Crosskart-Style Chassis: Estimated Costs and Time to Build

[Mike]

If you're interested in designing and building a small race car chassis, suspension, and drive train, it's important to understand the costs and time involved. Here's a breakdown of the estimated costs based on a $100 per hour labor rate to keep things simple for the math and if your building one, here's a great way to gauge your value and costs:

1. Design phase: The design phase can take several weeks to a few months, depending on the complexity of the design and the level of detail required. This phase could cost between $5,000 and $20,000 or more, with a total labor cost of around 50-200 hours.
2. Fabrication phase: The fabrication phase involves building the chassis, suspension, and drive train, which can take several months to complete. This phase could cost between $15,000 and $30,000 or more, with a total labor cost of around 150-300 hours.
3. Assembly phase: The assembly phase involves putting together all the components of the car, including the engine, transmission, suspension, and other systems. This phase can take several weeks to a few months, depending on the complexity of the build. This phase could cost between $5,000 and $10,000 or more, with a total labor cost of around 50-100 hours.
4. Testing and tuning phase: Once the car is assembled, it will need to be tested and tuned to ensure that it performs as intended. This phase could cost between $5,000 and $10,000 or more, with a total labor cost of around 50-100 hours.

It's important to note that this estimate only includes labor costs and does not account for the cost of components such as the engine, transmission, wheels, tires, brakes, and suspension components. The cost of components can vary significantly based on their quality and availability, and it's important to consider this when creating a budget and plan for the project. The cost of components could range from a few thousand dollars to tens of thousands of dollars or more, depending on the type and quality of parts selected.

Therefore, it's recommended that you create a detailed budget and plan for the project that includes both labor and component costs. Understanding the costs and time involved in designing and building a small race car chassis can help you make an informed decision about whether to build your own or purchase a pre-built car. While building your own car can be a rewarding experience, it's important to consider the time, resources, and costs involved before embarking on such a project.

Please comment on your build and experience or if you would choose to just purchase outright.