gadrego Posted October 9, 2002 Share Posted October 9, 2002 I posted a while ago to get a bit of advice regarding buying a second hand car. I've seen a couple of very nice ones (especially adam young's car if any of you know it) but unfortunately, following three years of being a scrounging student, Mr bank manager is unwilling to give me a loan sufficient to buy the sort of car I want. So plan B is to build a car myself in modules and buy it as finances become available over the next 18 months or so. What I need to do is plan exactly what I want so I know if this is a realistic idea or not. First and foremost, I ideally wanted a Honda VTec Engine. There is an Integra Type R engine for sale locally and if this could be shoehorned in, I think it would be ideal. I guess the limitations with any engine, is physical size and whether it will be able to fit the gearbox. Anybody know of any cars with this engine or whether this can be done without major headaches. There is also a 1.6 engine from a civic VTi for sale if this would be an easier job. One last question which may be a little to vague for a definitive answer. What sort of weight could I get a modern car engined westfield down to without major expense? The car will be pretty spartan. No screen, heater, carpets etc... Sorry, just one more, I promise. What are the main advantages of a Westfield over its rivals? I'm talking about the MK Indy, Dax Rush and the Tiger Super Six. They seem reasonably priced, although far more than the MK. I like the overall quality of the Westfield kit but if there is something major to reassure me that the Westfield is the only car for me, please let me know. Any help much appreciated Graham Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Stanton Posted October 9, 2002 Share Posted October 9, 2002 A Honda Vtec will fit - but expect some higher costs for specialist one-off items I've heard of only two Honda powered cars both good and very trick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samcooke Posted October 9, 2002 Share Posted October 9, 2002 Plays Kool have done VTEC engined cars but according to their web site you're not allowed to ask them about it. There's also a rather brisk S2000 engined Westfield which can be seen at bookatrack events that they give free passenger laps in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gadrego Posted October 9, 2002 Author Share Posted October 9, 2002 Sounds like it could be tricky then. The main attraction of the VTech engines was basically the way they rev and the power delivery. I recently drove a civic VTi which was very quick but I can't help thinking that the engine would be much more suited to a lightweight sportscar where high revs are normal and low down torque not quite so important. I guess my second choice engine would be a zetec. I'm very keen to make the car as light as possible. Any other engines I should consider? K-series? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arm Posted October 9, 2002 Share Posted October 9, 2002 Check on the direction of rotation for the Honda engines, I believe they go opposite to the norm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Stanton Posted October 9, 2002 Share Posted October 9, 2002 VTEC engined cars but according to their web site you're not allowed to ask them about it. Else all the spanners start running It was one of the early VTecs that ran the wrong way The later ones as fitted to the S2000 run the proper way Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westy Posted October 9, 2002 Share Posted October 9, 2002 still holds the quickest 1/4 mile time backwards if I remember rightly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bananaman Posted October 9, 2002 Share Posted October 9, 2002 gadrego Have you thought of putting in a Toyota 4Age I think that it would meet your criterior of light weight / high rev's etc & all the bits you need for installation are available 4Age thread If i was building a new one i would seriously think about 1. Lightweight chassis 2. Lightweight bodywork 3. Lightweight engine (4Age 16v Supercharged 200bhp ) Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick M Posted October 9, 2002 Share Posted October 9, 2002 Project Nutter (the BookaTrack car) uses an S2000 engine and they do spin the right way for a RWD application. As has been said, only early VTECs went the wrong way. Contact either of the Andy's (Toner and "Shiny") via the BookaTrack site and they'll be more than happy to help you out with advice about engines, etc. Suffice it to say that there are a couple of other projects they have up their sleeves with Honda engines..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveF Posted October 14, 2002 Share Posted October 14, 2002 I think the Integra engine does go the 'wrong' way - the latest engines in the Civic Type R, and the S2000 run the 'right' way. The 'BaT boys' (Andy, Rich & Co.) have had an S2000 powered Westie (Project Nutter) running for a good while now with great results - and not a few tyres - I understand the next project may be to fit the same engine to a cateringvan (fast food or what ) I've got an engine & gearbox ready to go into my winter project - if I can get round to it - we've been having a lively discussion about various s2000 things on the se7ens list - the main question at the moment is about engine management systems - on which - does anybody know of a UK supplier / tuner for AEM? as I've had no luck tracing one yet Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gee_fin Posted October 14, 2002 Share Posted October 14, 2002 But wouldn't you prefer it in carbon? http://www.autospeed.com/A_1344/viewarticle.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gadrego Posted October 15, 2002 Author Share Posted October 15, 2002 That is a very nice car but I think it would cost silly money to even find let alone install an S2000 Engine. I'm sure even a civic Type R is gonna cost a load. So change of plan. I like the idea of the Toyota engine. Which car is it from, MR2? And assuming, I don't go with forced induction what sort of power can be had for not too much money? I'm definetly going to go with a lightweight chassis and body. It seems to make sense in the long run as I'm a bit of lightweight obbsesive. Also considering the following when finances permit: Titanium exhaust (anybody done this?) 4 Pots R500 wheels Carbon Dash Alloy bellhousing Any more interesting ideas that won't upset my bank manager too much? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick M Posted October 15, 2002 Share Posted October 15, 2002 Titanium silencer - yes, there's a company that keeps being mentioned on Blatchat. Pop over there and have a search of their archives under "Titanium silencer". As for a complete system, I suggest you're very, *VERY* nice to your bank manager.... Possibly think about investing in some knee pads... 4 pots - good call, although be prepared to also invest in a large bore master cylinder to complement them. R500 wheels - best you order them now... Carbon dash - not much of a weight saving but they look nice. The best way to save weight in the dash is to get a Stack unit and scrap all of the normal instruments and cut out the excess wiring. Alloy bell-housing - you may not have a choice depending on which engine you pick, i.e. a cast aluminium one may be all that's available. Other suggestions - lightweight alloy hubs. Don't bother with the uprights as they can cause problems with certain 4 pot brake calipers and they only save about 1/2 a Kg. Set of lightweight brake discs from Fluke Motorsport. Tyres - ACB10s instead of, say, Yokohama A032Rs or A021Rs. They are, however, "amusing" on the road... Choose your seats carefully - the Westfield light weight race seats are'nt *that* light once you add the mounting brackets and they're even heavier if you get the ones with runners. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blatman Posted October 15, 2002 Share Posted October 15, 2002 Raceco are the people for titanium silencers. Click the "Car Parts" (I think) link, on the left of the Raceco homepage. The owner of the company also owns a 190bhp Zetec c******m, and is very knowledgeable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveF Posted October 15, 2002 Share Posted October 15, 2002 Graeme - Thanks I'd already found that article - but the guy uses the stock ECU - so no help there. However- I've now been told the AEM EMS is actually the GEM AEM15 - so does anybody know if anybody is using one of these or any tuners / agents in the NW - who I can have a chat with? Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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