Newbie! Looking at buying my first westfield?

[BLiNK Motorsport]

Both the Vauxhall and a Ford Zetec are excellent engines for the power you are after.

 

The Duratec isn't much lighter than the other engines at all - it is approx 10Kg's lighter than the 2.0ltr Zetec but you will pay a big premium for the Duratec Engine.

 

The Vauxhall is a better engine than the Zetec but finding a good conditioned used one is getting harder!

 

The Zetec is nothing outstanding design wise but can give over 200hp for the same money as the Duratec; if you are after 250+ HP then the Duratec is the best option but it will be expensive! The Zetec is as tough as old boots and considering they were fitted to thousands of rep mobiles finding a good condition one is easy - the power comes from the cylinder head so if your Zetec develops a short motor problem just swap it with one from a scrap yard and put the good cylinder head back on it and you are good to go!

 

Personally I would go with the Vauxhall or Zetec - these will give ample power and be cheaper than the Duratec allowing/hoping that a Zetec Powered car costing the same as a Duratec powered car will have better suspension/brakes/condition/build quality.

 

In respect to your question on Westfield Vs Caterham I would very strongly advise that you drive both before making a decision; a Westfield spec may look superior on paper but it doesn't mean it will be quicker than a lower spec Caterham. The K Series is an outstanding engine that is very tune-able and extremely lightweight; contrary to popular belief it is also extremely reliable sub 200HP. 

 

New prices for Westfield and Caterham are actually quite similar & since the residuals of the Caterham are higher it offers better value for money; this is not so true on the second hand market - you will pay more for the Caterham and although it will hold its value so will the Westfield when it reaches a certain level.

 

Do not consider them the same car just because they are similar in looks; they do drive differently and their 'on paper spec' can not be compared IMO!

 

HTH

[alexander72]

Morning Mitch,  I was exactly where you are now 4 years ago with a budget to spend and a desire to have a road legal competition ready westfield. 

 

I looked at many laid up caterhams and westfields that were often bodged together, rotting, on old tyres and just rough as my budget was only £4,000 at that point.

 

I waited for coming up 3 years by which time I had increased my budget to £6,000 and the options became much better.

 

I ended up with MArtin Parkes cross-flow powered SE (narrow) on AO48 rubber,

 

Im 6 foot and a bit and 16 stone and fit in my narrow just!!

 

if you can make it up to the sywell meet i will bring my car and you can see how it fits mate.  There may not be many cars out at the moment but there will be many keen owners happy to talk.

 

All the best

 

James

[Speed Freak]

Yove had some good info here. The only thing I would say is that the duratec block is 18kgs lighter than the zetec- depending on how important weight is to you, its something to consider- if youre looking for an engine that will easily create you 200hp at better prices, then the zetec is absolutely great- if you feel that in a couple of years youll want more power- then I would go down the duratec route now, (or s2000 )  as 250hp out of a duratec is considerably easier to achieve than a zetec.

[peet]

How much lighter than a Pinto is the Duratec, it's the last on my upgraditis list in around ooh 5 years time... might as well enjoy the Pinto for a good few years first!

[mitchbbs]

I think I will stick to the Red top or the Ford Zectec. I have a budget of about 6000-8000 but have been in contact with MW1 (Mark) who has offered me his 2009 redtop Westfield G986TVO for just under £11000. Anyone know of his Westie? It looks gorgeous but I am not yet up to scratch with the prices etc. I wouldn't want to loose lots of money on one. They vary so much.

I would like one that has been set up and had the money spent on so I can just play

I am attending the Northampton meet this Monday to try and gather some more information and extend my knowledge on the Westfield scene. Really would like to purchase on before the money gets spent on something else.

[mitchbbs]

Also alexander 72 that would be brilliant if it wasn't to much trouble for you. I will definitely be attending this Monday

[SootySport]

If you are going for an £11k car then make sure  the spec suits you to a tee. You don't want to spend more money buying new seats etc. to make it fit you. I have no idea  what this cars spec is but if it is a club member they are always honest in the description and happy to give an extended demo run or hopefully let you drive it.

[alexander72]

Mitch,

 

No problem.  I live 3 miles from sywell so will happily bring my car along for you to have a sit in and a run out for a bit if you fancy it and if the conditions allow.

 

The thing with a narrow is the fact that it's quite narrow he types stating the bleedin obvious!  I know that if i put any more weight on my hips I will struggle to get in it.  My car is quite "old school" and deliberately so...  I like the fact that it is a cross-flow and sounds lovely. It has plenty of power for my limited driving ability but it has done 5,000 miles this year and taken me to 3rd in the Novice Class of the Speed Series!

 

Can anyone else bring a wide along if it's dry?

 

Either way it will be nice to meet you and have a chat about what you need on your wish list - every westy is unique so getting the blend right will take some having a look. 

 

There are some much nicer cars than mine at the Beds Herts and Bucks meet as well if you can get there.

[Barwik]

I've just bought my first westy , Wish I lived closer and I'd bring it along , it to is a crossflow but a wide body one ( I'm 6" 1 - 15 stone and fit fine-ish ) fat git I am (( well I rekon I fit fine )) .

Its great  !!! ... but just to give you summet to compare mine started with a £4 so obviously nowhere near the £10k + budgets that people talk about but I think it was cheap .

I also think its a great entry level westy , I know I will have a great time next year , might not quite be able to keep up with the rest but plenty of money left to upgrade if I feel the need .

Great time to buy though , or that's what I rekon , happy hunting .

[Arthur]

Hi Mitch

I've just bought my first Westfield. Got a beautiful SEiW with 1800 Zetec. Built in 2000 by the factory. Cost me £8.5k. Looked at quite a few before deciding, go out and try a few.

Best of luck and see you on the road soon.

[fatbaldbloke]

I'll probably be along on Monday but in the tintop, it's not the weather for the 'busa!  Look forward to meeting you.

[mitchbbs]

Thanks Alexander that would be brilliant. Much appreciated. Look forward to meeting you guys Monday. I would like to look at some and get a feel for different ones before making a decision.

It's not a cheap toy

[Andy Banks]

Something to consider whilst you are looking, and look and try before you buy you must, is a visit to Stoneleigh Kit Car Show in May. Yep it's quite away away, however there will be many hundreds of Westfields over the two days with many for sale plus you have the members/owners in attendance to help you decide.

 

As said before, get the car you really want but buy with your head first, not your heart

[dhutch]

 

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

 That and if they are mated to a getrag box, the boxes are very hard to get hold off and converting to a type 9 needs a costly aftermarket bellhousing and a slive of work.

Otherwise, get to a meet, read past threads, get something bought!

Im 6ft two and have a narrowbody, but the previous owner did do some work on making himself (also tall) fit and it is a bit silly in places, mainly on the height in terms of looking through the screen not the top of the frame, unless you have a dropped floor which dont and oftne means raising the whole car. I dont know how much better an widebody is here?

Daniel

[Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman]

The bell housings are at the cheaper end of the aftermarket scale, and come up second hand reasonably often - it's been a hugely popular conversion, the XE to Type 9. As a result all the bits to do it are reasonably readily available. Not sure where the "complicated" bit comes in?

 

(The Ford engine options are great too, just puzzled why everyone seems to have suddenly started saying such odd things about the XE?)