A ride in the new Westfield Honda S2000

[Rory's Dad]

Well for me the highlight of the Yorkshire Area's trip to the Westfield Factory yesterday was a ride out in the new Westfield Honda S2000 driven by the person who developed it, Mark Walker.

 

Firstly the new chassis is now likely to become standard.  Differences include the raising of the steering rack to take out the bump steer and the wishbones and their brackets have been moved to suit.  The bulkhead has a cut out to accomodate the bell housing alowing the engine and gearbox to be moved right back as far as possible.  The front of the engine is maybe 300mm back from the nose whereas my C20XE is just 50mm back.  The gearchange is straight on top of the six speed box as standard  and the lever falls conveniently to hand.  A much better weight distribution is the result and is noticable compared to my C20XE.  The space frame itself has been improved with more and different bracing around the engine, front suspension and nose. Following experience of the drift cars, the diff area has also been modified although it's still a Sierra unit..

 

Mark said he was going to drive gently as it had some R1Rs and the roads were cold and a bit greasy.  Trundling through the town was just fine with the engine happily pulling smoothly from very low revs.  As we made our way onto the country roads Mark gave the throttle a bit of a prod and wow - 9,200 revs and 230 odd bhp in third certainly made the car shift very quickly indeed.

 

It's not going to be a cheap car - the engine and gearbox may well cost £2000 from a scrappie apparently and it's not something that Westfield supply. Going for the Honda makes a great deal of sense with an alloy car engine with bike engine characteristics.  I know some kitcar manufactureres have gone for the BMW engine and gearbox but they must be so much more of a lump.

 

I know I'm not well qualified to say but it just seemed to me to be a just brilliant car and so much more of what I believe Westfield should be doing for the UK market rather the VX Sport Turbo.  Still work to be done though - it needs a proper roll bar or a cage rather than the embarrasing bit of bent tube it has now.  I dislike the fake carbon front cycle wings, dash and rear arch protectors but that's just maybe me.  And please could you lend me a helmet next time.  The 2 degree air temperature and an aeroscreen at whatever speed we did, did not do my forehead any good at all!!

 

So a big thanks to Westfield, Honda and Mark - between you you've made an absolutely fantastic car - and the best of luck with the sales.

 

Rory's Dad

[martyblues]

Sounds good thanks for the write up. Early days yet but thinking about a new build to start at the end of this year, all the options available now are making the choice more difficult. Still plenty of time yet.

[alexander72]

if my engine ever goes bang that might be on my list of replacements, or a duratec, or a  BEC.... that why i love my westfield as the options are endless.  

 

Great write up - many thanks

[Barry Ashcroft]

Any pics of this new car?

[Cleggy the Spyder Man]

I think the Cambs lot were all equally impressed with the car (apart from the roll bar as you say)

[Cleggy the Spyder Man]

piccies here http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.375751702511883.92671.140621886024867&type=1

[Man On The Clapham Omnibus]

It sounds really very good. Of the BMW engines it would be nice to have an S54 six cylinder (M3 and Z4M) but it's iron, I think, so a bit heavy. The M54 six cylinder alloy block that my Z3 2.2 has is very nice but it's a pussycat compared with the ///M engine. The Honda is often criticised for lack of low-end torque, but in a lightweight chassis like a Seven, that would be far less important I imagine. Anyway, all the more excuse for a bit red-lining!

[Rory's Dad]

The Honda is often criticised for lack of low-end torque, but in a lightweight chassis like a Seven, that would be far less important I imagine.

 

Not noticeable.  Pulled us along very smartly whatever the revs - and of course the 6-speed gearbox helps!

 

Rory's Dad

[kirkyboy5]

Im looking at getting a engine replacment in a few years but sounds an expensive package. I can source a Seat LEON TFSI 2.0 turbo for around 1000 in good nick. I wonder if Westfield could fit it and how much it would cost to be fitted. hmmmmmmmmm

 

And the power would be higher and easier to achieve.

 

Dan

[matts76]

Any pics of this new car?

 

I've got a pic of Martin sat in the car and a rubbish video of it drving away. I'll send it on Martin soon.

[dombanks]

It sounds really very good. Of the BMW engines it would be nice to have an S54 six cylinder (M3 and Z4M) but it's iron, I think, so a bit heavy. The M54 six cylinder alloy block that my Z3 2.2 has is very nice but it's a pussycat compared with the ///M engine. The Honda is often criticised for lack of low-end torque, but in a lightweight chassis like a Seven, that would be far less important I imagine. Anyway, all the more excuse for a bit red-lining!

 

the 3.0si would be a better option of that engine over the 2.2. but they are huge and i would suspect not likely to fit in. your right about the s54 being a cast block. they certainly would be nice in a lighter car. 

 

nice set of comments RD sounds a cracker of a westy

after looking at the pics i really like the look of that shape car with the roll bar like that, its a shame they couldnt make it a bit sturdier.

does it come with a screen and doors for us nambypamby types?

[Cleggy the Spyder Man]

Cage, screen and doors can be fitted just like any other westy

[JeffC]

  Still work to be done though - it needs a proper roll bar or a cage rather than the embarrasing bit of bent tube it has now.  I dislike the fake carbon front cycle wings, dash and rear arch protectors but that's just maybe me. 

 

Martin that was my thoughts exactly  too, not sure why Westfield wants to cheapen the brand with that fake Carbon look stuff its horrible , I would rather it was black plastic or even a painted gel dash body coloured  than that stuff. not sure what they charge for it but surely wouldnt be a lot more to go for proper carbon as standard. and yes that roll bar isnt good. A few quid extra on those few bits would go a long way to upping the image imho.  Im not the biggest fan of the honda engine and box but I do believe its the way forward for Westfield fitting it in the cars , quite surprised caterham hasnt gone down that road. 

[Aerodynamix Ltd]

Im looking at getting a engine replacment in a few years but sounds an expensive package. I can source a Seat LEON TFSI 2.0 turbo for around 1000 in good nick. I wonder if Westfield could fit it and how much it would cost to be fitted. hmmmmmmmmm

 

And the power would be higher and easier to achieve.

 

Dan

 VW Group engines have been done before in Europe although the bellhousing conversions aren't cheap , the ones I seen are the 1.8t variant although I would imagine VW use a standard bellhousing configuration .

[JeffC]

Im looking at getting a engine replacment in a few years but sounds an expensive package. I can source a Seat LEON TFSI 2.0 turbo for around 1000 in good nick. I wonder if Westfield could fit it and how much it would cost to be fitted. hmmmmmmmmm

 

And the power would be higher and easier to achieve.

 

Dan

 

Ive just sold my Audi Sportback  S3 2.0 T, was remapped to 300bhp and power delivery on that was really smooth