New XI to be built

[Redmax]

Just thought I would register here and say hello prior to what I suspect may be the need for requests for help..! After considering it several times over the years I've recently ordered an XI kit from Westfield, which will be ready for collection towards the end of November.

I've found a donor Midget which I'll collect next week, so will have some dismantling to do after that.

I've previously built a couple of Caterhams , but suspect the XI will be a bit more challenging to complete..!

[Splat]

Good luck! My top tip would be to try to use original/NOS parts rather than modern/pattern replacements. And ask as many questions here as you like. Someone's bound to have the answer (his name's Jan ).

Mine was built by a "professional" for its first owner. By the time I bought it it needed a lot of work. That said, it was the fifth that he'd built and he'd got quite good by then. Some neat touches. I'm in North Hampshire if you want to come see/take photos for reference/generally talk crap about cars whilst drinking tea.

Best regards,

Simon

[Westfield 129]

Not hard to build. You have already assembled a Caterham, so this wont be much of a mystery.

The trick is in the preparation of the donor car parts, such as the axle housing, and the front spindles and kingpins.

My suggestion is to prepare the donor car parts prior to the build. This would include the rear axle housing (it has to be stripped and new suspension brackets welded in place... Order the rear axle brackets to be sent along prior to the rest of the kit to speed this process), and the rebuilding/restoration of the front spindles and king pins. The engine and transmission should be done as well (I suggest a nice CR T9 coversion).

The build will go much faster if you have everything ready to install. This will make the build more Caterham like as well.

Welcom to the group.

I also have a site in the US that is made up of just Westfield 11 Owners, builders and drivers. Lots of pictures and a good build album or two. https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Wes ... ivers/info

We wont be able to help you with the IVA, but we do have quite a few (even RHD) cars being build here in the US using the same parts that you might use, from Peter May axles to Longman cylinder heads, MWS wire wheels and Protech shocks.

Don't be surprised if your kit is late... Enjoy the build.

[Redmax]

Thanks chaps, and thanks very much for the offer of tea Simon. I live in Northamptonshire and I'm not in your part of the country very often, but I'll take you up on your offer if I am. Your car is lovely by the way.

I definitely plan on making the car as 'period' as I possibly can, and I think the advice to renovate/collate the donor parts before I start is sensible. I have ordered the Type 9 option as I know they're decent gearboxes.

Whilst I've built a couple of Caterhams, they've both been race cars so I haven't had to worry about the IVA process - this is my main concern at the moment. Whilst I'd like to do some interesting things around the engine and drivetrain, I think getting it IVA'd and registered will be Phase 1, followed by Phase 2 making it look and drive how I'd like..!

If there's interest I'll periodically post up pics as my build progresses.

I'll also check out the US Yahoo group.

Thanks again,

Jason

[Simon Marks]

Hi,
It is great to hear that someone else is embarking on an Eleven build. I thoroughly enjoyed the construction of my car.

Firstly, get hold of a build guide and read the forum for the many improvements and pitfalls that are catalogued therein.
When you get your kit (in various random box fulls), and your shortages list (sadly, there will be one, and it could be lengthy), I would advise separating out the kit into the various sections so you can appreciate what you have got and what is missing.
The worst aspect of the build for me was all the chasing that I had to put in to secure all the components that were owed to me. I had the answer at one point of "you shouldn't need that for ages". My response to that was I have paid for it and I don't want to be starting the chasing process when I actually needed the parts.
Having sorted out the sections, I would lay the parts out on the bench, figure them out, carry out any last minute research / revision, sleep on the matter then the assemblies all went really well for me.
The Build Guide is just that, it is not a full manual so I have some bits left over (like fuse boxes) as I didn't realise that they were included in the 2014 kit (the somewhat more aged Guide suggested that a purchase was necessary).
Mark Walker at the factory was very helpful all the way through. As you will read, dealing with the Parts Department was seldom such a positive experience! They really do need constant chasing if you have to order anything through them.
You will get your wiring looms in a bag and will have to ask for a wiring diagram. I did this after about three hours trying to identify all the terminals from a Haynes Midget manual!
There are plenty of specialists for Midgets so getting upgraded and replacement parts is really easy compared to some of my other cars.
The IVA process took some time but not unreasonably so (I had my retest one week after the original test) and registering the vehicle was straightforward.
If you ever need anything, just ask. The regular Eleven posters on here are really desperate to help.

I live near Oxford, and you would be most welcome to come round and look at my car if that is close enough for you. There's tea here as well!

Good Luck

Simon

[erictharg]

I'm only over in East Northants. Happy to help out or have a chat. Let me know. C

[Si Richards]

Like Simon I've just had mine pass the IVA on the second attempt, there will be frustrations along the way and things that won't fit or aren't quite right but it means you get to put your stamp on it and guarantees no two Elevens are the same. I've loved every minute of my build and now the real fun begins as its now time to lose the bug eyes and the other bolt on bits to make it look like an Eleven.

There's loads of great tips and advice on this forum and plenty of experience that's always there should a question arise. Although it's not complete yet there's a link to my build site below, if nothing else there's lots of pictures which you may find useful and a link to the wiring diagram to save trying to get it from the factory.

Just incase you've ordered the Moto-Lita steering wheel, make sure the factory know what steering rack your going to be using as it appears Westfield cut my midget steering column end too short (apparently the fat rack I've fitted is an unusual one ) so I've had to buy a spacer so that it fits as my steering wheel was almost touching the scuttle. I think they would of resolved the issue but it would of been a right pain in the butt and would of taken a while to get it sorted. Sorry if this is negative but it might save you some grief.

Enjoy the build.
Si

[Westfield 129]

The fat rack makes no difference to the steering shaft length. If the shaft was too short, it was too short, period.

The length of the column is controlled by the length of the stub shaft that goes into the rack coupler, and where you do the weld. The coupler should be cut off from the donor car steering shaft and bored to a press fit onto the Westfield stub shaft. The amount of engagement of the stub shaft into the coupler sets the length of the shaft, along with the angle of the secondary shaft.

I install the steering shaft, secondary shaft, stub shaft and coupler, then set the distance from the steering wheel to the instrument panel. I then mark the stub shaft to indicate the penetration into the coupler. The coupler and secondary shaft are then TIG welded at the correct length.

Also, there is some adjustment at the quick release as the spline adapter can extend the steering shaft another inch or so, as well as the aforementioned spacer behind the steering wheel.

The steering wheel should be around 8" from the instrument panel.

[Redmax]

Thanks again for the further offers of tea! I'll take you up on those at some point I'm sure.

I've joined the Yahoo Group suggested, some really helpful things on there already.

Midget collection scheduled for next weekend, sadly a long trip to Cornwall awaits.

Erictharg - I'm in Earls Barton so you can't be too far away from me...

[Si Richards]

Westy129 perhaps you could let Westfield know the details on how to do the steering column correctly as it would of saved me and no doubt a few more uk guys in the future a ton of grief and £45

Redmax enjoy the midget dissassembly and keep us posted with lots of pictures it's always great fun reading how a new build is coming along.

Cheers
Si