Newbie! Looking at buying my first westfield?

[mitchbbs]

Afternoon Guys,

 

I have always wanted a Westfield, Caterham or a Dax rush and have decided that nows the time to buy one ready for the summer 2014. I do have a few questions to ask. I have decided on the westfield as i think its the best value for money between the three but would like to know the real big differences between the caterham and the westfield?

Also i am 6ft 2" and i am aware there is a narrow or wide option. Which would be suitable or the best in your opinions?

I am aware that the vauxhall red top or the ford durtec engines are the most popular in the westfield. What kind of price should i be looking to pay for a nice example with low miles. I preferably would like one thats already been modifed and running a good amount of BHP for maximum fun

 

Just after a general idea of what to expect from the westfield and would appricate any advice as i am new to this seen.

 

Thanks

 

Mitch

[Norman Verona]

Mitch, welcome to the club. 

 

As a Caterham owner I don't think there's much difference in the finished articles. It's at the build stage where the big difference are apparent. 

 

Most Caterham's will keep the engine they started out with. Also all the components are supplied by the factory and there is no need for a donor car.

 

Westfields often have engine type changes along with gearboxes. 

 

My advice is to go after a club members car which is as standard as you can get. Not that there's anything wrong with highly modified cars it's just that you may need mechanical skills to sort out issues. Also I would advise not to go for high powered cars as a first Westfield. You'll be delighted with a 150 bhp crossflow or Zetec. After a year or two you can always change up to a circa 200 bhp car.

 

Good luck with the search, don't rush, you'll know the right car for you when you find it.

[Wile E. Coyote]

At 6'2, I suspect a wide would be better.  I'm 6ft and fit fine in one.

Be aware that not all of them are built the same though and things like different seats, lowered floors, and steering wheel spacers can make two otherwise identical wides quite different when it comes to what they're like to sit in or drive.

 

Also I would advise not to go for high powered cars as a first Westfield. You'll be delighted with a 150 bhp crossflow or Zetec. After a year or two you can always change up to a circa 200 bhp car.

 

Just to counterbalance: the alternative view is "buy as much power as you can - your right foot need not be operating an on/off switch and it may delay the onset of upgradeitus".

 

Who's making the popcorn?

[Norman Verona]

I'm sure Mitch will make up his own mind.

 

I'll leave the popcorn to you

[pickmaster Andy Lowe]

I would suggest a wide as I'm a 5'7" 12 1/2 stone snug fit in my narrow

Try a few for size and go to your local meet you wont regret it

I bought a xflow with the intension of making it my own

Engine change

Gearbox change

LSD

The fun is endless :)

[Nick Algar - Competition Secretary]

Get along to your local club meeting and chat to people, go and look at cars as not many will be at meetings at this time of year. You will learn enough to make a much better decision.

[mitchbbs]

Cool. Thanks for the advice guys.

I live in Bedford so when and where would be my next local meet. Would definitely like to go along.

If any of you guys know or see any nice ones for sale could you let me know.

Thanks

[Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman]

Looks like you're about in the middle of the Herts, Beds, Bucks area and Northampton area.

 

Local meet info is here.

 

Herts, Beds & Bucks meet in Leighton Buzzard, and Northampton meet in Sywell.

[SootySport]

Hi Mitch,  Wide iswhat you need, they are more plentiful. Bedford has some top blokes technickly.   £6000+ is what you you need to buy a Redtop Vauxhall or Zetec powered car. If you are handy with the tools all the better you can add value and make it your own. 150bhp is standard from either of these 2 engines and in a light 600kilo car it will satisfy a first time Westfield driver. Be prepared to travel some distance to view cars, doubt there will be one round the corner from you.

[mitchbbs]

Yeah Sywell isnt far from me at all. I will go to the next meet that they have and hopefully will give me a better idea of what i am looking for.

 

Thanks for the advice ScootySport

[Speed Freak]

regarding power... (I'll tread carefully)

everybody is different- If youre 18 and not long passed your test, then 150hp is very likely to be more than enough for you.... If youre a car enthusiast, and have owned some nice fast road cars, then I beg to differ that 150hp is all you will need- I do believe that what ever power you have, you will have adjusted to it within a short space of time.....

I was warned that Over 200hp in a seven is totally unnecessary and not recommended for a newbie; but you don't have to have your foot down all the time

Im currently running an s2000 engined westy, and wouldn't want any less power in the future. (In fact Im looking into the idea of a supercharged version- although mainly for torque reasons)... Nevertheless, I come back to the point, that everyones different. Im sure around a tight track, that a well setup and light zetec etc with good gearbox ratios would be quicker than mine- but for road use and straight line speed, its a cracking engine, and is hellish fun!

 

Not wanting to be controversial, but its just my opinion... You don't have to be always "on it" to enjoy it. 

If you go for less power and want to upgrade at a latter stage its all possible, but comes at a price- I don't know what your budget is, but if large enough, get yourself a well sorted/setup westy 1st, and should funds warrant it, a decent engine too! if you've got 10-13k, a nice duratec on tbs would be a great start!  

[Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman]

One of the most expensive and fiddly upgrades on a Westfield, (barring some specific track/competition items), is usually (changing) the engine.

 

So I'd always recommend getting one with the engine I. It you ultimately would prefer. It'll be cheaper, long term.

 

One of the most potentially expensive things full stop, is engine tuning. So if you use the same logic, it's better to get one where all the expensive parts, labour and development cost has been sunk into the car.

 

As to the immortal question of "how much" power. It's a red herring, go by the feel of the whole car, not its pub figures. I've seen low power cars that feel fantastic to drive, where everything just clicks, and they feel sooo fast. And I've seen bhp monsters where everything fights against each other and 99% of the time they feel average, (with 1% blind terror that see's you use the car less and less, till it ends up in the garage all year).

 

Only you will be able to tell what feel of car you like though, which is one of the reasons you'll get lots of advice to see and try as many as you can. It's good advice and the only way you'll find out what works for you.

[mitchbbs]

Thanks for all your advice.

I know it's my first Westfield but the more power the better I have had lots of fast cars/bikes and am experienced with racing as well so think a 170-200bhp would be suitable and keep me smiling.

I have been looking at the Vauxhal red top engine as my choice of engine. Is this one of the better ones? Any advice for problems to look out for or be aware of?

[Speed Freak]

for the power bracket youre looking at, 2l duratec would be the dogs danglers- on tbs you have approx. 185hp- with scope to go "relatively cheaply" to 225hp- redtop is a cracking engine, but many have had issues with head gaskets, and coscast heads are few and far between...

duratec is a good current engine, and considerably lighter than its opponents.

 

did you mention a budget at all?

[Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman]

Do what! Redtop's don't have any particular head gasket weaknesses that I'm aware of. (No more than any other engine is at risk...)

 

Your getting confused with something called porosity. This is nothing to do with the head gasket and has been easily fixed for two decades now without having to look for an overpriced Coscast head. It's actually an oil way that can develop a fine crack into a water chamber. This is easily solved or prevented by sleeving  the waterway, or having the head resin impregnated. That said, the XE Redtop has been around sol long, most have either been treated or if it hasn't gone by now, your probably OK.

 

The XE is an extremely tough engine, the crank and block particularly. It is an older design that doesn't like to run as hot as modern engine run, but that's not a problem to sort out in a Westfield.

 

Biggest "problem" with the average XE is weepy crank seals. Not an engine killer, and fixable enough. But can be annoying!

 

It's a reasonably easy engine to tune - and really responds well. In an Astra they pulled around 150 bhp, but the limiting part was the standard induction and fuel injection. Ironically, the very parts that usually get thrown away when installed in a WF,MSA they don't fit easily. Even in otherwise standard trim, an XE with twin Webers or individual throttle body fuel injection will make around 175/185 plus bhp. Throw in a cam change and you'll easily pass 200.

 

Change the pistons to high compression Omega's etc (with deeper valve cut outs) and higher lift cams and a few other changes and shoot past 200 

 

Don't overlook the Ford Zetec engine though, it might be a bit more of a work horse motor, but it's been a very popular Westfield engine for many years. Again, it's tough as old boots, and while it's not regarded by many as having the ultimate tuning potential as Durabangs and XE's it'll easily go far enough for most peoples Westfield requirements.