felters Posted November 18, 2004 Posted November 18, 2004 Got a chum who fancies a V8... primarily for track days and yes - he has seen the ad for the Flymo. Family commitments at weekends mean that he is unlikely to race/sprint. But apart from all the usual attributes you'd look for in a Westy - what are the key factors in a V8? Best 'box, diff, etc. My other question is around noise... what needs to be done to ensure access to Castle Combe - or even Goodwood? BTW does anybody know the car currently on PH? PM me might be best... http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/detail.asp?i=30353&s=107 Many thanks Cheers Mike Quote
Blatman Posted November 18, 2004 Posted November 18, 2004 The Flymo isn't road legal. Also, it has *massively* wide wide track on the front, and the rear is non standard too. Unless you're friend wants to spend some money, the Flymo would not suit his intended purpose at all... As for what to look for in a nornal V8, for me, the only thing to have that would be a deal clincher in an otherwise "normal" V8 is the addition of the Ford/Cosworth T5 gearbox, in place of the Rover gearboxes... Quote
Al Yupright Posted November 18, 2004 Posted November 18, 2004 In my observations, the V8s are probably the worst of the Westfields for trackdays. Great for cruising to LeMans, or the odd european trip to Spa/Nurburgring. But if you want to be wizzing round circuits like Anglesey, Llandow, Cadwell, Brands, then I suspect any of the other engine variants would be better! Quote
chrisbin Posted November 18, 2004 Posted November 18, 2004 Yep, T5 'box is reckoned to be best in V8 circles. Quote
Buzz Billsberry Posted November 18, 2004 Posted November 18, 2004 Now then Felters hope you're ok?...Ref the car for sale for me its a lot of money for what is a 12 yeard old chassis.The cost of the upgrade/performance increase is probably where the price increase is. that sort of set up will see around 240/250bhp. The car looks clean plus find out if its the LT77or R380 Gearbox but a T5 is the best The R380 are the latest type and are stronger. If you go have a look at it and check the chassis round the diff mountings top and bottom and look for gracks and splitting.Check all the chassis bracing at the welds at the front well generally all over. Regarding noise mines on EFi (low induction noise for a start) it has under slung exhausts which are far quieter than the outriggers on most westfields Any see any thing from as low as 94 to 97 dB my xe was around 99-100dB I don't what sort of dB the outrigger type are like on the car in the picture. When I was looking for my V8 I saw alot and a few of them were old cars. I was amazed at what state some of the chassis where in.Don't for get V8's offer a lot of torque even in untuned configuration so the chassis takes a bit of rodgering. Happy hunting. Buzz Quote
Buzz Billsberry Posted November 18, 2004 Posted November 18, 2004 In my observations, the V8s are probably the worst of the Westfields for trackdays. Nice one Al you've opened a can of worms There I own both V8 EFi and a 2.0 16XE (Red Car in avatar)The V8 is ****e round the twisty short circuits but I have found at places like Cadwell,Croft,Oulton Park and Donny to be really good for the car I prefer it to the XE My V8 is a road car and as you say is GREAT for road work, its a proper GT. For track work its ok but very enjoyable. The XE would wip the pants of it thro' the slow stuff but not really as enjoyable as the V8 for over all entertainment. Its all subjective stuff its like anything else it what motivates the individual. I would never go back to a noisy 4 pot for a road Westfield again especially after my trip to Le-Mans... a walk in the park!! and an average of 30mpg fantastic Buzz Quote
Al Yupright Posted November 18, 2004 Posted November 18, 2004 Yup! I'm not saying the V8 is a bad car, or anything like that. Just that a 4pot is probably a better bet if it is a predominantly track car, or if you've got your eyes on the tighter circuits. (This is more from a revs, thrashingness, maintainability, cooling point of view than a handling point of view. No reason why a V8 cant handle as well as a heavy 4pot) I guess Felters mate is seduced by the V8 rumble, yet wants a track car. Quote
chrisbin Posted November 18, 2004 Posted November 18, 2004 I guess Felters mate is seduced by the V8 rumble, I can understand that.......... Quote
Buzz Billsberry Posted November 18, 2004 Posted November 18, 2004 Yup! I'm not saying the V8 is a bad car, or anything like that. Just that a 4pot is probably a better bet if it is a predominantly track car, or if you've got your eyes on the tighter circuits. (This is more from a revs, thrashingness, maintainability, cooling point of view than a handling point of view. No reason why a V8 cant handle as well as a heavy 4pot) Agreed with in reason Al...and the reason was Mr Minshaws 650Kg V8 winning Group B for standard road cars over 1700cc in the SS last year and against some serious 4 pots with big power; who have moved into Class H & F this year. Plus there's the Duke of Westfield's 400Bhp V8 which has won the SS out right on a number of occasions and is now for sale! Generally I know what you are saying if its gonna be a full track car then a 4pot would be better.Mind you on saying that The project I'm looking to build next year for 2006 does involve a V8 and not in a 7's style car purely for trace and compo use?!?!?!?!? Buzz Quote
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