bit) but always make sure to do your maths. To give an example. My birthday last month saw me save over £250 compared to buying in the UK for a load of parts. Ordered from Jegs Sunday night... knock on my door from a neighbour Wednesday and the box was there. I don't even get that service from Real Steel the other side of London!!!
Parts - are not that to find period parts or period style parts. All the internal dials and switches can still be had and you will see from supporting vendors they can do BRM/Halibrand wheels... and yes Vintagecan supply them cheaper from the US than Image here in the UK.
On other factors if you want completely period, then your budget will go out of the window straight away, as transmission will have a massive effect on this. If you for a correct ZF, be prepared to lose a good 25-30% of you buget you stated. Myself I have gone for an Audi.
On the building cost of a Tornado, I would recommend speaking to Paul Walton who like you sourced a lot of his own parts after buying the basics from Tornado. He has built an excellent example.
Brett
Robin
Do not waste you time reading the GT40 Enthusiasts club magazine article ' For whats its worth'
If you need any advice give me a call on 01562 820372.
Thanks
Andy
Do not waste you time reading the GT40 Enthusiasts club magazine article ' For whats its worth'
If you need any advice give me a call on 01562 820372.
Thanks
Andy
The budget a I have allocated would be split up over the three years or so with around 1/3 each year. so plan on buying the basic kit first as I presume there would be enough work in the intitial stages to keep me going for a while?. As for the engine my thoughts on the Rover was due to the availability of parts here in the UK as I am usually a bit wary buying parts from the US with regards to taxes etc etc , But I presume there are companies that you guys have used that you can trust? Not overly concerned about the engine build as with anything once you started reading into them then I should gain a basic understanding of the engine should not be much more involved then some of the 4 cylinder injection engines that we have been building lately. Would be nice to get back to some non ECU controlled blocks. As for the tornado kit , I have just seen a basic kit with "extras" advertised in a national publication , never been started by the sounds of it . Possible change of circumstances and was thinking of going down that route. are there anythings to check on the kit that are worth considering? eg did the kit change and parts possibly not available anymore? or different versions of the kit? Thanks again for all your advice and look forward to interesting discussions. PS Transmissions? I have read about the renault 25 but are ther any other that are worth considering? Audi etc etc
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