Kitcat

I noticed that Amsoil now makes an oil for our older flat tappet type cars. It's called Classic Car Z-Rod and is a synthetic for older engines. Comes in 20-50 weight among others. Its ZDDP content is unusually high: zinc 1377 ppm, phosphorous 1265 ppm. I know it's somewhat controversial to run synthetics in X-flows, but mine has successfully done 28K miles, thus far, mostly on synthetics (much of it Mobile 1- which doesnt have that much ZDDP). Not sure what the cost is tho cant be much worse than the Red Line synthetic I now use. I am going to give it a try. Mike M.

Welcome-you will fit right in here! (And, let the upgrades begin:)). Mike M.

Google "cherik's super seven" for one person's account of that engine swap. Bottom line: it's not simple, but it is possible.

Search: "Right-hand".

Rbt: Your car keeps looking better! 2bone-great classic 7 and great job making the Al shine. Looking at the 2 cars shows how much the identical classic shape can be differentiated with paint/windscreens/accessories.

Any se7en is a "smile factory". Congrats on your purchase. Also nice to see some good words abt 7's/Elans. I have had nothing but exemplary service from Chris but know not every one here has had had such a positive experience. In Ohio it was so much simpler to register my Cat: a single 20-30 minute visit to the BMV for combined "inspection"/paperwrk and off I went.

I also bought my Caterham from the for-sale part of this forum on May 31 (2007). Mike M.

2 years ago, new plugs, wires.

Everything's nice and dry under the hood. I played w/it yesterday and idle IS ok, just cant run hard/cleanly thru the rev's. I tried pulling off plug leads and the water "misting" approach and learned nuttin. I will try Loren's suggestion next. We have had almost 40 days and 40 nights of rain here (more like 60-60) so that ain't helping, I am sure.

I went to a track day at Mid-Ohio last week (in my M3-it was raining). A guy arrived w/his GTR on a trailer. I thot, wow, he will own the track in the rain. But my grandmother wld have been faster.

Thx. Yes a big idle problem. I will also double ck radiator hoses. Perhaps a leak is supplying moisture, it's happened before....

My car uses the Petronix Flamethrower electronic ignition. I am no expert (obviously), but I thot that eliminated rotor issues???

Yee-ow! I know the X-flow sounds good but I'd match your sound against it any day. Car looks terrific too.

Well, the car started right up and ran like a top, or at least like a X-flow, after baking out in the sun, initially. Then, after 10 miles of zooming around, cough, sputter, backfire, backfire. It started acting up as I was bending around a nice left handed turn but I had done that multiple times on this brief blat w/o a hic-cup. I limped the last coupla miles home. It runs, just not cleanly or strongly. So I don't think it's a moisture issue. Other thots?

Could well be. We'll see how it runs this afternoon, after baking in the sun all day. Last time I had the problem I was coming out of a rainstorm (Hmmmm.....).

About once a year, my X-flow starts to run like crap. Today is such a day. Rev's up roughly, sputters and stutters at low speed, and stumbles on acceleration. It does best accelerating with part throttle, full throttle causes more un-eveness and missing. And tons of backfiring, much more than the usual pop on deceleration. Typically cured w/some hard driving. Usually 10-50 miles or so does it. Any ideas? Bad gas? Clogged gas filter? I was down to 3 gallons but it had run well on the same tank up til now. I had just washed it today but that hasn't been a problem in the past. When I drove off today it just stalled out and wouldn't re-start for 10.' Lots of cranking but it would not fire up. Finally after resting a bit it started and I drove to the gas station and filled the tank w/quality gas and drove for 10 miles. It's better but still rough and not its usual robust self. Theories? Mike M.

What is the proper plug gap?

Tom: Are passengers permitted at this event? Mike M.

Not sure how your filter is set up. Mine is down low on the intake side of the engine. The filter is upside down and must be filled w/oil before being installed (which I didn't know since all other filters on all my other cars were installed open side down). FWIW.

OK, I just registered/paid. As noted, if it rains a lot I will bring my tin-top, otherwise the Caterham. Mite try to bring along the Brooklands set up and swap out at the track. Now to start studying the videos of the 2 courses. Tom, what & where is the motel and I will reserve a room?

I have gotten the green light to sign up, so who besides me is really going and where do I send my money? I am cleared for both Monday and Tuesday, June 27/28. Will arrive late Sunday 6/26, leave to get partway home mid-afternoon Tuesday 6/28. Edit: never mind where to send $, I now see the link for the event. But, just to be sure I am not the only se7en driver who shows up, is anyone one else actually committed to this (paid up)? I will hold off giving them my credit card for the $495 2 day fee til I see a show of hands of "committed" drivers:). Mike M.

No roll-over bars:).

My M3 in stock form is 6 seconds a lap faster at Putnam Park race track than my Miata was in full race dress (Suspension/motor/Hoosiers, etc.). It helps that I hit 125 mph on the straight and the Miata topped out at abt 105 ph:)). I loved the Miata, but the M3 is more car.

Fun article and let the arguments begin. My '08 M3 would hand most of those cars their butts on the track and it's not mentioned. Ditto the 'Vette, not one anywhere in the top 50? I guess US cars were excluded.

True, according to the current issue of "Remarque", the Lotus Owners Group magazine. It occurred in 2 F1 races in S Africa in 1962. Back then the F1 engines were limited to 1.5 liters and were naturally aspirated. They typically made 150 hp. And, the cars themselves weren't all that sophisticated. So Sevens were semi-competitive. Their engines were bored out and front wings and rear fenders were removed. All part of the amazing provenance of the Seven.