Paul Edden Posted August 31, 2011 Posted August 31, 2011 I started out (in 1999) with a wheezy 1.6 CVH engine in my westie - about 100bhp I think. This was more than enough for me to "learn" the car - as they are sooooo different to an everyday drive tintop. After three years ownership, I went for an upgradw to a 2L redtop VX - at about 175bhp. Total transformation of the car - and the excitement of driving it. (shed loads spent since then on the necessary suspension, brake and drivetrain upgrades to do the new engine justice) Personal view; 100bhp is more than enough for anyone who has never driven one of these types of car before - get used to it and the way it handles (which is unlike anything else on the road - except another 7 type car) - then start to upgrade it. This is the joy of owning a Westfield - you are never finished - and never satisfied! BTW - I would give my right arm for a 300+bhp engine - just for the fun of driving it. Quote
Kevin Jones Posted August 31, 2011 Posted August 31, 2011 As it happens I have just been comparing data logs at different boost levels. I was slightly surprised that at road legal speeds you could not tell the difference between low & high boost at all. Once aero kicks in then differences show and very quickly, but that's only usable on a track for me. This data was taken on hillclimb slicks with low boost being ~200bhp in a BEC. Quote
rocket_rabbit Posted August 31, 2011 Posted August 31, 2011 Well, I have read the entire of this thread and it is quite interesting. I have 250bhp availible and the car is rediculously tractable. It doesn't wheelspin at all. Do I want more power? Hmm, yes. Not at the moment because there are a couple of things I need to tune elswhere on the car. Do I need more power? No. At Blyton park I was battering pretty much every car there despite sliding round most corners enjoying myself And my total seat time in the car only comes to about an hour and a half, so I know I can find much more in the car if I need to. I think a 200bhp CEC/180bhp BEC would be the perfect balance of power, control and fun. Not to say that I don't love my car. On the road you can dispatch 47mph traffic like a bike. Quote
lippydave Posted August 31, 2011 Posted August 31, 2011 Bhp is mostly irrelevant, torque gets the job done... Having said that I can have fun in almost any car whatever the bhp..... On the appropriate bits of road just pretend yer a DTM driver and clip apexes, flatten curves, maximise corner speed and generally behave like a t*t...... Why, onnly this morning I won the Hockenheim rd of the WTC champ's in my diesel van on the way to work..... Yes, I am a 48 yr old child and proud of it... Quote
echoz Posted August 31, 2011 Posted August 31, 2011 Why, onnly this morning I won the Hockenheim rd of the WTC champ's in my diesel van on the way to work..... Yes, I am a 48 yr old child and proud of it... Pure class Quote
John Loudon - Sponsorship Liaison Posted August 31, 2011 Posted August 31, 2011 Why, onnly this morning I won the Hockenheim rd of the WTC champ's in my diesel van on the way to work..... No you didnt! I did Quote
lippydave Posted August 31, 2011 Posted August 31, 2011 Why, onnly this morning I won the Hockenheim rd of the WTC champ's in my diesel van on the way to work..... No you didnt! I did S'ok, I'll have you at Eau Rouge on my way home via Spa.... Quote
Captain Colonial Posted August 31, 2011 Posted August 31, 2011 Why, onnly this morning I won the Hockenheim rd of the WTC champ's in my diesel van on the way to work..... <!--emo& No you didnt! I did S'ok, I'll have you at Eau Rouge on my way home via Spa.... You'll have to work hard at the next race with the Mazda - there's a five place starting grid penalty for an engine change! Quote
markcoopers Posted August 31, 2011 Author Posted August 31, 2011 I still stand by that, you don't need and newbies certainly don't have to be told that 200 is a min (that was my main point). Besides who rattled your cage? however as i have the 200, the brakes, gearbox, lightness and suspension/grip, and it is for sale with a trailer, any newbies you give me a call Quote
Cleggy the Spyder Man Posted August 31, 2011 Posted August 31, 2011 I was wondering how long before you picked up on this Quote
adamnreeves Posted August 31, 2011 Posted August 31, 2011 Not fixiated on BHP, now torque that's another thing Quote
Martin Keene Posted August 31, 2011 Posted August 31, 2011 FWIW, I am with Mark. When I bought mine it made 126bhp at the rear wheels from it's x/flow on a very optimistic rolling road. Rob Marshall's first car made ~165 at the rear wheels on the same rollers with his 165bhp Chamberlain x/flow in it. Therefore the assumption was the rollers generated a number at the wheels which was roughly the crank bhp, hence I always assumed I had ~130bhp. Having now fitted Mark's old proven 155bhp engine, I know this to be total tosh, as the Zetec is simply epically fast compared to the x/flow. The x/flow used to peak at 106 leptons, the Zetec has already been to 122 leptons and was still pulling. Much more power would simply be a waste on the road IMO. Quote
markcoopers Posted August 31, 2011 Author Posted August 31, 2011 ......then you should come for a bat with us martin, i would love to hear the old engine scream again. Quote
Cleggy the Spyder Man Posted August 31, 2011 Posted August 31, 2011 ......then you should come for a bat with us martin, i would love to hear the old engine scream again. Martin you have a better chance of keeping up than me - he's on fire at the moment Quote
markcoopers Posted August 31, 2011 Author Posted August 31, 2011 I did enjoy the quick tinkle on the valve springs on Monday, felt good to be back in the saddle as it were. Washed it then as well. Still selling though Quote
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