Bruce K

Hi, Evilromeo (and anyone else with experience in upgrading S2K rear heims). Got a question regarding the teflon heim joint upgrade to the rear suspension of the S2K. I attached jpegs of the suspension mounts, and I hope they display properly, but the description should suffice. If not, I can email pix to you: We are installing new teflon-lined heim joints in the rear suspension of an Ultralite S2K. The heim mounts are U-brackets, with the bottom of the "U" welded to frame members. There are holes in each of the upright arms of the "U", through which the heims are fitted. Note the photo of the top of one of the heim mounts. On the top of the mount, the provided hole is larger than on the bottom. The head of the bolt slips thru the top bracket mount with the heim joint removed. It is a clearance fit on one end. My mechanic believes that, on the clearance fit end, we should insert a spacer and cover it with a large washer. He feels this would allow the bolt to exert more pressure on the heim joints. Is there a reason for the current configuration, with one end a slack fit? If we install a spacer, covered by a large washer, and create tight fits on both ends, would that improve location of the rear axle and improve handling? Thanks!

not my car - just offered for discussion or the purchase interest of other USA7 members (although i figured a birkin dealer would at least have some credibility). i really like that shortened flat windscreen with matching shortened wind wings - more symmetrical and less choppy-looking than individual brooklands screens. if the car is supercharged, that is far preferable to turbo-charging. i owned a supercharged exige with proalloy liquid-to-air intercooer and a few other tricks. made 346 hp. the throttle was very linear, with excellent control out of corners. it felt supercharged only because the car never seemed to stop accelerating, right to redline. that is the type of throttle response necessary to preserve the character of a seven, which is driven with the pedal nearly as much as the wheel.

FROM THE EBAY AD: 1967 Lotus Super Seven Super Charged 2011 Green Super Charged IT IS SUPERCHARGED, HAS A LOW CUT WINDSCREEN, HAS LOTS OF GOODIES TO MAKE IT MORE FUN TO DRIVE, LSD BY SUBARU, CLOSE RATIO GEARS WITH A 5 SPEED FORD T-9, GOBS OF TORQUE AND POWER, PANASPORT WHEELS WITH STICKY ROAD RACE TIRES, TWO TONE PAINT, AND LOTS MORE! WE CALLED IT A 1967 FOR PURPOSES OF THIS LISTING. IN FACT IT IS VIRTUALLY A NEW CAR. IT DRIVES PERFECTLY ON THE STREET AND ON THE TRACK. THE SUPER PERFORMANCE IS ACHIEVED WITH PUMP GAS. IT PRODUCES 10LBS OF BOOST AND UTILIZES A WATER INJECTION SYSTEM TO CONTROL PRE-IGNITION. IT CAN COMFORTABLY BE DRIVEN ANYWHERE. THE WIDE TRACK FRONT SUSPENSION MAKE THE TURNING VERY QUICK. THE IRS REAR SUSPENSION KEEPS THE POWER TO THE GROUND AND RESULTS IS A VERY NICE RIDING CAR! HERE'S THE URL: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Lotus-Super-Seven-Super-Charged-2011-green-super-charged-/261197675423?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item3cd0983b9f http://img.autorevo.com/2011-birkin-s-3-super-seven-arlington-tx-4273884/215755-5-medium.jpg

2013 birkin, looks great in Viper red, 210 hp duratec, widetrack frnt and IRS rear, 4:11 diff, close-ratio 5 spd, foul weather gear and more: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Lotus-Super-Seven-S3-Reproduction-2013-Birkin-S3-Lotus-7-Reproduction-/190819733033?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item2c6dbe0e29

Next post, i'm gonna watch my speling, cuase you hit a gay mitey hard for his mistaeks!

Of course, you are correct. There is nothing new under the sun, and imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. The father is the child of the man, and Wordsworth was probably inspired by the prophet Isaiah when he wrote that. Actually, the primary intent of my comments was to flatter Loren a bit, for the terrific cars he builds and all the help he provides to the Seven community. But he certainly beat Westfield to the punch regarding the S2000 drivetrain!

You are exactly correct, up in the byline. Missed it, somehow. That, or the seller added the info later. Nice car, though. Remember how I remarked that the price was steep? When I revisited the ad to see how I had missed the motor manufacturer, I entered "BIRKIN" into the searchbox. ABOUT 70 BIRKIN PURSES COSTING MORE THAN THE OPENING BID FOR THIS CAR CAME UP! ONE OF THOSE PURSES WAS OFFERED FOR OPENING BID OF $150,000! True, it's constructed of "Himalayan Crocodile", and mountain-climbing crocodiles have got to be awfully rare, but geez louise!

Wow! it's like they arrived at idea of a WCM Ultralite S2K, only about 13 years later! Right down to the Toyo Proxes rubber, aftermarket ECU, power-bulge hood, dual windscreens, big brakes and all. I guess they wanted to differentiate the look at least a little, so they nicked the Brunton Stalker hood scoop. Kudos for originality! Kidding aside, the engineering looks sound and the car is beautiful, with some neat aero and other subtle refinements of the classic Seven shape.

Super clean Birkin with a nearly full-race engine (brand not identified in the ad - Vauxhall? Ford?). 6-plate clutch with lightened flywheel. Extra-height rollbar, Willwood 4-pot brakes, strengthened half-shafts. Full weather gear. Suspension "fully-tuned" at Bondurant racetrack. Appears to be an exceptionally clean and fast Birkin Seven, though for 50 large you could make a deal on a used Caterham R500, which would hold value better in the long run: [/url]http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Lotus-Super-Seven-2012-Birkin-S3-re-engineered-from-the-1967-Lotus-Super-7-/181098367028?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item2a2a4dc834

Here are two nice-looking conventional used Sevens, one Birkin and the other Caterham. The Birkin has the better motor (2.0 Duratec motor tuned to 210 hp), versus 1700 crossflow in the Caterham. However, the Caterham has the upgraded IRS and LWB chassis: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Lotus-Super-Seven-S3-Reproduction-2013-Birkin-S3-Lotus-7-Reproduction-/190800501207?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item2c6c9899d7 http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Lotus-Super-Seven-DeDion-LWB-chassis-1996-Caterham-1967-Lotus-Super-Seven-Perfectly-Maintained-New-/160980985654?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item257b36e736

This isn't really a Seven - more like an Eight or Nine. It is so oversized that it's honking Banks 383 CI race motor doesn't look silly big in the bay. Strictly a dragster with a slap-shift automatic. Probably somewhat FAST: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Lotus-Super-Seven-REPLICA-Lotus-Super-Seven-TWIN-TURBO-Pro-Touring-/111018556919?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item19d938bdf7

nice looking older car with solid rear axle, drum rear brakes, 1.8 liter miata engine, full weather kit, spare, $17.1K listing price (reserve not met): http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Lotus-Super-Seven-convertible-LOTUS-BIRKIN-7-MAZDA-MIATA-DRIVETRAIN-LIKE-NEW-/190794488171?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item2c6c3cd96b

Trailer is sold.

I've seen several posts regarding limited choices in 5 x 100 wheels. Bogart Wheel claims to have his aluminum PC-B model in 5 x 100 in in any required setback and rim width. They look good and are claimed to be very strong (suitable for cars nearly 3 times the weight of Sevens). Available in polished or satin black finish. Several different models available. I like the one below because it provides lots of air in for brake cooling (and reveals the powder coating on your calipers, if you run Wilwoods, etc.). Construction is 3-piece with billet centers. Link to website is: [/url]http://www.bogartracingwheels.net/images/wheel%20pics/p3b-blkgt-lrg.jpg http://www.bogartracingwheels.net/images/wheel%20pics/p3b-blkgt-lrg.jpg

Apparently very nice 2 liter Zetec Birkin for sale. Gives evidence of recent build, though date is not provided in the ebay ad. $27K buy-it-now. Full road and weather gear. Here's the details from the Ebay ad: Engine is a 97 ford zetec 2.0 liter completely rebuilt Raceline sump and water rail Arp con rod bolts Birkinsport flywheel, clutch, plate Stock con rods ,crankshaft,pistons 40thousnads shaved from head Stock cam,valves,springs Birkin header Raceline intake manifold Raceline jenvey 45mm side draft Throtlle bodies Raceline 45mm ram pipes K&N filters Raceline throttle linkage Cosworth blue injectors Circle “C” alternator bracket Gems Minizeta ECU air intake ,temp sender water temp barometric pressure sender throttle position sender Raceline wiring harness for gems ecu Gear box spc fully built standard ratio type 9, 5 speed Live, straight axle rear end Raceline adj fuel pressure sender The car comes with full weather gear that is still in the boxes, it has never been on the car. Yes the car is very quick. Only flaws are a scratch and couple of stone chips on the bottom of the right front cowl. I will do a light touch up for the new owner. Other than that the car is very nice with excellent paint and for all the world a new car, and never damaged or wrecked. Car has full wet weather gear. 2,434 .9 original miles with a clear WA title. And here's the ad: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Lotus-Super-Seven-Birkin-7-1967-Lotus-7-Birkin-less-than-2500-miles-Superb-/230921558184?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item35c3ff58a8

Interesting 2002 Toyota-powered car, custom built, purportedly very light weight, with lots of extras and opening bid price of $22,900 (reserve not met). I wouldn't place much faith in the "dyno-derived" claim of 0 to 60 in 3 seconds, though. Plus custom cars can be hell to repair: [/url]http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Lotus-Super-Seven-sports-car-Professionally-Custom-built-Super-7-by-Champion-Motors-/230918505515?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item35c3d0c42b To my mind, this car is a better value: A newer 2004 Birkin with even more content and desirable name-brand marque. Powered by 2 liter Ford Zetec, which has more upside than the 1.8 liter Toyota. Quaiffe diff, bolt-on roll cage, oil cooler, close-ratio 5-speed, street and track exhausts and lots of other great bits. Plus, parts are off the shelf with Birkin. The reserve is not met at an opening bid price of $22,000: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Lotus-Super-Seven-S3-Super-Seven-2004-Birkin-S3-/251218019553?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item3a7dc2c4e1

Sevenup, why does your description of torque sound sexual? Oh, wait! Because it is!

This is a 1968 car. Low mileage and in apparent excellent condition. Reserve is unmet with one bid at $18,500. It generates 225 HP from 3.5 liters, which was substantial for the day. Amazing when you consider that our 2-liter Hondas and Ford Ecotecs routinely output substantially greater power from just over half the displacement (240 HP from the stock Honda S2000 motor): [/url]http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Lotus-Super-Seven-1968-Westfield-V8-Only-200-Ever-Made-Extremely-Rare-/170971277178?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item27ceaea77a

Checked out the GBB. The vistas would be amazing. Unfortunately, I started a new business about 3 years ago, and can't take off 10 days at this time. Plus, the wife hates even garden-variety camping. Add in the possibility of half-ton grizzlies and 200-pound timberwolves snuffling around your bedroll at night, and the wife is looking at me like my name was Jason or Freddie. A different venue requiring less time in a couple of years, maybe: but thanks for the suggestion!

scannon, i'm following you around like a moist-eyed puppy dog. just bought one of those "super-seven theory of evolution" t-shirts myself. any more bright ideas?

My mistake - sorry, Busa. Scannon, thanks for the link - what a hoot! That 3 ton Roller is probably good for 3 or 4 GPM (not a typo). With the kind of power generated by your turbo Mazda motor, aren't you running out of tire? From the article, I seem to recall 7" wheel width all around. Perhaps you could use 9", or even 10". Of course, right now, you have the ultimate sleeper thing going on. Would be fun to see the sneer melt from the face of that Lamborghini Aventador driver as your tailpipe shrinks in the distance. Got to say - your engineering prowess is far beyond mine. I run a small fleet of service vehicles, so when I tinker my toys near to death, our fleet mechanic bails me out. I admire your craftsmanship.

busa - i just reviewed the britishV8 online mag article of your 2004 caterham. your workmanship is stunning. from the pix, looks like your blue bomber cranks on the track, too. reversing the 5.7 hp to weight ratio provided in the article gives about the same hp as my honda s2000 motor, but i'll bet your torque is stronger. how is the throttle response with the turbo? oh - and may your new year be free of asteroids.

knightsbridge is the credit card billing address. please send to the approved credit card shipping address of 28505 Lorna Warren MI 48092. Thanks!

paypal payment for one steel grill is complete. please ship to bruce kopitz, 28505 Lorna Ave, Warren MI USA 48092. it's nice of you to do this for the members. thanks!

that was funny, Busanostra. you might appreciate the following. a friend sent it to me last week: http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/s480x480/487004_10151338363401117_188604666_n.jpg http://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/images/cleardot.gif