Jono racing Posted May 25, 2015 Share Posted May 25, 2015 Hi everyone, I've decided that I want to be a Westie owner and would really appreciate your advice and guidance. Very impressed with the friendlyness and have spent many hours reading your forum. I'm looking for something with a reasonable build quality and I plan to use the car for a combination of road & competition. I'm pretty competant mechanically, but don't really want to go down the new build route. I know from experience that buying something that is ready to roll and then improving it to suit myself can work out cheaper and less work than to start from scratch. My budget is only around 6 to 8 k, realistically, which I know is at the low end of the scale. I don't really want to go crossflow or pinto (they seem to be the majority of cheaper cars) I know how good the Zetec and GM 16 valve engines are, but I used to own a mark 1 MR2 with the fab little 4age engine, and know that would cool too. I'm a biker, and would love to go down the megablade (or similar route), and I guess the principle advantage over a red / black / silver top engine is their low weight ? But of course I am aware of the problems with oil surge and no reverse gear. I know that many bike engine cars have reverse in the diff. Are they okay? I must have reverse, because of where I live. I wouldn't rule out buying a part finished build, but don't know how much they are worth compared to a finished car? Plus the hassle of getting it through IVA. I seen this on Ebay - 271874390238, seems like a lot of money to me, what do you think? Also not a fan of the CVH engine. Maybe I'm wrong, but in the Escorts and stuff I've driven, my impression has been a little rattly and short of breath? To stand a half decent chance of doing okay in competition how much power should I be looking to achieve. 150 bhp perhaps? Anyway, I hope I haven't bored you too much and look forward to your advice. Many thanks Jono p.s. I'm in Lincolnshire 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Williams (Panda) - Joint Manchester AO Posted May 25, 2015 Share Posted May 25, 2015 Welcome Jono, It really depends on the class that you wish to compete at and also the events. Westfield Speed Series classes are up-to 1801 and then above; so i have chosen to be in the lower class of 1.8. Although on the day many events are up-to 1601 and then above. So on the day I'm the smallest of the big fish; but the inter rivalry of similar cars is brilliant. my 1.8 zetec is 155bhp and looking at getting it to 170ish with ported polished and upgraded cam. But what i can tell you is they are great fun.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XTR2Turbo Posted May 25, 2015 Share Posted May 25, 2015 If looking to compete, you wouldn't go far wrong with Woodman's car assuming you can fit in a narrow David 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lyonspride Posted May 25, 2015 Share Posted May 25, 2015 I seen this on Ebay - 271874390238, seems like a lot of money to me, what do you think? Also not a fan of the CVH engine. Maybe I'm wrong, but in the Escorts and stuff I've driven, my impression has been a little rattly and short of breath? There's actually not a massive amount wrong with the CVH, the major problem is the hydraulic lifters, which work perfectly fine until some plank pours in the wrong grade engine oil. They were exceptionally picky over what oil you used. Bare in mind the engine was used during an era where every boy racer under the sun had a fast ford and was adamant that the only engine oil to use was Mobil 1 0w5 (or whatever). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman Posted May 25, 2015 Share Posted May 25, 2015 Welcome! First off, as you mention competition, I'd check the regs for whatever type of competition you fancy taking part in; they may limit the selection of vehicles that are acceptable. Or they may have certain requirements - it's much easier to start with a car that is "OK", or close to it, than to do all the development work yourself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman Posted May 25, 2015 Share Posted May 25, 2015 Bare in mind the engine was used during an era where every boy racer under the sun had a fast ford and was adamant that the only engine oil to use was Mobil 1 0w5 (or whatever). Ah Mobil 1; the power off advertising never fails to amaze me... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexander72 Posted May 25, 2015 Share Posted May 25, 2015 I would buy woodman car or mine - class winning x-flow within budget :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SootySport Posted May 26, 2015 Share Posted May 26, 2015 Buying a cheaper car and making it my own was what I did and glad it's worked for me so no reason why you can't. As said above , decide what race series you want to compete in and then find a car to fit. More modern engines will of course produce more power per cc. and are lighter, a big factor in a light car. I think there are one or two rolling chassis about for sale, so how about a mating one them up with an Ecoboost engine, it's the future I am told. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jono racing Posted May 29, 2015 Author Share Posted May 29, 2015 (edited) Thanks for your replies. I would very much like to have a go at the WSCC Speed Series. Having spent some time looking at ads, I've seen this on one Ebay; 111679742613 Does anyone know this car? Certainly sounds as it will fit my bill and it's the sort of money I wish to spend. Thanks Jono Edited May 29, 2015 by Jono racing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Williams (Panda) - Joint Manchester AO Posted May 29, 2015 Share Posted May 29, 2015 that came up as "BEAUTIFUL CAITHNESS GLASS VASE DEPICTING ROMEO AND JULIET" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6carjon Posted May 29, 2015 Share Posted May 29, 2015 Hi jono Your first link works but the second one shows a winning bid for 2.25 for some glass ware. Maybe not what you intended ? First one is very old and would probably take a lot of fiddly work to make it pass the I.v.a. better with a built one and improve it ? At least you can drive it get the feel and then improve next season with experience. I didn't build mine as I would have hated it before it was finished but enjoy improving it and learning as I go. As its not daily car if I get stuck it can wait till next day..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jono racing Posted May 29, 2015 Author Share Posted May 29, 2015 Sorry John, Please try again - I guess that a Shakesperian Glass Vase isn't quite what you were expecting! I've edited the number Apologies J Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jono racing Posted May 29, 2015 Author Share Posted May 29, 2015 Took two attempts, but think I'm there this time... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Williams (Panda) - Joint Manchester AO Posted May 29, 2015 Share Posted May 29, 2015 yeap the links work! i'll wait for the tech bods to give their opinions! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jono racing Posted May 29, 2015 Author Share Posted May 29, 2015 Yes carjon, that's my plan. I decided that I am going to invest in something useable straight away. Of course the trouble is most of them are miles away, which is a a time consuming and expensive pain. Wish I could have made Stoneleigh, but we had a CRMC meet that weekend. It'll be fun I'm sure J Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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