@deadlycheezcake - it all comes down to how fast you want it to go. You pay for power and lightness! This was about £21k but I put a lot of extras on it when I built it.
It all comes down to money and how much spare time you have! You can source every single part yourself to save money or you can split it into 6 modules all direct from he factory - chassis, suspension / brakes, engine / gearbox, electrical systems and then the body work and cabin etc. Once you have finished you need to then have it inspected by VOSA for safety and obtain numberplates and tax from DVLA.
Plenty of time / knowlendge 4 to 6 weeks, most people 12 weeks.
Looks like so much fun! How much engineering knowledge do you need to not make it a death trap? I'd love to do something like this one day but I'd be afraid of making something undriveable/dangerous...!
Not much, if you've got some common sense and can hold a torque wrench you'll be ok. There's plenty of forums on the net who give help and you'll have the factory on speed dial for help. It comes with some big instruction manuals! You can't drive it on the roads without it going through the appropriate VOSA testing anyway. I sent mine back to the factory for a once over and safety check before it went for testing.
thats brilliant. theres a bit of a story as to why i want one, but basically, its cheaper to insure and cheaper to buy as my first car. but how much did this cost you to build (including all parts) and insure?
I'll warn you now, they are not practical as your only car...... especially in the wet / winter and with the state of the roads at the minute. It was one of the reasons I got shut of mine......... there roads were just that bad near me.... combined with speed humps etc I just wasn't getting the enjoyment out of it. Insurance was around £340 with a 4k limited mileage policy and it cost over £20k to build it!
Go for it mate! You don't really have to know that much about cars, but it helps keep costs down if you do. But you learn a lot and there are a couple of good forums n members to offer help.
Haha! No, just a very clean garage :-) It didn't used to look like that! Imagine lawnmowers, bikes, rusty nails, bbq's etc and you get the picture. I had to buy a shed to put all that crap in :-)
To be honest I don't know. You would be as well phoning / e-mailing the factory in Kingwinsford, Birmingham (they have a web page) and asking them. It looks like they have agents in Texas and Colorado.
I'm doing the beginning stages of planning to build a Westfield/Caterham type car. I want a high reving engine so I thought the Hayabusa engine would be a good idea. With a bike engine I'd have sequential shift correct? Is the Busa engine shaft drive? Can I mount it right to a LSD with IRS and go? What are some other engine options? I've seen the videos of the Turbo Miata and that looks good but I think I'd like the sequential shifting from a bike engine. R1 maybe? Any help is appreciated.
Sorry, to be honest I do not know much about the bike setups. But the hayabusa is a well used high end setup. I understand they are converted to shaft driven and some type of third party LSD / drive shaft setup. They do indeed come as sequential shifters. One thing to think about is what do you want the car for? track car or road car, as a Hayabusa set up will be pretty aggressive around town (3.2s 0-60mph typical)!!!
Westfield Sportscars Limited. Do an online search for the company. There are many companies who doe similar kits, but quality varies. Caterham and Westfield are high quality setups
After a few days research I have found out that the Toyota Gearbox that I want to use is called "AZ6 — 6-speed" it is made by Aisin transmissions here in Japan, it is also used in the following vehicles
Honda S2000,
Mazda Miata/MX-5/Roadster,
Mazda RX-8,
Toyota Altezza/Lexus IS200
So that has taken a load off, now have to sort out the Diff,
Can't you use a ford LSD diff for ease (or upgrade internals with a quaiffe ATB if you want a bit more) ? The diff will fit straight into the rear with westfield driveshafts. You should only need a custom prop to fit your setup then and will lessen the fiddling / cost?
Well as the Mazda used the same gearbox as the Toyota Altezza, then the Mazda Diff should be ok to use. If I can not work this all out then I will forget ordering a Westfield and order a Elfin T5 Clubman from Australia as it is a moden day Super 7 and looks great!
anyway when you make a new care you can make a DVD step by step and comes with schematics? Just a thought I'd buy a dvd how to step by step guide. Cuase you gota learn some where eh?
When you buy the car you can get an extensive build manual (which still normally gives you a few headaches and calls to the factory). There is a DVD featuring Mark Evans called "A Racecar Is Born" and although this is quite interesting there are quite a few steps missing (and the car appears to fit together perfectly, which is unlikely). Discover Channel - Realtime can be quite good for show with Kit car building.
Just let me know when you decide to make a dvd plz. I'm looking for the complete how to step by step how to make a car from scratch with schematics. I've yet to find someone who actually does what they say.
Well me and the boys at Mesa State college will not be pleased to hear that. Kinda dissapointed really. We wanted to use a Step by Step how to video with schematics for future use for educational purposes. Let us know if you change your mind eh?
Well, 80% of the engine is ford, the gear box is a Mitchell Cotts ford replica, LS diff is ford with new internals, so are the mirrors, hand brake, side repeaters and header tank and steering rack is an third party oem ford spec. There's also VW rad and rear brake calipers and some leyland at top of steering column. If you can show me a kit car that doesn't have ford / vauxhall / rover parts on it I'll eat my hat :-)
The miata / mazda mx 5 is a fairly recent kit car donor vehicle her in the UK and has only really come in to its own due to the decline of the previous ford sierra. At the minute there are not that many performance upgrades off the shelf to fit the miata / kit car in the uk.
Just a quick question, How many hours did she take to build? I am trying to have a SEiGHT shipped to Japan to build, will use the V6 Engine from a Toyota Blade.
It depends on how much spare time you have and if you have all the parts available. My car was a module build which means all but a few basic items are included in the kit you just start bolting, rivitting and filing and your away. This was my first build and it took about 4 to 6 weeks. I was only delayed by the factory as they couldn't get hold of my gearbox. If you're using an untested engine and gearbox setup it will take longer as you'll need some custom parts making.
I have about 5 hours a night spare as the wife is also interested in building the SEiGHT.
So it looks like as I have to have everything shipped to Japan I need to order a Module Kit so the whole car is shipped in one go & I only need to pay for shipping once.
What are the other items that you needed to obtain? I plan on using a Lexus IS Gearbox and Diff as they will mount to the Toyota Blade Engine as it is the same engine used in the IS the 2GR-FE V6 or I may use the 2UR-GSE V8
The problem you will have is that combination of engine, gearbox and diff is unlikely to have been tested in a westfield. It may not fit within the bodywork / chassis and you are likely to need to do alteration to chassis, as well as needing custom prop / drive shafts / exhaust system. You may also have to purchase a different engine management / fuel injection system if the original cannot be altered during a rolling road tune.
The SEiGHT can hold a V8 in the chassis so I think it should be ok with the smaller V6.
If I need to I will play around to fit in the Gearbox/diff then I need to do it. The gearbox/diff that is used in the UK cannot be found here in Japan, so there is really no option but to custom the S8 for the Engine/Gearbox/Diff set up.
That is the problem with Kit Cars from outside Japan, in Japan the parts used to build them cannot be found so everything has to be custom for what can be used!
Another issue to consider is a lot of engine sumps / oil filters also have to be changed as they hang too low in the chassis. Alot of engines end up having a shortened / baffled sump (or fully pumped) to improve ground clearance / surge. It is often height that causes the problems. I understand the Ford Duratec engine is actually a Mazda engine which might be easier to get hold of in Japan. Being in japan is it not easier to go down the Honda S2000 route? :-)
I thought about buying a kit, but then i started thinking about how to get the engine in and everything. Is it hard to get the job done? Or has it got a decent manual with it? Do you require any special equipment ?
I went for the module route so the engine and gearbox sloted straight in. If you opt for a well know engine and gearbox setup you will not have a problem. If you try to shoehorn something exotic then you will struggle. Standard on mine was a ford duratec engine, with ford MT75 bell housing / gear box with a ford 7" limited slip diff. All available off the shelf (there are many other stsndard combos of Ford, Rover engines, Type 9 gearboxes, freelander diffs etc).
Yep, you'll need an engine hoists! I borrowed one of some else. It only takes about 15 mins to drop the engine and gearbox. Probably weighs 120+kgs all in,
Hi mate i really like that car i wanna buy car like this to drive in my farm, how much does it cost to build car like this and can you drive on the road? i want to buy if it's for sale let me know plz
Yes the car can be driven on the road legally. The vehicle would not be suitable for driving on a farm though, you need good tarmac roads / racetrack as the ride is too harsh on anything else (plus the car is very low to the ground). The car was sold some time ago... you can build one to the same spec for about £21k, but there are cheaper versions out there.
Are there any well known adaptations of the classic super 7 shape with a proper roof on it? I like the idea of the car, but not the flimsy cloth roof? cheers
I am not aware of any, especially as it wouldn't really follow the super seven ethos. I understand in years gone by prototypes have been made but never really went to market, plus it would hike the cost up. If your concerned over safety get a cage fitted. P.S. you'll hardly ever have the roof up and to be honest your not likely to go out driving in the rain as you will probably end up in a hedge bottom upside down due to the power to weight ratio and ability to spin the wheels.
Addition - if you did want something similar to a seven with a roof there are some out there but they tend to be professional factory manufactured and have hefty pricetags (supercar price £$)
Very quick as standard, but it depends on what vehicle you have driven in the past. It would embarass most high end cars with the handling and acceleration, but looses out on the top end! The 2.0l engine can be taken up to 300+hp naturally aspirated and can also be turbo'd / supercharge (dependent on available space). I think some of the higher powered builders go for the 2.3l unit. Don't forget block is ali which keeps the weight down too.
Okay awesome. Yeah i dont care about top end because you cant use it on the road anyway, with ought breaking the law that it. I just want to be able to get to the speed limit fast, and 300hp in a 500kg car would be insane haha. For kit cars a westfield is at the top of my list.
is it possible to build it when you have no car-building experince at all?(Build it with only a guidebook?) And can you wire al the electrics yourself? Is it alligned already? thx
Man, for a not so long time ago i discovered the special thing with the Super Seven and now its my dream car. I really hope i will get money, time and space for building that Westfield! How long time did it take to build it?
im building one of these too eugene has a point i had no welding experince so i took a night course i feel it will be more rewarding ripping up the road in something i built my self and as for design i bought the haynes book it has all you need to know in it but anyway nice car mate
not enough creativity try building one from scratch. projects like this are almost like putting a puzzle together, yes it can be difficult at times but in the end you end up with a picture someone else drew.
Why would I want to do that? I didn't have the time or knowledge required to source all parts or design a good / light space frame chassis, I've never welded nor do I own welding gear, I wanted something that was well built, reliable and fast and comes with a warranty, plus why would I want to have a shed load of greasy parts sat in the garage for 3 years trying to make things fit together when I can build it, drive it and enjoy within a few months. The kit was right for me!
i can see your point, im not saying that this is not a good car it is fun and good looking, well performing car. 99% of the people would not attempt a project like this in the first place.
No problem, I am fairly mechanically minded but had no real automotive experience. Undertaking this build has increased my knowledge and has given me a good grounding to go on to other projects. The biggest problem anyone will have designing something from scratch to go on the UK public highway is the passing Single Vehicle Approval Test, the requirements of the manual are quite hefty and often lead to failure, even the kit bought systems can fail at the first attempt!
Awesome...Absolutely awesome. Well presented vid and nice last couple of pictures, really sets the heart going and gives HUGE inspiration to go and do it. Many Thanks!!
Nice tidy job there,nice size garage too,only one thing,shame you had to use a mini wiper motor and rack,they were crap on the mini and 100 different BLMC cars they were fitted to.Slow,jerky,dont wipe properly,rarely park right either,I always use for racks and motors shortened from MK2 escort,even MK5 or later can be used.The arm spindles are 100 times better they are operated by flat bars and they wipe and park properly,just my preferance anyway.
No, all chassis frame is complete when it leaves the factory and all aliminium panels are pre cut to shape. You will need to drill, rivet and file metal and fibre glass though.
lol cool video! my names Rachel, kinda feelin bored if any1 wants to join me on cam or wana chat i will be signed on at __ FriendlyFlirts(.COM) __ my user ID there is Rachel_lvmknecblrv chat soon xx its FR33 to j0in! mwah
im digging this video! my names Haley, kinda feelin bored if any1 wants to join me on cam or wana chat i will be signed on at __ FriendlyFlirts(.COM) __ my user ID there is Haley_ejjmvkumeqr chat soon xx its FR33 to j0in! mwah
Ive got a 2.0 duratec HE in a mk3 mondeo and have found out that it dosent take much to tune these engines out to around 190(ish)bhp, can they be applied to the FWD setup in a standard 51 mondy? Nice Westie btw, big following down south coast
The problem you will have in an existing mondeo is the engine management system. The ford systems monitor a lot more systems and has more sensors on engine / exhaust. In the westy the power is opened up by ditching all the ford ancilleries and fitting a throttle body system, better airflow (filter and exhaust) and a Weber ECU. All the ford cooling, fueling and control systems are gone. I believe it is possible to tune the engines up but you'll have to make sure it doesn't affect passing an MOT.
I believe Westfield do have an American dealer, have a look for Wesfield Sportscars on google (they are based in Birmingham in the UK). Cost wise I couldn't give you an exact price as there are so many variations to engines and options to choose from (I understand there are even some V8 chevy engines running in the UK!
my father build one from the ground by himself and the money he paid was only for the suspension, wheels and thyres, racing seat and the streering wheel! how much does your car weight and what kind of mototr is it?
It's a Westfield Sport, and I think it's around 550kg in weight, but I don't know exactly. I could have gone lighter, but I went more for comfortable and looks. It still quick with a 200hp engine though!
Just because im thinking of buying a kit myself. The overall cost of the build. How much would you have spent after buying the kit? I have figured that the kit itself is about 50% of the cost, and just as much needs spending on all the other bits (except for tuning of the engine)
I purchased a module build (which had everything in), in theory you shouldn't have to spend anything extra, but you will on cosmetic itemes just to make things look better. I suppose if you bought the basic starter kit then you could spend another 50% on an engine and wheel upgrades, diffs etc. You would be better asking on a kit car forum!
Nope, definitely a ford / mazda power plant, direct from ford power products and a Weber Alpha throttle body injection system bolted on - topped of with lightened flywheel and AP Racing clutch
Nice job,those westfield kits are certainly better than the older cars,I bet if you shook the box hard enough a finished car drops out the bottom!!The Duttons and the Silva cars required alot of fettling to do the job well
Non, as long as you can hold a spanner, a torque wrench, a drill and a file (and you are not accident prone) and a wife that doesn't nag you for spending too much time in the garage! It's all detailed in the build manuals and assuming you've got some common sense you will be ok.
man i so wish you were my older bro id love to be in your company! youd have to be so proud of your car! and your work you did, I myself am looking into starting a mechanical apprenticeship.
I live in aus and the ausie dollar is currently almot the same as the US dollar. so now would be a good time to buy. How much did everything cost you in the end? cheers mang!
I have a westy and built it. I have also been to loads of track days. I have never seen an atom overtack me. I always overtake them. Buy a caterham they are the best.
That was impressive it was quicker than a GT3 RS. Now I have been to loads of track days and I can not touch a GT3 RS, well ones driven well. Occasionally you get a badly driven one. The Atoms I've seen at track days can not be supercharged. I'm still a Caterham fan. Would like a go in a Atom, has all the right ingredients good power to weight.
It is based on the same Lotus 7 shape but a Westfield is better. I'm led to believe that Caterhams are made from swiss cheese and recylced fizzy drinks cans. Plus if you own a Caterham you have to stand around for ages and talk about it's pedigree!! Ha ha!!!!
Great job... I have wanted one of these for about 20 years, and it only got worse when I actualy got to drive one a few years ago! Words cant describe my jelousy!
To be honest I think the new single donor vehicle using the old mazda mx 5 is a great way to go, especially if your on a limited budget. You'll get about 120bhp if you choose the right engine / model. There will also be some room for tweaking to get this up in power (and I really like the look of the mx5 dash in the westy!!
Your only limited by what engine, gearbox and bell housings you can fit within the chassis and bodywork of the car and how good you are at welding - people tend to stick with existing rear wheel drive vehicles as they are easier to adapt or parts are available to do it - one off specials can become expensive If you need to have parts made. The main engines are ford, rover (V8), vauxhall and motorcycle, but there are some v8 chevy's, honda s2000, jag V6 etc. Just time, money and patience!
As I said before.... Cost really depends on model (engine performance) and extras, such as brake upgrades, anti roll systems, dashboard, differentials etc. Prices range from about £8500 (mazda donor build 0 to 60mph in about 5.5 seconds) up to about £30,000 for top of the range 2000s (0 to 60 mph in 3.3 seconds) Mine cost around £21K
Have a look on the comment on other page for an idea what the price range is, I spent around £20k but all my parts were brand new. There are much cheaper options. If you contact Westfield they will send you brochures and price lists, with options...... it's the options that put the prices up!
i helped build one of these for a project when i was at school. it took us four years coz we built it from scratch. it had a toyota corrola engine in it and it was so freakin fast. forget porsche, ferrari and all that lot, these are real sports cars!
It's not patience you need, it's better instructions!! It's just like a big mechano set if you go down the module build route. What more can you ask for? high performance and cheap insurance and a car you can tweek to your hearts content. Only thing I need is some good weather ;-) If I'd had all the bits in one go I could have quite easily completed the car in 4 weeks and finished it to a high quality. I completed the first 2 modules over the first weekend!
very nicely done mate!!! colurs and them wheels couldn't of been better!!! hope ur enjoyin it!! im not jealous 1 bit (large hint of sarcasum) i had a go in a 1.8 cross flow wiv racing crank and with 2 of us on really old crap fuel out dragged a bran new 2.0t audi tt the sales man cudn't belive it few mins ealier he was moking us at work
I hope you don't fit the starter motors to the engines, bloody thing refused to work today after a good blat in the sun. Let's the look of the car down when your outside a packed pub whacking the starter with a spanner to dislodge it ;-) LOL ha ha!
Ignore venka, I think you did a great job and thank you for going thru the effort. It looks a little less scary now seeing someone else do it. Great looking BTW.
Wow it's just a slide show how can people learn how when its just pictures
TheHappywheels101 2 days ago
Great car great music!!
daanaandevaart 3 months ago
How many Days did you spent on that to complete the work??? thanks!
giogibsongio 4 months ago
2 thumps up bro,
MISSdontouchme21 4 months ago
how much does it cost to do this?
deadlycheezcake 4 months ago
@deadlycheezcake - it all comes down to how fast you want it to go. You pay for power and lightness! This was about £21k but I put a lot of extras on it when I built it.
lukeathey 3 months ago
nice but how do you get it to be street legal?
Armaangandevia1 6 months ago
@Armaangandevia
It depends where you are in the world but here in the UK it has to go for a special test with VOSA to ensure it is safe and road legal
lukeathey 3 months ago
How long did the entire thing take?
As is from the slightest idea to the starting of the engine?
PS: great respect from me! good lookin' little beast well done!
mattcolorz 7 months ago
@mattcolorz
It all comes down to money and how much spare time you have! You can source every single part yourself to save money or you can split it into 6 modules all direct from he factory - chassis, suspension / brakes, engine / gearbox, electrical systems and then the body work and cabin etc. Once you have finished you need to then have it inspected by VOSA for safety and obtain numberplates and tax from DVLA.
Plenty of time / knowlendge 4 to 6 weeks, most people 12 weeks.
lukeathey 3 months ago
i wouldnt know where to start lol
BMXBOBO 8 months ago
love it :)
Good job
Thanks
Mclar23Formula1 8 months ago
Looks like so much fun! How much engineering knowledge do you need to not make it a death trap? I'd love to do something like this one day but I'd be afraid of making something undriveable/dangerous...!
SirLoinOfsteak85 8 months ago
Not much, if you've got some common sense and can hold a torque wrench you'll be ok. There's plenty of forums on the net who give help and you'll have the factory on speed dial for help. It comes with some big instruction manuals! You can't drive it on the roads without it going through the appropriate VOSA testing anyway. I sent mine back to the factory for a once over and safety check before it went for testing.
lukeathey 8 months ago
thats brilliant. theres a bit of a story as to why i want one, but basically, its cheaper to insure and cheaper to buy as my first car. but how much did this cost you to build (including all parts) and insure?
mypspisdead 8 months ago
I'll warn you now, they are not practical as your only car...... especially in the wet / winter and with the state of the roads at the minute. It was one of the reasons I got shut of mine......... there roads were just that bad near me.... combined with speed humps etc I just wasn't getting the enjoyment out of it. Insurance was around £340 with a 4k limited mileage policy and it cost over £20k to build it!
lukeathey 8 months ago
if you don't mind me asking, how much did it all cost
Warbmeister 10 months ago
Absolutly brilliant. Thanks for the Video. Thinking of doing this myself :-)
Claustie 1 year ago
Go for it mate! You don't really have to know that much about cars, but it helps keep costs down if you do. But you learn a lot and there are a couple of good forums n members to offer help.
lukeathey 1 year ago
"Pete's Leaky Citroen" made me smile!
thebizzlehimself 1 year ago
Yeah! my wheel's cost more than Pete's car :-) PMSL - His cars are so cheap he gets two of the same and uses one for spares!! and I'm not kidding :-)
lukeathey 1 year ago
sick
gurinderrooprai 1 year ago
lol is this car street legal in the US?
hairlesheep 1 year ago
I think you can get these in the US but it would be probably a case of getting the emissions right!
lukeathey 1 year ago
very good job!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
sotos111s 1 year ago
almost looks like u built it inside the house.... lol. i want one!
zccolby 1 year ago
Haha! No, just a very clean garage :-) It didn't used to look like that! Imagine lawnmowers, bikes, rusty nails, bbq's etc and you get the picture. I had to buy a shed to put all that crap in :-)
lukeathey 1 year ago
Please how can i buy this car in the USA.
medo4ril 1 year ago
To be honest I don't know. You would be as well phoning / e-mailing the factory in Kingwinsford, Birmingham (they have a web page) and asking them. It looks like they have agents in Texas and Colorado.
lukeathey 1 year ago
Nice. .... finaly a brit that does somthithg right on utube........
beetlekill123 1 year ago
my junior dragster has 5hp but does 0-100 in 4 secs
seceretagent008 1 year ago
Yep, its called power to weight ratio!
lukeathey 1 year ago
Nice!!!
alecnemcova17 1 year ago
how much did it cost you ? could you tell me the grand total please?
NoSpiritInMe 1 year ago
super-puper great! I like color !!!
very individual & nice Seven!!!
westdiver03 2 years ago
I'm doing the beginning stages of planning to build a Westfield/Caterham type car. I want a high reving engine so I thought the Hayabusa engine would be a good idea. With a bike engine I'd have sequential shift correct? Is the Busa engine shaft drive? Can I mount it right to a LSD with IRS and go? What are some other engine options? I've seen the videos of the Turbo Miata and that looks good but I think I'd like the sequential shifting from a bike engine. R1 maybe? Any help is appreciated.
BC4Lyphe 2 years ago
Sorry, to be honest I do not know much about the bike setups. But the hayabusa is a well used high end setup. I understand they are converted to shaft driven and some type of third party LSD / drive shaft setup. They do indeed come as sequential shifters. One thing to think about is what do you want the car for? track car or road car, as a Hayabusa set up will be pretty aggressive around town (3.2s 0-60mph typical)!!!
lukeathey 2 years ago
where did you get the body? i need one just like this.
mediaman2003 2 years ago
Awesome and Nice
5/5*
Coasterstyla98 2 years ago
What a beautiful car!
Obsidian433 2 years ago
Beautifully built! Congrats! too bad you sold it.
usernamefromhell 2 years ago
Where do you get thos kits?
BogusBubble 2 years ago
Westfield Sportscars Limited. Do an online search for the company. There are many companies who doe similar kits, but quality varies. Caterham and Westfield are high quality setups
lukeathey 2 years ago
nice :o
Aistis6 2 years ago
Lukeathey,
After a few days research I have found out that the Toyota Gearbox that I want to use is called "AZ6 — 6-speed" it is made by Aisin transmissions here in Japan, it is also used in the following vehicles
Honda S2000,
Mazda Miata/MX-5/Roadster,
Mazda RX-8,
Toyota Altezza/Lexus IS200
So that has taken a load off, now have to sort out the Diff,
Elexceed 2 years ago
Can't you use a ford LSD diff for ease (or upgrade internals with a quaiffe ATB if you want a bit more) ? The diff will fit straight into the rear with westfield driveshafts. You should only need a custom prop to fit your setup then and will lessen the fiddling / cost?
lukeathey 2 years ago
Well as the Mazda used the same gearbox as the Toyota Altezza, then the Mazda Diff should be ok to use. If I can not work this all out then I will forget ordering a Westfield and order a Elfin T5 Clubman from Australia as it is a moden day Super 7 and looks great!
Elexceed 2 years ago
anyway when you make a new care you can make a DVD step by step and comes with schematics? Just a thought I'd buy a dvd how to step by step guide. Cuase you gota learn some where eh?
regretfulflyerxxx 2 years ago
When you buy the car you can get an extensive build manual (which still normally gives you a few headaches and calls to the factory). There is a DVD featuring Mark Evans called "A Racecar Is Born" and although this is quite interesting there are quite a few steps missing (and the car appears to fit together perfectly, which is unlikely). Discover Channel - Realtime can be quite good for show with Kit car building.
lukeathey 2 years ago
Just let me know when you decide to make a dvd plz. I'm looking for the complete how to step by step how to make a car from scratch with schematics. I've yet to find someone who actually does what they say.
regretfulflyerxxx 2 years ago
Sorry, I won't be doing any future videos, I sold this vehicle some times since.
lukeathey 2 years ago
Well me and the boys at Mesa State college will not be pleased to hear that. Kinda dissapointed really. We wanted to use a Step by Step how to video with schematics for future use for educational purposes. Let us know if you change your mind eh?
regretfulflyerxxx 2 years ago
eww built with ford parts
marlo916 2 years ago
Well, 80% of the engine is ford, the gear box is a Mitchell Cotts ford replica, LS diff is ford with new internals, so are the mirrors, hand brake, side repeaters and header tank and steering rack is an third party oem ford spec. There's also VW rad and rear brake calipers and some leyland at top of steering column. If you can show me a kit car that doesn't have ford / vauxhall / rover parts on it I'll eat my hat :-)
lukeathey 2 years ago
there are miata built caterhams.
marlo916 2 years ago
The miata / mazda mx 5 is a fairly recent kit car donor vehicle her in the UK and has only really come in to its own due to the decline of the previous ford sierra. At the minute there are not that many performance upgrades off the shelf to fit the miata / kit car in the uk.
lukeathey 2 years ago
Just a quick question, How many hours did she take to build? I am trying to have a SEiGHT shipped to Japan to build, will use the V6 Engine from a Toyota Blade.
Elexceed 2 years ago
It depends on how much spare time you have and if you have all the parts available. My car was a module build which means all but a few basic items are included in the kit you just start bolting, rivitting and filing and your away. This was my first build and it took about 4 to 6 weeks. I was only delayed by the factory as they couldn't get hold of my gearbox. If you're using an untested engine and gearbox setup it will take longer as you'll need some custom parts making.
lukeathey 2 years ago
I have about 5 hours a night spare as the wife is also interested in building the SEiGHT.
So it looks like as I have to have everything shipped to Japan I need to order a Module Kit so the whole car is shipped in one go & I only need to pay for shipping once.
What are the other items that you needed to obtain? I plan on using a Lexus IS Gearbox and Diff as they will mount to the Toyota Blade Engine as it is the same engine used in the IS the 2GR-FE V6 or I may use the 2UR-GSE V8
Elexceed 2 years ago
The problem you will have is that combination of engine, gearbox and diff is unlikely to have been tested in a westfield. It may not fit within the bodywork / chassis and you are likely to need to do alteration to chassis, as well as needing custom prop / drive shafts / exhaust system. You may also have to purchase a different engine management / fuel injection system if the original cannot be altered during a rolling road tune.
lukeathey 2 years ago
The SEiGHT can hold a V8 in the chassis so I think it should be ok with the smaller V6.
If I need to I will play around to fit in the Gearbox/diff then I need to do it. The gearbox/diff that is used in the UK cannot be found here in Japan, so there is really no option but to custom the S8 for the Engine/Gearbox/Diff set up.
That is the problem with Kit Cars from outside Japan, in Japan the parts used to build them cannot be found so everything has to be custom for what can be used!
Elexceed 2 years ago
Another issue to consider is a lot of engine sumps / oil filters also have to be changed as they hang too low in the chassis. Alot of engines end up having a shortened / baffled sump (or fully pumped) to improve ground clearance / surge. It is often height that causes the problems. I understand the Ford Duratec engine is actually a Mazda engine which might be easier to get hold of in Japan. Being in japan is it not easier to go down the Honda S2000 route? :-)
lukeathey 2 years ago
I thought about buying a kit, but then i started thinking about how to get the engine in and everything. Is it hard to get the job done? Or has it got a decent manual with it? Do you require any special equipment ?
dj01iceman 2 years ago
I went for the module route so the engine and gearbox sloted straight in. If you opt for a well know engine and gearbox setup you will not have a problem. If you try to shoehorn something exotic then you will struggle. Standard on mine was a ford duratec engine, with ford MT75 bell housing / gear box with a ford 7" limited slip diff. All available off the shelf (there are many other stsndard combos of Ford, Rover engines, Type 9 gearboxes, freelander diffs etc).
lukeathey 2 years ago
Ok, so it's all pretty standard. But to get the engine in, you will need some equipment? Because I don't think that i can lift it? :p
dj01iceman 2 years ago
Yep, you'll need an engine hoists! I borrowed one of some else. It only takes about 15 mins to drop the engine and gearbox. Probably weighs 120+kgs all in,
lukeathey 2 years ago
Hi mate i really like that car i wanna buy car like this to drive in my farm, how much does it cost to build car like this and can you drive on the road? i want to buy if it's for sale let me know plz
bojauz 2 years ago
Yes the car can be driven on the road legally. The vehicle would not be suitable for driving on a farm though, you need good tarmac roads / racetrack as the ride is too harsh on anything else (plus the car is very low to the ground). The car was sold some time ago... you can build one to the same spec for about £21k, but there are cheaper versions out there.
lukeathey 2 years ago
realy nice... how long did it take u to build and how much money did u spend all together for the finished product??
sonnymercer 2 years ago
Are there any well known adaptations of the classic super 7 shape with a proper roof on it? I like the idea of the car, but not the flimsy cloth roof? cheers
benatbenland 2 years ago
I am not aware of any, especially as it wouldn't really follow the super seven ethos. I understand in years gone by prototypes have been made but never really went to market, plus it would hike the cost up. If your concerned over safety get a cage fitted. P.S. you'll hardly ever have the roof up and to be honest your not likely to go out driving in the rain as you will probably end up in a hedge bottom upside down due to the power to weight ratio and ability to spin the wheels.
lukeathey 2 years ago
Addition - if you did want something similar to a seven with a roof there are some out there but they tend to be professional factory manufactured and have hefty pricetags (supercar price £$)
lukeathey 2 years ago
The Dials you are using who makes them please. I like the dash you have and wish to use the same set up in my Cobra.
Elexceed 2 years ago
Caerbont Automotive Instruments Ltd
They have a website but I can't post the link.
The white dials shown are branded smiths and are available from most kit car / motorsport parts sites :-)
lukeathey 2 years ago
can i have exterior exhaust pipes in every westfield sport SE?
niksuper3 3 years ago
99.9% of modern westfields exit on the sides. There are a few custom V8's and some old models that run pipes under the floor.
lukeathey 3 years ago
thanks very much
niksuper3 3 years ago
Whats it like power wise with the 2.0?
abominableaussieman 3 years ago
Very quick as standard, but it depends on what vehicle you have driven in the past. It would embarass most high end cars with the handling and acceleration, but looses out on the top end! The 2.0l engine can be taken up to 300+hp naturally aspirated and can also be turbo'd / supercharge (dependent on available space). I think some of the higher powered builders go for the 2.3l unit. Don't forget block is ali which keeps the weight down too.
lukeathey 3 years ago
Okay awesome. Yeah i dont care about top end because you cant use it on the road anyway, with ought breaking the law that it. I just want to be able to get to the speed limit fast, and 300hp in a 500kg car would be insane haha. For kit cars a westfield is at the top of my list.
abominableaussieman 3 years ago
Sweeeeeeet. Now all thats left to do is turbo it! lol
abominableaussieman 3 years ago
is it possible to build it when you have no car-building experince at all?(Build it with only a guidebook?) And can you wire al the electrics yourself? Is it alligned already? thx
snowbox22 3 years ago
Man, for a not so long time ago i discovered the special thing with the Super Seven and now its my dream car. I really hope i will get money, time and space for building that Westfield! How long time did it take to build it?
EddieofSWE 3 years ago
It depends how much spare time you have got on your hands. I had plenty and finished the car in about 4 to 6 weeks taking my time to build it well.
lukeathey 3 years ago
200hp in a car weighing maybe 500kg, lovely!
Probably don't need 5 gears? maybe 2!
Any acceleration figures/top speed figs?
ISLAM4THICKONES 3 years ago
muy buen auto lasima el color pero me sige gustando ;)
47416390 3 years ago
im building one of these too eugene has a point i had no welding experince so i took a night course i feel it will be more rewarding ripping up the road in something i built my self and as for design i bought the haynes book it has all you need to know in it but anyway nice car mate
v6westfield 3 years ago
Excellent video.
Well done on the build.
moonys8n 3 years ago
not enough creativity try building one from scratch. projects like this are almost like putting a puzzle together, yes it can be difficult at times but in the end you end up with a picture someone else drew.
eugenegold 3 years ago
Why would I want to do that? I didn't have the time or knowledge required to source all parts or design a good / light space frame chassis, I've never welded nor do I own welding gear, I wanted something that was well built, reliable and fast and comes with a warranty, plus why would I want to have a shed load of greasy parts sat in the garage for 3 years trying to make things fit together when I can build it, drive it and enjoy within a few months. The kit was right for me!
lukeathey 3 years ago
i can see your point, im not saying that this is not a good car it is fun and good looking, well performing car. 99% of the people would not attempt a project like this in the first place.
eugenegold 3 years ago
No problem, I am fairly mechanically minded but had no real automotive experience. Undertaking this build has increased my knowledge and has given me a good grounding to go on to other projects. The biggest problem anyone will have designing something from scratch to go on the UK public highway is the passing Single Vehicle Approval Test, the requirements of the manual are quite hefty and often lead to failure, even the kit bought systems can fail at the first attempt!
lukeathey 3 years ago
Awesome...Absolutely awesome. Well presented vid and nice last couple of pictures, really sets the heart going and gives HUGE inspiration to go and do it. Many Thanks!!
cjbevan69 3 years ago
hi i'm planning to buy a 200 hp 2L duratec myself, but i've heard they only kick out 175 bhp :( is that true?
89dieselpower 3 years ago
Yep! I understand the factory exhaust is too restrictive. Raceline are the people to speak to as they develop a lot of bits for the Duratec.
lukeathey 3 years ago
takes a lot of hard work and determination! i would love to do that if i could afford it!
cococolakid 3 years ago
Nice tidy job there,nice size garage too,only one thing,shame you had to use a mini wiper motor and rack,they were crap on the mini and 100 different BLMC cars they were fitted to.Slow,jerky,dont wipe properly,rarely park right either,I always use for racks and motors shortened from MK2 escort,even MK5 or later can be used.The arm spindles are 100 times better they are operated by flat bars and they wipe and park properly,just my preferance anyway.
Super motor,wish you many miles of happyness!!
silver760 3 years ago
Thanks, they probably were the worst thing about the Westy, but I've now sold it an moving onto the next project. Bikes!!
lukeathey 3 years ago
if dont min telling me how much did the whole car cost? is it registerable?
oSPIDERPIG 3 years ago
Set up and on the road about £21K
lukeathey 3 years ago
how long were you working on it mate?
93661902 3 years ago
About 6 weeks from memory! Could have done it quicker but I was waiting for parts from Westfield.
lukeathey 3 years ago
hey thanks bro
REMONAPRESSMANt 3 years ago
Did u have to bend any sheet metal or weld anything or cut any sheet metal?
lexbudd 3 years ago
No, all chassis frame is complete when it leaves the factory and all aliminium panels are pre cut to shape. You will need to drill, rivet and file metal and fibre glass though.
lukeathey 3 years ago
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sunjuice 3 years ago
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jiha0 3 years ago
how much does this setup cost mate ?
almostfootylegend69 3 years ago
Ive got a 2.0 duratec HE in a mk3 mondeo and have found out that it dosent take much to tune these engines out to around 190(ish)bhp, can they be applied to the FWD setup in a standard 51 mondy? Nice Westie btw, big following down south coast
asher666 3 years ago
The problem you will have in an existing mondeo is the engine management system. The ford systems monitor a lot more systems and has more sensors on engine / exhaust. In the westy the power is opened up by ditching all the ford ancilleries and fitting a throttle body system, better airflow (filter and exhaust) and a Weber ECU. All the ford cooling, fueling and control systems are gone. I believe it is possible to tune the engines up but you'll have to make sure it doesn't affect passing an MOT.
lukeathey 3 years ago
I really really want to do this, are these kits avaliable in the US and roughly how much did it cost?
danngree 4 years ago
I believe Westfield do have an American dealer, have a look for Wesfield Sportscars on google (they are based in Birmingham in the UK). Cost wise I couldn't give you an exact price as there are so many variations to engines and options to choose from (I understand there are even some V8 chevy engines running in the UK!
lukeathey 4 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
How cool is it to buy everything and just put it togheter? Its like LEGO!! BOORING
gyzztaf 4 years ago
It may be boring in your eyes but it saved me paying the factory 2 grand and lets you know how to strip the car down and service it in future.
lukeathey 4 years ago
my father build one from the ground by himself and the money he paid was only for the suspension, wheels and thyres, racing seat and the streering wheel! how much does your car weight and what kind of mototr is it?
gyzztaf 4 years ago
It's a Westfield Sport, and I think it's around 550kg in weight, but I don't know exactly. I could have gone lighter, but I went more for comfortable and looks. It still quick with a 200hp engine though!
lukeathey 4 years ago
That is nice ;) Then you have like 400hp/tonne
gyzztaf 4 years ago
found a use for my turboed fc rx7 engine and box
billybobbooth 4 years ago
That would be nice!!!
lukeathey 4 years ago
how much did the kit itself cost?
bigben442 4 years ago
how long did it take you to build it ???
spiddy7 4 years ago
About 6 weeks, but I was waiting for a lot of parts. I reackon if everything was there you could do a good job in under 3 weeks
lukeathey 4 years ago
Nice!
am thinking about getting one of them when am older
20bigal06 4 years ago
Dont know which is the neatest; the car or the garage! Both v.impressive.
Like the "dark" look to the front and the matching wheels.
Now for a trackday along with a sound file next please....
Bing1966 4 years ago
YES, ill have one of theese.
Dryzaum 4 years ago
Just because im thinking of buying a kit myself. The overall cost of the build. How much would you have spent after buying the kit? I have figured that the kit itself is about 50% of the cost, and just as much needs spending on all the other bits (except for tuning of the engine)
KlunkeDK 4 years ago
I purchased a module build (which had everything in), in theory you shouldn't have to spend anything extra, but you will on cosmetic itemes just to make things look better. I suppose if you bought the basic starter kit then you could spend another 50% on an engine and wheel upgrades, diffs etc. You would be better asking on a kit car forum!
lukeathey 4 years ago
whats the price of the car and where did u get it .
sunnyahsan 4 years ago
Nice video. After watching the build you needed a video segment at the end so we could hear it come to life.
bikerfur 4 years ago
that engine looks like a nissan SR20 engine 0_o
seph95 4 years ago
Nope, definitely a ford / mazda power plant, direct from ford power products and a Weber Alpha throttle body injection system bolted on - topped of with lightened flywheel and AP Racing clutch
lukeathey 4 years ago
sick, but i was just saying that because of the engine cover, it looks similar to an SR's or a Miata engine (dont know the name)
seph95 4 years ago
Nice job,those westfield kits are certainly better than the older cars,I bet if you shook the box hard enough a finished car drops out the bottom!!The Duttons and the Silva cars required alot of fettling to do the job well
silver760 4 years ago
Just like lego, but with gay music.
andyroo54 4 years ago 3
I knew you'd drop by and put those tunes on just for you ;-)
lukeathey 4 years ago
What kind of machanical expertise would you need for a build like this?
tiotion 4 years ago
Non, as long as you can hold a spanner, a torque wrench, a drill and a file (and you are not accident prone) and a wife that doesn't nag you for spending too much time in the garage! It's all detailed in the build manuals and assuming you've got some common sense you will be ok.
lukeathey 4 years ago
man i so wish you were my older bro id love to be in your company! youd have to be so proud of your car! and your work you did, I myself am looking into starting a mechanical apprenticeship.
tomkkkkk 4 years ago
how to build a westfield...... get the bloke in the factory to do it for you
fogdentho 4 years ago
you forgot to say "and give him two grand"
lukeathey 4 years ago
Lol! Agree!
nextel888 4 years ago
I live in aus and the ausie dollar is currently almot the same as the US dollar. so now would be a good time to buy. How much did everything cost you in the end? cheers mang!
tomkkkkk 4 years ago
Yet another car video that could have been great with a little narration?
netshop01 4 years ago
Just repeat these words while watching the video............
Chassis, shock absorbers, brakes, engine, gearbox, diff, dashboard, bodywork, steering wheel, seats, windscreen, carpets, dials, switches, wheels, nuts and bolt.....
lukeathey 4 years ago
Great car. Is it difficult to connect MT 75 gearbox with Duratec engine ?
pinto1313 4 years ago
No, there are bell housings available, but most people seem to go for type 9 gearboxes. Mine came with the MT75 from the factory as standard.
lukeathey 4 years ago
Hey Nick if you don't want your GT3 RS I'll take it lol! No, I have a Lotus Elise, I wouldn't give that up.
Timothy2142 4 years ago
i guess its a pretty ok car....
TRAUMA2 4 years ago
To be honest if I did it again I'd go for an Atom with a supercharged type-r engine (if I had 30k +)
lukeathey 4 years ago
I have a westy and built it. I have also been to loads of track days. I have never seen an atom overtack me. I always overtake them. Buy a caterham they are the best.
Nickdownload 4 years ago
Do a search on YouTube for the Top Gear Supercharged Atom vid, then tell me they can't overtake a Westy :-)
lukeathey 4 years ago
That was impressive it was quicker than a GT3 RS. Now I have been to loads of track days and I can not touch a GT3 RS, well ones driven well. Occasionally you get a badly driven one. The Atoms I've seen at track days can not be supercharged. I'm still a Caterham fan. Would like a go in a Atom, has all the right ingredients good power to weight.
Nickdownload 4 years ago
cool, but if i were you i would build a ddr, those look awesome
TRAUMA2 4 years ago
it's like the super7 catherman, i think...
ruisnts 4 years ago
It is based on the same Lotus 7 shape but a Westfield is better. I'm led to believe that Caterhams are made from swiss cheese and recylced fizzy drinks cans. Plus if you own a Caterham you have to stand around for ages and talk about it's pedigree!! Ha ha!!!!
lukeathey 4 years ago
Great job... I have wanted one of these for about 20 years, and it only got worse when I actualy got to drive one a few years ago! Words cant describe my jelousy!
hawktalisman 4 years ago
To be honest I think the new single donor vehicle using the old mazda mx 5 is a great way to go, especially if your on a limited budget. You'll get about 120bhp if you choose the right engine / model. There will also be some room for tweaking to get this up in power (and I really like the look of the mx5 dash in the westy!!
lukeathey 4 years ago
Thanks for the reply!
I have always wondered why rotaries, using an older RX7 as a donor car arent more popular... any ideas?
hawktalisman 4 years ago
Your only limited by what engine, gearbox and bell housings you can fit within the chassis and bodywork of the car and how good you are at welding - people tend to stick with existing rear wheel drive vehicles as they are easier to adapt or parts are available to do it - one off specials can become expensive If you need to have parts made. The main engines are ford, rover (V8), vauxhall and motorcycle, but there are some v8 chevy's, honda s2000, jag V6 etc. Just time, money and patience!
lukeathey 4 years ago
how much a car like this?
ruisnts 4 years ago
As I said before.... Cost really depends on model (engine performance) and extras, such as brake upgrades, anti roll systems, dashboard, differentials etc. Prices range from about £8500 (mazda donor build 0 to 60mph in about 5.5 seconds) up to about £30,000 for top of the range 2000s (0 to 60 mph in 3.3 seconds) Mine cost around £21K
lukeathey 4 years ago
how much did you spend??
itink it is well woth it nice job
campospina 4 years ago
Have a look on the comment on other page for an idea what the price range is, I spent around £20k but all my parts were brand new. There are much cheaper options. If you contact Westfield they will send you brochures and price lists, with options...... it's the options that put the prices up!
lukeathey 4 years ago
i helped build one of these for a project when i was at school. it took us four years coz we built it from scratch. it had a toyota corrola engine in it and it was so freakin fast. forget porsche, ferrari and all that lot, these are real sports cars!
danielligocenzo 4 years ago
Glad you've got the patience. Nice job.
duttonman 4 years ago
It's not patience you need, it's better instructions!! It's just like a big mechano set if you go down the module build route. What more can you ask for? high performance and cheap insurance and a car you can tweek to your hearts content. Only thing I need is some good weather ;-) If I'd had all the bits in one go I could have quite easily completed the car in 4 weeks and finished it to a high quality. I completed the first 2 modules over the first weekend!
lukeathey 4 years ago
very nicely done mate!!! colurs and them wheels couldn't of been better!!! hope ur enjoyin it!! im not jealous 1 bit (large hint of sarcasum) i had a go in a 1.8 cross flow wiv racing crank and with 2 of us on really old crap fuel out dragged a bran new 2.0t audi tt the sales man cudn't belive it few mins ealier he was moking us at work
disturbedrocker19 4 years ago
I'm colourblind! are you telling me it's not british racing green??? oh crap!
lukeathey 4 years ago
very nice car . i would like to build something like that !!
MMApolish 4 years ago
haha nice one matey i work for westfield by the way i probably did your pipe and loom for you.
dannygtisax 4 years ago
I hope you don't fit the starter motors to the engines, bloody thing refused to work today after a good blat in the sun. Let's the look of the car down when your outside a packed pub whacking the starter with a spanner to dislodge it ;-) LOL ha ha!
lukeathey 4 years ago
Ignore venka, I think you did a great job and thank you for going thru the effort. It looks a little less scary now seeing someone else do it. Great looking BTW.
blackerbys17 4 years ago