Westfield Visit This Weekend

[waynem]

As I'm doing a cheapy build (if there is such a thing) I am going to order a starter kit and some other stuff. The good thing is I can leave a lot of decisions (e.g. engine bits, trim) until later...

Anyway, I was building up my list of stuff for the weekend and it goes something like this...

Starter Kit (SEiW) with various options (coated, bushes inserted, detachable arches...)

Quick rack and lower column.

4x Lobros

Zetec Carb loom (although I'm likely to go injected)

Track Rod End Kit

Ball Joint Kit

Spring/Shock Kit.

This should get me to a point just prior to engine/gearbox installation...

Then I got to thinking about the fuel tank. I'll probably order this too (injection tank) and maybe fuel pump....

Is the Westfield supplied high capacity pump any good or does anyone recommend another supplier ? Also, solid fuel lines. Are these pretty much the same wherever, or do people have a favorite....

Have I missed anything ?

(I already have front uprights, calipers, LSD, hubs etc.)

Cheers

[westy]

If you are going for fuel injection most people also purchase a red top facet fuel pump and a separate swirl (surge) pot as the long range injection tank is subject to surge problems on left hand bends once the fuel gets low.  The swirl (surge) pot then goes through a high and low line fuel filter before reaching the high pressure injection fuel pump.

You can just about get away without a surge pot on a carburetor setup as a carb’ has a reservoir of fuel before it is used where as the injectors do not.  

When my last red top failed (and they do a lot) I bought it from Burtons as they were cheapest at the time.

HTH

Westy.

[Bananaman]

waynem

Are you after an engine I have a 2L zetec with twin 45's & Alpha 3d ignition & a gearbox & some wheels & a Diff (should really build a new car with all this stuff!

see here

Andy

[waynem]

Hi Andy,

Doesn't quite fit in with my current engine plans (although this does change weekly )

I am after a 2L Zetec, but I am currently planning to go injected (Jenvey TB's and not so sure about ECU). I also don't have much space available to store an engine until its required (spring/summer!!. I was just going to get a 2L Zetec block in the chassis (with Type 9 g/box) and then add bits onto it as and when budget/time will allow...

However, what are your wheels like? Any pics ? I could be persuaded in this department!!!!

Are you near to me (Warrington)? I seem to remember a previous thread somewhere which suggested you were!!

Wayne M.

[Fast Westie]

Wayne

Starter Kit (SEiW) with various options (coated, bushes inserted, detachable arches...)

Go for poly bushes

4x Lobros

Use the ones you have with your back axle

Track Rod End Kit

Ball Joint Kit

May be cheaper from your local motor factors

Spring/Shock Kit.

Go for Avos or Gaz shocks and springs

Have I missed anything ?

Screen, seats, prop, RAC roll bar

[waynem]

Regarding the Lobros....

Many people here have suggested that it's good practice/sensible  to replace the lobros whilst the opoprtunity is there. I know its 200 nicker for a set, but are the old parts likely to be worn/wear out in next to no time ??

I was contemplating AVO shocks. < just looking on the web...>

£64 quid each for the shocks (PA533). Anyone know which springs I need ??

waynem

[Mike H]

Deffo go for the ball joint kit, you wouldn't save much at all IMO (if you can get the right parts) from anywhere else.

Other bits:

-  handbrake lever + cable

-  optional extra ally side panels

depending on your build timescales, you won't need shocks/springs until you get the car on the floor. You could save the £400+ for now and spend on something else. My shocks will be custom made from 2"x1" best spruce pine until I really need some.

regards

Mike H

[Nick M]

Wayne,

Just to build on Fast Westie's comments :

- Yes, get the poly bushes - they're much easier to change in the long run and work much better than the metalastic ones

- don't get your quick rack from Westfield - speak to Cat Motorsport

- ditto dampers - the standard Spax ones are horrid. Cat do AVOs for a little over GBP60 + VAT and they are *much* better.  I use them on my car.  Cat Motorsport also do springs in varying rates too - try 180lb rears and about 280lb fronts for starters.

- amazingly the ball joint kit (I assume you mean for the upper and lower front wishbones) is cheapest when bought from Westfield, not least because it includes all the other odds and sods like bolts and lock nuts.

- order the RAC roll bar, either now or at a later date - your head will thank you for it if, heaven forbid, things go tits up and you roll it.

- ECU - not used it myself but have a serious look at the Emerald ECU.  It's quite good value for money and Dave Andrews, the known guru of K series tuning uses them a lot.  He's also having a look at Zetecs as well so he may be able to help you save a few pennies.

Otherwise look at the MBE ECU as I think there's a few people on this site who use them with throttle bodied Zetecs.

- fuel tank - the new fuel injection tank has a surge bowl in the bottom nearside rear corner of the tank.  This may cure the surge problems that some people have been experiencing.  I run this tank and haven't had any problems with surge, although some of that may be due to the level of fuel in the tank and the fact that most circuits run clockwise !!

- fuel pumps and other odds and sods - Westfield *may*, or may not, be slightly more expensive than other places.  I'd have a chat with the likes of Dunnel and Raceline and see what pumps they recommend and if they do any discounts.  You can but ask, particularly if you're likely to be getting other parts from them, e.g. baffled sump, etc.

- Finally, it would be remiss of me not to question your sanity by asking why on earth you're going for a Zetec engine when the Vauxhall engines are *soooo* much nicer and more powerful !!        

[waynem]

Finally, it would be remiss of me not to question your sanity by asking why on earth you're going for a Zetec engine when the Vauxhall engines are *soooo* much nicer and more powerful !!        

Ooooh! Thats sure to get plenty of response!!!!!

- ECU - not used it myself but have a serious look at the Emerald ECU

This would be the ECU I'd look at going on the response from these boards, although I have no idea of the price!! STill, that is a problem for a later date....

The RAC roll bar is also a dead cert. for later in the build process. (I want to stagger what I get from Westfield due to storage limitations!!!

As for the baffled sump, I have been looking at the Raceline part (although the price escaped me at the moment). Don't seem to remember them being much different to the Westfield price (£230 + supply of sump to be modified)

Guess I'd better phone CAT and a few other places as time is pressing on!!!

BTW Does anyone know the lead times for kit delivery. I have heard a few months, but think that may be for a completely built car ?

Cheers

[Captain Colonial]

- Finally, it would be remiss of me not to question your sanity by asking why on earth you're going for a Zetec engine when the Vauxhall engines are *soooo* much nicer and more powerful !!        

...said the brave-talking man soon moving to the States!    

[Nick M]

Brave talk ?  Pah !  Only telling it like it is !!      

[BobM]

BTW Does anyone know the lead times for kit delivery. I have heard a few months, but think that may be for a completely built car ?

3-4 weeks.

[JamesD]

Can I ask why you are buying the carb loom and not the fuel injection loom, especially as the injection loom is made for jenvey throttle bodies, therefore just requiring connections for the ECU?

BTW Scholar engines did have some 2nd hand Dunnell sumps for £75 + VAT, I bought 1 and it was in great nick, may be worth checking to see if they have any left. There on (01449) 767711, they also do an injection kit for about £1300 + VAT...worth a look. I went for the DTA kit (less injectors) for £1350ish + VAT, very impressed with the service so far.

Regards,

JD  

[Paul Hurdsfield - Joint Manchester AO]

Hey Wayne why not come along to the Manchester meet

at The Megabowl, Pilsworth, nr Bury tomorrow night, there will be a good bunch of Westy owners there and you can talk cars all night, see other thread for details,

you know it makes sense  

its only 30 minutes top side from Warrington area

[waynem]

James D

I have been undecided about the way to proceed regarding carbs or injection. I want to maintain maximum flexibility incase my budget should force me down either path. I am assuming that the carb loom could be supplemented by the ECU Management loom and all will be hunky-dory. This will allow me to fall back to a carbed solution. If the Injection loom is fine for the job then great!! Maybe I will have to swap this around!!!

I am planning/hoping to get Jenvey TB's and use an Emerald ECU.

Anyone else used this combination? If so, did the Westfield Injection loom do the job ??

Hi Paul,

I am intending to get along to some of the regional meets in the near future, but work commitments are crippling my evenings!! I commute from Warrington to Sheffield (by train to make things worse ) and deadlines are looming, so time is against me I'm afraid!! I'll keep checking for events which I can make as I'm sure I'll need others advice and encouragement in the months to come