Wide body ... same track ?

[nevpugh308]

Do the so-called "wide body" 7even type cars have the same track and chassis as other 7's (caterfield etc) ?

Presumably the only advantage is a slightly bigger cabin ?

Are they worth going for, being of very average build (5'9") ?

[juansolo]

I think the Caterham SV is bigger all round than the standard body... Could be wrong though.

As for Westies. We have a SE and an SEW. The Widebody car is no wider in track than the standard (identical axle at the back for a start. It is however a couple of inches longer. All the space is in the cockpit. It is *much* longer and about 1" a side wider. They look odd next to each other with the wide looking much bigger.



Do you need an Wide? Well they are more comfy but they are heavier... I'm 5'11" and 16st and I fit the standard car ok. If anything the only issue is that the cockpit could do with being an inch longer. As it is, I've adapted to it and it no longer bothers me. I wouldn't swap it for a wide either, think of the excess wieght :P (says the man who is comfortably 3st overwieght).

Ah well.

>> Edited by juansolo on Sunday 25th August 21:35

[nevpugh308]

I was wondering if the track was a bit wider, but you've mentioned a couple of really good points there ..... the extra weight, and (of course) the rear axle is the limiting factor here.

Extra width between the wheels on each axle would have meant better handling (I would have thought) but if it's in the body tub, then (in answer to your question) no, I dont need the space. I fit a standard car perfectly.

I did sit in a long wheelbase Caterham a couple of months back, and it was way too big for what I need .... with the seat all the way back I couldn't even touch the pedals !!

So you've answered my question really ... thanks

[juansolo]

We haven't started talking live axle or independent rear suspension yet

Also Cat Motorsport in Bingley will sell you some wide track front suspension...

If you're set on a Westfield then I reccomend wondering over to the Westfield Sports Car Club website and bulletin board. Try and get to a local club meet and natter to the guys there. You are likely to get a lot of useful advice. They are also likely to know about good cars for sale in your area.

WSCC Website

Direct link to the WSCC forums

Good places to look for Westies:

PH of course and the WSCC classifieds.

Findit - Usually lots here.

Race car forum Ok not many pop up here but it is a top place for getting bits from



>> Edited by juansolo on Monday 26th August 10:19

[nevpugh308]

juansolo, I've learnt lots and lots from you .... thanks for sharing your knowledge

I'm not "set" on a Westfield, but it seems the logical choice. Caterhams are out of my price range, there's nothing wrong with Tiger super six's or Sylvia Strikers, but in terms of pure volume there's lots and lots more westies to choose from, ergo the chances of seeing a nice car is higher (it's not stopping me looking at the others though, of course)

Thanks for the links .... will peruse those ....

Oh go on ... lets start talking about suspension then .....

[nevpugh308]

BTW is there any way from the model designation that you can tell if it's IRS or live axle ? e.g. SEiW .... is the W for wide body and the i for ... ? IRS ?

[juansolo]

BTW is there any way from the model designation that you can tell if it's IRS or live axle ? e.g. SEiW .... is the W for wide body and the i for ... ? IRS ?

Nail hit on head:

SE - Standard body, live axle
SEW - Wide body, live axle
SEi - Standard body, IRS
SEiW - Wide body, IRS

Back into IMO territory here regarding suspension...

Personally I like live axle cars, they suit my 'exuberant' style of driving being as they are, a tad tail happy yet very progressive meaning it's a doddle to drift them. They are also quite a bit lighter than the equivalent IRS car. This is all well and good on a smooth circuit but on the road IRS is king. The live axle cars don't ride bumps very well and have a tendancy to jump around. IRS on the other hand doesn't but also works equally well on track.

I'd try both and decide which you prefer.

What about building a Striker? You could build a stonking track car to the spec you wanted for around £9000, less if you weren't bothered about it being road legal and just trailered it to track. More cash I know but it would be spread over a much longer period of time. Just another option.

[nevpugh308]

That's interesting .... I would have guessed that you'd have jumped straight into "IRS is best".

Well, as the car I'm after is going to be purely a track car (plus drive itself to/from the track, but I dont care if it's nasty on the road, as long as it gets there) then maybe live would be fine .... didn't realise that live axle weighed less (would have guessed the other way round ... )

I'll have a look at the Striker web site. You keep mentioning Strikers .... any reason ? (esp as you bought a Westie) ?

Cheers

[nevpugh308]

Okay ... easier said than done .... anyone got the Sylvia web site URL ??

[trefor]

I think it's Sylva, not Sylvia. You're thinking of that girl you shagged the other night.

[nevpugh308]

Shhhh ! The missus will hear !!

[juansolo]

I mention Sylvas a lot because if I were to build a car myself, it would be one of them. As you say, there is more choice in the Westfield world 2nd hand and the prices are good hence your more likely to get a better Westie than the Sylva. However when it comes to building one the Westies are a lot more than some of the other kits out there and not neccessarily any better.

Also from a purely technical point of view the Sylvas are way ahead in suspension design than pretty much all the other 7-esque cars. Saying that they are still based on 70's - 80's style rocker arm front suspension with inboard shocks and springs. But at least that's better than the 50's - 60's stylie front suspension that all the others use. They are also one of the lightest kits you can buy and can be ordered with things like integral roll cages. Nice and cheap too. This is why they are a top choice for the racers.

Web sites:

A top Sylva Styker build site. Incredibly detailed and useful site by someone building a Yamaha R1 powered Striker.

Sylva Sportscar Register. For all things Sylva.

Sylva Autokits. Home of Sylva

Fisher Sports Cars who do the Fury
Specialist Sports Cars who do the Stylus
Stuart Taylor Motorsport who do the Phoenix.
RAW Engineering who do the Striker

All Sylva designs that have been sold on.

Plays-Kool Motorsport are a Sylva agent who are also very much into Westfields (They're rebuilding mine at the moment).


>> Edited by juansolo on Tuesday 27th August 21:02