Hello, I just joined.

**exige300** · 10-08-2014, 20:41

Hi all.
Well, I`ve placed my order with Gerry and have started the journey.
I`ve never built a kit before but have played cars all my life and done some fairly extensive projects so am still full of confidence at the moment!
So far I`ve picked bits from a X19, gathered a few lamps ,instruments, switches etc and currently ending the life of a 164. I have trawled the forum but can`t find any advise on best dismantling practice.... As I`m intending to install the engine with the standard ecu (at least to start with!) should I carefully unpick the Alfa loom to isolate the engine management wiring and connect this, or is this a bit optimistic! Maybe start again with a few spools of cable and a wiring diagram. Where`s the easiest to follow wiring diagram?
Thanks in anticipation.

Simon.

**strat24v** · 10-08-2014, 21:10

All the 164 looms I've had in my hands have perished cable inside the sleeving and sticky tape. Today, 164's aren't the best starting point due to parts availability, the later 156/166's are a better donor choice.

**exige300** · 11-08-2014, 06:31

Already got the 164! So as a general principle, would you attempt to salvage the existing management loom?

**strat24v** · 11-08-2014, 07:03

Yeah, strip it out, it's seperate from the rest of the cars wiring. It'll need modifying quite a bit so I'd suggest stripping the tape and sleeving off and checking it all.

**ChrisCar6** · 11-08-2014, 09:32

The engine and ECU looms are mainly sel-contained. You need to attach about 5 wires to the main car loom, something like earths, ignition pos, permanent pos, tachometer feed. The rubber boots on the engine bit will need to be replaced.

**john** · 11-08-2014, 10:49

Yes, the 164 engine loom just unplugs from the main loom.
As John says you really need to mod the positions of the coil, relays, ecu and fuel pump feeds (etc....) so that stripping off the outer wrap from the loom is vital anyway.
Can only echo what has been said about 164 donors tho', having just gone through the process of restoring a 164 engined car.......
If it didn't cost you a fortune, then throwing it away now might prove cost effective ultimately.

**ducatiman** · 12-08-2014, 08:51

300 Hours to build a Hawk, is that the same as it only cost £13,000 according to Jeremy Clarkson................Not possible for an individual.

Out of all the manufacturers producing Stratos replicas now, the quickest build by far will be the ListerBell. Everything has been thought out and there are no guessing games on what bits to get and where do they go................and with the choice of gel coat colours available it doesn't even have to go to the paint shop.............

Anyway, enjoy the journey ahead as there will be good times and some days that you will get so frustrated....................but you will see the days, weeks, months just keep on rolling by as you continue the build. But keep going to the end.

When is your kit delivered ?

**LM mic** · 12-08-2014, 11:03

Well writed Ducatiman !

SIMON ; enjoy your built and do not start counting hours or days ; building a car from a kit watever brand of kit is a real enjoyement and you need to know that every tecnical problem have many various solution and building an Stratos is particularly pleasant due to SEC existing where you probably will find help on archives or better in direct forum where I noticed all members are ready to spend some minutes to explain some solution.

One very important thing is to organise your work in a way you will not have to dissasemble something fully fitted because something new is interfering to and old work done !
To have agood idea of the whole thing assembled is very important !
Actaully waiting for my kit , am trying to read and download as much pictures as I can of fully assembled front areas or engine compartment to understand how many ancillaries are to be firt all together

**Jeff** · 12-08-2014, 13:35

I stopped counting hours when they slipped past 1000. As for cost I past twice the Top Gear cost some time ago.......

**strat24v** · 12-08-2014, 14:38

Enjoy the time with the build. Do it once, do it right. When I look back into the mists of the past, I've had times when it's been difficult but mostly enjoyed my labours. I've learnt a lot, same as many here have, started out with little knowledge of the tasks required but got as far as been a competent sheet metal worker, laminator, machinist, designer, cad operator, auto electrician, you name it. Would I swop that time, no, loved the journey, looking forward to reaching the destination.