StuWhite Posted April 13, 2015 Share Posted April 13, 2015 Hi Everyone Newbie introduction - Stu from Southampton. Im after a couple of bits of general advice. I have wanted to build a Westfield for years and I think I am now in a position to be able to commit the time and money to make it happen. I am pretty daunted by the whole process to be honest, having very little mechanical knowledge (one of the resaons I want to build a car rather than buy one complete is to improve this). Im pretty practical and have a fairly good collection of tools which I will enjoy adding to, but my motor mechanic experience has been limited to changing brakes, fluids and filters on my everyday cars. I have joined WSCC to try to get as much information as possible before taking the plunge and have been quietly lurking watching the forums and build diaries for tips and information. The Mega S2000 kit is definitley the way I would like to go (unless ayone can tell me this is a bad idea?) and have been keeping an eye out for a suitbale engine and gearbox. Im reluctant to buy one from a breakers without being able to hear it run and prices really seem to be increasing since I first looked around a few years ago. I'm considering buying a cheapish S2000 to use through this summer for some weekend fun perhaps while i get started on the Westfield kit with a view to removing the engine and gearbox when the time comes. Id be interested to hear your thoughts on whether I'd be safe to buy a car with higher mileage - say 100 - 120K assuming the engine / gearbox are ok? The engine is the bit that I am particularly green about. I dont really know where to start - would i need to rebuild it assuming it was running OK or could I just clean it up, replace ancilliaries and drop it into the kit? I would be realy apprehensive about working on the engine myself and while I have mechanic friends who could help I think I would end up spending a fair bit of my budget for a professional to do this kind of work. One final point that I would really like some comfort with - I am a little apprehensive having kept an eye on the thread entitled "Broken Promises" about the financial position of Westfield Sportscars. Investing in a kit is going to be a major financial commitment for me and there are alarm bells ringing having read about what would appear to be serious cashflow issues at Westfield. Not only for the initial risk of paying a deposit and then the balance for a kit up front if the company was to get into serious difficulties during that window, but also because I know that I am going to need the suport of the factory for advice during the build. I know you have to take everything you read with a pinch of salt but I would be interested to hear other members opinions on this. Thanks very much Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rory's Dad Posted April 13, 2015 Share Posted April 13, 2015 First of all I'd pay for your kit with a credit card - gives you some security Whereabouts are you?? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy (Sycho) Posted April 13, 2015 Share Posted April 13, 2015 Hi Stu, You don't really need any mechanical experience as long as you have some practical skills. There a vast amount of knowledge on here so if there's anything you are not sure of just ask. As far as an s2000, I would say anything over 80000 miles would be to high but that's me. I went down the root of buying a Wright off & basically ended up with a free engine etc, there's a bit more work breaking it but it's worth it in my opinion. And all I did was clean/paint & service everything. As for the financial commitment, you take that risk with most things you buy, I know it's conserning reading that thread but you could always pay by credit card. Know it would cost more, but that would give you some security. Welcome Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CraigHew Posted April 13, 2015 Share Posted April 13, 2015 I think a few people have benefited from going down the "buying an S2000" route. just make sure you have the room to store the car whilst you're stripping the engine and gearbox out along with the potential of lots of boxes of kit parts. clearly better to hear/try an engine first although relatively speaking Honda engines are fairly robust units and we'll put together. I wouldn't worry too much about the factory situation, at least no more than any other small scale specialist company these days. I've had advice and parts from the factory in recent weeks with no issue. I've had more help and advice on this forum when I've asked for help too. the S2000 is IMHO the way to go.....! good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StuWhite Posted April 13, 2015 Author Share Posted April 13, 2015 Thanks guys for the welcome and advice. Think I will double check the insurance ts and cs on the Barclaycard and then give it a bashing to buy the kit... Somehow feels less like youre actually paying for it when you use the CC too! I am going to keep my options open when looking for the engine and box - depending on what comes up at the right price in the right condition. If a car comes up that I can use for a while that fits the bill, I will grab it otherwise, I will have to keep an eye on ebay / gumtree etc. Any tips on getting hold of a write off before the salvage yards want to get their mark up on it Andy? Where did you buy yours? Martin - Im in Hampshire near Southampton. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Kinder (Bagpuss) - Joint Peak District AO Posted April 13, 2015 Share Posted April 13, 2015 Hi Martin, I assume you're aware that you need a 2004 or earlier engine to ensure you get the throttle with a cable. Newer engines are drive by wire. I bought my engine from a breakers and was able to hear it running and carry out a compression test prior to purchase. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StuWhite Posted April 13, 2015 Author Share Posted April 13, 2015 Ian - Im Stu! Was bad grammar repying to Martin sorry!! Thats very helpful thanks - I have read about the clutch delay valve on the post 2004 cars etc. so was erring on the side of the earlier F20c but didnt realise the the newer engine was not an option for the westfield. Youve no doubt just saved me the WSCC membership fee 10 times over! Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rory's Dad Posted April 13, 2015 Share Posted April 13, 2015 Youve no doubt just saved me the WSCC membership fee 10 times over! That'll happen again many times over before you're on the road! Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Man On The Clapham Omnibus Posted April 13, 2015 Share Posted April 13, 2015 Timing chain tensioners are a problem with S2000s. They wear and become noisy in pretty short order. Other than that, and the cable throttle, the engine is a real peach. My son has a 53 plate one with quite high mileage as a daily driver and apart from rust in the rear arches it's fine. They do drink oil though, especially when the V-TEC is used a lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuart Posted April 13, 2015 Share Posted April 13, 2015 Stu - please do the homework yourself, but in simple terms section 75 covers you for any purchase made on any credit card above £100 but less than £30k. Even covers you for the whole lot even if you only pay the deposit (of above £100) by card. Often you will get charged say 1.5% loading for a big sum on the card, but you have the option of arguing no charge on, say, a £500 CC deposit then pay the rest by bank transfer thus avoiding any CC charge - without losing the section 75 cover. I bought a new motor off an internet broker this way couple of years ago (and got nearly 23% off list price!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkFRST Posted April 13, 2015 Share Posted April 13, 2015 Westfield charge a fee for credit card use, I think it was 3% - I'm fairly sure that if you just pay a deposit on CC and the rest another way and you have a problem then you can still claim the whole amount back. You'd have to check this out. Not sure if Westfield have any demonstrators at the moment but its worth going to the factory and having a poke round and a test drive. Take a bit of time getting the spec right otherwise you spend more money after buying better bits. You'll probably have to buy more tools - Engine hoist/leveller,(useful for lifting chassis and diff not just the engine installation ) selection of files, dremmel so cost this in too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stu Faulkner Posted April 13, 2015 Share Posted April 13, 2015 Dont worry about the Clutch delay valve, It shouldn't put you off getting a post 2004 engine if you have the tool (which i have made ) then its faily eay to alter. Send it to me and I'll do it (thats how easy it is) The prices of engines is going up and you do need a pre 05 ish one but Omex are about to do a throttle body kit that could be fitted to the newer engine and run on a cable rather that drive by wire. This is only in its infancy but give it a couple of months. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Colonial Posted April 13, 2015 Share Posted April 13, 2015 Westfield charge a fee for credit card use, I think it was 3% - I'm fairly sure that if you just pay a deposit on CC and the rest another way and you have a problem then you can still claim the whole amount back. You'd have to check this out. To be accurate, Westfield are passing on the 3% processing charge the credit card company levies on them. PayPal charges the club 4% even if you pay for your membership by debit card. The second part is correct - if you pay for any goods using a CC to pay the deposit and the rest in cash, you can get a refund for the full amount from the CC company if it all goes pear shaped. It's sensible to do that whoever you buy from - I do this when buying online, but then immediately make a CC payment and pay it off so I don't pay interest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy (Sycho) Posted April 13, 2015 Share Posted April 13, 2015 There are several salvage yards around the county, but Unfortunately they are all auction based & you need to be a member these days. I brought mine from Copart as I have a mate in the body work business who's a member. I took a bit of a gamble as I didn't veiw it as it was miles away, but they do tell you weather they start & drive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StuWhite Posted April 13, 2015 Author Share Posted April 13, 2015 Thank you all very much - sound advice all round. I will no doubt post lots more queries in the coming weeks and months. I'm going to try to head to Stoneleigh next month but will definitely get to the factory for a good look round and a run through specs etc. and hopefully a test drive. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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