Thinking of buying a Westie,

[StanS]

Evening Stan

The seller of the Westy below is on this forum

(QUOTE)

Read your ad and was interested along with

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif....gcode=p

cheers Jon

thanks Jon.

I can't seem to pm/contact people on the site = do you have to be a paid member ?

[davidgh]

Prefer not to have broken g box. Would the type 9 take a few autotest/track days per year ?

The gear set in a good close ratio synchro type 9 (probably BGH for helical or TranX for straight cut) should have no trouble handling the stresses of 200hp at a track day or autotest. The issue comes with wear to the synchro-rings if you try to change gear too fast.

If you really want to change up super fast without the clutch on a regular basis, you'll need a dog-box. That'll be twice the price, loud, and a bit clunky for road use.

HTH

[juansolo]

Hi Wilie

Believe duratec seems best  2.0 litre (lightest and 200bhp output) but most expensive so wondered what the best compromise was to get about 200 BHP/price.

Was thinking of a quiet, strong 5 speed .to take autotest/trackdays (as well as road use). Don't mind straight cut whine if 5th gear is helical. Prefer not to have broken g box. Would the type 9 take a few autotest/track days per year ?

Advice is sought and much appreciated !!

A standard type 9 will deal with 200hp. Cog swappage may however be desirable as 1st is a little short. Though I got used to it on mine to the point it doesn't bother me. Personally a BGH is a nice to have, if blimmin expensive. But it's not really neccessary.

As for the other things. Windscreens: add weight (screen/wipers/washers/heater) and slow you down. Also a screen without doors creates a wierd pressure area around your heed that's far less comfortable than an aeroscreen. Aeroscreen and goggles is the way to go. if it rains, stick a coat and a helmet on. Even if you have a roof, waterproof they ain't and rain getting on the inside of your window is a PITA.

Backends: IRS, nice ride, but heavy. LA can be made to ride right too with a bit of effort. Personally I prefer the handling characteristics of an LA car over IRS.

200hp. This seems to be a odd thing I've noticed of late. you 'need' 200hp. No you don't. I went from a 200+ hp car to a 165 hp car. The new car is lighter and set up way better. Overall MUCH quicker. Not in a straight line, sure, but everywhere else where it matters a lot more, yup. Very much so. Also the engine is under a grand to replace if you pop it. not over £3k. Oh, and it's economical and doesn't need to be tweaked every 5 minutes.

Basically. Buy my car.

I'm pimping it hard today. It would make you think that I've found it's replacement and could do with the garage space... or something...

[RedditchJay]

Evening Stan

The seller of the Westy below is on this forum

(QUOTE)

Read your ad and was interested along with

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif....gcode=p

cheers Jon

thanks Jon.

I can't seem to pm/contact people on the site = do you have to be a paid member ?

yes you do...... to PM or message site WSCC members you must also be a paid member........

[Wile E. Coyote]

In terms of engines, there's a LOT of choice out there. 200bhp can be had quite easily, especially from Vauxhall redtops (I was originally looking for a SBD tuned redtop but got distracted when the Cosworth I bought came on the market). There are many more options though.

Lot to be said for buying a relatively common engine - much less expensive if you do have it let go on you.   And don't forget that there are often still choices when it comes to carbs or not.

Straight cut boxes: 5 speeders usually whine in all but 4th.  Only time I notice mine is in town... by the time you hit 5th the wind noise will drown it out...I probably wouldn't have built from new with it but on a car with no screen etc I don't really view it as a negative.

Type 9s are pretty common - if you did kill one, daresay you'd find a spare easily/cheaply enough?  IIRC, they're not fond of super high revs though.

Next up on drivetrain LSD/ATB?

[StanS]

Thanks guys - really appreciate all the info - its making things a lot easier to sort the choices.

Re: windscreen, I think I'd better go for one as I imagine possibly going away in it for a week in the summer (if dryish) like we used to in the 7's, but I don't think (I know) her indoors wouldn't if there was not some "shelter from the elephants. She used to go to work (in a bank) in the late 60's early 70's wearing skirts that make todays minis look long, and getting out of the side screens with the hood on in a reasonably lady-like way was an art, as it was our daily driver in all weathers ! Can't see that she could get out with the hood up now, but need to try to make an effort at "comfort". So how easy/quick would it be to swap a windscreen to an aeroscreen (if that's possible) ?

She was always complaining of air pressure on her nose - didn't realise it was a symtom of the design !!

Had quaiffe ATB diffs F & R on a Classic Scooby and it was brilliant - made a big difference to the front on turn in (seemed to puul you into the corner) and generally loved them. No idea what they are like on the Westie or the differences different types make

All this talk of wind noise is bringing back memories. I'd forgotten that most of the time you wont hear much over the exhaust/wind noise. Great info re g.boxes  and engine size/make - thanks.

[markcoopers]

Ref swapping screens etc, there are some people that do this, but it is not that straight forward without some thought.

Easiest option is to drill and mount the screen and wipers etc to the existing scuttle and then when not wanted un do the four bolts and remove. Simple yes but will leave you with holes and i suspect after a while one will stay in place and that will be it.

I have seen a chap with two scuttles, one aero and one screen. He mounted the dash to a seperate support so was indipendent of the scuttle and fixed the wiper motor and screen cleaner/pump up inside the scuttle so in effect self contained. Simply unbolted (4 bolts again) the scuttle and disconected the electrics on a plug into the loom and swapped out. While not 2 mins quick it was no longer really than removing a screen and was asthetically much better......but again you will just end up with one or the other.

Box is porsonal really. Type 9 is fine for most applications and if driven with some consideration will be OK. But it is not a box for motorsport, so will eventually be a limitation if this is the route you follow. BGH lots rave about.....I broke one with a toyota 4AGE, the revs killed it. The quaife i have is the 2nd one (first was a 4 speed) and while a screemer is no more clunky than a std Type 9........which i also have and would be thrown in for free.

Sorry no interest in a scooby, i like NA engines in my toys.

To the other poster about IRS, again it is a personal choice but i suspect many will claim IRS is superior for the road. In fairness their argument is that all manufactures gave up LA years ago as IRS is better, to this i have litle argument, but i do when most commentatrs have not owned both. I've had 6 westfields now, and pretty much every combination. My first LA car i would hate now, but would describe as comfy and great on the road. The next was an IRS that i simply could not tell apart from the first LA as both were set up by the same people with the same spec  shocks and springs. My current LA is very stiff and thus not everyones cup of tea, but this is the set up and not the suspension design. The other point i would make when people say that IRS is more complient/comfy etc, is that it is a windy, noisy overtly sporting car with a firm ride by normal car standards......thus comfy is a relative term.

So in summary purchase on condition and overall spec/your needs. A well set up car is better than a dog regardless of rear suspension spec.

[WEMORGAN]

Thanks for your reply markcoopers.

Apologies to StanS for jumping on to your thread. I did start my own, but it was deleted because I broke a forum rule about 'wanted' posts. Appologies for that also.

I'm a genuine person, not wishing to waste anyone's time

[StanS]

Thanks for the reply Mark - once again a great amount of valuable info/experience. From what you said, I reckon for me its going to be IRS and a screen. Sorry Mark !! You have an awesome car there at a great price (in my inexperienced opinion). Hope it sells soon.

No worries Wemorgan - we all trying to pick experienced brains and make the best decisions (which in hind sight will no doubt prove to be not the best decisions !!!)