Whole Story

[samfransisco]

So. I want to build a Westie but want to scope out the full story first. Does anyone have a really useful Bill Of Materials that lists the parts that you don't have to buy from westfield and what the alternatives are. Not engine, but stuff like, radiator, brakes, disks, hubs, hub carrier, steering rack, diff, driveshafts, cv joints, etc.

That way I can gauge the true cost of building my car.

Thanks

[westy]

thumb through the Westfield parts/build manual and you will soon see what you can source yourself.  If budget is a constraint (isnt it always?) post what your after on here and chances are one of the techy fellows ie not me, can point you in the right direction.

[samfransisco]

Do I have to buy the parts / build manual ?

[Nick M]

First question - what's your current expected budget ?

Right, now add another 50% to it and you'll probably not be too far off.

Things to get from Westfield would be the starter kit with the chassis, bodywork, wishbones, loom, aluminium panels, etc.  Also make sure you spec the RAC roll bar and poly-bushes and I'd seriously consider the aluminium front uprights.

Things *not* to get from the factory :

- standard dampers and springs - the SPAX ones are pants and AVOs are much better and no more expensive

- Polo type radiator - motor factors will sell you one for around GBP40 + VAT whereas Westfield want over GBP120 for one !!

- wheels / tyres - better deals can be had elsewhere.  Size of wheel depends on whether you want looks (15") or decent handling (13")

- Limited slip diff - they're nice to have, but not at factory prices !

Things I would, personally, ask the factory to do would be to fit the brake pipes, the loom and the aluminium panels the chassis.  Might cost GBP200 or so but it will save a lot of aggro IMO.  Nobody enjoys drilling holes and pop-rivetting the panels in place.  Well, at least no *sane* person....

Other parts really depend on the sort of car you're building.  For example, do you want a bog standard road going car or will you be looking for a track day biased machine.  And what engine - car or bike ?

If you're going for a track day, or at least high performance car then I'd suggest that you want to start sourcing more of the parts from elsewhere, e.g. Cat Motorsport.  Things like dampers, springs, brakes (4 pots would be nice but bear in mind that may also mean you need to fit an uprated master cylinder), light weight hubs, quick rack, etc.   All of these items are really just uprated versions of the standard parts which Westfield could supply.

Give us a clue about what sort of car you think you want to build, and how you think it will most likely be used, and we can help refine your search.  Bear in mind too that the car has to get through the SVA test so any parts you source need to be SVA friendly, e.g. steering wheel, instruments / switches, mirrors, that sort of thing.

[Nick M]

No you don't need the build manual - just the parts list.

I'd suggest that, in conjunction with the Westfield parts list you get catalogues / parts lists from :

- Cat Motorsport

- Demon Tweaks

- Vehicle Wiring Products

- SBD (you *will* be fitting a Vauxhall engine, won't you ??       )

- Plays-kool

- Rally Design

[samfransisco]

The car I'm going for is a fast road car. Probably a duratec engine. Sorry, ca't write more. My son is attempting to type at the same time. Gotta love 6 month olds.  

[Nick M]

To have the ali panels fitted is 270quid. The loom is about 175

  Blimey, that's gone up a bit since I got them to do mine !!  Which was, admittedly, 6 years ago now I come to think of it....

Mr Frisco - best of luck with the 6 month old, but at least you'll have a small pair of hands to help you hold all those tricky nuts and bolts in place !!  

Out of curiousity, what's prompted you to go for the Duratec engine ?   Are Westfield now actively supporting it with things like bell-housings, engine mounts and exhaust manifolds ??

[samfransisco]

Duratec appears easier to get the power out off, 15kg lighter than the zetec (mainly due to aluminium block and lack of ancillary brackets) and it's the future for Ford I4. The Zetec is no longer being produced.

Westfield are building a Duratec engined car at the mo. I have asked to go down and have a looksie soon.

Need to convince the wife its what Junior wants for christmas.

Thanks for info. Presume I will buy a build book from westfield when I visit and this will list all the parts I want / need. Would just like to have this in electronic format.

[waynem]

Nick M has it right....

I'm doing a cheapy build (i.e. only getting things from Westfield that I really need.)

I'm off to the fatory this Saturday. I'll be ordering:

SEiW starter Kit,

Loom,

Track Rod ends,

Ball Joint Kits,

Lobros,

Fuel Tank/Straps,

Steering column/Rack (can get these cheaper, just cant be 'd

Went elsewhere for:

LSD, all calipers, front uprights, front hubs, outer shafts, disks, shocks, springs (AVO from CAT)

Will be going elsewhere for:-

Engine Block, gearbox, radiator, hoses, maybe seats, Throttlebodies/carbs and ECU/ignition, ancilliaries,

wheels/tyres.

I'll no doubt have a return visit to Westfield to finish off, i.e interior, dash, gauges, screen RAC rollbar, lights and fittings. That will be a while off though!!!!

Nick was also right in that it WILL cost more than you anticipate... I've not really even started and my projected cost has gone up a few grand...

Wayne M

[Nick M]

Incidentally, it's also worth thinking about how you approach the build process as this can make a difference as to what you have to shell out for and when.

For example, we had a rolling chassis by the end of the first weekend (well, we would have done if Westfield had given us enough bolts...).  I got the loom, brake pipes and panels fitted by the factory which admittedly saved a lot of time.  Once you have the car in that state you can at least move it around if you need to.

After that it was a case of dealing with chunks of the car in turn, for example, the next thing we did was fit the engine / gearbox and prop-shaft, etc.  You have the luxury of being able to go as fast or as slow as funds (and hence the parts supply) will allow.  If you were to get a set of Sierra wheels you could hold on having to shell out for the proper wheels and tyres for example.  By leaving the interior until last you can save up for seats, instruments, etc.

Another thing that was mentioned in a past thread was that fitting an aeroscreen saves quite a bit of time and money since you don't need the screen, pillars, wipers, sidescreens, heater, etc.  OK, it's a bit "all or nothing" but if you want a light car then it's the way ahead.

[samfransisco]

Yes but it's things like what uprights would you use instead? Is it possible to get aluminium uprights that would work / fit that arn't from westfield? What calipers can be used ? (would depend on the upright !!! etc etc.

I've built a fairly detailed BOM and it comes to around £16K. Bit too expense. Am looking at around 10 tom 12 really. Mind you 5 k is on the engine and drive line. Just don't know what a good second habd LSD would cost and which would work. Things like this are stopping me confidently starting a project.

After all, I will only start if I know I can finish. Apologies for spelling  mistakes but thats what a bottle of red wine and no sleep does to you.

Everyone's input is most appreciated. Oh sh't. I love you all really. Your my bestest mates. TC, Kebab, TAXI!!!!

[Nick M]

Just to answer a couple of specifics:

Uprights - you have the choice of either Cortina uprights (cheap, if you can find them...), cast aluminium uprights from Westfield (not cheap, but a bit lighter) or fabricated steel ones, also from Westfield (kin heavy !!.

You can't really use any other off the shelf items as the chances are the suspension geometry would go tits up.

LSD - get one for a Sierra 4x4 from a scrappies for GBP100.  It will probably be a 3.6 ratio but if you want a 3.9 ratio one then get a standard Sierra open diff as well and take it off to someone like Phil at Road and Race Transmissions in Kent to get him to combine the two into a 3.9 LSD.

To build a car for GBP10-12K then you have to realistically be looking at a cheap engine and standard gearbox, e.g. Zetec and Type 9.

[samfransisco]

Thanks.