BobM Posted August 21, 2002 Share Posted August 21, 2002 Now I've been persuaded I can probably fit in a Westy, I've started considering my options, and want to build a Megablade. Regarding the engine, I gather what I really want is a pre-95 'Blade engine so I can avoid emissions regs. 1. What's the exact cutoff in terms of the engine age date or engine no. wise? 2. What happens if I get a later one (I gather the pre-95s are getting scarcer)? I presume it would then need a cat etc?? 3. What do I need to do to define the engine as 'reconditioned' to get an 02/03 plate? I'd reckoned on new bearings/rings etc. Regarding chassis, it's obviously easier on cashflow to get the starter kit and get the other bits as and when I need them. Westfield say it's over £1,000 cheaper buying the whole kit straight off, although their price list doesn't include the prices of all the bits. They don't do the Mega series in modules ... Any comments? Again regarding chassis, the 'extras' I was thinking of are LSD and ARBs. What are the standard brakes like, is it worth upgrading to the 4-pot calipers at £399. Similar question re comp shocks @ £600 ... Can any of these parts be more cheaply (and easily) sourced elsewhere? All advice appreciated, Bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Stanton Posted August 21, 2002 Share Posted August 21, 2002 Bob I'm probably gonna near helicopters whirring shortly but here goes. re BEC - someone will be along shortly who's had experience in what you're asking on engines. Chassis - I would strongly advise you to do it to suit your pocket - we've all had our budgets and 99% of the time its exceeded cos we all want those "extras". If you want to purchase chassis and stuff as you go along then stick with it. You can always add, very difficult to take away. There are always several other suppliers and specialists for various parts such as shocks, springs, brakes etc. Join the WSCC before you start to build, get along to a club meet and have a natter. Check out other suppliers e.g. Cat Motorsport, Plays Kool. Westfield are very good at supplying the complete package - kit cars are specific to an individual and you have the choice to make your own mark ARB's not sure - what's your intended use ? Slightly stiffer springs may be adequate ? as the BEC are much lighter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobM Posted August 21, 2002 Author Share Posted August 21, 2002 ARB's not sure - what's your intended use ? Slightly stiffer springs may be adequate ? as the BEC are much lighter. Intended primary use is trackdays with occasional road use. I was a keen biker in my youth but while on my sick bed after a rather nasty off years ago (foolishly) promised wifey I wouldn't ride a bike again. I have little doubt I'll find the open air and 10000 rpm a little too addictive to leave it in the garage for long! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Yupright Posted August 21, 2002 Share Posted August 21, 2002 Now I've been persuaded I can probably fit in a Westy, I've started considering my options, and want to build a Megablade. Regarding the engine, I gather what I really want is a pre-95 'Blade engine so I can avoid emissions regs. 1. What's the exact cutoff in terms of the engine age date or engine no. wise? 2. What happens if I get a later one (I gather the pre-95s are getting scarcer)? I presume it would then need a cat etc?? 3. What do I need to do to define the engine as 'reconditioned' to get an 02/03 plate? I'd reckoned on new bearings/rings etc. Regarding chassis, it's obviously easier on cashflow to get the starter kit and get the other bits as and when I need them. Westfield say it's over £1,000 cheaper buying the whole kit straight off, although their price list doesn't include the prices of all the bits. They don't do the Mega series in modules ... Any comments? Again regarding chassis, the 'extras' I was thinking of are LSD and ARBs. What are the standard brakes like, is it worth upgrading to the 4-pot calipers at £399. Similar question re comp shocks @ £600 ... Can any of these parts be more cheaply (and easily) sourced elsewhere? All advice appreciated, Bob Hi Bob, I've built a Megablade myself this year, you'll find pictures etc at http://cdslash.rm-rfstar.org/orange. I'll try and run through your questions: Engine cutoff. Not sure, just get a 1994 or earlier to be sure. Mine is a 1994. Buy a fireblade haynes manual, it enables you to check engine ages by the engine number. Most 893cc engines are pre 95. If you get a later one, you'll need to rent a catalytic converter and air bleed system from Stuart Taylor (Locost builders/kit car company). This is a computer controlled system that pumps air into the inlets or something to give clean emmissions. They rent them out to people for something like 100quid... To get a new plate, you need a certificate of newness from Westfield for everything except the engine (so the diff etc). On the engine, you have to be able to convince the people at your VRO local office that the engine is 'to as new condition'. I supplied a "certificate of self declaration" stating that I had stripped the engine and measured tolerance on certain items that I listed and found them all to be within the tolerances in the haynes manual. Then I attached any receipts for _anything_ remotely related to the engine. New spark plugs, new gaskets etc etc. Starter v complete kit. If you've never built before and are worried you're not upto it, get a complete kit. Makes it much easier. If you want a new plate, getting a complete kit might be cheaper too. If you're not bothered about a new plate, you can save substantial money over the complete kit cost by getting a starter kit then sourcing things like the diff, uprights, brakes etc from a scrap yard. Or doing without reverse saves a grand. Both my Westies have been built from complete kits. I've always known it would be cheaper to build from a starter kit, but I'm too lazy to be grubbing around in scrapyards etc! I've got the LSD, the freelander one. It makes for more pleasant cruising, cos its a 3.2:1 ratio, where the lowest Sierra ratio you can get is 3.38:1. It is also a very nice LSD and makes a big difference if you're going to do a lot of trackdays. I figured it was best to get the LSD to start, and I could always add ARB's later. I've done 6 trackdays now, and might treat myself to some over the next year. You dont really need the calipers and the shocks. I've not got them, and doubt I'd notice any difference. Makes the car look better on paper though, and there's some weight saving. The standard brakes are way upto the job, especially if you put some uprated pads in them. If you want a chat, or come to come and have a look at my car... I'm in the south... Salisbury... Cheers, Al Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derm Posted August 21, 2002 Share Posted August 21, 2002 (foolishly) promised wifey I wouldn't ride a bike again Got caught that way myself - bummer. However can see her point now that we have kids. Replacing the bike with a trackday Westie - Vx engined rather than BEC. Have fun Derm PS Didn't stop me having a go on my mate's new VFR last week - very bad move........... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobM Posted August 22, 2002 Author Share Posted August 22, 2002 Al, Thanks for the reply, very helpful. Also the pics. So I take it the engine 'cut-off' date is 31/12/94 for the regs? Think I'll just take the nasty medicine and get the full kit. I feel reassured about the brakes/shocks. I suppose at <450kg it ain't going to need the massive Brembo's my 1500kg Evo needs! I'll probably go for the LSD as that won't be easy to upgrade later. I may well get in touch again, my brother lives in Yeovil and is likely to be helping out with sourcing/sorting the engine as he's an engineer and used to run his own bike business. Derm, Definitely do see the point, unfortunately seems there are a lot of 40-somethings dying on superbikes these days. My main problem is when I visit my brother who still has my old 1996 Ducati 900SS, along with his 851, later model 900SS, Bonneville, Husqvarna etc... Bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterg Posted August 22, 2002 Share Posted August 22, 2002 From memory the cutoff date is actually August 1995. Have a quick search on the forum history and also get in touch with the BEC group on Yahoo....haven't got the URL handy but a BEC search will no doubt throw that up as well! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobM Posted August 22, 2002 Author Share Posted August 22, 2002 From memory the cutoff date is actually August 1995. Have a quick search on the forum history and also get in touch with the BEC group on Yahoo....haven't got the URL handy but a BEC search will no doubt throw that up as well! Hmm, can't find the info on Yahoo (couldn' find a BEC gorpu on Yahoo Groups or searching through uk.rec.cars.kit-car in Google Groups). So what are we looking at, date of manufacture or date of registration? And if anyone does know what the actual date is it would help. Cheers, Bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blatman Posted August 22, 2002 Share Posted August 22, 2002 Yahoo BEC Group............. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobM Posted August 23, 2002 Author Share Posted August 23, 2002 Yahoo BEC Group............. Ta muchly! I'd searched with 'BEC' 'bike engined cars' etc ... Doh! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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