Jump to content

picking up my first westy Sunday! :)


paul n

Recommended Posts

Hi all, new member here from Edinburgh,

 

Have wanted a westy for a very very long time and finally bought a car through the power of ebay! I would never normally buy a car on e-bay but it was a impulse thing but after speaking to the owner I am reassured! he has had it for 6 years and has done alot of work to it but just doesn't have the time to drive it now! Reg is Q26 FDG would be interested to know if anybody knew any additional history of the car from it's original build? I can't seem to work out how to add photos directly to a thread? But I have created an album of the pics he gave me of the car if people want to have a look! 

 

The spec is 1992 SEIW

2.0 zetec raceline tuned 197bhp

LSD

4 speed rocket box straight cut gear box

Tillett carbon seat plus 6 point hardness 

Willwood front calipers, sierra rear

carbon v8 bonnet and nose cone

Carbon dash with digital read out. 

carbon Aeroscreen (but comes with spare windscreen which i may put back on!) 

 

What do people think? good car? any issues I need to be aware of? I am really a bit of a novice when it comes to mechanics so i will have to learn as i go! I am a little worried about having just a 4 speed box but I will 

probably wearing a helmet most of the time so that should cut down on the noise! I will use it for track days and local blasts in the Scottish borders mainly. maybe a autosolo or two and some hillclimbs maybe 

 

am ready looking forward to picking it and I have my first day track booked next Saturday the first of Nov at knock hill (lets hope it doesn't rain!)

 

one thing I was going to ask, what would people recommend in term of a waterproof winter car cover? is it worth paying out £150 for a proper fitted version or will a £30 e bay job suffice! with a little luck I will be able to squeeze it down my steep drive into my garage but for the immediate future it will be outside on the drive.

 

many thanks

 

Paul  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

:ww:

 

Mine seems to have survived nicely outside for a number of years with a range of covers. Suprisingly, the Halfords All Weather Outdoor Small cover is the best of the rest. I've not tried anything more expensive, someone will be along to tell us, but I assume they will be a) much better quality and b) last more than 18mnts.

 

Over winter, I tend to put a load of ACF50 on the metalwork after a good clean and polish. A couple of towles in the cockpit over the seats and some caravan/boat dehumidifier in there two. Then I put the Halfords cover on with an old broom handle to keep it sticking up in the air and finally a cheap plastic tarp to keep the very worst off. During the summer I just use the Halfords cover.

 

Do you have many cats in the area? If so, some of those pelets to keep cats away would be useful for obvious reasons...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

hey many thanks for this advice. I will get some of the ACF50 ordered up! 

 

One thing I was going to look at also was getting a soft bits tonneau for when I am out in the car and have it parked up or if I am driving it to have it half across

http://www.softbitsshop.co.uk/westfield-seiw-tonneau-510-p.asp (are these recommended?)

 

only minor issue is I think the previous owner has fitted in all the holes for the fitting studs as he never drove it if it looked even slightly wet so I would have to refit he mounting studs but that shouldn't be too hard hopefully! 

 

many thanks 

 

Paul 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Please be careful in the first few days and weeks.  197 bhp is plenty in such a light car and planting you foot thoughtlessly on the loud pedal can have some undesirable consequences.  Check tyre pressures are about 18psi too.

 

Oh and a big  :ww: from Yorkshire

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hurrah! having waited a very long time for mine I know the excitement thing. Congratulations on your car. Welcome to the fun.

 

Wag

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Please be careful in the first few days and weeks.  197 bhp is plenty in such a light car and planting you foot thoughtlessly on the loud pedal can have some undesirable consequences.  Check tyre pressures are about 18psi too.

 

Oh and a big  :ww: from Yorkshire

Good advice, especially as you'll be wanting to play as the weather gets a little cooler and the roads a little less grippy.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Indeed I am very very aware that I need to tread carefully in the first few weeks! I am coming from a supercharged mx5 with 225bhp but the westy is half the weight of the MX5! gulp! I might also get some driving instruction at this first track day. 

 

tyres on it currently are 14 x 185 x 55 TOYO CR1 but they have been sitting for a bit so I may change then out for some fresh rubber for the wetter/ general driving conditions and then get a more dedicated set of track day tyres/wheels next summer! Recommendations for best general road tyres on a  westy? I have found Conti premium contact 5 tyres for £42 each I had these on my work car and they are very good but don't know what they would be like on such a light weight car (work car is 1750kg!)

 

Cheers Paul  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I use Toyo TR1s.  Not as grippy (in the dry) as 888s or R1Rs but more 'reliable' in the wet IMO.  They do not pack up and go home and are wearing well.  Under £50 each too whereas R888s are £120+.  Can you tell I'm a Yorkshireman?  (Like a Scotsman but without the generous streak  :laugh:  :laugh: )

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Welcome to the mad house and hopefully a new member of Clan McWesty good to hear of another newbie north of the border :yes:  :yes:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Welcome to the WSCC Paul  -  you will have loads of fun!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

:ww: Paul from darn sarf!       For all round weather tyres on the road  Toyo R1R's are a big favourite on the Forum, however they are being outlawed by the EU so are getting hard to find. They are 'G' rated on the info label as they are softish and are deemed to use too much fuel.    You'll be ok finding some 'F' rated tyres which are the next best thing.  Plenty of recommendations if you check out the tyre threads.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Welcome Paul - Glad you seem to have sorted out getting the car home. Looking forward to seeing it!

 

Matt

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Leave the aeroscreen and wear a helmet its much better. Strip any carpets out and drill drain holes in the corners of the ally floor pan about 8mm dia

You could make a simple timber support frame to keep a good slope on the cover

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Welcome! There are a few of us who visit KH for track days and will see you there some day! Take a look also at the Monklands Sporting car club (MSCC) who have a great hill climb venue at Forrestburn.

This is a great forum and you will never be short of advice or answers!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Please review our Terms of Use, Guidelines and Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.