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 Post subject: Where to buy a frame?
PostPosted: July 21, 2016, 3:33 pm 
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Joined: July 21, 2016, 3:28 pm
Posts: 3
Hi guys,

I'm new here. I've been searching for frame builders, but I can't find anyone who still produces it.

Could you guys please let me know where to buy a ready frame?

Thanks!


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PostPosted: July 21, 2016, 7:18 pm 
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Joined: April 26, 2016, 1:54 pm
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Location: Houston, TX
I just spoke with kinetic vehicles a few weeks ago and they are still making and selling frames/kits according to demand


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PostPosted: July 21, 2016, 9:42 pm 
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Tried that myself. Now welding my own. Just could not find anyone to sell a full one, besides kit car companies at whole-car prices. Good luck!

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PostPosted: July 21, 2016, 10:00 pm 
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Joined: November 11, 2013, 4:47 am
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Location: No. Nevada
One of the problems with model proliferation, which of the six or so variations should a builder sell?

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PostPosted: July 22, 2016, 7:53 am 
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Location: Cornelius OR
There are so many different possible combinations.

You need to stop and figure out exactly what you want, Front suspension, motor & trans, brakes & controls, power steering, seating style and room, leg room, rear suspension.

Then you need to consider body work, if you are not going to build your own, the frame needs to fit the body of your choice.

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PostPosted: July 22, 2016, 3:35 pm 
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Joined: July 4, 2006, 5:40 pm
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Location: Novato, CA
Keep in mind a pre-built frame eliminates a sizeable percentage of the welding, but not all of it

Back in the day when several vendors sold Locost frames, they were mostly book frames for book donors. Any custom work you did yourself. CMC sold a book frame for a Miata donor, but that didn't last. The demand isn't great enough now for anyone to have Locost frames in stock. I think Jack (Kinetic Vehicles) has the last of them. You can probably get a frame custom built for your donor and design criteria somewhere, but not cheaply.


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PostPosted: July 22, 2016, 9:54 pm 
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Joined: October 24, 2008, 2:13 pm
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Location: Carlsbad, California, USA
It sounds like budget is a factor for you, like most of us. However, for the sake of completeness, there is also Stalker down in Florida. They are primarily V6/V8 versions based on the original Book chassis, but you can get complete frames.

You probably already know of them, but just in case not, check out their website:

Stalker kits ==> http://stalkercars.com/kits/

Cheers,

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PostPosted: July 23, 2016, 12:17 am 
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Location: Houston, TX
I have also spoken with the Stalker people. They were in the area for an SCCA race a few weeks ago. They may be able to customize the engine and transmission mounting for you. Give them a call to see what they can do for you. The Kinetic Vehicles kit and the Stalker MX-5 kits appear to be the least expensive by far of any I have seen.


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PostPosted: July 23, 2016, 1:31 am 
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Joined: July 21, 2016, 3:28 pm
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Thank you guys for the replies!

I'm looking for a frame to use with a Miata donor.

I'll try contacting kinetic vehicles and see how much they charge for a frame. By the way, does anyone know its price?


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PostPosted: July 23, 2016, 3:00 pm 
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The full kit from Kinetic is listed as $10k, and that's everything done except bolting in the donor parts and painting. Jack is a stand-up guy to deal with, and active on this forum.
Kristian

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PostPosted: July 24, 2016, 12:49 am 
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turbo_bird wrote:
The full kit from Kinetic is listed as $10k, and that's everything done except bolting in the donor parts and painting. Jack is a stand-up guy to deal with, and active on this forum.
Kristian


Thanks a lot! I've just sent them an email. (:


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