Getting started

I started with the ally panel's as the manual say's, this turned out to be a bit of a pain, some of the holes that need to be drilled and  pop riveted were very difficult to get to and needed to be drilled at an angle, but I did manage. But I started thinking about the order to do things and thought it might be difficult to get to some things such as brake and fuel lines if I fit all the panel's first so although I have drilled the holes I have decided to NOT fit and seal the panel's just yet. You can see the single panel I have fitted so far at the Main Parts Gallery in My Westfield gallery's.

10/6/02

As my car is going to be different to the factory or modular built cars I got in touch with SBD for some advice on engine and gearbox fitting and positioning, I have received some advice  by e-mail which suggests I am right to wait before fitting and sealing the panel's  but I will be phoning this week to have a more in-depth chat.

18/6/02

After phoning SBD I have made a change to my original spec and will now be going for a 2L 16V Vauxhall engine with the 225bhp taper throttle kit, Steve of SBD tell's me that with high compression piston's fitted when I rebuild the second hand donor engine I should see 230+bhp with more to gain from some cylinder head mod's when I rebuild the top end. Steve also gave me loads of help with other area's like the best way to build my car with it having difference's over the standard Westfield, the plan is to buy the bell housing and exhaust manifold from SBD and find my donor engine and a second hand type 9 gearbox as I can save £125 on the Quaife gearbox by trading the old one in. This will let me position the engine and gearbox in the best possible place before I start fitting all the other parts. I am also ordering a dry sump kit at the same time as you get a reasonable discount when you spend over £1000 at SBD, and I will need the sump kit eventually anyway.

I was most impressed with SBD, not only did Steve help me with the engine side but he was happy to chat about anything to do with building a Westfield.

16/7/02

One month on I have saved enough money and the exhaust, bell housing and dry sump kit are here. I am polishing the exhaust at the moment just to kill some time until I get myself a gearbox then donor engine.

28/7/02

Well I almost have enough cash for the engine and gearbox, but not quite. So to give you all something to read I thought I'd do a quick tot up of what I've spent so far, and have added a cost's page  HERE

16/11/02

I have not done much since my last update apart from lot's of saving up. I'm glad to say my bank balance is looking quite healthy again, so some more parts will be on their way soon. I have also moved the costs to another page but as yet have not made the button's to put a link in my navigation bar so for the time being you'll have to use the link in the entry above.