MINI KITS - Frequently Asked Questions
Is the kit easy to build?
Any one with some car repair skills should be able to build the kit especially as we include a comprehensive DVD showing a complete car build with every kit purchase.
What is the best kit. One for a 2 litre Honda Civic Vtec engine or Suzuki Hayabusa motorcycle engine?
Motorcycle engined cars are very, very fast and a lot of fun with their sequential gear boxes and high revving engines. They are ideally suited to track days and They are however more difficult to drive in traffic due to their lack of a flywheel and they are also noisy. Motorway journeys can be tiresome for some due to the high revs of the engine. The Honda Vtec engine is also very fast but doesn't have the noise and drive-ability issues of the bike engine car. The engine is heavier though and so handling is not quite as agile. Different owners love their different engines though so it is difficult to know what everyone might prefer.
What do I need to build a car apart from the kit?
ZCars kits supply all the specialist parts necessary to make the conversion. You will have to find a donor Mini car and be prepared to prepare it for the kit to be fitted. ZCars can provide this service if required although it could cost from £1000 upwards depending on the condition of the car
You will also need to supply your own engine for the kit. Although ZCars do not supply engines we can sometimes assist in locating engines for you to fit.
How much does it cost to build a car?
To build a nice conversion will cost anything from £8000 upwards which is the same as any other kit car.
Can I break the cost down into easier payments?
Our kits start from about £1900. Additional parts will be required but they may be purchased as required during the build. We are happy to do what ever we can to make the build as easy as possible.
How can I pay?
Paypal, and credit cards are acceptable but have a 2% surcharge. Debit cards and bank transfer is the easiest and cheapest method.
How is it delivered?
We can arrange for a kit to be delivered by pallet or shipping crate any where in the world. Alternatively you are welcome to collect from our factory at your convenience.
What is the difference between a road and a race kit?
The road kit is a bolt together cage that has low door bracing bars. This makes it easier to assemble and cheaper to ship as it packs up smaller. A race kit is a fully welded cage with crossed door bars so is much stronger and stiffer. The door bars do make access slightly more awkward but we can alter things slightly where required.
Do you ship overseas?
Yes -try us for a quote.
What other cars will the 'Mini' kit fit?
We have adapted the kit to be fitted to Saxos, Hillman Imps, Fiat 500's and 600's and a variety of other cars. We are also happy to consider something different. There is an extra cost as we cannot produce them from a jig and we may need the original car to ensure a correct fit. Our kits are designed to run with 13 inch wheels and whilst this can be altered it will incur extra costs.
Can I fit other engines?
This is possible but is not straightforward so will incur extra costs. Often the bespoke exhaust and engine mountings will cost more than any savings on an engine purchase price. The engines we have selected for the kits are all chosen for good reasons from years of experience.
Why do I need the 'Front Subframe Kit' for my Mini?
The ZCars front subframe is a stronger and lighter replacement for the original. It allows lightweight springs and dampers to be fitted and full suspension geometry adjustment. This transforms the Mini and allows it to be run much lower with out the bump steer.
How do I insure it?
The latest copy of a kit car magazine will have numerous companies that specialise in insuring cars like ours. Be sure to contact a few as prices vary a lot but you can usually find a very reasonable deal.
Where can I get help whilst building my kit?
There is 'The Mini Forum' where other ZCars enthusiasts will help you out but we are always happy to give advice and guidance by telephone, email or at the factory. Many car builders ask us to do part of their build for them. We are happy to do any bits and pieces that are required. Contact us for a quote.
Do you build complete cars?
Yes. It does take a while and as we charge by the hour a complete it costs in the region of £30,000 for a fully completed show standard car depending on the final specification.
Do you supply all the parts?
We can supply everything you could possibly want! We can't advertise everything we offer so it's best to email us for a quote.
Can I buy just the bike engine transmission to make my own car?
We can supply these parts but bear in mind our transmissions fit our drive shafts which fit our uprights which fit our brakes which fit our wheels which are geared for sprockets which line up with our engine carriers which works with our suspension etc... I'm sure you get the idea! By the time you try to manufacture your own parts to fit it will either cost a lot more, wont look as good or won't work! We have witnessed numerous copies some of which have been down right dangerous! The resale value of ZCars Minis makes them one of the best buys out there! One life -Live it!
email us for any more information if you require it.
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