Hi

[Nick Algar]

Hi Everyone,

I thought I would introduce myself and let you all know that I have just bought an unfinished XI kit, it was one of the batch of 50 from 2005. So needs to be finished off and taken through IVA, which I hope to do by Spring 2014, but as we all know that may be extended a bit

I have owned a westfield since 2000 when i bought my first Kit and Megabusa. Which I then supercharged and went sprinting with it. After sprinting that in 2006 I bought a single seater for sprinting. Then sold the Megabusa and bought an XTR4 which was off the road and needed lots of work to get back onto the road. That's now sold after putting back on the road and I now have a Duratec engined Westfield that originally had a pinto in it, as well as the XI.

When i get some spare time I am WSCC Competition Secretary as well, organising the Sprints & Hillclimb Speed Series.

Any tips on getting the car through IVA would be very welcome, as have done an SVA before, but that was a standard Westfield.

[Splat]

Welcome, Nick.

Enjoy the build. I rebuilt my ratty 2005 car (built to a budget for it's first owner, then driven into the ground with no running maintenance) using the Haynes Spridget manual that I bought along with my first car, a Frogeye, in 1987! Simple and fun, although working with worn '60s parts can be a pain at times.

There are a couple of owners here who have been through IVA recently. It seems to be a case of playing the game and being thorough.

What sort of car (spec.-wise) do you intend to build?

Good luck,

Simon

[jonclancy]

Welcome Nick!

Perhaps you'll be able to persuade some of us to have a go at hill-climbing or sprinting!!

Loads of knowledgeable people on here. And at least three cars in build at the moment.

Cheers

Jon

[Nick Algar]

Thanks for replies,

I am just looking to build a good spec road car to start with. Engine, box, rear axle, uprights & brakes have already been rebuilt, so a lot of the grubby work done.

Engine is 1330 cc mild tune, but who knows will give it a run on the track sometime, but not sure it will tick the boxes in that department, given what I usually drive

[Splat]

Well, that depends. I deliberately swapped from the Westfield standard Minilites to skinny wires. With c105hp from 1320cc, the car is a hoot to drive. I spent Friday with an old mate of mine, playing with my toybox. Between the Eleven, a Gallardo and a DH Chipmunk, it was the Westie that he couldn't shut-up about. But it does depend on the setting. Around Thruxton, where we hangar the Chippy, the Eleven just feels lost!

[Elva 11]

Hi Nick. Think I'm the most recent IVA XI on here. Any queries re the build-IVA-rebuild then contact me. Where are you based. Cheers. Ian

[Nick Algar]

Thanks for replies

I have heard that XI's are great fun on track and looking forward to trying it. Interesting comments Splat about putting thinner tyres on to make track driving more interesting. Any other views on wire wheels over minilites, which is what I was thinking of fitting.

Ian, have PM'd you thanks.

Nick

[Westfield 129]

I have found that the best combination is the original type Dunlop vintage race tires, on 15" rims. 4.50 front and 5.00 in the rear. I use MWS wire wheels, in 5" front and 5.5" rear rim widths. The rims themselves are over the counter items, with 72 spokes for longevity and stability. Everything fits fine, but the brake calipers will have to be filed slightly to clear the larger 15" wire wheel hubs. Not difficult. The wire wheel offsets are just perfect, and it is possible to slightly widen the rear track if you use a center laced wheel in the rear.

Of course, here in the US, there is no problem running a treaded vintage race tire on the road.

Minilites are OK, but you wont be able to get anything narrower than 5.5 for the front. It may be necessary to machine the wheel for the best back side spacing. Of course, you can get them in magnesium, which would be lighter than the wire wheels. I am considering running a magnesium Panasport alloy ri on my own car, in 15X5.5 front and 15X6 in the rear, using the Dunlop race tires. Previously, I have run Minitor 13X5 wheels with 185/70/13 tires, and wire wheels in 15" with the Dunlops.

[jonclancy]

My Minilites (MA1350B) are 5.0 x 13. Clearance from the track rod end thread/nut is, er, minimal. I used a star washer and safety locking wire here, as the full thichness washer as too thick!

I do aspire to 15" wires one day!

The L Section vintage race tires from Dunlop, as Jan alludes to, are not legal on UK highways (boooh!).

Longstone say:

"Racing tyres are normally designed purely for racing, and no compromises are made for road suitability.However due to popular demand and in Dunlops acknowledgement that many drivers of vintage and classic road legal race cars prefer to drive them to and from events on their racing tyres. Dunlop have carried out a complete test and development program on the Dunlop Racing Tyres resulting in "E" marking accreditation on certain vintage and classic Dunlop racing tyres. These are the 16" & above Dunlop racing R5, R1, 3-stud & 5-stud pattern Dunlop racing tyres. The L and M section Dunlop Racing tyres unfortunately are NOT road legal. "

However, Michelin XZX could be a good choice, or Avon CR322?

[Nick Algar]

Thanks Jon,

You have confirmed what I was thinking Minilites and CR322's would be a decent choice to start with.

Hope it doesn't end up like my previous Westfield's where I have about 5 different sets depending on what the car is being used for, don;t ask why, I just seemed to end up there and there were more bargains to be had on WSCC, couldn't resist.