C20LET Westfield Project

[Neil Adams]

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


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.

[Adam]

bring it onnn

[Brett]

looks fantastic neil, cant wait to see this and it inspires me to get on wih my own engine work!

What happened to the old astra shell?

[k127atx]

if you dont mind me asking how much was the cost so far not inc 4 pots and the engine intrested in doing this aswell

cheers

[The Simps]

I've been waiting for this thread!

How easy is it to mount the LET to the box? Just an adapter plate?

Simps.

[rodgerq]

you're keener than me mate, i cant be ****ed with all that cleaning malarky

what gearbox are you using?

rodgerq

[tathan]

From what I understand, he's using 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.

[rodgerq]

bbugger, i was gony ask what flywheel he using if he was using a manta box

rodgerq

[tathan]

it's all in the black squiggly stuff at the top rodger

[rodgerq]

its quarter to 4, i'm just by driving a 700 odd mile round trip a gloucster, forgive me if i just stare at the pictures

rodgerq

[tathan]

i used to be like that with smut mags, but then i realised just how good the stories were

[GDN16v]

Great project!! Should be an awesome machine when its done!!

[spanishfly]

Awesome mate

[Neil Adams]

Originally Posted by Brett

looks fantastic neil, cant wait to see this and it inspires me to get on wih my own engine work!

What happened to the old astra shell?

I sold the shell to a local lad - he's putting an XE in it (Almost finished by all accounts). I didn't get much back for it but tbh it was the trickiest thing to sell.

Originally Posted by k127atx

if you dont mind me asking how much was the cost so far not inc 4 pots and the engine intrested in doing this aswell

cheers

A standard rolling chasis is £5,250 and that includes the body panels. The FW bodystyle is an extra £500, the Sport 2000 chasis is an extra £500 the AP Brakes are an extra £500, the nylon bushes are an extra £100.

This gets you about 2 modules into a 6 module project, but if you've got your own engine, box etc you're going to knock a serious chunk off the final build price. Module 3 - completion could cost you anywhere between £3k to £15k depending on what you're going to do and where you're going to source the parts. It seems Westfield's parts are a bit pricey for some things but quite competitive on others.

I'm going to source my own fuel tank, rad, intercooler, exhaust, seats, instruments, wheels & tyres, but will use westfield for the odds and sods.

Originally Posted by The Simps

I've been waiting for this thread!

How easy is it to mount the LET to the box? Just an adapter plate?

Simps.

It couldn't be easier mate - the clutch is the trickiest part. These guys do a XE/LET to T5 Bellhousing for £160.


Update

Westfield just called to tell me the chasis is ready... just one problem, they've built it without the racing chasis - do I wait for them to sort it out (extra couple of weeks) or do I just take the 25% heavier one?

[jav786]

Engine is nice & clean now

[rodgerq]

i'd wait for the lighter shell. its only a couple of weeks and 25% is a good saving by any means

rodgerq

[Orange Peel]

Originally Posted by rodgerq

i'd wait for the lighter shell. its only a couple of weeks and 25% is a good saving by any means

rodgerq

Agreed!

No point in using the 'heavy' chassis if you wanted the lighter one. In the mean time you can tweak what you already have

[Sipo]

I'd wait as well Neil, unless they are willing to knock the difference in weight percentage off of the price as a discount percentage

TBH I would have thought you needed the heavier shell to keep you on the road! - What do you intend to run your LET at whilst in this one?

Fantastic project BTW, I'd imagine its going to be a great feeling when you 1st take to the road in something you have pretty much built! Good luck.

[CraigGreen]

This will be so quick, trust me!

4th gear will disappear like 2nd gear does in a typical LET Astra or cav. Imagine going from 90 to 125mph in not much more than the time it takes to swallow. Only you wont be able to swallow because of the G's.

fantastic! Wait for the lightweight chassis!

[vxlgsi]

Originally Posted by Neil Adams

It couldn't be easier mate - the clutch is the trickiest part. These guys do a XE/LET to T5 Bellhousing for £160.

PM sent to help solve the clutch problem..

[Nemesis]

Neil, what paint did you use to spray the block there? Looks awesome.

[rich.21]

that engine is going to be good fun in that!! looking good!

[Neil Adams]

Originally Posted by Chavtastic

Neil, what paint did you use to spray the block there? Looks awesome.

Yeah it came up way better than I thought it would. It's Plasticote Hot Paint - I think the colour is 'Aluminium'. I got it from Halfords.

[Neil Adams]

Just picked up the wheels and tyres. As I liked em so much on the Astra I went for the Toyo R888s again and they're WAY cheaper than the Astras 18's. I paid the same here for a set of 4 Wheels and Tyres as it cost for a set of Tyres for the Astra.

The wheels are Team Dynamics Pro Race 1.2 - chosen for the weight and not their looks clearly. Although this type of wheel seems to look quite nice on bright yellow Westies.

[Rick Draper]

Are your going to go to wasted spark on the engine neil beofre it goes in the westfield? Looks good.