Question for Dave Brookes, cost saving on a Dax build

[BenBaron]

Hi Dave,

A while ago you gave me a list of bits and pieces that I could use in my Dax build to save a bit of cash.
At the time my printer was busted an I though it would be easy to find the posting, but Im buggered if I can find it!!.
Could you poss let me know again what the bits are as Im going to the scrap yard at weekend to have a bit of fun....


cheers

Ben :+

[DrFelch]

Hmm, I will be interest in this response as I REALLY want to build a Dax but am now verging more towards the Sumo because of price. I tallied up how much the dax was (with 17" wheels + £3.5k on engine etc and it was about £20k. Somebody replied to a posting saying that it can be built for MUCH cheaper than that.. How ? The pilgrim Sumo worked out at about £13-14k. EVERYTHING on the pilgrims pricelist was approx 40-50% less than that on the Dax parts list !!

I would MUCH prefer to build the DAX over the Sumo, but I really cant see how to build it any cheaper. The exhausts for a Rv8 were about £1.5k on the Dax list !! I am sure I could always find some cheaper ones elsewhere though.. !

Thanks

[kev]

I paid about £400 for my RV8 exhaust system including ss headers, about 3 years ago. Total cost of my car is now about £12.5k, this includes new Image wheels and Toyo tyres, and £2k for a spray job. I did do a lot of the work myself, and yes it is good. If you are resouceful and can source parts yourself, can refurbish second hand parts and make some of the bits yourself then the cost difference of the cars is pretty much down to the difference in the cost of the kit, ie not much. Some examples, Jaguar XJS fly off handbrake, good serviceable scrap yard example £5, new £ouch!, recored RV8 Vitesse radiator £65, shortened propshaft with new joints £35. Buy all the reconditioning bits for the brakes and suspension from one source at the same time and get a worthwhile discount, I did. New hood and tonneau made by a Rolls Royce trimmer cost me just over £600 in mohair. Don't neglect the main agents, new gaskets for the RV8 are cheaper from my local main agent than the specialists.

Kev

[dave]

Here's the list( but it seems like you have some excelent advice already from the above posts)

Mini heaters... Mounted centrally behind the dash and with the controls facing down, that is if you can't find Triumph Spitfire or Reliant Robin heaters.

Mini wiper assy.... this system will have better sweep if you buy the 130 degree gear set from Dax.

Fiesta mk 3 seat runners, whith some modification... but not much.

Mk 1 Sierra column.

MGB fuel tank... Will fit as std but looks better when you open the boot if you reposition the neck.

Rover SD1 Vittess Rad. For American engines

Exhausts from Custom Chrome.

Interior trim made by anyone who works at Royces (as Kev mentioned above)(i can sort the trim out for you so long as you don't want it right away as the guy who does my trims is too busy doing stuff for me at the moment)

Escort Mk 4 servo and master cylinder. Dax modify theirs to make them adjustable, but there really is no need as the std length is fine. They're about £200 from dax brand new or about £25 from Martini spares in the west midlands brand new, or about £400 from your trusty Ford main agent.(Martini spares were at Newark today, so you've missed them for this show atleast.

Other ways of saving money are to buy as much stuff as possible at any one time and pay for it in person with cash .....C Cards over the phone may be convenient but they're bloody expensive.
If you need any more info, give me a call on 07785 702005.

P.S. sorry i didn't post this any sooner as it looks like the weekend's gone now.