Chasmon Posted May 12, 2005 Share Posted May 12, 2005 Hello all, Put down a deposit on a SEi starter kit last Friday and now have the following 6 weeks to start to acquire the parts needed! Due to limited funds I am going to try to source as much as possible from second hand. Anyone else done this? I have a couple of questions (more will come I'm sure). Engine choice...I don't want to have to do too much work to the engine (funds v.limited) so ideally want something fairly powerful as stock. Any recommendations for/against 2.0 Zetec or the Vauxall unit which is an Ecotec is it not? What model of polo radiator is suitable for the standard nose? Anyone with kit that I'm going to need that they want to sell give me a shout! Cheers all C Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stubbow Posted May 12, 2005 Share Posted May 12, 2005 hi chasmon Dont know a lot about car engined westy's as mine has a blade engine But from what ive read on here i rekon the vaukhall engine is your best bet, try and get a non ecotec as these have more power and are more tunable. they have about 150bhp as standard and are a lot cheaper to buy than a zetec.Track and race car mag have a feature on it this month. as for the polo rad there is one on ebay at the moment look here I think ebay could be a good bet for most parts!! I'll leave it for someone else to remind you to join th club Danny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chasmon Posted May 12, 2005 Author Share Posted May 12, 2005 Now where that cheque book.....? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crash Override Posted May 13, 2005 Share Posted May 13, 2005 Hi Charles, Where about are you in Gloucestershire? If you want to turn up at our meet there should be plenty of Westys (fingers crossed for good weather) with various engine types for you to look at and ask the guys about. Our Chelt/Glos area meet is on the 26th of this month (7pm) at the Highwayman Pub which is located just of the A417 out side Cheltenham on the way to Cirencester. You can't miss it, it has a yellow stage coach in the car park. Coming from cheltenham direction as you join the dual track you'll go for approx 1.5 miles and take the first slip road signposted Elkstone, follow road round under dual track and turn left, head up to pub 500 yrds. Coming from Cirencester keep your eyes peeled and when you see the stage coach on your left, take the imediate slip road just past the pub, turn left into pub car park. Hope this might be of help to you, and maybe see you there. Malc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bazzer Posted May 13, 2005 Share Posted May 13, 2005 For a quick car on the cheap its got to be a MegaBlade surely ? Bazzer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chasmon Posted May 13, 2005 Author Share Posted May 13, 2005 Blade Eh? I would like to use the car for every day use weather permitting and also for some touring further afield. Are they reliable and what is the mpg liek compared to a car version? Do you get enough low down torque to not have to rev the proverbial nuts of the thing? Rough cost of a blade engine? Too many questions? Reagrding the meet outside cheltenham - I am the other side of Stroud so not far away at all, I'd like to come along and kick some tyres if thats cool Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adhawkins Posted May 13, 2005 Share Posted May 13, 2005 Reagrding the meet outside cheltenham - I am the other side of Stroud so not far away at all, I'd like to come along and kick some tyres if thats cool That's our local meet, last Thursday of the month. If the weather's good, you should get good selection of car and bike engined cars. I'm sure you'd be made more than welcome. It's just North of Cirencester off the A417 (Highwayman in Elkstone). Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilwillis Posted May 13, 2005 Share Posted May 13, 2005 If you have put down the deposit, doesn't that mean you have specified which chassis type you'll be getting? Also, since when was a VX engine cheaper to install than a Zetec? For out and out tunability, Duratec is the way to go, if you want a standard road car, with a little track fun thrown in, a Zetec and MT75 (the type 9 is the current choice for flexibility assuming you want non-standard ratios in the future) is the way to go because it will require the least specialist parts to fit. If you want to have an engine that is cheaper to tune than the Zetec, and not as light as the Duratec, then the VX would be the obvious choice. I would personally choose a Duratec and a sequential box based on the MT75 casing if I was to build one again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Lloyd Posted May 13, 2005 Share Posted May 13, 2005 The Zetec installation has got to be one of the most common, and hence parts are relatively cheap, you can use standard mt75 bellhousing which will save some cash aswell. Lots of potential for future tuning too. I bought a salvage mondeo, which was still drivable, thus I know the engine is a good 'un. After breaking the car for spares I ended up with a free engine and a small profit. There is a lot of extra work in doing it this way but if your budget is Very tight it could be worth considering. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilwillis Posted May 13, 2005 Share Posted May 13, 2005 First of all, welcome to the club. Which chassis type have you specified? I'd suggest you start by deciding what you want to use the car for, and then make the decisions based on that. Principally for road use - a Zetec/MT75 is the best choice simply because the gearbox is better for the road (gear change is more refined in this box than the Type 9, but it is severely limited in the choice of ratios available at present) The engine is readily available, and because it is the most common installation, it will cost less than a VX. Track days/sprinting/racing - Duratec and Type 9. The VX is also an excellent engine, but given the choice between that, and the Duratec, there is no contest as to which will give more bang for the buck. Perhaps the best way to get an idea of which would suit your needs best, get along to one of the local meets, and have a look at the cars there. I am certain the owners will be more than happy to discuss the pros and cons with you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adhawkins Posted May 13, 2005 Share Posted May 13, 2005 Perhaps the best way to get an idea of which would suit your needs best, get along to one of the local meets, and have a look at the cars there. I am certain the owners will be more than happy to discuss the pros and cons with you. We've already been there Neil Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilwillis Posted May 13, 2005 Share Posted May 13, 2005 Missed that bit, oh well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adhawkins Posted May 13, 2005 Share Posted May 13, 2005 That's Ok, I did too (my post pretty much duplicates all that Malcolm said) Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark.anson Posted May 13, 2005 Share Posted May 13, 2005 If you have put down the deposit, doesn't that mean you have specified which chassis type you'll be getting? Also, since when was a VX engine cheaper to install than a Zetec? Westfield only do a one chassis fits all now if your having an independant car! I have a VX installation and very happy I went that route, BUT I agree with Neil, if you are on a budget, I would go for a Zetec or Duratec installation if you can. You will save a fair bit of money if you are patient and buy second hand stuff from the parts for sale section on here. Most stuff you need comes up for sale eventually. Good luck Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike-SEiW Posted May 13, 2005 Share Posted May 13, 2005 I think engine choice must be decided on by the total cost of the engine, including whatever is necessary to run it (carbs or injection and can standard injection be used?). For all engines the sump needs looking at (£250?? for Zetec and VX steel cheapo ones for £125). The Zetec I think it is possible to run the whole Ford injection system so it could be had for less than the cost of carbs and manifold (also more elegant/modern solution and gives better mileage). VX engine requires custom bellhousing (add £165) to mate to the Type 9 and either carbs (£500-600?) or custom intake and aftermarket injection (add around £1000??) I got my VX engine for £200 and use the standard intake manifold with standard injection and only added a modified steel sump for £125 so total engine cost incl bellhousing is about £500. Reliability is excellent (unmodified harness) and driveability great. However in a RHD car that can't be done but I'm a happy camper since I have a LHD. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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