A week ago we sent a letter in to westfield with a cheque for the second installment as requested by them, and to confirm all of our options and to request the build manual early so that we could make sure we had all necessary (and spare) tools, screws, nuts, bolts, anything and everything that would avoid lengthening the built time due to lack of equipment.

We recieved an email today to say that they have received the cheque, the build manual is on order and will be with us soon and to confirm that the order is in build and to confirm that all of our options have been added, even our request for them to put the roll cage mounts on the rear of the car to save us doing it should we choose the full roll cage at a later date.

All is well it seems and they should be sending us some progress pictures of the built of the foundations of the kit.

As requested by us and as promised by Westfield, the build manuals came through early today, two big folders of them. Having a quick read through they are very very detailed as expected. Most importantly, looking at the 'list of all tools needed' page inside the folders, most of everything required we already have....at least to get started anyway. The only things we need are a fair way down the build progression line, meaning all is well and we are still on course for the kit to be ready for collection from 5th December 2007.

With just under a month until collection, Westfield today confirmed that our space-frame chassis was built and ready for power coating. They kindly attached a picture of our frame and informed us that we are still looking good for collection at around the first week of December. It's all starting to take shape, so this weekend should be spent cleaning out a nice space for it in the garage...

We have decided to get our engine from Yorkshire Engines. Malcolm (the owner) seems very popular on the kit car forums, and clearly has a good reputation.

He is quoting a really good price for a brand new 2007 Hayabusa engine with zero miles covered. This engine is complete with gearbox, wiring loom, and ECU. He shifts these engines all the time, and says he can get hold of one in 2 weeks maximum for £3,400.

There are much cheaper engines out there with around 4,000 miles on them out of ex-race cars and other Westfields etc. but I think it's far better to pay more money and get a brand new engine, and give a guy with a great reputation the benefit of the sale. Better still, if the engine goes bang after 10 miles, a company is always better to deal with than an individual.

Also, who will we be phoning when we're stuck with wiring for example? Malcolm will have no problem spending 2 minutes on the phone if he has been given the benefit of the sale. This kind of thing is always worth paying extra for.

So now the dilemma 2007 spec or 2008 spec?

The Suzuki Hayabusa has just been revised for 2008 and the new Hayabusa engine is now increased from 1,299cc to 1,340cc, and is also up from 178bhp to 198bhp. 20bhp is a massive gain in such a light car. However, the following problems are present:

• Wiring - the 2008 spec has a much more complicated wiring loom and all will need fitting/adapting to the car.
• Compatibility - No one at Westfield has fitted a 2008 spec engine yet, so we don't even know if it will fit the Megabusa chassis!
• Reliability - The 2008 spec engine is 2 weeks old and is so far unproven in a bike engined car. Malcolm has sold 2, but they are not running yet in cars yet.

So do we play it safe and stick to a 2007 spec engine, or go for the 2008 spec and gain another 20bhp? We have to add the Westfield dry sump kit on top which is another £1,300 and Malcolm is not sure if it will fit the 2008 spec engine, but he is using a 2008 spec engine himself in the next 2 weeks so will have a lot more information to give us on the chassis/sump compatibility and the complexity of the wiring.

We'll reach a decision in the next 2-3 weeks, but I would like the extra 20bhp if I'm honest.

Westfield called us yesterday just to confirm that the final payment was needed for the expected finish date of Wednesday 5th December 2007. They mentioned that they may be able to push the kit forward to Saturday 1st December, but that would have been a bit too much for them so they comfirmed the 5th once again. The 1st would have been great but we were not too disheartened seeing as we were originally prepared to pick it up Saturday 8th since putting the order in anyway. We can go Wednesday 5th but due to work commitments we decided to leave it until the Saturday. 

Anyway, the final payment was made over the phone today and we also ordered the Westfield Sump Kit too. The excitement is really starting to kick in for both of us now, time has gone so fast in the previous weeks that we have not had time to look forward to it, but we really are so close to picking the car up now that it is hard to think of much else to be honest, especially with the 'Racing Car is Born' Westfield build on Discovery Turbo.

Not long now....