MarkJ Posted December 10, 2002 Posted December 10, 2002 Hi, I've just bought a part-built Westfield SE narrow-body as a first car-project. It's a 92 car with a 1600cc Xflow and 4 speed box fitted. As a complete novice with very little mechanical knowledge, I could do with some help - Firstly, where do I get hold of a riv-nut gun and the nuts to go with it? what size bolts will I need to fit body panels etc? I stare at the Screwfix catalogue without really knowing which ones I need - M8, M6, nyloc nuts etc etc? I want to change the existing standard down-draught carb for twin Weber side-draught carbs, to avoid fouling the bonnet line. This will also require a manifold change - so will this clear the distributor top as it appears to be quite close? The car came with 13" wolfrace style alloys and firestone tyres. I want to upgrade to 15" minilites or similar. What's the max width I can go to without any major modifications to the car? And lastly (for the moment), my blood pressure seems to rise everytime I ask Westfield for a price for one of its parts, and I have to sit down for a while afterwards - is this normal?! Any help gratefully received. BTW, I live near Bath in Somerset, if anyone is nearby and wants to let me study their Westy? Mark. Quote
Blatman Posted December 10, 2002 Posted December 10, 2002 First thing's first....................... Hello. Now then. Is the car registered. If not, you'll need to be sitting down when you ask about the SVA......... Riv-nut gun from almost any tool shop, or try Merlin Motorsport. Bolt's to fit the body? Most are rivetted on. M4, or 3/8th's, IIRC is the size you'll need, but I'll stand to be corrected on that (it's been a while). Rivet/bolt size was discussed a while back. Try the search function........ Lots of x-flow Westfields have twin Webers, so clearance of the dizzy cap has been resolved. It may be as simple as speccing the right cap. Stick with 13x6 Minilites (or maybe 13x7 rears, if you really must). 13" tyres are much cheaper than the 15" equivalents, as are the wheels, and they'll save unsprung weight too. I think they look right, and make the car more manageable at the limit too. 205-50-13's will comfortably fit at the rear, but are probably too big for the use they are going to get. There are plenty of alternatives to getting everything from Westfield. Have a look on the links page. However, for narrow bodied specific stuff like bodywork, and chassis work or RAC roll bars, the factory is the best place. I generally sit down before I ask the price though......... Quote
Graham.J Posted December 10, 2002 Posted December 10, 2002 Right.. Hi!, I also have a narrow body SE with a 1600 XF but i'm in Surrey. Ok, blatters seems to have covered most of it but I'll have a go.. Carbs: yes, my twin webers are clear of the dizzy then inlet manifold is shaped so the carbs are well above it, you shouldn't have any problems. Wheels: I've just put 15" wheels on mine as my exhaust kept scraping on the slope off my drive with 13" wheels. Mine are are 7" wide and I have about 25/30mm before I touch chassis (width ways of course, with no spacers) Yup I always sit down when the price bit comes. If you can, there's normally some second hand bits that come up at a much cheaper price. Try Margnor for bolts and stuff IMO they are really cheap. Quote
samcooke Posted December 10, 2002 Posted December 10, 2002 Hello Mark. Congrats on a fine choice of power unit for your new motor. The dizzy clearance bit isn't a problem, just make sure you get a top mounted carb linkage. The bottom mounted one can foul some models of dizzy and occasionally the diagonal chassis rail. Suppliers might offer you a choice, but bottom mounted is standard so if they don't know xflows remember to specify. As the car is a narrow body you will need short air filters for the carbs to avoid having to butcher the bonnet at the side, they'll chomp off a couple of HP compared to taller ones, but not so as you'd notice. Blatman is right (you'll get used to that quickly ) about wheel size, but if you want 15s for cosmetic reasons, don't let him put you off too much cos plenty of people run them with no probs. Use the search function at the top of the page to find numerous threads on wheel widths and offsets. I don't find Westfield too bad on prices. If you need reassuring, give c******m a ring and ask them for some prices on their bodywork... Quote
Blatman Posted December 10, 2002 Posted December 10, 2002 if you want 15s for cosmetic reasons, don't let him put you off too much cos plenty of people run them with no probs. It was budgetary reasons I suggested sticking with the 13", because of the comments regarding prices quoted from the factory. Most of us hardened Se7eners accept that budgets get blown apart all too easily, and that for the most part the factory aren't outrageously over-priced (although there are one or two notable exceptions....), and I get the feeling that Mark J is on a budget.............I'm prepared to stand corrected on that though when Mark next posts.............. For the price of a set of 15's and tyres, you can almost get two full sets of 13's with tyres.................. Quote
MarkJ Posted December 10, 2002 Author Posted December 10, 2002 Thank you all for your replies, I could well be asking a lot of questions as the build progresses in the months to come...! As far as budget goes, I guess I am on one. I want to ensure that when I eventually come to sell it, that I will recoup most of what I've spent on it. I drive a Merc C220 auto everyday and this can be quite pricey to run and maintain so I've got to be careful. I bought the rolling chassis for £2.5k, and reckon on spending somewhere around the same again or up to £3.5k. I assume the value of a '92 model narrow body car would be in the region of £5k from what I've seen? What has surprised me so much from Westfield is the cost of new windscreen uprights at £130 for the pair with mirrors, indicators at £66 for the pair, seats (how do they justify these prices when perfectly good alternatives are available for £200 less?! etc. May be I've been spoilt, as I was all set to build an MK Indy (Locost seven) and their prices are somewhat lower than the Westys... Anyone know how much a new set of body panels is for a Westy, as opposed to respraying the one's I've got? And if anybody knows a good place for s/hand or reconditioned Weber carbs and manifolds, I'd be grateful if you'd let me know. Do seats like the Cobra Sevens, or Intatrim Roadster fit into a narrow body car, or am I stuck with the bench type that came with it? Again, any help gratefully received, many thanks. Mark. Quote
samcooke Posted December 10, 2002 Posted December 10, 2002 Is the car road registered Mark? If so it'll be a fine buy and a nice new looking motor for very little cash when you're done. There aren't many seats that'll fit a narrow. The intatrim ranger will, see - as will the Playskool GRP / carbon sports seats, but no they're good for fatties like me, c******m tillets go too, but they're no good for skinflints like me. New bodywork for an SE is about £900 inc vat, so a much better option than a paint job. Post a wanted ad here and on findit for the carbs. I got some from a fella local to me at Motorsport Parts, there's loads of suppliers like this about. People seem to want about £100 - £200 for a good used set on a manifold with linkages. Quote
Mark Stanton Posted December 10, 2002 Posted December 10, 2002 "Cough" is somebody gonna tell him about joining the WSCC or do I have to Best £20 you'll spend (may be) Quote
Blatman Posted December 10, 2002 Posted December 10, 2002 Motorsport News (every Wednesday) is a good place for parts.........and there are sveral web site too, but I can't remember any of them right now Oooooooh..........www.findit.co.uk....................... Quote
Blatman Posted December 10, 2002 Posted December 10, 2002 Oh yeah................is it registered/SVA'd? You've sidestepped that one so far........ Quote
jeff oakley Posted December 10, 2002 Posted December 10, 2002 Blatters is right in his comments and his question of SVA is crucial. If you are needing to get it, then that counts out some of the cheaper routes to getting it back on the road. If it is already registered, then for instance the indicators can be scourced from various places at cheap prices. At the Exeter show Premier had front indicators small and sexy for about a tenner each. Also "genuine" Westfield parts can be bought from Staffords at a more attractive price for lighting etc. It all depends what you have what you want and when you want it. As Mark said the club is also a good place to get parts you just have to be quick as bargins go really fast. I live in Yate so not too far from you any time you want to chat call me on 01454 323817 good luck jeff Quote
Graham.J Posted December 10, 2002 Posted December 10, 2002 What has surprised me so much from Westfield is the cost of new windscreen uprights at £130 for the pair with mirrors, When I rang up they said they didn't make them anymore and didn't have anymore in stock for a narrow body. (unless it was the WHOLE thing inc. screen they didnt have) Edited to add my photo of the Playskool GRP seat (it's more laid back now instead of upright.) Quote
steppenwolf Posted December 10, 2002 Posted December 10, 2002 seats (how do they justify these prices when perfectly good alternatives are available for £200 less?! There are much cheaper seats available but the Westfield ones are almost certainly the most comfortable around - how they make them so comfortable and yet so small is a mystery to me but they do and they are worth the extra money! Mark, the significance of the SVA question must not be ignored - for example, even Westfield's own 'old style' side indicators will not pass the SVA test and this is just one issue! We don't want you saving money on items that will fail the SVA test if you need to take it ..... Wheel size is a personal taste item - sure, smaller wheels and tyres have lower unsprung weight ( which is a good thing! ) but you may prefer the appearance of 15" wheels ( BUT DON'T GO BIGGER! ). If you are working to a tight budget, stick with the 13", they will be more than fine .... Oh, before I forget, welcome .... Quote
Mark Stanton Posted December 10, 2002 Posted December 10, 2002 I fitted Wesfield bucket style seats in mine very comfy, perhaps not best suited to track use though, hence my drivers seat is a PKM carbon job, very comfy and supportive. My Pa had his tailor-made by an independant specialist - he wanted something non standard that Westfield didn't manufacture, yep he is an awkward old beggar at times But the end result was cheaper and really as comfy as my own Westfield ones. I've also tried a few other seats in my time and found most except for the old stylee bench types also comfy Comfort is a personal thing dependant upon two things 1. Size of your butt and 2. Size of your wallet. Shop around try as many as you can and decide what you want and how much you can afford. Showtime next year might be best as there are many "Special Offers" around As Stepps says be careful that any bargains you purchase comply with current SVA legislation - else could prove to be an expensive bargain Quote
steppenwolf Posted December 10, 2002 Posted December 10, 2002 Comfort is a personal thing dependant upon two things 1. Size of your butt and 2. Size of your wallet. Mark, are you suggesting that I am a lard A*** with too much money to spend or is it just my paranoia returning .... are you staring at me? Quote
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