What front end do I have?

[Canadian 7]

I have a 1988 Westfield SE. Here is a pic of the front suspension. Is it standard Cortina? I want to add the Westfield wide track, will it bolt right in?

 

http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj527/vipergts-r/DF5D20EA-6CC6-40CE-ACF7-81FD59E36C0B-2269-000000E8D1095F77.jpg

 

Thanks, Ron.

[JohnCh]

Can't really tell from that angle, but you don't have a standard upper control arm. Yours is fully adjustable with inner rod ends, which is a nice upgrade.

 

Here is a picture I found online of the Cortina upright.

 

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f150/Pistonheadz/Hotrod/rodrebuild017.jpg

 

-John

[Canadian 7]

2 more pics:

 

http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj527/vipergts-r/EB25557A-C50B-4C73-A094-EBE20FB9511B-2269-000000E8D86A7FDD.jpg

 

http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj527/vipergts-r/6EBBEF5A-2213-4257-BD09-DCD616DFC173-2269-000000E8DEF527A2.jpg

[locost7018]

Almost looks like a British Ford Escort mk2 or maybe a Cortina. The lower ball joint looks strange though compared to mine. Russ

[The Stig]

It's Cortina uprights. But this looks like a prelit set up which had s different bottom wishbone but I believe interchangeable with later ones. Check out the WSCC forum on the UK. Lots of good stuff there. I will dig out pics of my later setup.

[Canadian 7]

Yes my car is pre-lit. Here is one more pic with the wheel turned, shows better.

 

http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj527/vipergts-r/th_6C7FB59A-4242-4D52-874A-1BBC862F9DB3-125-00000000DF138F09.jpg

 

Since I am going to change to wide track, would it be beneficial to change other front end components at the same time - uprights, hubs, etc.? To a more modern setup. Thanks, Ron.

[The Stig]

The standard uprights are actually pretty good so no real value changing them newest filed do balky ones but don't save much.

 

Definitely change the hubs for Ali ones as the weight saving is considerable. Rally Design inn the UK did some great colored anodized units. They also do a nice Wilwood brake caliper conversion kit too but that is probably cheaper to buy here.

[The Stig]

Sorry about the spellings. Posting from my phone!!

[Canadian 7]

I do all my postings from iPad or iPhone also - don't even use my computer anymore. I wish this forum would allow you to edit your posts from these devices!

[JohnCh]

According to Westfield, the alloy uprights have slightly revised Ackerman geometry, but I've yet to get definitive feedback from anyone if there's a noticeable difference from behind the wheel. The weight savings is only ~1lb per side, and if you are running cycle wings, you'll also need to buy different mounting brackets, so not great bang for your buck.

 

Alloy hubs are a different story. If you have the budget, I'd also suggest looking at alloy 4-pot calipers. Switching to alloy hubs and Outlaw M16 calipers shaved off 16lb of unsprung weight from my car.

 

-John

[The Stig]

Took a while to find one but here is a pic of the front end of my Westfield.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/25013566@N06/8590304452/

 

Link if embedded not working -

 

In summary:

 

> Gold anodised alloy hubs

> Very thin discs (not great on the road but this is a hillclimb car)

> Track rod ends converted to spherical bearings

> Upper wishbone conversion for spherical bearings and twice as much camber adjustment (although your setup gives more plus Caster adjustment and could assist Ackerman adjustment too)

> Wilwood alloy calipers

> Shocks are Gaz adjustables

 

When considering widetrack, I remember reading there was little value in converting an SE (narrow body) to widetrack as it can upset the balance. My suggestion would be to reduce unsprung weight with this kind of setup and have everything carefully set-up. The difference is found in the setup, not the components. Westfield's generally suffer from bump steer too and I had that removed with some adjustment to the height of the steering rack.

 

Hope that helps.

[Canadian 7]

Thank you for the responses so far! Any comments on these:

 

http://www.rallydesign.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=11815

 

As far as wide track, I have all season tires on it now, so if I go with the wide track setup and lose some handling, I will gain it back when I put some Avons or Toyo R888s on it! I don't like the narrow stance that my car has.

[danilo]

Yup.. sure looks Locost /after Court action Westyfield.

Cortina or Ford Escort Upright. Foolish lower A Arm design where the shock's force vector.. does not.. line up with the lower balljoint, etc, etc.

But Hey! some still buy 'em.

Truly a crazy mixed up world

[Canadian 7]

Wow, drinking on a weeknight - lol. My car is a 1988 pre-lit.

[The Stig]

The Rally Design setup looks pretty good when combined with the hubs and Wilwoods. The exchange rate is good right now so go for it!