Going to the Factory next week....

[CarbonWest - Chris Broster - Bristol & Bath AO]

12 hours ago, MikeJG said:

Any spec advice thoughts?

Welcome and enjoy the journey...

 

Sign up for FULL WSCC membership as the £30 will be paid back time and time again through advice to prevent costly mistakes/purchases and also the discounts from various suppliers.

 

Also, there are plenty of us condemned souls that are afflicted with upgradeitis, so lots of parts for sale on this site - some only fitted for IVA and then removed - why pay for new?

 

 

[TAFKARM]

5 minutes ago, AdamR said:

Road tyres (not sticky stuff like 888s). No ARBs. Decent ride height and plenty of sump clearance. 'Soft' suspension. Decent alignment. Good ergonomics.

Home made brake pads, candles instead of lights, jumpers for goalposts, reflectors made from Kit Kat wrappers 

[IainCameron]

1 hour ago, RussH said:

Home made brake pads, candles instead of lights, jumpers for goalposts, reflectors made from Kit Kat wrappers 

 

1 hour ago, AdamR said:

Road tyres (not sticky stuff like 888s). No ARBs. Decent ride height and plenty of sump clearance. 'Soft' suspension. Decent alignment. Good ergonomics

 

They're all getting it wrong:  Decide on the colour.  Get an engine out of a field.  Randomly place an order for X spec, and find out 12 years later that you ordered Y spec.  Undo all the work from the last 12 years.  Join WSCC and rebuild your car properly with the online help of a great bunch of like-minded people, and find that after a further year, you owe loads of people a beer.

Welcome, Mike. I'm also just off a Shropshire B-Road, so I look forward to meeting you soon.

[shrops-paul]

14 hours ago, MikeJG said:

The kit photos have answered my question. Thank you Si. Bodywork stays at the factory.

 

The car will have a bit of road fun and a few track days. I am not going racing, only swapping lap times with a couple of mates; but neither will the missus ever get in it!

 

I live just next to a country B-road in Shropshire, so entertainment can be had 2 minutes after pulling out of the garage but the entertainment needs to start at sensible and legal speeds.

 

Any spec advice thoughts?

 

 

Im in shrewsbury if you need to look at anything. Although mines a ye olde SEiW. Welcome aboard though!

[Rhett Turner - Black Country AO]

One thing to remember it will never ever be finnished. 

there is really only pre IVA build and Post IVA upgrade.

 

Mine is maily road use with occasional track day. I started with the standard Zetec with original Ford Injections, I've since changed to throttle bodies and even added some hotter cams. Saying that I'm happy that I progressed in that way getting used to the power before adding more.

 

Good luck with the build and I'll probably see you about at somepoint

 

[Ewan]

Though not every change of grade is "up". On my car, the 5.2 lt. race engine has now been replaced for a 3.9 lt. more suited to the road. So a "down" grade, made for practical reasons. Though it begs the question, what kind of hooligan thought it would be a good idea to wedge a 5.2 lt. race-spec engine into a Westfield in the first place!?!

 

Jealous of your factory trip. That's something I'll have to do at some stage. Does the club  (or factory itself) ever arrange a "factory meet", maybe on a Sat morning?

[Nic Chase (NICO) - Shropshire & Mid-Wales AO]

Welcome on board Mike. 
I run a Duratec car used mainly on the road. 
Give me a call if you want to chat before signing on the dotted line. 
Shame we are in lockdown and not actually meeting up at the moment. 
 

Oh, as others have said, don’t forget to join the club. Best money you will spend on your new car. 

Nic

[MikeJG]

Just returned off the golf course to read all this stuff. Thank you.

I have further to report that I now have full approval to proceed though it has cost me a new handbag.

 

Still sounds like I can save the cost of the ARBs to compensate.

 

I am planning on the base Duratec engine for now with no extras until I understand what is missing from the experience and I am sure I will get a deluge of advice from here as to what way to extract more power if I can control what I start with. I don't think I have driven a road car without driver aids this millenium.

 

Still, I did have a Triumph Herald back as a student and I could catch the back end of that so this must be a breeze😁

[Mole]

I have a duratec seiw used mostly on track..no anti roll bars...and love it 

The duratec is great but I would also look at modern engines and see what else is about..you may come back to a duratec but consider all. Also if you are going looking for power later on maybe start with upgraded radiator which you may need if tracking with more power..

I have an aeroscreen so after experiencing flying stones near my forehead I wear a helmet on the road..this takes away a lot of fun driving experience of a summer's day trip to the pub.. so I think consider if 80 percent road then I would think about a screen.. which is also fine on track

Look carefully at wheels..13 or 15 inch.. buy from Westfield or others..same with tyres..

Brakes..upgraded or standard..

I am sure you will consider carefully before signing on the line..but best to get out and see some cars and chat with some owners to help you decide...

 

 

[jeff oakley]

24 minutes ago, MikeJG said:

Just returned off the golf course to read all this stuff. Thank you.

I have further to report that I now have full approval to proceed though it has cost me a new handbag.

 

Still sounds like I can save the cost of the ARBs to compensate.

 

I am planning on the base Duratec engine for now with no extras until I understand what is missing from the experience and I am sure I will get a deluge of advice from here as to what way to extract more power if I can control what I start with. I don't think I have driven a road car without driver aids this millenium.

 

Still, I did have a Triumph Herald back as a student and I could catch the back end of that so this must be a breeze😁

 My wifes handbags collection cost more than most cars. It is strange a carbon fiber exhaust from SBD and a stainless work of art exhaust manifold cost half the price of a bag to put gloves in

[Rhett Turner - Black Country AO]

I suspect if it’s the special edition it’ll be a Blacktop Zetec rather than a Duratec. Unless of course they are now offering a Duratec option

[Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman]

1 hour ago, Rhett - Joint Black Country AO said:

I suspect if it’s the special edition it’ll be a Blacktop Zetec rather than a Duratec. Unless of course they are now offering a Duratec option

I thought the Duratecs were discontinued a few years ago, if I’m honest. They were a great engine for a Westfield, it’s true, though didn’t seem to ever be quite as popular as the Zetecs.

[Alan Cutler (Adge) - Dorset AO]

Welcome to the “retirees build section” of the club 😉. Sure you’ll enjoy the experience.

I’m biased having built one, but have you thought of a Sport 250?  Uses a “modern” engine with more than ample power and torque from day one. You probably wouldn’t need to spend much on engine upgrades! It’s not a high revving engine though, depends what you want.

Just a left field thought!

 

[MikeJG]

Oddly. I looked again at the wace website and it does say Zetec but I believed Ford stopped making Zetecs in 2004, whereas Duratec is current. I am sure I will get an explanation..

The 250 is a step to far for me as a starter I think.

[Kingster]

14 minutes ago, MikeJG said:

Ford stopped making Zetecs in 2004,

Yes but they had a shed load of new and unused engines left over. These were (and still are) sold as “crate” engines. So despite being quite old they are still available and technically brand new. 
 

They are starting to get a bit thin on the ground in recent years though - so not sure how long the factory will be able to continue to supply them.