Westfield / Kit cars in general - Opinions?

There was a Westfield at dads work with a 1.8 k series in it, that flew, but im biassed towards the k series as i know them well, also i gues theres not many longitudinal (is that how u spell it?) boxes about for em. I know you can tune them quite easy and we have had dads 1.8 up to about 8k , super light and perfect for a westie.
Apart from that a bike engine would be the best, sequential box, and bags of high revving fun:P
 
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James_N said:
Hi

Id be storing it through winter. I'd like a factory built westie. Theres a nice one on an 04 plate for 10.5k and does 0-60 in 4.1 :D

I dont think id like one with an old sierra engine in, i dont know why, i just wouldnt. I want some reliability.

but we'll see, ive got plenty of time to deciede. Im going to get my CTR sold first.
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The only old sierra engines are the pinto and DOHC engines, neither of which have really been recommended :)
 
Whatever you do make sure you get a ride in a BEC and CEC, so you know what both are like. That's something i need to do, as at the moment i don't think i'd quickly get tired of the super high revving nature of a BEC, but i might love it, so i may end up with a fireblade engined car. At the moment i'm planning for a car engine, but i won't know until i've been in both :)
 
yeah, passenger rides are a must. I'll organise these when im more in a position to buy. I love the high revving nature of VTEC's so i think im more suited to a BEC but time will tell :)
 
James_N said:
I dont think id like one with an old sierra engine in, i dont know why, i just wouldnt. I want some reliability.
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the Pinto is a hugely torquey, very reliable engine...I don't quite understand what you mean by that statement.

[huzeeee] said:
There was a Westfield at dads work with a 1.8 k series in it, that flew, but im biassed towards the k series as i know them well, also i gues theres not many longitudinal (is that how u spell it?) boxes about for em.
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Ford Type 9 'box, as used in 90% of Caterfields, from hte *drum roll* Sierra! You just need the correct bellhousing...

James_N said:
Im pretty sure id go for a bike engined one. certainly dont want one with a rover engine :(
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Why not?

They're light, powerful, (relatively) cheap to tune, have great Support...

*n
 
The pinto is a very heavy lump, and by nature, the 7 type cars are about power to weight...

The DOHC sierra engine is the same, cast iron, block, its pretty much a dohc pinto...

The lighter all alloy motors are a far better bet for 7 type applications, they are also far easier to tune beyond 135 bhp, which is difficult with a pinto..

The K Series is not to be sniffed at, it is a light free revving motor with excellent performance, especially a later model vvc! 160bhp stock.. yes please...

The KV6 is also an excellent alternative to a rover v8 or a ford v6, if you can get one...

Bike engines are flavour of the month for 7 type cars, I have to say... mine was gonna be cossie powered, but the import tax for the 2ltr into cyprus was £7000 as opposed to the £700 I paid for the zx12r.. no brainer really...

The bike engine is exciting in it delivery, and the sequential shift is attractive, but if the car hasnt got a torque resiliant tube propshaft or rubber donut cush drive, then walk away, otherwise you will be forever chasing gearbox issues.. and a trashed gearbox means a FULL engine rebuild to get the swarf out of the oil ways etc... People will tell you thats rubbish, but I have seen too many cars without trt's with gearbox problems...

Marc Norden said to me he has never had a failure on a car without a trt... just before the gearbox on his fireblade car went bang and trashed the motor... famous last words.. lol

Bear in mind that at motorway speeds (70mph) the engine will be pulling 6-7000 rpm, with a race can, right next to your passengers ear... that is tiring to say the least, for the passenger its excrutiating after a very short period... Holding a conversation while driving is a challenge.. lol

Then there is the vibration issues.... 10,000 rpm produces a lot of vibes on a solid mounted bike engine.. you are forever re-tightening bolts... not just some... all, even those with nylocs, as the vibration chips away powder coating slowly and leaves bolts loose..

IMHO it is all worth it, but if you are looking for a drive/service and tuck away car, the 2.0l zetec, or 1.8l k series is a very viable alternative...

If you want more fun, a 2.0l T series rover motor can be installed for that fun turbo kick... Robin Hood (not a manufacturer I would recommend) used to sell a comprehensive kit with brand new 2.0l T series turbo motors for £10,000, the super spec... it was a beautiful looking car, but sadly ahd a few weak areas in the geometry... nothing that cant be sorted, but it means extra money...

You can pick up crashed rover turbo coupe motors for realistic prices as well..

Anyway, for my money, and simplicity of operation it would be a 2.0l zetec or even a later duratec if you can get one at the right price with twin 40's/45's...

:D
 
Yeah, the Pinto is a bit of a boat anchor (not as much as the Ford iron 6's though...) but it is cheap, readily available, torquey and cheap to modify.

*n
 
Agreed, it is on the heavy side, but is certainly not an unreliable engine, in fact it's a very strong engine (after all, the Cosworth YB uses essentialy the same bottom end). It's also capable of good power, there are lots in rally prepared Mk2 Escorts with up to 200bhp, though it costs a lot of money once you reach 150-160bhp.

The more modern iron blocked 2.0L engines (20XE, Zetec etc.) aren't hugely lighter (perhaps 20kg max?), you really need an all alloy engine such as the K series to make a significant difference.

Very odd statment about not wishing a Rover engine...do you relalise that the one of the very quickest Caterhams (the R500 superlight) uses the K series? 230bhp from a 1.8 is simply exceptional.

0-100mph-0 times:
Caterham Seven R500 11.44 secs
Pagani C12 S 11.84 secs
Porsche 911 twin turbo 13.02 secs
Radical SR3 13.20 secs
Lamborghini Murcielago 13.90 secs
Mercedes SL55 15.15 secs
TRV Tamora 15.20 secs
Evo RS Sprint 15.90 secs
Audi RS6 16.75 secs
Impreza STi 18.40 secs
 
Aye the 1.8 K-series is highly tunable.

Love the 20XE though, that would tempt me if I found a decent one.
 
anyone know how much 1.8 ks go for? Or how much do old knackered rovers with the 1.8 engine go for? are vvc engines much more desirable, power difference?
 
about £1200 for a refurbed VVC unit, yes you want the VVC, 145BHp in standard tune, 160BHp ish with throttle boddies + breathing mods.

a bit less cash for the standard 16v K unit but these can achieve higher BHp nunmbers with port polishes and modded cams etc and they are easier to getb hold of. The VVC unit seems to top out at about 160ish for resonable money and reliability / driveability but obviously if you keep throwing cash at it you can get any power you want. There is a turbo technics bolt on turbo kit that some of the elise boys are fitting I seem to remember.

HT
 
Think i'll stick with 1.6 ecotec then, same power with just throttle bodies and cheaper to boot.
 
olv said:
Think i'll stick with 1.6 ecotec then, same power with just throttle bodies and cheaper to boot.
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When I was looking I found 1.8 vvc motors much cheaper, around £4-500 on ebay and at breakers..

The thing about the ecotec motors is they dont have a nice throttle response in my experience.. they are okay, but on every hard acceleration gearchange they seem to go flat, the 2.0 and the 2.2 are the same as well..

maybe this improves on bike carbs/throttle bodies, I dont know...

:D
 
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