SVA test for the Westfield PASSED!

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they weigh 500kg, there really isn't much to stop. When I was researching 13" wheels were definitely the way forward for the best handling.
 
Congrats, but I'll be like a stuck record and say it yet again: FOR THE LOVE OF GOD CHANGE THOSE WHEELS!

It's not just the fact that they look crap (which they do), it's that it will handle so much better on smaller lighter wheels. But somehow I doubt you'll listen, everybody tells you this every time you post pics.....
 
I think the wheels look ok, but the rear ones need a larger offset to bring them out to the edge of the arches. Its one of the things that made me buy a MK Indy because it looked 'right'.

13" wheels are fine but depending on your engine and driving style you wont notice it much unless your trying to kill yourself on the public roads. For track then every KG is noticed but i find using 13" wheels means the ground clearance is too low and speed bumps are a problem for daily driving. Just make sure your current wheels have good tyres and you set the dampers up for them.

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Congratulations, must be a great feeling! Sadly not the ideal time of year to start using it, but will give you a chance to look around for some new wheels before the summer next year :D
 
It's amazing how weak those headlamp and indicator extensions are - they've already fallen off :D Steering wheel wasn't much better either so I thought it better to play safe and put a different one on.

but the rear ones need a larger offset to bring them out to the edge of the arches
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There's only a few mm clearance to it's maxed as far as offset can go- look at the front edge of the arch in the bottom photo.

And you're right, I wont listen about the wheels especially people that have never driven this type of vehicle - IT'S A ROAD CAR, NOT A TRACK CAR.

Drive a Dax with 17" wheels and 245 tyres and tell me it ruins the handling and then I'll listen.

But for the record I don't mind people saying they don't like the wheels - thet's thier perogative. Different opinions are good else god forbid we'd all be driving around in silver Mondeos!

More pics to follow when the carbon boot box, carbon half doors and carbon aero winglets go on this evening ;-)
 
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Rollbars etc

Clarkey said:
also can you not bring that roll bar down a bit, looks really high.
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Rollbars & cages have been discussed eleventy billion times on the WSCC.... so a quick summary:

OP's got the (optional) factory RAC approved braced rollbar (the standard non-braced roll bar would just fold flat in a roll and is less high). Also in a roll remember that the bonnet & nose cone would just break, the front 'hard point' is the engine.

This photo below is a Westfield with Plays-Kool GRP R500 style seat (moreless sitting on the floor) and the guy's got a custom made rollbar. The string has been tied off at 420mm so a little higher than the Westfield supplied RAC roll bar and goes to the top front of the engine. The guy's 6 foot tall.

rac_roll_bar.jpg


And then the harnesses would stretch a bit too :eek:


@ OP: 'grats on the SVA test :)
 
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amigafan2003 said:
But for the record I don't mind people saying they don't like the wheels - thet's thier perogative.
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I believe that is what most people are refering to, looks rather than function.

There is a good post in LCB discussing wheel sizes; one of the more negative aspects of big wheels/low profile tyres is the lack of progression as you approach the limit. Higher profile tyres tend to give early warning and slip angles increase progressively, very low profile tyres tend to break away with less warning and less progression.
 
amigafan2003 said:
And you're right, I wont listen about the wheels especially people that have never driven this type of vehicle - IT'S A ROAD CAR, NOT A TRACK CAR.

Drive a Dax with 17" wheels and 245 tyres and tell me it ruins the handling and then I'll listen.
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I don't think anybody has said it has 'ruined' the handling, what people are saying is that it would be BETTER on smaller lighter wheels. Performance aside, they just don't look right. They don't suit the car atall.

Still, as long as you are happy that's all that matters :)
 
very low profile tyres tend to break away with less warning and less progression.
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I have found this out :-) Still, I've only ever driven rear wheel drive cars since I passed my test so i think I'll be able to handle it :-)

it would be BETTER on smaller lighter wheels
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It would also be better with a Duratec, but that would be more money. The wheels stay - they came with the donor car and the object of the build was tyo get it done as cheaply as possible. Some good quality smaller alloy with some good rubber would be £500 - that's £500 I can spend on other stuff for the car :-) plus I want to show the car at some shows and the 17's fit in nicely for that kind of thing.

Anyhow, carry on the discussion - I like to hear what people think.
 
amigafan2003 said:
Some good quality smaller alloy with some good rubber would be £500 - that's £500 I can spend on other stuff for the car :-)
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:confused:

What 'other stuff' for the car could you possibly better spend that money on? With the car pretty much finished and through it's SVA, ditching those alloys would be a priority for me, I can't think of a better way to spend £500 on that car.
 
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DreXeL said:
What 'other stuff' for the car could you possibly better spend that money on? With the car pretty much finished and through it's SVA, ditching those alloys would be a priority for me, I can't think of a better way to spend £500 on that car.
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NEONZ, I.C.E., ENGINE BLING... you know, show stuff ;)

lol sorry, low blow but I honestly cannot believe you're keeping silly big wheels on a westfield fow 'show'. WTF! it's a standard westfield with massive wheels!

and what is thing with DAX? they make overpriced, overpowered silly cars with massive wheels...
 
it's a standard westfield
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Have you read the build log? Hardly standard. And not all car shows are Max Power inspired you know..........

and what is thing with DAX? they make overpriced, overpowered silly cars with massive wheels...
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So.... how many 7'esque cars have you driven then?

With the car pretty much finished and through it's SVA
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Haha - no - building a kit car STARTS after it's been through it's SVA :-)
 
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amigafan2003 said:
Have you read the build log? Hardly standard. And not all car shows are Max Power inspired you know..........
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If you aren't talking about Lax Power type shows, why are you using the show thing as an excuse to keep the bling 17s?

amigafan2003 said:
Haha - no - building a kit car STARTS after it's been through it's SVA :-)
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My question still stands, what is there that needs doing that takes priority over wheels that do nothing for the looks or the way the car drives?
 
Sigh, I give up - it's no use arguing against people that have never driven a 7'esque car. Everyone has thier own idea of what make a good car - this Westfield is mine, end of.
 
I am entertained by people wittering on about how the wheels will ruin the handling, I can only image they have never been in a car like this. It will go round corners quicker than than you can possible image. Its a terrible cliche but it will corner like its on rails, as every passenger I ever took out in mine gushed after going round roundabouts with enough gusto to make their eyes water.
Maybe if you are racing in the speed series then smaller wheels will allow you the extra hundredths of a second that is crucial for racing, as long as you have the race suspension setup, anti roll bars & your geometry spot on.
But for road use I really dont see that smaller wheels will make any perceivable difference to the way it will drive.
 
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