steveiemc Posted October 31, 2002 Posted October 31, 2002 Hi all I'm thinking of selling my 6L V12 Dax Cobra and getting a Westfield as the cobra is too loud to take on the track (129 dB at 6000 rpm). Started off looking at the 1.8 150 bhp Zetec but thought that was a bit steep at 15K, looked at the summer special offer - 1.8 zetec for 12K but I didn't want to be a girl with only 120 bhp and I am now thinking about a blade. The full kit is £9K and I have been told engine + wheels = 2K. Can I realistically build one for 11K? What extras would you reccomend? I have also been told that they are near impossible to drive on the road. All unbias advice welcome Steve Quote
catflap Posted October 31, 2002 Posted October 31, 2002 If its a blade your after then the dry sump is not needed INMO, if however its a busa then its deffo a requirement. I bought a blade engine (second hand) for 800, and wheels well anything form 50 to 500, take your pic. At my first time on track at donno, I was easily sailing past cobras (don’t know what spec) but they seemed to be much slower through corners and braking took longer for them, I am sure its a good move for track fun moving to a blade/bussa, must say the cobra does it on looks and style for me though If your close to stoke your welcome to check mine out to see if its really what your after. (criss and gaz from here did the same for me, and helped me out loads- top geezas) Quote
peterrosey Posted October 31, 2002 Posted October 31, 2002 Don't just think about it - do it!!! I built my first kit car this year (a Megabusa) using a 'complete' kit of parts from Westfield together with a secondhand engine. Budgeted for around £15K, spent around £19K (too frightened to tot up receipts! you'll always go over the budget... If I was building a BEC on a cost-per-£ basis then I reckon the Megablade is probably better value - particularly as the engines are much easier and cheaper to source than Busas and a dry sump is less of a necessity (although I'd still fit one if you plan to do any track days). You also need to factor in a few essential factory extras such as detachable arches, an RAC-spec roll bar (use the search facility to see why this is absolutely essential) and a limited slip diff. It's also a good idea to upgrade to nylon bushes (no play and last for ever) and possibly such things as aluminium steering rack supports. I'd also strongly recommend that you pay the £200 or so that it costs to get the aluminium panels fitted by Westfield - horrible job that takes two long days even with a hydraulic rivet gun if you do it yourself (well that's how long it took me...). It's also worth paying them to fit the fuel pipes - they're made of steel and very difficult to bend. By the time you've added in such items as mods to the engine (eg lowered sump, wiring loom, plumbing mods), interior trim materials, fluids, wheel nuts, the odd special tool (eg thread-chaser taps and weird-size sockets), SVA costs and registration costs, you can soon see the budget creeping up. But don't for a minute get the impression I'm trying to put you off - just being realistic. As for their driveability on the road, I find my Busa perfectly useable - but it does take time to get used to a few things. For starters the clutch travel is only about an inch and has little progression (especially when it's hot), the throttle is super sensitive (designed for a twist-grip remember), as is the steering. Also the aeroscreen (preferable on a BEC for weight and ease - no heater, wipers reqd) means that you need to use shatter-proof sunglasses and a helmet is preferable at anything over 70mph (and a must for long journeys). You also need to treat them with kid-gloves in the rain (mine lights up the tyres in 3rd at anything over 5,000 rpm and revs to 10,500...) However, none of this is important when you get behind the 'wheel and the fun-factor is off the scale. I've had mine on the road for a month and done about 750miles and I still can't get used to the performance - it will totally move your boundaries of what constitutes 'fast'. Stunning acceleration, awesome handling and wicked brakes (even with the stock Westie set-up). You wait until you overtake your first bike - tin-tops are no challenge - and you'll not regret a penny! On a sunny day you wouldn't want to be in anything else... Quote
Al Yupright Posted October 31, 2002 Posted October 31, 2002 A dry sump is not required on a 'blade. The kit includes a horizontal baffle plate, thats all you need. I built my 'blade for about 12K, including magnesium wheels, stack dash etc. I reckon you could do it for 2K above the complete kit price easy. You can get a set of 13inch Minators with Yoko A021Rs for 400quid inclusive from George Polleys. The engine shouldnt cost you any more than a grand. They're fine on the road, just they're perfectly suited to having the nads thrashed off them, and it is difficult to do that legally on the road. I've done 8000miles on the road in bike engined cars. Do it! Get one! Baz sold his Pilgrim cobra to build a Megabusa and I dont think he's looked back. cheers, Al Quote
samcooke Posted October 31, 2002 Posted October 31, 2002 Hello steviemc you ginger get Have you visited the bike engined car group at http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/bike-engined-cars/ ? Opinion seems to be a dry sump is not necessary on a blade. An LSD and RAC rollbar are. So: Kit: 8950 RAC bar upgrade: 150 LSD upgrade: 550 (ouch) Engine + box: 800 Nylon bushes: 72 Four yoko a032rs: 240 Which leaves you £238 for some wheels. No probs. Go on go on go on go on go on go on go on go on go on go on go on go on go on go on go on go on go on go on go on go on go on go on go on go on go on go on go on go on go on... Quote
Nick Algar - Competition Secretary Posted October 31, 2002 Posted October 31, 2002 Peter & Al sum it up Just get one, a Busa if you can afford it. Nearest thing to a single seater racing car you can get. Get an XTR2 if you really want to corner. Never regretted buying mine, forgotten what it cost long ago. Nick Quote
ricdiggle Posted October 31, 2002 Posted October 31, 2002 What they said + They are great on the road too. Richard Quote
steveiemc Posted October 31, 2002 Author Posted October 31, 2002 Thanks for the great feedback. I am slowly being convinced its the right thing to do! I think the secret is to not get carried away and try to keep it under the 11K (the have an extra 1K spare). Sam's done some calculations below but he's an estate agent & it's not his money! I live in Cambridge so thanks to Catflap in Stoke for the offer but does anyone else live closer?? Quote
Al Yupright Posted October 31, 2002 Posted October 31, 2002 >I live in Cambridge Aha... He should hopefully be along soon then, but have a look at www.megabird.co.uk, Daves a cambridge bod. Cheers, Al. Quote
DAZ Posted October 31, 2002 Posted October 31, 2002 Hi there steveiemc I was thinking of building one to, but to build one on a non Q plate was going to be over my buget so i bought a 2nd hand one 2000 W reg i need non Q so i can use my private reg.I picked it up last saturday all i can say is DO IT, DO IT today. I've been a passenger in a couple before but driving one yourself is absoultly incredible,i've only done 50 miles but i know its going to be a very good summer next year. All the best DAZ Quote
moomin Posted November 1, 2002 Posted November 1, 2002 >He should hopefully be along soon then, but have a look at www.megabird.co.uk, Daves a cambridge bod. Thanks Al. Hello Steve! Yes I am indeed a Cambridge bod, and have just built a MegaBird (as you may be able to tell from the website ). Drop me an email, and we can arrange to meet up - I have a number of loopy friends in Cambridge with Westfields/c******ms/Dax/Fisher/Sylva/etc, if you can take the amount of wibble we talk, I'll introduce you! Moom/Dave. Quote
BobM Posted November 2, 2002 Posted November 2, 2002 I'm partway through building mine having picked the kit up 4 weeks ago. I planned to haggle on the price of the kit, but the salesman (Jon) said there was no room for manouvre, then went on to straight away offer to throw in the Freelander LSD for nowt! I paid the extra for the upgraded bushes, uphostered seats and the RAC roll bar. My Blade engine cost me £500, and 4 KN Minators with Yoko A032s were £500 inc Vat & delivery from Polley. Dunno wot it's like to drive yet but it's brilliant fun building it! Even if loads of the bits from the 'complete kit' are missing Hopefully starting the engine up for the first time tomorrow ... Quote
Paul Helsby Posted November 5, 2002 Posted November 5, 2002 Bob, your build site is excellent and very helpful, I'm a couple of weeks into my Megablade build and can sympathise with some of your findings especially the missing bits but Westfield are great and always send the bits out quickly and without argument. I put the fuel and brake lines in the tunell with me mate Paul before putting the panels on which makes life easier and would recommend this to other builders, I've built one before so knew this was batter than following the manual. The brake switch is a new one to me, not heard that before so may have to turn mine upside down. I havn't got the engine yet, but plan to finish the build before fitting the engine as I'm in no rush to get the car on the road b4 spring. I hav'nt got your knowledge of rebuilding complex engines like the blade so will probably go down the two to four route and end up paying 1700 quid or so, but gauranteed and hassle free. I'll be ready to fit the main body next weekend as a just have a bit of tidying to do and fit the loom. I'll keep reading your web site have only got half way through but thanks for sharing your build progress Quote
westy Posted November 5, 2002 Posted November 5, 2002 6L V12 hhhhmmm listen to the words, 6 litres in a V12 formation Quote
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