Cleggy the Spyder Man Posted October 28, 2008 Posted October 28, 2008 Hi all ... first time in the forums so be kind just started to get the urge to buy/build another kit, I first built a Sylva Striker from scratch about 17 years ago, and I have fond memories of the speed and fun ... Anyway i am just starting to look around to see what I can get for my money (approx 10 -12 k) probably somebodies pride and joy rather than building it myself this time. I originally was looking at a bike engined job, but after reading a few horror stories I have put myself off that route, I am now leaning towards maybe a duratec engined job, I want near 200bhp to make it proper quick and a descent upgrade on my sylva which had a tuned 1700 crossflow with high lift can and twin 40's I shall be using the car for general use a weekend car but maybe the odd trip to work, and I also fancy going over to le mans next year I would ask you lucky "already westfield owners" for some advise as to what to go for, with much thanks Quote
leighc Posted October 28, 2008 Posted October 28, 2008 Hi there. At the moment for 10-12k you're gonna be looking at quite a nice piece of kit... What horror stories have you heard about bike engines? Quote
stephenh Posted October 28, 2008 Posted October 28, 2008 Agreed, look at the for sale section, full of real bargains IMO. Welcome and good luck. Quote
Cleggy the Spyder Man Posted October 28, 2008 Author Posted October 28, 2008 thanks guys... well I have seen various bits n pieces about unreliability on the net, and when you look at the ads for second hand cars most of them seem to have had new or replacement engines built ..and I have watched one youtube video where the engine goes pop (guess that is gonna happen on race track) have you guys got experience of bike engines? Quote
Terry Everall Posted October 28, 2008 Posted October 28, 2008 The one that went pop was a full blown race 1548c Busa not a standard Bike Engine I have part built kit and engine for sale if your interested Quote
mvlsruss Posted October 28, 2008 Posted October 28, 2008 for 10 to 12 grand my friend you'll get a minter of a car!!! have a look on the for sale section on the forum or on piston heads. welcome to the family!! russ Quote
Cleggy the Spyder Man Posted October 28, 2008 Author Posted October 28, 2008 Hi Terry ... dont think I can be convinced to get a bike engine westfield, my heart says yes do it - think of the noise, speed, revs and acceleration, my head says you may regret it when I break it ... thing is I am stretching budget to get something nice, and if i am unlucky enough to have problems I will not be able to afford to put it right... Not quite in the position to buy just yet, but I am doing my homework and seeing whats about for sale - but I hope to see you guys at shows n stuff early next year ... Do westfield do runs over to France? Quote
perksy Posted October 28, 2008 Posted October 28, 2008 Welcome Always a Good idea to get to a Local meeting and have a chat with Westfield Folk You'll get most of your questions answered and might get to try a few cars for size etc Quote
carpetstu Posted October 28, 2008 Posted October 28, 2008 Hi Terry ... dont think I can be convinced to get a bike engine westfield, my heart says yes do it - think of the noise, speed, revs and acceleration, my head says you may regret it when I break it ... thing is I am stretching budget to get something nice, and if i am unlucky enough to have problems I will not be able to afford to put it right... Not quite in the position to buy just yet, but I am doing my homework and seeing whats about for sale - but I hope to see you guys at shows n stuff early next year ... Do westfield do runs over to France? If you want a bike engine car Rocketron is seling a 2008 registered and built fireblade Westfield at around the sort of money you want to spend! Quote
Cleggy the Spyder Man Posted October 28, 2008 Author Posted October 28, 2008 amazed at the support for the forum very nice to see a really good community - Persky - any ideas where the nearest club meeting (peterborough) would be for me? I take your point about fitting in the car ..as mentioned I used to own a sylva, and they are really cramped inside -- I have put a few stone on since then - and I am 6 foot 2" carpetstu - still don't think i will go for a bike engined one - although I am waiting for somebody to convince me otherwise - i dare not go and testdrive one because I will want one - see earlier posts Quote
perksy Posted October 29, 2008 Posted October 29, 2008 Persky - any ideas where the nearest club meeting (peterborough) would be for me? I take your point about fitting in the car ..as mentioned I used to own a sylva, and they are really cramped inside -- I have put a few stone on since then - and I am 6 foot 2" Local Area and AO Contact details can be found HERE Quote
Cleggy the Spyder Man Posted October 29, 2008 Author Posted October 29, 2008 Thanks for that, I had actually stumbled across the next meets in Cambridge on the forums ... Quote
jsawyer86 Posted October 30, 2008 Posted October 30, 2008 welcome m8ey, im from the cambridge area and if you contact Chaz the AO he will definatly steer you in the right direction. If this helps, bike engines are fantastic for track days and racing, however are fairly impractical for road use. one cambs member runs a fischer fury with an R1 engine ( not a westy but same principle) and has the best time of all of us at track days. But its no fun in traffic when he has to rev the nuts off it just to pull away + he has no reverse gear. Also with the visits to le mans i would definatly suggest a wide body model (SEiW). my father and i have done lemans 3 or 4 times in our narrow body and im now considering sawing my hips in half for the next long journey. You can definatly get a good deal on an immaculate fairly new westy. its definatly the time to buy, there are so many choices. Hope this helps J Quote
Cleggy the Spyder Man Posted October 30, 2008 Author Posted October 30, 2008 I see that most of the bike cars have a reverse gear fitted, I have defo given up on bike engined cars Trip to le mans in one of those beasts doesnt sound like too much of a relaxing affair to me The Fisher Fury was originally the same as the Sylva Striker if memory serves me correctly, but the fury had the full bodywork ... yup there pretty small ... Apparently the wide body is now standard, anybody know when this started from??? I have my eye on a duratec westy that I have seen for sale ... Just communicating with owner at the moment Things may just happen sooner than originally expected Quote
leighc Posted October 30, 2008 Posted October 30, 2008 Blimey, you were up late on the forum... Wide's started early 90's IIRC. Most of the cars you see for sale will be Independant Rear suspension Widebody - SEIW is the model name. If they are narrow, it will usually say so. Just take your time, try and get across to a meet and see if someone will go and see a car with you. I wish I'd done that Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.