At the end of November I began breaking my cherished Mk2 Astra to fund my new project. I ordered my Wesfield kit car after researching and putting together my desired spec. Because this would be my first build I wanted something relatively straight forward in terms of complexity. I ordered a lightweight SEiW Sport 2000 rolling chasis, which is around 20% lighter than a standard Westfield chasis and comes with a lower floorpan (Which is ideal for lanky gits like me). I also specced it with AP Racing 4 pot brakes, nylon bushes and the new FW bodystyle.
At this early stage I decided to run a 5 speed Borg Warner T5 gearbox from a RWD Saphire Cosworth because they're quite cheap and can be easilly modified with Quaife big tooth kits etc. I also obtained a Ford 3.62 LSD Diff. Westfield prepare the chasis and supply all the correct mounts for your exact setup which will save a load of hassle later on.
The kit is due for collection on Wednesday (31st January 2007) so between November and January I had a lot of prep work to get on with as well as sell all the bits I no longer needed from the Astra.
Pre Kit Preparation
Engine out - that's 10 year or so of grime all over that :yuck:
I start off cleaning the exhaust side - Blinking heck it's going to be a long job!
Starting to get the worst of it off
Cor look - Cast iron can look shiney!
This side is just about done now
Oh but look at the state of the other side - it's even worse!
First I use a medium sized wire brush to loosen the worst of the muck
A liberal use of brake cleaner / carb cleaner to get that grime moving
Then using a combination of small copper and steel brushes I scrubbed at the more stubborn muck
A harsh grade of abrasive paper shifts the really difficult dirt an surface rust
Almost done - I'm not going to bother too much with the sump because I'm dry sumping it anyway
The head looks much better after the steel brush treatment too
Before painting I mask up the bits I don't want to cover in spay
The exhaust side now looks a bit blingier
and so does the inlet side
and with some small dabs of blue here and there it's pretty much as tidy as I'm going to get it.
At this early stage I decided to run a 5 speed Borg Warner T5 gearbox from a RWD Saphire Cosworth because they're quite cheap and can be easilly modified with Quaife big tooth kits etc. I also obtained a Ford 3.62 LSD Diff. Westfield prepare the chasis and supply all the correct mounts for your exact setup which will save a load of hassle later on.
The kit is due for collection on Wednesday (31st January 2007) so between November and January I had a lot of prep work to get on with as well as sell all the bits I no longer needed from the Astra.
Pre Kit Preparation
Engine out - that's 10 year or so of grime all over that :yuck:
I start off cleaning the exhaust side - Blinking heck it's going to be a long job!
Starting to get the worst of it off
Cor look - Cast iron can look shiney!
This side is just about done now
Oh but look at the state of the other side - it's even worse!
First I use a medium sized wire brush to loosen the worst of the muck
A liberal use of brake cleaner / carb cleaner to get that grime moving
Then using a combination of small copper and steel brushes I scrubbed at the more stubborn muck
A harsh grade of abrasive paper shifts the really difficult dirt an surface rust
Almost done - I'm not going to bother too much with the sump because I'm dry sumping it anyway
The head looks much better after the steel brush treatment too
Before painting I mask up the bits I don't want to cover in spay
The exhaust side now looks a bit blingier
and so does the inlet side
and with some small dabs of blue here and there it's pretty much as tidy as I'm going to get it.