V8 Westfield's (SEIGHT) - any good?
Discussion
For some reason I stumble across mention of these the other day. They are a car I've known about, but never been in or driven, and hadn't really given much thought too.
Curious to what they are like? And importantly how do they compare to 4 cylinder Westfields and similar?
I know the RV8 isn't a powerhouse and is rather old school these days. But they make a great noise and are an easy way to 200-250hp. Which in a car weighing 650-750kg should be rather good performance.
Does the V8 make them less fun in the corners however? I'm sure compared to older cast iron 4 pots from years back there probably wasn't much of weight difference. But compared to modern DOHC alloy engines capable of making 200hp, I can see that there could be a difference.
Would love to hear from people that either own these or have driven them and can compare to other Se7en alikes.
Thanks.
Curious to what they are like? And importantly how do they compare to 4 cylinder Westfields and similar?
I know the RV8 isn't a powerhouse and is rather old school these days. But they make a great noise and are an easy way to 200-250hp. Which in a car weighing 650-750kg should be rather good performance.
Does the V8 make them less fun in the corners however? I'm sure compared to older cast iron 4 pots from years back there probably wasn't much of weight difference. But compared to modern DOHC alloy engines capable of making 200hp, I can see that there could be a difference.
Would love to hear from people that either own these or have driven them and can compare to other Se7en alikes.
Thanks.
Not a Westfield but I drove a K series Turbo Thruxton GT (7 Style Chassis with full body) approx. 220bhp around Zolder, then the next year the same car but with a TVR Rover V8 approx 240bhp.
The Rover sounded epic and was great fun. Around the track the K series would have spanked it as it was so much better in the corners. The extra weight upset the balance and it was no longer the pointy balanced car it was before. I think part of that was the larger bellhousing and gearbox meant the engine was slightly further forward in the chassis. I would imagine that would be the same in the Westfield.
I think I would go for the S2000 engine. All of the power with a bit less weight and a proper screamer!
The Rover sounded epic and was great fun. Around the track the K series would have spanked it as it was so much better in the corners. The extra weight upset the balance and it was no longer the pointy balanced car it was before. I think part of that was the larger bellhousing and gearbox meant the engine was slightly further forward in the chassis. I would imagine that would be the same in the Westfield.
I think I would go for the S2000 engine. All of the power with a bit less weight and a proper screamer!
As above, really.
I drove the original SEight 330 demonstrator with quad Dellortos and an alleged 330bhp, years ago. The noise was epic and the instant torque (and instant break in traction, if you weren't careful), at any speed and in any gear is a giggle.
...but it felt a very blunt instrument compared to a 'normal' Seven.
To be fair, I also owned a TVR Griffith 500 HC for a while and the Westfield was the more predictable of the two, despite having a lot less weight.
I drove the original SEight 330 demonstrator with quad Dellortos and an alleged 330bhp, years ago. The noise was epic and the instant torque (and instant break in traction, if you weren't careful), at any speed and in any gear is a giggle.
...but it felt a very blunt instrument compared to a 'normal' Seven.
To be fair, I also owned a TVR Griffith 500 HC for a while and the Westfield was the more predictable of the two, despite having a lot less weight.
Thanks.
I think that's arguably the toss up.
The TVR's have the sexy body and lovely interior. But at the expense of additional weight. I've got a TR7 V8 now, which is similar ethos to a TVR Wedge in many ways, same size weight and engine (mines not stock).
What occurs to me is, is the SEIGHT essentially a lightweight TVR? All the noise and pose, but with better performance and handling?
Or is it a cumbersome Se7en?
Would I really jump in an SEIGHT and think, my word this is boat to drive. Or would it still be a fine handling sports car.
I think that's arguably the toss up.
The TVR's have the sexy body and lovely interior. But at the expense of additional weight. I've got a TR7 V8 now, which is similar ethos to a TVR Wedge in many ways, same size weight and engine (mines not stock).
What occurs to me is, is the SEIGHT essentially a lightweight TVR? All the noise and pose, but with better performance and handling?
Or is it a cumbersome Se7en?
Would I really jump in an SEIGHT and think, my word this is boat to drive. Or would it still be a fine handling sports car.
300bhp/ton said:
Would I really jump in an SEIGHT and think, my word this is boat to drive. Or would it still be a fine handling sports car.
Coming from a TR8 (or any of the other cars listed on your profile, with the possible exception of the Smart), you'd think it pretty sharp and responsive.Coming from a Caterham or Sylva, you'd find it a lairly, slow-witted old brute.
As above really, the V8 Westfield is a great fun car to drive on the road. Bags of torque in a car weighing 650kgs. Its not a track tool, but would still be fun on track. I have a Seight and I really enjoy it. I'm not after a track tool, but a road car that will cruise easily and sounds great with plenty of ooomph. The S2000 engine is now popular in the Westfield and is much better than the RV8.
It depends on what your after really....
Jas
It depends on what your after really....
Jas
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