tezcarp Posted May 28, 2014 Share Posted May 28, 2014 hi ,im new to the kit car world. i am hope to buy a westfield kit that needs finishing or maybe a rolling chase new. but need to know if i can fit automatic or semi auto gearbox to any of westfields cars. any help or advice would be most welcome thanks terry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Everall Posted May 28, 2014 Share Posted May 28, 2014 Welcome to the club can you say why you would want to fit such a gearbox? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dommo Posted May 28, 2014 Share Posted May 28, 2014 I don't see why the Mazda SDV couldn't be built with an auto donor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark (smokey mow) Posted May 28, 2014 Share Posted May 28, 2014 I don't see why the Mazda SDV couldn't be built with an auto donorThe Mazda's auto box is even more of a bulk than the manual offering particularly around the tail but I don't see why it couldn't possibly be fitted into the wider tunnel of the Seight chassis.Welcome to the forum Terry An auto box is an unusual choice, as changing gear adds to the pleasure of driving but that said I have seen a car in the past with an autobox where the owner was disabled. The very nature of kit cars means they're relatively easy to adapt, alter and change should you need to try and make something fit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman Posted May 28, 2014 Share Posted May 28, 2014 Yeas, last auto I saw was on a conversion of the car to hand controls. Think it was an old school Ford box, definitely only a three speeder. (Last saw it some time in the mid to late nineties). Seem to recall it was from a Capri and had a 3litre V6 Essex engine attached! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tezcarp Posted May 28, 2014 Author Share Posted May 28, 2014 hi,its terry thanks for your help the reason for auto is that is all im able drive was looking on westfield site and was thinking of buying the rolling chase and fitting either a 1.8 or 2.0 ltre zetec engine and auto gearbox would this possible do you think . once again thanks for your help and advice. I don't want to race I just want the pleasure of doing one with the help of my brother and of course with advice of the members of this forum. thanks again terry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexander72 Posted May 29, 2014 Share Posted May 29, 2014 Tez, my mate Dabbsy has a hand controlled manual gear box on an auto clutch system. I will see what it is and report back in due course :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GuitarmanUK Posted May 29, 2014 Share Posted May 29, 2014 I have seen an auto box fitted to a Robin Hood 2B, but this is a sightly bigger car with a bit more space in the tunnel (a lot heavier as well!). The owner got a lot of enjoyment out of the car and was still able to get the back end to step out on greasy roads! As mentioned above, I am sure it is possible to do with a Westfiled chassis, it is just unusual. If you were building from scratch, talk to Westfield, they may be able to adapt the chassis for you. If they can't, I am sure GBS would (just another option). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman Posted May 29, 2014 Share Posted May 29, 2014 There are a number of factory chassis options designed to accommodate different gearbox widths. Including wider boxes than the MT75. I'm not sure which has the wider tunnel, the Ford T5 gearbox chassis on the Rover LT77 'box chassis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tezcarp Posted May 29, 2014 Author Share Posted May 29, 2014 hi all thanks for your continued help, the idea of alexander72 mates set up really appeals to me and would be very thankfull for any info on this system . will also look in to visiting westfields site has I think its not far from me , I live in tamworth staffs . I would like to thank every one for all there help and hope to talk more in the future. I will be keeping an eye on the forum so any advice would be very welcome hope to solve this proplem and take the first steps towards getting this project underway soon. thanks very much to every one 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeff oakley Posted May 29, 2014 Share Posted May 29, 2014 Without wishing to pry, is the reason that you need an Auto due to disability or due to licence? If it is disability I would suggest that you make sure you can get in a Westfield and out okay. As James said, his friend has hand controls and is a wheel chair user so nothing is impossible. If it is a licence problem better to pass the full test and then you can get the full benefit. You could fit an auto but you might have to alter the tunnel somewhat to gain space. This would depend on the box as the Ford one from memory is a bit bulky, but as Chevy V8's have been fitted nothing is impossible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue ass fly Posted May 30, 2014 Share Posted May 30, 2014 Hi terry Ime in tamworth too theres a couple more of us in and around the area so you shouldnt be short of help and advice Anythings do able,how are your mechanical skills is the big question There will be fabrication involved,aswell as some ingenuity i would imagine as theres not many who have done it Cost also comes into it If you dont mind going through iva then an unfinished built will give you the opportunity to make it what you want Easy option would be to find one thats been on the road but needs love The mark 2 escorts were available in auto I would imagine the boxes would be available as everyones into making them RS clones Dont remember the tunnels being particularly wide - and its ford bell housing pattern You could mate it to a hot xflow as that was the engine fitted to them - so youde at least have a clue as to what parts are used ie starter,torque converter etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tezcarp Posted May 30, 2014 Author Share Posted May 30, 2014 hi , the reason for auto is licence so taking anew test is a option im considering has for mechanical skills limited at best but that's what younger brothers are for, he has restored a few motors and can weld very well, he just loves to tinker with motors and he has a unit to work on them. so should be ok on that side , just got to keep him sweet. to be honest I think he has up for it has I am even though is love is for milatary motors and traction engines, he is building a scale model traction engine in his spare time has well has putting the finishing touches to is landrover forward control . can any one surgest where to look for a part finished kit . is there any shows or meets open to the public in my local area that I could attend, I have only seen a few examples on the road and they were usally gone before I new what they were. thanks again for all help and advice given me a lot to think about. all the best tez Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SootySport Posted May 30, 2014 Share Posted May 30, 2014 To be honest, taking the manual test will be a whole lot easier and chaeper than building an Westfield auto. You'll then have the choice of many more cars that are for sale. Who knows, you might get into trackdays/sprints after a while with your new skills. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman Posted May 30, 2014 Share Posted May 30, 2014 To be honest, taking the manual test will be a whole lot easier and chaeper than building an Westfield auto. You'll then have the choice of many more cars that are for sale. Who knows, you might get into trackdays/sprints after a while with your new skills. This. Also, a point to consider, if you do go ahead with a build, you will probably end up with a car that's very difficult to sell. So I would tend try and ensure that it was as easily converted, back to a manual, as possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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