prs_xflow Posted October 27, 2008 Posted October 27, 2008 Hi all, i'm new, a bit wet behind the ears and need some help please... I have owned a narrow bodied Westfield with a 1.6 Crossflow engine for over a year now. Its off the road for the winter and i'm planning a project. I want to fit a Vauxhall 'redtop' 2.0 (i've heard the XE is best?) as a replacement, now, i've never done anything like this before so I need to know what i'll need (other than the engine itself!) to complete. I know I can fit a ford type 9 gearbox to it but I have not got a clue about engine mounts/ propshaft/ rear axle etc etc... Any information, however small, will be appreciated. I look forward to hearing from you. Regards, Paul Quote
RichP Posted October 27, 2008 Posted October 27, 2008 Try This Link for starters, plus do a search as there's loads on here. Have fun - have the same project planned myself! Don't underestimate the cost - I'm sure many will be along to say that unless you're up for the learning experience as much as anything else, it's cheaper to change the car to one with the XE already fitted. I don't expect much change from £2k and that's without spending anything much on rebuilding / refurbing the engine. Where are you located btw? Quote
prs_xflow Posted October 27, 2008 Author Posted October 27, 2008 Thanks for the reply. Have you started yours yet or have you just got the gear? I have been mulling this over for about 6 months and I didn't think it would be cheap! I'm in Exeter but the pride and joy is in Lyme Regis. How do you get the picture on the right of the reply btw? Quote
RichP Posted October 27, 2008 Posted October 27, 2008 Picture is on the left of the reply from my view, but I suspect you'd need to start by joining the WSCC to get access to add yours (unless you've already done so). I've started in as much as I've bought the donor engine and completely pulled it to bits! I pan to build the engine and get all the conversion bits before starting the swap. I want to keep the car on the road this winter as the summer's been so bad - get some more use out of it! Then when it starts to rain next summer I'll start the conversion!! It'd be cheaper for me to sell the car and get one with the engine already fitted, but I like the car and don't want to change it, plus when I get the time I enjoy working on it. I'll just have to pace the cost! Look out for your local WSCC branch - there's a better than good chance that someone there will be a font of knowledge! Quote
prs_xflow Posted October 27, 2008 Author Posted October 27, 2008 Yes, left hand side sorry - got it now have to register membership, ta! Sounds like a plan, I took mine off the road when the tax expired at the end of Sept... then we had a couple of nice weekends! Any ideas about a propshaft and rear axle/ diff? Quote
RichP Posted October 27, 2008 Posted October 27, 2008 As far as I know they stay the same although mine is the IRS model with sierra diff - couldn't comment on whether this applies to yours as well? I expect so, but worth checking. If you have the T9 gearbox now then I expect you're fine (stand to be corrected) - if you're changing the 'box TO a T9 in the process then again, sorry, not sure. Lots of more experienced chaps on here than me tho - doubtless you'll get a clear answer soon! Look out on Migweb (as well as on here) for bits for sale, engines etc - that's where I found mine. Quote
stu999 Posted October 27, 2008 Posted October 27, 2008 Paul, something else worth considering is whether you have 'lo-line' bonnet. The original SE's had a bonnet upper height that was a good couple of inches lower than later Westfields. The nose and bonnet height/shape was raised on later cars to allow fitment of engines other than the good old xflow. Roughly translated - if you have early bodywork, the bonnet won't fit with an XE fitted! Quote
Hammy Posted October 28, 2008 Posted October 28, 2008 Roughly translated - if you have early bodywork, the bonnet won't fit with an XE fitted! But you can get the later nosecone and bonnet... more ££ tho I guess . Don't want to put you off , but don't you need a "special" exhaust manifold for a narrow, or skills to adapt. I've a red top..been sitting my garage for a year now.. .I keep looking at it but... Quote
jedi Posted October 28, 2008 Posted October 28, 2008 i think the old xflow is being abandoned a bit to easily i was nearly seduced into changing mine, truth is at the moment my car has more ability than me so its stayin put Quote
RichP Posted October 28, 2008 Posted October 28, 2008 I'll second that, even though I'm planning to change. A couple of weeks ago, first time on a track day, the car surprised me by being a lot more capable than I expected. You don't realise on the road 'cause you can't push it that hard. I was a actually pleased it didn't have more power so I could concentrate on my driving rather than balancing a load more power as well. So, before you commit yourself, have a bash around a track to see how you get on. (Im still upgrading tho........) Quote
Bean Posted October 28, 2008 Posted October 28, 2008 I'll second that, even though I'm planning to change. A couple of weeks ago, first time on a track day, the car surprised me by being a lot more capable than I expected. You don't realise on the road 'cause you can't push it that hard. I was a actually pleased it didn't have more power so I could concentrate on my driving rather than balancing a load more power as well. So, before you commit yourself, have a bash around a track to see how you get on. (Im still upgrading tho........) Been there, done that and still decided I wanted more power. The old cvh was somewhat shagged though. With all the advice on this forum and a bit of common sense, you can do the XE swap relatively easily. I managed it Quote
Bean Posted October 28, 2008 Posted October 28, 2008 Don't want to put you off , but don't you need a "special" exhaust manifold for a narrow, or skills to adapt. Chop two inches out after the collector then reweld, that's what I did to my XE 'Wide Bodied' Westfield manifold Quote
prs_xflow Posted October 28, 2008 Author Posted October 28, 2008 Ok, getting a clearer picture now so thanks guys. With regards to the box its the 4 speed, not the T9 so I guess i'll have to take the running gear out as well - I assume its all escort stuff as i'm still with drum brakes at the rear with a westfield branded diff. The kit was built 1989/ 1990 so again i'll probably have the lo-line bonnet? I must admit I am impressed with the crossflow but I don't think I can get much more power out of it by way of modification - I'm craving some more power! Quote
Bean Posted October 28, 2008 Posted October 28, 2008 Just change the box, no need to touch prop or diff. Quote
RichP Posted October 28, 2008 Posted October 28, 2008 What's the spec of your x-flow? You'd be surprised what you can get out of them, and you might find that a relatively inexpensive upgrade for the x-flow combined with a new gearbox (if you're planning to change it anyway) with ratio's intended for a kit car rather than a 2 tonne cortina would make a huge difference and be an easier job. Mine's a typical spec if 1700cc, twin 40 Webers, Kent 234 cam and some head work. Combined with electronic ignition it really goes quite well. It's never enough tho....... Quote
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