How did you do it?

[sdonnel]

To all the current Hurricane owners, I have a couple of questions for you.  When you built your cars, did you have everything ( chassis, engine, trans, wheels) purchased all at once, or did you get the big items as you needed them?  I'm planning on a Hurricane in the next year or so, and I'll be parking both cars outside while the build takes place (wife doesn't know this YET) and I have a 2 1/2 car garage to work in.  If you purchased your items as you progressed, what kind of lead times did youhave to deal with.  I realize that all the different suppliers have different lead times, but a general idea is what I'm looking for.

Thanks,

Scott

[Mike Watts]

Hi Scott,
   I purchased my kit and picked it up in the fall (put some old ford rims on just to get it home and for rolling around while working on it).  Ordered my driveline in Sept from Bruce Couture's Modern Driveline which included everything from the end of the motor to the end of the transmission for $2103.
This included a T5Z five speed, Bellhousing, Blockplate, Hardware kit, Flywheel, Clutch kit, Clutch lever, Speedo cable, Speedo gear for tranny, and trannsmission mount. ( I already had a motor to rebuild )
Worked on my engine and frame during the winter.  Ordered my driveshaft 3 weeks ago from Denny's Driveshafts and my new rims from Hurricane about 2 weeks ago. Hope to have the car completed by June 2, 2007 8-) 8-)
   By the way I did research for over a year before I went with Hurricane. Best kit on the market for your money. ( most complete kit )
  Good luck on yours when you buy!!!

[Tom]

I ordered my kit then started my engine build around the same time.  I also ordered the transmission at that time.  You DO need to know what engine and transmission you will be running when you order yours, but you don't necessarily have to have them yet.  Other than a few parts that HMS was having trouble getting, I waited for nothing.

Tom

[danc30]

Hey Scott,

   I ordered my kit in October, got the garage ready while I waited for delivery January 7th.  I had my motor and tranny picked out before ordering the kit.  

   Ordered my wheels after the kit arrived as I purchased the dolly they delivered the chassis on. The car is still on it, makes it a lot easier to move around the garage and the tires and wheels don't get hurt.

    I ordered my engine from Keith Craft on March 13th and will take delivery the first week of June, Woo-Hoo .  I just ordered my tranny from PA last week and it will be here next week.

    Driveshaft will be ordered when engine is installed.

    I only have a 2 car garage, (small one), and it is plenty of room for the build.


Good luck on your future purchase, we all look forward to new members of the family.

Dan

[Paul Proefrock]

Scott,
I ordered my kit in December, but had begun accumulating parts prior to that. I then started building my engine while waiting for the kit to be finalized. I had most of the drivetrain items in my possession when I picked up the kit in March.

I was trying to take advantage of any "deals" that came along while I was prepping the car. Example, I found a set of Trigo wheels for $1000 but really won't need them for another 8 months. I knew the price would never be lower and would need them in the end.

On the other hand, I have run into problems when I purchased a part three months ago and now when I go to use it, I find a defect in it. I haven't been stuck (Yet, I hope) but it has always been a hassle with the supplier to get them to honor an extended warranty period. All have, onece I explained my process, but it always has taken a call to a customer service supervisor to get it done.

Lead time for the build items has never been a problem. But I did run into a shelf-life issue on some caliper paint I anxiously bought last year. It had expired before I could use it.

I would suggest buying the parts as you need them or as you get close to that point. The exeception is if some swinging deal comes along and you just can't pass it up. You will also find you need parts a lot earlier than what you think. You will need the transmission for fitting many of the frame/engine components but you wouldn't need it to move power for a long time. Some things are just too hard to mock up.

Good luck with your build. Savor the experience.

Paul

[HAVASUBILL]

Scott,

There are several ways to approach this thing,  all based on what you want the car to be (style, engine projected expense etc.).
When you order your car from Hurricane,you simply tell them what engine and trans. you are planning installing, the car will then come with the correct motor mount positions.
Some things you can do to prepare prior to the delivery date is: purchase a few special tools if you don't currently have them (hole saw set, pnuematic pop rivet gun, tin snips and a good file set).
You can build a "body Buck", one designed by FFR will work..cost about $50.00 for wood and wheels, somebody on the forum will help you get the plans.  You can also build or aquire a frame dolly to support the frame during your build. You might be able to fine one that another Hurricane builder is done with and save money and work.
Also make room for all the boxes of parts from Hurricane, they will take some space but quickly disappear as you build your car.

Another thing is just accept the fact that your build will become a "money pit" when you consider that all the little stuff is expensive that you might want to add to your car.  

Gear up and have a ball!