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What is the 2B
[Or, dietary tips for Sierras]

The Build Diary
['99 - Aug. '00]
[ Aug - Nov. '00]
[December '00]
[Early Jan '01]
[January '01]
[February '01]
[March '01]
[April '01]
[May '01]
[June '01]
[July '01]

The SVA
[Did my 2B pass?]

On The Road
[Whats it like then?]
[And now it's been improved!]

New for 2003
[Suspension Mods]

New for 2002
[Engine Mods]
[Fuel Filler]
[Custom Instuments]
[Rear Shocks]

Tricks & Tips
[including do as I say, not as I did!]

Major Problems
[Or how to talk to the Manufacturer]

So you think you've got problems?

Gallery
[Or,some necessary light relief!]

Wifes View
[Or, are you coming out of that garage....]

Links
[Other maniacs who have tried this]

About the Authors
[If you are really bored...]

On The Road - August 2001

The registration came through in about ten days, so not as long as feared in that respect. I rushed out to buy some number plates and attached them to the car, realising during fitting that I'd made the rear bracket too small. Luckily the sun was shining so off I went for my first real drive.

Before I say any more, I want to take you back to Detroit 1957 and the General Manager ( Ride and Comfort ) of a large car manufacturer is in crisis talks with his purchasing manager.

" I sure don't know what you were thinking of Wilbur, that there suspension on the new Chevrord Road hog De Ville is just not up to par"
" I know that, but the supplier said that those new Velvet-o-matic externally sprung lux-o-ride shock absorbers would give excellent control on all surfaces"
"Well, it's no good you saying that Wilbur, they ain't no use. Why my poor little wife threw up all over the place when we went out for a little snack last night. Burger, pretzels, spare ribs, cola, chilli dogs and popcorn all over the place, it wasn't a pretty sight I can tell you. No, I'm sorry but you just went too damn far this time, a spring rate of 2lbs an inch is no good on a 2 ton car, and filling the dampers with crude oil wouldn't make them cure the bounce. We have a reputation to keep for fine handling automobiles in this country, so I've ordered 10lb springs and new dampers, and you can find a new job "

So departs our hero and the Chevrord Motor Co does what all good US companies in the fifties did with old crap and sent it over the pond to the UK. For nearly fifty years the Lux-o-ride shockers lay undisturbed in a warehouse, until one day a man from Mansfield came along…..

Well, you get the idea. This is why RS sent out the extra rear spring to bung in the rear coil-overs he supplied for a little sports car. This is how I had the car for that first drive. It was quickly apparent that the car was way too high at the back, and a bit under damped to say the least. As it didn't settle at all for the next 100 miles, I decided to take out the extra springs. Whoooaaaaa, instant sea sickness, amazing weight transfer on acceleration and no travel left for bumps. On harder braking, the fully compressed and under damped rear leapt up and threw all the cars weight on the front, leaving itself free to waggle around in the air! It probably looked quite funny but not from where I was sitting it wasn't. I have since replaced the extra spring but shortened it so the ride height is about 7" with no one sat in it. Shortening a spring is not good practice, but I don't have the money for decent adjustable and correctly rated coil-overs at the moment.

The front sliding pillar suspension, of which much was feared, isn't as bad as I was expecting. The travel is too short, and the springs are too soft, much to every ones surprise, but it is liveable with for a while. I have decided that the first job for winter 2001/2 is to get a double wish bone set up on there though. The cycle wing brackets are total crap, and have been subsequently reinforced with some welded angles.

In respect of the age old "what'll it do, mister"? I don't know. I really cannot afford to get points on my licence, so trying it flat out on the local dual carriageway is a no no.

I can say that initially, my home made air filter and DFTH carb were awful. The motor wouldn't rev and it didn't want to pull much over 70. First I swapped the carb for a 32/36 DGAV, which helped no end, and then I changed the filter material to Muslin, which again helped a lot. If you think I am too mean to buy a proper air filter, I just don't want to bother until I put the 2 litre engine in. (UPDATE - The two litre engine has been fitted, with an ITG foam filter) It goes really well now, much faster than a stock Sierra 1.6, with a 0-60 time around 9 seconds. Don't quote me on that, I just counted as I put my foot down. If you are good at physics it weighs 660 kg and has about 70 hp, so you can tell me what it does in theory. It pulls up to 80 keenly enough now, at which point the wind is trying to take your head off anyway. Another job this winter is the 2 litre motor, on which I will attempt a bit of porting etc so hopefully next summer will see about 110 hp to shove it around. With better front suspension the car should really start to go as well as it looks. It is a shame that I won't be in the market for a decent cam and side draft carbs, as 150 hp is supposed to be quite easy to attain in this case. Still, there's always next year (See Engine Mods page)

The gear box is now typical RWD Ford, i e quite sweet and slick, but I had an initial problem. The selection was ok on the donor vehicle when I drove it home, but first off in the kit it would slip out of gear very easily. This cleared up after a few miles but I don't know why laying the box up for a couple of months should have caused this.

I should also say that in a rare moment of smooth road, the 2B handles ok, so the problems are down to cheap suspension and not the very stiff feeling chassis. I don't know why RS is so set on everything just being cheap, almost all those I know of building one of his cars would happily have paid a bit more for shocks they don't have to bin straight away or a wiring loom that comes with relays etc. Richard, you are spoiling the ship for a hap'peth of tar.

Generally, the car feels very solid, no shakes or rattles now that the cycle wings remain in just the one place, and there are none of the annoying squeaks that fibre glass cars can be prone to. My little fly screen, about 3" high, starts to work about 60 mph, but I get a bit blown about between 30 and 60, so a full face lid is the order of the day on a longer trip. I think it looks much better than a full screen though so it will stay for now.

Having said all of the above, I like my car, it now goes pretty well and handles ok with a lot more to come for not a lot more cash. It gets a lot of attention and admiring looks so is good for the ego. For about £3000 otr I can drive around the outside of Johnny boy in his GTi on roundabouts, so long as there are no bumpy bits around!

Stories from the garage will continue over the winter so please come back soon! In the meantime, go and build your own kit car, it's fun.

Click here to see what it's like when improved!!