Westfield explained

Westfield explained

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Discussion

Rib

Original Poster:

2,548 posts

188 months

Monday 21st July 2014
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I wondered if anyone could explain to me all the different kind of westies and what's good what's bad? Looking at a used one up to around 12k,i'm coming from the tvr so eant something still st off a shovel fast but a bit more track focused but still bags of fun.

There's a local specialist near me (toybox in ashby) who has a hayabusa and a V8 in atm (totally different I know! And are wide body's? Or would I be able enter going for a duratec? Want to know what's what a bit more before going to view

XTR2Turbo

1,533 posts

230 months

Monday 21st July 2014
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best to get yourself over to the wscc forum

B.J.W

5,782 posts

214 months

Monday 21st July 2014
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I was in exactly the same position as you a few months back, and ended up buying a car from Toybox (who I think are great btw.

My budget was narrowed down to the following

Seight
Hayabusa
2.0L

I discounted the bike engine variant quickly (one of my friends owned one and gave some good advice)
Very, very fast; great on track, seriously compromised on roads due to the clutch and the all or nothing driving experience

That left the V8 and 2.0l. I could find a newer 2.0l for the money, and it would have probably danced round the twisties better than the heavier V8. However, as a big fan of V8's I couldn't resist the drama and noise of a big engine in such a lightweight package. Toybox had a 5.0l V8 which won me over completely. It can burble around all day if I want (perfect for a bit of gentle touring), or full on in any gear it's seriously rapid. I previously owned a 400 bhp + Tuscan - the Westie is quicker. The driving experience is visceral and the comments from other car lovers is as good as my Vantage.

Did I mention the noise??????

All down to what you want. My advice, try all three and go for the variant that best suits you.

P.S - Enjoy your new V8 wink

Rib

Original Poster:

2,548 posts

188 months

Monday 21st July 2014
quotequote all
Thanks for the replys, I do LOVE my v8 which is what got me looking at the westies, but I only ever seem to enjoy cars properly on track these days, I just don't get much time/enjoyment from road driving which is why I wondered about the bike engine. Might pop down and have a chat with him as he sounds good, and see which is for me, the 4l he has atm looks lovely but I would have preffered efi but depends on how well its been built as the chim v8s vary massively.

Rib

Original Poster:

2,548 posts

188 months

Monday 21st July 2014
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Where abouts are yiu Btw? See your in the west mids, can't be far away?

Linkin

144 posts

156 months

Tuesday 22nd July 2014
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I can relate to this, having gone through a similar thought process earlier in the year.
For me, it just HAD to be a V8 and I was lucky enough to be offered an extremely nice LS-engined 7esque car.
If you love your V8, I think you may always think something is missing with a 4, but your bias towards track use may sway towards a more nimble package?
Try both!

Rib

Original Poster:

2,548 posts

188 months

Tuesday 22nd July 2014
quotequote all
That's my thinking, I mean my chim isn't the best handling thing ever but it manages pretty well so it's not like I'm coming from an inch perfect exige or such, just wondered if the V8 in and even smaller and lighter car might just totally ruin it? I will go have a look at the ones at toybox and see if I can try them both as from the outside they both look fantastic!

ugg10

681 posts

216 months

Tuesday 22nd July 2014
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The middle ground s probably a Honda S2000 engine car but they are few and far between (although now a standamd fitment) combining the dosile round town with the screeming track attitudes.

The Duratec is pretty tunable so if you get bored with 200 ish hp then there are supercharger and turbo charger add ons.

Alternatively TTS do a Rotrex supercharger kit for the Zetec Black top that has been seen to push out 400hp in a Phoenix (red, it's on their web site), the Zetec would be significantly cheaper to buy leaving budget to strap on the supercharger.

If I had that budget then I'd be looking at a Duratec FW body as I like the slightly different styling and would want some ability to drive fast on the road.

Do you have your heart set on a Westie, for me, on the track, a well sorted R1 Sylva/Raw Striker (or 4AGE car engine) is hard to beat and probably about 2/3's of your budget leaving loads of cash for tyres, fettling, upgrades, trackdays, trips abroad etc.

But as others have said, don't jump straight in, drive a few and make your mind up after sampling - V8, Zetec, Duratec, R1, Hyabusa etc.

Rib

Original Poster:

2,548 posts

188 months

Tuesday 22nd July 2014
quotequote all
No not dead set on a westy, obviously them and Caterham are the 2 big names but cats just seem like crazy money for not much? I'm not ever biasd to any make, I just love all cars and don't get into badge snobbery.

I just want something that will heighten the buzz I already get from the TVR but more suitable for track as that's all I seem to do these days

ugg10

681 posts

216 months

Tuesday 22nd July 2014
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If that's the case then, bang for buck you can't beat a Stiker with a 20v 4AGE or R1 (depending on your preference) in it. IMO sevens are all about the famous COlin Chapman "added lightness" as well as power, I think the sweet spot is a higher reving 4 pot car engine with about 175-200hp and 500kg (+driver).


This has got some nice trick bits and for a few pounds (ARP bolts, uprates valve springs and a cam) and a rolling road session the engine could make 175hp+ (note the gearbox is £3.3k new !).
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sylva-Striker-Raw-or-Stu...

Alternatively there is something like this - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fisher-Fury-Spyder-2014-...



Edited by ugg10 on Tuesday 22 July 16:20

Rib

Original Poster:

2,548 posts

188 months

Tuesday 22nd July 2014
quotequote all
Thanks, will broaden my search, if built well is there much difference in the handling between the different kits?

LLantrisant

995 posts

158 months

Tuesday 22nd July 2014
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dont forget: a Rover V8 engine is fully alloy...means not much heavier than an older iron-cast (ford) engine..

beause often people tend to say " a V8 is too heavy for such a car and neg. influences the driving"


ugg10

681 posts

216 months

Tuesday 22nd July 2014
quotequote all
Rib said:
Thanks, will broaden my search, if built well is there much difference in the handling between the different kits?
The three biggest variable in handling are the design first but most are pretty good, the way it was put together and finally how it was set up.

My own preference would be to look at those chassis that went/go well in the race series (hence my liking for jeremy Philips cars, fury, striker, phoenix, etc), look for a few good bits (decent brakes, light wheels, bgh or long first gearbox for car engines, the right engine, lsd, right diff ratio etc.) and then a good rolling road and geo set up.

Hooe that helps.

Rib

Original Poster:

2,548 posts

188 months

Tuesday 22nd July 2014
quotequote all
Mev rockets look interesting too? Almost like a cheaper atom?

ugg10

681 posts

216 months

Tuesday 22nd July 2014
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Most cars from Jeremy Philips or Stuart Mills are generally towards the top end of the tree.


http://www.jpsc.org.uk
http://mevltd.co.uk/vd/index.htm

Also worth keeping an eye out is the gkd legend, there has been one around your budget one ebay that did not sell with an m3 engine in it. May be worth a call.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/M3-Powered-GKD-Legend-ki...

Rib

Original Poster:

2,548 posts

188 months

Tuesday 22nd July 2014
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Oh now we're talking! Loved my old beamer! I know most will say a 2l zetec will be 'fine' but I guess I'm just slightly unhinged and need something a bit more lol

Furyblade_Lee

4,107 posts

223 months

Tuesday 22nd July 2014
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"""I was in exactly the same position as you a few months back, and ended up buying a car from Toybox (who I think are great btw.

My budget was narrowed down to the following

Seight
Hayabusa
2.0L

I discounted the bike engine variant quickly (one of my friends owned one and gave some good advice)
Very, very fast; great on track, seriously compromised on roads due to the clutch and the all or nothing driving experience"""

Ha ha someone has only ever been in a crap BEC and dishing out advice ...... smash

Mike from Eastbourne has a Hayabusa Westfield, it would destroy any V8 Westy I have seen and it drives so well and smooth you question is it even bike powered??? The clutch for anyone other than a retard would be sussed in 2 minutes and the sequential gearbox hardly clunks. He has done an amazing job with it. That thing is a peach and I cannot fathom how a huge heavy rover V8, huge heavy gearbox, monster torque and two weighty exhaust systems up front will aid the handling department and be an improvement, no matter how much power it had? You really need to drive a good one before believing second hand advice.

I have only ever driven a V8 Fury along side my Fireeblade one for comparison , felt like Rick Waller was sitting on the bonnet in comparison to the deft balance of a BEC, and despite being probably similar in a straight line, over a lap or race distance would be light years different. It was still a nice car but so different.

I'd consider a V8 for the noise, not for how it would ultimatey compliment a 7'esque chassis that's for sure.

But I have had this debate too many times, and I am out! x


Edited by Furyblade_Lee on Tuesday 22 July 22:43

ugg10

681 posts

216 months

Tuesday 22nd July 2014
quotequote all
Rib said:
Oh now we're talking! Loved my old beamer! I know most will say a 2l zetec will be 'fine' but I guess I'm just slightly unhinged and need something a bit more lol
Worth noting that the m3 gkd with 320hp will tip the scales around 800kg giving 400bhp/Ton.

http://www.pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyI...

A 220hp duratec tiping the scales with a weight of 550hp (just about possible) will give the same power to weight but may be more alive on the track and may corner better or a r1 with 170 Hp and 425kg (pushing it to get that light).


Barry Ashcroft

1,958 posts

220 months

Tuesday 22nd July 2014
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I've built 3 Westfields with V8s including one with an Alloy small block at 6.6ltrs. Great for a drive but compromised handling for anything too spirited.
I now own a Westfield with a hayabusa.

V8



Megabusa


Rib

Original Poster:

2,548 posts

188 months

Wednesday 23rd July 2014
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The more I look the more I like the look of hayabusa one toybox have, I imagine is pretty crazy with it revving so high and if I ever need more power there's the turbo option. Need to ring them and go have a look as they haven't replied to my email yet.