Quinten Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 Hi all, Have just signed up as I've managed to sell my car and am now looking for a new adventure in car ownership... a Westie I'm specifically looking for an EFI'd one, but engine size/model is not so important (have no specific preference). Another big, big thing is that I am 6'5 (with 6'3 long legs ), so I assume only a widebody makes sense. The cherry on the top would be one that I already fit, but if there are still some things that can be done to accommodate me than I would consider that as well. Over to you... if you have been toying with the idea of upgrading/selling up, or know of someone who does, please let me know. I realise that with winter approaching most of you will have tucked it away, but I'm sure you can use that garage space for something else My budget is £7,500 and I would like to stay within that Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Young Pretender Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 Sorry if this is a silly question but what is EFI'd? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 Electronic Fuel Injection, normally. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quinten Posted October 21, 2013 Author Share Posted October 21, 2013 Pardon the acronym I didn't know how to call it otherwise really... All I know is that I've been advised against westies on carbs as they require frequent tuning, something I really want to avoid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quinten Posted October 22, 2013 Author Share Posted October 22, 2013 I've just updated the subject to remove the EFI reference as I do not want to confuse anyone I've seen this: http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/westfield/all-models/westfield-seiw-1-6-sigma/1667569# which fits quite the bill, but I'm not sure about my size constraints... is there anyone here who could advice if pedal boxes are always able to be moved backwards? And that seats can always be repositioned at the very other end of the car (either by runners or bolted straight in)? And that it may even be possible to raise the steering wheel? Alternatively, is there anyone in the 'Tyne & Wear' region willing to have a cursory look at the above? I'm at least 4.5 hours away and if I don't fit in it straight away, it's a bit of a trek just to kick the tyres... although as a passenger you can enjoy it just as much Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FILFAN Posted October 22, 2013 Share Posted October 22, 2013 once carbs are set up proparly they require very little maintenance and should be good for years the fact thats in a westfield is no different to the engine been a mk2 escort. while efi is simpler in theory when something does go wrong it can be a complete pain in the bum to find the problem. there should me nothing really putting you off a good car with carbs especially if running electronic ignition 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
graham b Posted October 22, 2013 Share Posted October 22, 2013 just a thought its on bike carbs ...so not much prob and has MBE ignition...perfect goes very, very well http://forum.wscc.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic/103928-1996-seiw-20-redtop-for-sale/ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Dastardly Posted October 22, 2013 Share Posted October 22, 2013 I'm about the same size as you. For a start you want a lowered floor, which is common, if not standard, on newer cars. Unfortunately you budget points more towards a few years old, however lowered floors can be retro fitted. Type of seat makes a big difference too. The more modern sport turbo seat gives more room than the traditional seat. Shell type seats probably give more room yet, but I've no experience of them. I'm sure removing runners can add a bit too. Finally, I spaced my steering column down at the front and up at the rear for more room. This can easily be done but will mean altering the hole in the dash. Really finally, I found changing to a smaller steering wheel and moving it about 5 inches closer to me made a huge difference to comfort and control. The bad news is most of these changes require a bit of cash as well as time. How much is variable though. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark (smokey mow) Posted October 22, 2013 Share Posted October 22, 2013 I've seen this: http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/westfield/all-models/westfield-seiw-1-6-sigma/1667569# which fits quite the bill, but I'm not sure about my size constraints... is there anyone here who could advice if pedal boxes are always able to be moved backwards? that car has floor mounted pedals. With that arrangement the pedal mounts are welded to the chassis rails so aren't moveable, other than with the adjustment in the master cylinder pushrods. With top mount pedals the pedal box is a separate assembly which can be moved back and forward to a small degree. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quinten Posted October 22, 2013 Author Share Posted October 22, 2013 Thanks for the replies guys, I'm still getting to grips with all the mechanics and with conflicting advice it is not made any easier once carbs are set up proparly they require very little maintenance and should be good for years the fact thats in a westfield is no different to the engine been a mk2 escort. while efi is simpler in theory when something does go wrong it can be a complete pain in the bum to find the problem. there should me nothing really putting you off a good car with carbs especially if running electronic ignition It was really the advice from a friend with a Westie to avoid carbs. The problem is that as I will be using the car as my daily (well, as much as I possibly can) driver I just need the car to run and run. Maintenance should be just confined to the 'normal' car maintenance routines like oil changes/ etc. A tuning session every X miles or Y months is not something I look for in my next car. just a thought its on bike carbs ...so not much prob and has MBE ignition...perfect goes very, very well http://forum.wscc.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic/103928-1996-seiw-20-redtop-for-sale/ Thanks Graham, I will be the first to admit not knowing my bike carbs from my car carbs, so I will take your word for it that they are less troublesome. I don't know the significance of an MBE ignition vs anything else (other than that it is electronic) so I would have to investigate that first. I'm about the same size as you. For a start you want a lowered floor, which is common, if not standard, on newer cars. Unfortunately you budget points more towards a few years old, however lowered floors can be retro fitted. Type of seat makes a big difference too. The more modern sport turbo seat gives more room than the traditional seat. Shell type seats probably give more room yet, but I've no experience of them. I'm sure removing runners can add a bit too. Finally, I spaced my steering column down at the front and up at the rear for more room. This can easily be done but will mean altering the hole in the dash. Really finally, I found changing to a smaller steering wheel and moving it about 5 inches closer to me made a huge difference to comfort and control. The bad news is most of these changes require a bit of cash as well as time. How much is variable though. I've heard and read about the lowered floors, but I have yet to see one being advertised, not in our out of my budget. Do you know who retro-fits these? I don't mind modifying a car to suit me, as long as I can budget for it that car has floor mounted pedals. With that arrangement the pedal mounts are welded to the chassis rails so aren't moveable, other than with the adjustment in the master cylinder pushrods. With top mount pedals the pedal box is a separate assembly which can be moved back and forward to a small degree. Thanks! This means that if I ask the guy to measure from the back of the cabin (how do you call the bit that the seat rests against at the back?) to the pedals I should be able to (roughly) determine if I could make it all fit? Or am I not thinking this through? Q. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexander72 Posted October 22, 2013 Share Posted October 22, 2013 q, I would sit in one mate at a local meet - best way to see what fits- I have big feet and am quite tall and it's snug :-) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexander72 Posted October 22, 2013 Share Posted October 22, 2013 q, I would sit in one mate at a local meet - best way to see what fits- I have big feet and am quite tall and it's snug :-) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quinten Posted October 22, 2013 Author Share Posted October 22, 2013 q, I would sit in one mate at a local meet - best way to see what fits- I have big feet and am quite tall and it's snug :-) That's exactly what I am hoping for at the NMS rolling road session on Sunday... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark (smokey mow) Posted October 22, 2013 Share Posted October 22, 2013 See what works for you I know some taller drivers prefer the top mounted pedals, while others prefer floor mounted. Likewise dropped floors will seat you differently to a flat floor. As James said, try a few and see what's comfortable for you 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SootySport Posted October 22, 2013 Share Posted October 22, 2013 The last owner of my car was 6'3" slim and fitted in my car with the Westfield race seat and no dropped floor. Another 2' as you are and some mods mentioned in previous posts will fit you in. It will depend on your ratio of body to leg length on which mods you need to do. I do like the comment that you don't want to frequently tune the carbs, a Westfield is usually bought because the owners like to tune, fiddle, tweak and modify their pride and joy, some actually drive it now and again 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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