paul n Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 Hi all, new member here from Edinburgh, Have wanted a westy for a very very long time and finally bought a car through the power of ebay! I would never normally buy a car on e-bay but it was a impulse thing but after speaking to the owner I am reassured! he has had it for 6 years and has done alot of work to it but just doesn't have the time to drive it now! Reg is Q26 FDG would be interested to know if anybody knew any additional history of the car from it's original build? I can't seem to work out how to add photos directly to a thread? But I have created an album of the pics he gave me of the car if people want to have a look! The spec is 1992 SEIW 2.0 zetec raceline tuned 197bhp LSD 4 speed rocket box straight cut gear box Tillett carbon seat plus 6 point hardness Willwood front calipers, sierra rear carbon v8 bonnet and nose cone Carbon dash with digital read out. carbon Aeroscreen (but comes with spare windscreen which i may put back on!) What do people think? good car? any issues I need to be aware of? I am really a bit of a novice when it comes to mechanics so i will have to learn as i go! I am a little worried about having just a 4 speed box but I will probably wearing a helmet most of the time so that should cut down on the noise! I will use it for track days and local blasts in the Scottish borders mainly. maybe a autosolo or two and some hillclimbs maybe am ready looking forward to picking it and I have my first day track booked next Saturday the first of Nov at knock hill (lets hope it doesn't rain!) one thing I was going to ask, what would people recommend in term of a waterproof winter car cover? is it worth paying out £150 for a proper fitted version or will a £30 e bay job suffice! with a little luck I will be able to squeeze it down my steep drive into my garage but for the immediate future it will be outside on the drive. many thanks Paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Banks Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 Mine seems to have survived nicely outside for a number of years with a range of covers. Suprisingly, the Halfords All Weather Outdoor Small cover is the best of the rest. I've not tried anything more expensive, someone will be along to tell us, but I assume they will be a) much better quality and b) last more than 18mnts. Over winter, I tend to put a load of ACF50 on the metalwork after a good clean and polish. A couple of towles in the cockpit over the seats and some caravan/boat dehumidifier in there two. Then I put the Halfords cover on with an old broom handle to keep it sticking up in the air and finally a cheap plastic tarp to keep the very worst off. During the summer I just use the Halfords cover. Do you have many cats in the area? If so, some of those pelets to keep cats away would be useful for obvious reasons... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul n Posted October 22, 2014 Author Share Posted October 22, 2014 hey many thanks for this advice. I will get some of the ACF50 ordered up! One thing I was going to look at also was getting a soft bits tonneau for when I am out in the car and have it parked up or if I am driving it to have it half across http://www.softbitsshop.co.uk/westfield-seiw-tonneau-510-p.asp (are these recommended?) only minor issue is I think the previous owner has fitted in all the holes for the fitting studs as he never drove it if it looked even slightly wet so I would have to refit he mounting studs but that shouldn't be too hard hopefully! many thanks Paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pickmaster Andy Lowe Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rory's Dad Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 Please be careful in the first few days and weeks. 197 bhp is plenty in such a light car and planting you foot thoughtlessly on the loud pedal can have some undesirable consequences. Check tyre pressures are about 18psi too. Oh and a big from Yorkshire Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wagoneer Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 Hurrah! having waited a very long time for mine I know the excitement thing. Congratulations on your car. Welcome to the fun. Wag Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Banks Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 Please be careful in the first few days and weeks. 197 bhp is plenty in such a light car and planting you foot thoughtlessly on the loud pedal can have some undesirable consequences. Check tyre pressures are about 18psi too. Oh and a big from Yorkshire Good advice, especially as you'll be wanting to play as the weather gets a little cooler and the roads a little less grippy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul n Posted October 22, 2014 Author Share Posted October 22, 2014 Indeed I am very very aware that I need to tread carefully in the first few weeks! I am coming from a supercharged mx5 with 225bhp but the westy is half the weight of the MX5! gulp! I might also get some driving instruction at this first track day. tyres on it currently are 14 x 185 x 55 TOYO CR1 but they have been sitting for a bit so I may change then out for some fresh rubber for the wetter/ general driving conditions and then get a more dedicated set of track day tyres/wheels next summer! Recommendations for best general road tyres on a westy? I have found Conti premium contact 5 tyres for £42 each I had these on my work car and they are very good but don't know what they would be like on such a light weight car (work car is 1750kg!) Cheers Paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rory's Dad Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 I use Toyo TR1s. Not as grippy (in the dry) as 888s or R1Rs but more 'reliable' in the wet IMO. They do not pack up and go home and are wearing well. Under £50 each too whereas R888s are £120+. Can you tell I'm a Yorkshireman? (Like a Scotsman but without the generous streak ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clansman Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 Welcome to the mad house and hopefully a new member of Clan McWesty good to hear of another newbie north of the border Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Never Too Old Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 Welcome to the WSCC Paul - you will have loads of fun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SootySport Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 Paul from darn sarf! For all round weather tyres on the road Toyo R1R's are a big favourite on the Forum, however they are being outlawed by the EU so are getting hard to find. They are 'G' rated on the info label as they are softish and are deemed to use too much fuel. You'll be ok finding some 'F' rated tyres which are the next best thing. Plenty of recommendations if you check out the tyre threads. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matta Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 Welcome Paul - Glad you seem to have sorted out getting the car home. Looking forward to seeing it! Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Everall Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 Leave the aeroscreen and wear a helmet its much better. Strip any carpets out and drill drain holes in the corners of the ally floor pan about 8mm dia You could make a simple timber support frame to keep a good slope on the cover Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicks100 Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 Welcome! There are a few of us who visit KH for track days and will see you there some day! Take a look also at the Monklands Sporting car club (MSCC) who have a great hill climb venue at Forrestburn. This is a great forum and you will never be short of advice or answers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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