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Friend sent me the Birkin above before I could even notice it here. I really need to drive one with a bike engine, just to get it out of my system... Smog-exempt SB100 car too, for the California folks... (it seems to have been SB100'd when it was first built around 2005 with I assume a Zetec. Swapped to the 'busa engine in 2008 and received the Speedway rear end in 2021?)

Parts arent too bad for this engine. I have a small stockpile of spare parts up here (sensors, filters) etc. Holler if you need anything.

Birkin Hayabusa https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2004-birkin-s3/?utm_source=Iterable&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Model_Update

Is it a DVA engine or other seemingly built engine? Idk if its worth the price of the engine (been looking for a while, 5k or so), plus shipping, plus tariffs. I'd imagine it would be something like 5k for the engine (i'm seeing 3k GBP for a newly built one), 1k for shipping, then tariffs (I think its up to 100% now???), youre spending 11k on the engine. Why not just replace the block and build what you have? I had my K series rebuilt and the parts were much cheaper than going nuts. NEW Stronger K Series Engine Block | EliseParts

Manifest as race car parts?

I contacted Mark IV a few weeks ago. The stanchions were already sold. I bought the windscreen.

I don't know, I suspect they may be more expensive and a higher grade over hobbyist. I just wanted you to know of another option.

Thanks for sharing!! Thoroughly enjoyed the analysis and reporting!

I am aware of two changes Raceline makes for the Caterham version: it reads Caterham not Raceline, and the front of the Raceline version overhangs the sides by about 1.5 inches, which creates mounting bosses used in some installations. You can see these in the picture I included earlier. These are removed from the Caterham version as they create interference issues with the chassis.

Thank you Scott. Ya I found that note as well as several other publications on EPA's site. Sort of clear as mud as to which exemption applies and what to put on the forms though. I think this will end up being the exemption on the EPA form for non-chassis mounted engines, which would be code W on the 3520-1 form. This car and engine are exempt from any EPA certification, and so I think the non-chassis mounted import code applies best. I am not sure though and would like to hear if anyone else has imported an engine not mounted in a car, and what code they used or if they had any trouble. Problem with my current 1.8 K VVC is that it has a bad oil leak under power and I believe there is a crack in the block which I haven't been able to isolate precisely yet. After two times R&I the engine and transmission to fix/diagnose, and given the time needed to disassemble my engine and diagnose further, seemed to make sense to source a used replacement. Undriveable with the current leak.

Thanks Bud...my Caterham marked unit appears to be the Raceline.

Good point Croc.... it says Caterham on the unit but here it is.

I don't know of any application that would swap in directly, but you might be able to fabricate a setup that would duplicate the dimensions of the Caterham end links. Check out the 'Ball Joint Linkages' section of this link at McMaster-Carr: https://www.mcmaster.com/products/rod-end-connectors/rod-ends-2~/ They also have connecting rods to work with male or female threads: https://www.mcmaster.com/products/rod-end-connectors/connecting-rods-1~/

I looked a bit and found this: Importation of Vehicles Over 21 Years Old: EPA has long interpreted the equivalence requirement to mean that the engine must be identical to the engine that was originally installed. Such an engine is one that is the same model and configuration as the original engine. Importers wishing to utilize this provision are strongly encouraged to contact EPA's Imports Hotline prior to importation of such vehicles to ensure that the equivalency requirements are met. The Imports Hotline can be reached by email at imports@epa.gov or by calling 734-214-4100. Importers are encouraged to read the detailed information on the importation of nonconforming vehicles and engines, which can be found in the Procedures for Importing Vehicles and Engines into the United States (pdf) (3.2 MB, EPA-420-B-10-027, July 2010).

Really nice collection Dez!

Sorry, I don't have a good answer on importing, but I'll follow this closely since I also have a VVC car. If you don't mind telling what happened to your engine and would it might not be easier and cheaper just to buy parts to have it fixed? There are many videos and articles online about these engines and all kind of work on them. Scott

There are photos of the Titan setup in this build manual for the CSR260 starting at page 11:

That was an interesting article. Scott

I believe Caterham transitioned from Titan to Raceline by 2010, so a 2012 R400 should be the Raceline unit. A picture of the sump should help us identify what you have, and if I need to suck it up and tell @Croc he was right.

A lot to take in there. Somebody with crazy track time like Croc can certainly share his feedback on this article and adding Aero to the brick. I've considered adding Aero from an aesthetic standpoint and would be unlikely to use it on the track.

Applying Aerodynamics to Lotus Seven-Shaped Objects What the Car Teaches You Once You Start Bolting on Bits https://aricstreeter.substack.com/p/applying-aerodynamics-to-lotus-seven?r=2bb48a&utm_medium=ios&shareImageVariant=split&fbclid=IwY2xjawPpi1FleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA80MDk5NjI2MjMwODU2MDkAAR5uYPu176OSu_fnIGlc_pALA3lyBfoOovmG3rgJ7ib7s-9KPizfQO_qv-HVQw_aem_nlr5xgEGaY8T33nY4sdcvw&triedRedirect=true

Can we pause and confirm the dry sump system first please? Caterham has been known to use three different types of Duratec dry sump - Titan, Cosworth and Raceline. I have even known Pace to be used in older applications. For an R400, I'd lean towards Titan being used. Is there a brand name on the underside of the sump? What type/shape dry sump tank is installed? I know our library does not have much on dry sumps but have you discovered the manuals available for download here to assist other issues that you want to address? It does not have to be the same year assembly manual as they do not change that much year to year. https://usa7s.net/ips/files/category/23-build-user-guides/

I have a trackdays coming, and my end links have a lot of play. Caterham has them in stock, but I won't be able to have them in time. Anybody know if they are from another model / application? I see online lots of similar end-links, anybody knows if they could be sourced at least similar in this side of the pond? Thanks!!

As stated I am looking for a T9 to Duratec bell housing. Used or new. doug@tidsales.com 805-402-1225

Wheels still available. Reasonable offer.