Westfield and other BEC 7s

[Reason]

After a busy year for me and my girlfriend, it seems like I might be in the possible position to finally purchase a BEC powered 7.

 

I have only two requirements for this vehicle. It must have a full approved rollcage and it must be able to accept the hayabusa engine.

 

After looking at all the makers and their kits available, I can't come to a conclusion to which one would be the most reasonable customer service and parts wise (I would like parts readily available just in case). The kits I've look at so far are as followed:

 

-Westfield Megabusa

-MK Indy "R" (uses Miata running gear)

-MNR

 

I was wondering if any one had any pros and cons of each they could provide.

 

Thanks in advance!

 

Geran from MD

[MHKflyer52]

I would go with the Westfield as they have more cars on the road so parts are more avaiable.

Just my belief.

[Fimi 7]

I had the same concern for months and I ended up ordering the MK Indy. So if we look at all three you have a few things to consider. Based on complaints, my own experience and statements from others, I think it falls out like this.

 

 

1. Quality of kit

- Westfield

- MNR

- Mk Indy

 

2. Flexibility of the kit

- MK Indy

- MNR

- Westfield

 

3. Cost of Kit

- MK and MNR are about the same

- Westfield - more money, but talk to the local dealers before you close your eyes to the higher cost.

 

I ordered my MK in December, it has not yet left the UK. The delay is understandable and I am okay with it (for now). The main reason for the delay is the high demand for the kit. Even though I have rated MNR above pretty much on par with MK. The MK kit has a UK race proven history, many have raced it.

 

4. Looks (come on you gotta like how it looks) this is more my opinion than anything else.

- MK

- Westfield

- MNR

 

If I had to place an order again today, I might have paid the extra couple thousand and ordered a Westfield.

 

Note, - I have had very little to do with MNR, but I have order some parts from Westfield for my MK Kit (somethings are compatible).

 

One more thing, the MK Kit with Miata gear will be a small issue, I ordered it, but with the Sierra differential. The ratio needed for the Hayabusa is not available in the Miata differential and the drive-shaft has to be 2 pieces. So my final order was the Miata suspension and Sierra drive train. I will have to have a custom set of half shafts built. I wanted the flexibility of going to a Miata engine in the future and not have to deal with the lack of Sierra parts in the US.

 

 

Hope this helps and not make it worse

Edited March 24, 2011 by Fimi 7

[Reason]

I had the same concern for months and I ended up ordering the MK Indy. So if we look at all three you have a few things to consider. Based on complaints, my own experience and statements from others, I think it falls out like this.

 

 

1. Quality of kit

- Westfield

- MNR

- Mk Indy

This isn't very reassuring especially since I am going to track this vehicle for most of the year.

2. Flexibility of the kit

- MK Indy

- MNR

- Westfield

Definitely a plus in my book.

 

3. Cost of Kit

- MK and MNR are about the same

- Westfield - more money, but talk to the local dealers before you close your eyes to the higher cost.

Why talk to the local dealers first?

I ordered my MK in December, it has not yet left the UK. The delay is understandable and I am okay with it (for now). The main reason for the delay is the high demand for the kit. Even though I have rated MNR above pretty much on par with MK. The MK kit has a UK race proven history, many have raced it.

Definitely a plus.

4. Looks (come on you gotta like how it looks) this is more my opinion than anything else.

- MK

- Westfield

- MNR

If I had to place an order again today, I might have paid the extra couple thousand and ordered a Westfield.

It is hard to justify $20k to the girlfriend for a toy.

Note, - I have had very little to do with MNR, but I have order some parts from Westfield for my MK Kit (somethings are compatible).

 

One more thing, the MK Kit with Miata gear will be a small issue, I ordered it, but with the Sierra differential. The ratio needed for the Hayabusa is not available in the Miata differential and the drive-shaft has to be 2 pieces. So my final order was the Miata suspension and Sierra drive train. I will have to have a custom set of half shafts built. I wanted the flexibility of going to a Miata engine in the future and not have to deal with the lack of Sierra parts in the US.

 

 

Hope this helps and not make it worse

It was a little worse but definitely good information. Thanks for your time and help.

[Fimi 7]

To answer your questions

- Cost -After ordering my kit I spoke to one of the guys at flying Miata and he said even though on their website the quote a cost, they can in alot of cases customize a kit to bring down the cost. Therefore if you order a Westfield you will pay more, but if you order a Westfield and customize the order by reducing the parts coming from them, it might work out. The guy was trying to tell me he could have made a deal for me. Can't hurt to ask, right.

 

Careful, the 20K is very easy to rack up. My starting budget was 14, I have not got my kit yet. And based on the parts I have bought so far I am sure I will blow past 20K. I try to follow the rule, if you are going to buy something reach for the best you can afford (within reason), otherwise you will eventually have to replace it.

 

The major parts like engine, basic kit, wheels, etc costs are known amount. Its when you start to add up the little things. Like brakes, wiring, Electronics, rivets (seriously, if you go wild you can burn 200 bucks on rivets alone).

 

It all ads up.

[Reason]

To answer your questions

- Cost -After ordering my kit I spoke to one of the guys at flying Miata and he said even though on their website the quote a cost, they can in alot of cases customize a kit to bring down the cost. Therefore if you order a Westfield you will pay more, but if you order a Westfield and customize the order by reducing the parts coming from them, it might work out. The guy was trying to tell me he could have made a deal for me. Can't hurt to ask, right.

Interesting...I wonder if they could do that for the Megabusa. It would be awesome if I could get the Miata kit from Westfield (I know Miata's like the back of my hand) and use the Hayabusa engine in it. :devil:

Careful, the 20K is very easy to rack up. My starting budget was 14, I have not got my kit yet. And based on the parts I have bought so far I am sure I will blow past 20K. I try to follow the rule, if you are going to buy something reach for the best you can afford (within reason), otherwise you will eventually have to replace it.

I know it adds up but to explain to the GF why I want to spend that kind of money upfront would be hard to justify. Spending it over time isn't an issue though.

The major parts like engine, basic kit, wheels, etc costs are known amount. Its when you start to add up the little things. Like brakes, wiring, Electronics, rivets (seriously, if you go wild you can burn 200 bucks on rivets alone).

 

It all ads up.

I look forward to it.

[Hank]

If spending it over time is okay with her then just get a 6 year loan.

[Reason]

If spending it over time is okay with her then just get a 6 year loan.

Not a bad idea.

[manik]

Interesting...I wonder if they could do that for the Megabusa. It would be awesome if I could get the Miata kit from Westfield (I know Miata's like the back of my hand) and use the Hayabusa engine in it. :devil:I know it adds up but to explain to the GF why I want to spend that kind of money upfront would be hard to justify. Spending it over time isn't an issue though. :)I look forward to it.

 

 

We looked at the possibility of doing this (Mazda-based kit with a Hyabusa) and it doesn't work. Too heavy, and too costly unfortunately.

 

Word to Hank, you are going to get someone divorced with advice like that!

 

 

 

tm

[Reason]

How heavy was it? I figured it would be cheaper since those cars are plentiful.

 

I guess it is nice that I'm not married yet.

[Fimi 7]

I can vouch for the cost. The big difference is the Miata diff will not work for the BEC, wrong ratio. So you have to use something different. My kit is coming with the Miata hubs and a Sierra drive train. Which basically means I have to get custom half shafts made. Estimated around 500 to 700 bucks, if you get really good ones. Might be able to get it cheaper.

 

I went this route to give myself the easy option to move to a Miata engine in the future (after I blow the Hayabusa of course )

[TLRracer]

I was thinking the Westfield route.

Check out this site - then in the future you can always go back to a Miata if you BaBoom the 'busa.

 

http://www.miatabusa.com/

[Reason]

I've seen that site before. If I was getting a Miata then I would put a V8 in it.

[TLRracer]

The beauty of the MiataBusa concept is that it mates a Hayabusa motor to a Miata tranny - it will work in any front engine/rear wheel drive vehicle.

[Reason]

The miatabusa is a good concept but I don't see it working very well.

[fastg]

Reason, why do you believe the MiataBusa setup will not be successful?

 

Graham

[Fimi 7]

Well for one thing, the big benefit of putting in a Hayabusa is the compact low weight full package, trans and all included. To then add a 60 to 80lbs transmission just kills the entire BEC idea.

[Tralfaz]

Well for one thing, the big benefit of putting in a Hayabusa is the compact low weight full package, trans and all included. To then add a 60 to 80lbs transmission just kills the entire BEC idea.

 

It does?

 

 

I suspect that removing the internal gearbox saved 25+ lbs.

 

 

The Hartley H2 is a full 50 lbs lighter than the stock busa.

[fastg]

I think the total weight penalty was 50 pounds. But that was just talking about the Miatabusa setup compared to a stock Hayabusa engine. Once you add the reverse box and mount, 2 drive shafts that 50 pounds gets reduced even further. So the disadvantage might be 25 pounds. The advantages are: no weak dog box not designed for a car, real clutch, reverse gear stock, the engine will mount to the right and the header will exit to the right useful on left hand drive cars. If I see some real progress on the setup it will be top of my list to replace the Miata engine I currently use.

 

Graham