Westfield V8's
Discussion
Ive always wanted a kit car and I am finally buying a house. I have enough space to keep 4 cars on the drive and possible a very small garage (more like a lean to). I will point out that I am not really mechanically minded but can tinker (dismantling an engine not an option).
Caterhams are too expensive for what is a weekend/evening toy IMO. So I have always had my eye on a Westfield, more recently I am hankering after a V8 so what better excuse than to keep the daily and have a V8 Westfield (most seem to be late-90's rover).
Are they a nuisance to run, or would one be a money pit? Are the late-90's early 2000's models going to be s
tters?
And are they crap? I dont expect pristine handling, I would be happy if the thing turned out to be a noisy V8 that was interesting to drive, and lets face it they are hardly slow.
Thanks
Caterhams are too expensive for what is a weekend/evening toy IMO. So I have always had my eye on a Westfield, more recently I am hankering after a V8 so what better excuse than to keep the daily and have a V8 Westfield (most seem to be late-90's rover).
Are they a nuisance to run, or would one be a money pit? Are the late-90's early 2000's models going to be s
tters?And are they crap? I dont expect pristine handling, I would be happy if the thing turned out to be a noisy V8 that was interesting to drive, and lets face it they are hardly slow.
Thanks
I have got a 2002 V8 Westfield and I love it. I like the power delivery, huge torque and the sound it makes. I can take the Mrs out for a nice cruise or go for a fast blat. I am not looking for the next tenth of a second off my lap times, so the weight of the engine compared to the lighter 4 pots doesn't bother me. Its still a very good handling car when you compare it to tin tops etc. I also like the fact I don't have to rev the nuts off it to get going at pace.
As for how good they are? Well its only as good as the person that put it together, so I am sure there will be some excellent examples around along with some not so good ones. Take a knowledgeable person to look at one, plenty of advice on the Westfield Forums too. In the last 2 years the only major problem I have had was to replace the steering rack, which was only £130 ish and I managed to do it myself (I'm not a mechanic).
Jas
As for how good they are? Well its only as good as the person that put it together, so I am sure there will be some excellent examples around along with some not so good ones. Take a knowledgeable person to look at one, plenty of advice on the Westfield Forums too. In the last 2 years the only major problem I have had was to replace the steering rack, which was only £130 ish and I managed to do it myself (I'm not a mechanic).
Jas
chimp427 said:
A good engine should give you years of trouble free motoring, a very old design but fairly bullet proof.
Probably not a track weapon as you suggest but there are not many better sounding engines out there, im not sure about owning one with over 250 hp though, they must be animals!
Depends what you mean by "weapon", this chap looks to be having approximately ALL of the fun Probably not a track weapon as you suggest but there are not many better sounding engines out there, im not sure about owning one with over 250 hp though, they must be animals!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51d41sqWrnE
As for power, can't speak for Westies but my Dax with 280bhp is very well mannered, as long as you have an analogue right foot.
jontysafe said:
Westfield cossie owner here, currently building it to "Westfield 800R" spec a la Certerham 620R
Should be interesting
Should be the first twin scroll Westy if we can engineer a twin scroll manifold that actually fits in the car.
How did you get on with this build in the end? Should be interesting
Should be the first twin scroll Westy if we can engineer a twin scroll manifold that actually fits in the car.
Still hankering after a V8, so think itll be a seight.
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