Rocket or Sonic7

[mrwto]

First I’d like to say “HI” and introduce myself to the group. I’m 53 years old and just got married for the second time. I’ve been riding motorcycle and building / restoring cars (on chassis) since I was 15, I’m a jack of all trades, master of none, and a real hands on type guy. I belong to the YAHOO Reverse Trike Group for a couple of years now and planning on building a reverse trike from the ground up (still might do). One of the members turned me on to MEV LTD. I saw the Rocket and fell in love with it, it looks like the most complete kit and best engineered kit for the money.

Here’s the problem / question: Now that I just got married and want to get my new wife involved, should I get the Rocket or Sonic7. I like the openness of the Rocket, but I know my wife would like to go for the Sonic7 because it is more closed and has options like a full windscreen, roof and….. One good thing is that my wife does want to get involved and for some of you married guys you can understand the importance. Is the Sonic7 a car I can make an everyday driver out of it? Is it water tight? Add heat for the winter? Can I put side panels, removable windshield and roof on a Rocket? I see the UK version is RH drive; I thought I read that the US version is LH drive is that true? Does it come with a different rack or do I need to purchase that on my own?

I want to get as much of the parts together, before I order the kit. I already bought my donor car off of eBay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280326469964&ssPageName=ADME:B:EOIBSA:MOTORS:1123

A repairable / rebuildable 2008 Focus SES, 5-speed w/ 10k miles for $2275 plus $300 shipping, I thought that was a fair price. After reading a lot of the builds and some of the items that might not be as available here in the US compared to the UK, so I have a few questions…

1)I hope this engine / trans and maybe the shifter will fit in either the Rocket or Sonic7
2)What type of radiator (year, make, vehicle) can I use
3)If the shifter doesn’t work, where do I get a shifter w/ cables, not to many car have 5-speeds here in the US

I’m planning on starting my build early summer of 2010

So, Rocket or Sonic7

Thanks, Wayne

[devilman2075]

it seems that year will be compatible but dont quote me, all im going off is that its the same basic duratec motor

theres a list on the website of what you will need, the car you bought is different than what most are using so i cant say anything will be the same or different, it definitly got a face lift from the 00-05 that most people are using

im not positive on the radiator but your gonna want a half rad, you could always go aftermarket or just check ebay for a half-rad most racers are gonna use something similar for freeing up room for turbos and all that fun stuff

the shifter will work but from what i understand its gonna be backwards simply because the engine is sitting backwards, i cant say if there will be an easy way around this or not but theres gotta be a way to basically redirect the throw of the shifter or a similar idea...i really cant help there

good place to start is here http://www.jetpower.co.uk/mevhome.htm

but finally for your choice between sonic 7 or rocket, that is personal preferance...an exocar to me is a fair weather vehicle, so basing your decision upon roof and watertight is once again your personal preferance but its run through my mind alot and the more u want it for rain driving the more problems show up with the need for windshield wipers, the lack of doors, just too much to worry about...i believe that a true exocar should be enjoyed without the body panels, without a roof, without a windshield...openness and freedom

[LexTalonis]

The rocket is 1000 dollars less, once you start adding options to the sonic 7 the rocket becomes an even better value. Take the money you save and spend it on your wife, then everyone's happy!

IMHO, once you start putting too many body panels on an exo-car it loses it's purpose and it's appeal.

Sean

[mrwto]

Thanks for the input, I hope the '08 Focus works out, as far as the Rocket or Sonic7, I agree with you guys, I like the open look and feel, that's why I love riding my bike.

If anyone can turn me on to what year, make, and model that I could get a radiator and gear shifter from here in the US I would appreciate it.

[stiggymills]

I say you should buy one of each! I will send you a shifter FOC if you state which trans your going to use when you order.

[golftdibrad]

I think most foci in that sates came with a/c, so finding a non ac rad will be difficult. That leaves two options IMHO. If your going to be adding power and/or hammering on it get an Al racing radiator. Summit racing is going to be our friends for.... alot of random bits. If no track days or big power adders, go dumpster diving at the junkyard and get a half rad out a civic or something.

Good deal on the donor.

If i were you I'd save my pennies and order the kit sometime in the summer and make it a winter project..... life is too short, so provided your not being fiscally irresponsible, why wait?

good luck,
-Brad

[cordycord]

Here’s the problem / question: Now that I just got married and want to get my new wife involved, should I get the Rocket or Sonic7. I like the openness of the Rocket, but I know my wife would like to go for the Sonic7 because it is more closed and has options like a full windscreen, roof and….. One good thing is that my wife does want to get involved and for some of you married guys you can understand the importance. Is the Sonic7 a car I can make an everyday driver out of it? Is it water tight? Add heat for the winter? Can I put side panels, removable windshield and roof on a Rocket? I see the UK version is RH drive; I thought I read that the US version is LH drive is that true? Does it come with a different rack or do I need to purchase that on my own?

I want to get as much of the parts together, before I order the kit. I already bought my donor car off of eBay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280326469964&ssPageName=ADME:B:EOIBSA:MOTORS:1123

A repairable / rebuildable 2008 Focus SES, 5-speed w/ 10k miles for $2275 plus $300 shipping, I thought that was a fair price. After reading a lot of the builds and some of the items that might not be as available here in the US compared to the UK, so I have a few questions…

1)I hope this engine / trans and maybe the shifter will fit in either the Rocket or Sonic7
2)What type of radiator (year, make, vehicle) can I use
3)If the shifter doesn’t work, where do I get a shifter w/ cables, not to many car have 5-speeds here in the US

I’m planning on starting my build early summer of 2010

So, Rocket or Sonic7

Thanks, Wayne

1) Neither car is a daily driver, IMO. the Sonic will have the roof option, and heating can be plumbed in, but in reality this is a second car.

2) MEV can make both cars in LHD, including rack. The rack is usually a used Ford Sierra unit (Merkur XR4ti), and they can also sell a quick steering rack that you will have to have installed yourself.

3) Engine & trans--check with Karlo & MEV. They set up my Sonic to mount to a Duratec engine (I'm installing a Mazda), but you'll want to check with them to confirm that they have the mounting points for the newer vehicles. I'm not sure that they have it down 100%.

4) Radiator--easy. I've seen new replacement units for as little as $84 online. As you'll have extra water in the system (delivery tubes to the front), cooling should not be a problem.

5) The cables should work. The shifter needs to come from a Ford Contour. There is a build website that's listed on these pages that shows three or four shifters that were tried--only one worked. Check first before ordering.

Good luck with your build and congratulations on your excellent donor car find! I hope your wife is infected with the "build bug" as well. :)

[mrwto]

OK, you guys convinced me, I’m going for the Rocket more open and looks like a lot more fun…

Another question and I know there will be more in the future. What type of transmission do you think I have in the ’08, besides it’s being a 5-speed? and how can i tell?

And what options should I order when I order the Rocket?

Wayne

[devilman2075]

I believe that tranny should be the mtx-75 or whatever its called

The options depend on your personal preference...I'm the type that's very particular, so I will not be upgrading to the wilwood brakes considering they are front only according to the order sheet(could be mistaken clarify if I am) plus I believe the stock calipers will work fine for something 1000 pounds lighter than a focus

I wanted to powder coat the chassis and I'm still unsure about this cuz most of the builds I read I saw numerous things welded to the chassis which required paint to match but I will probably get this option

I would reccomend the lights and wiring it will just solve a hassle for u

Pedal assembly is almost a must

The seats look pretty nice for roughly around 400 dollars ill probably get them

Possibly the quick steering rack still unsure though

There's a lot of options just really depends what u wanna work on customizing or developing and what you'd rather just bolt up