Kitcat

Weight distribution of the mid-engined Lotus Elise is 37-63.

One last thot on possible things to check/fix quickly: Engine mounts. They wear out fast even on our modestly powered Kent engined cars. And this can have a adverse effect on everything from handling to power. Mine needed to be replaced when I got my car and it was 1/2 as old as yours and had 1/2 the miles. Unfortunately, it took me 3 years to trouble-shoot the source of the loud metallic noise on sharp right-handers and loss of power on left-handers (engine shifting caused the whole thing to roll onto the intake system causing an air leak into Webers, causing power loss). Check for tightness also, my replacements have come loose. Mike

I notice bidding has ended on the Canada 7. Is it yours Twobone?

Your 911 is a very nice CAR. A Se7en is not a car-instead, imagine riding to work on a roller coaster ever day. Or on a magic carpet that responds instantly to every input. It is unlike anything. And it cant be appreciated w/one drive-where all you notice is noise and how low you are. After the 2nd or 3rd drive, where you start to calm down, it starts to sink in how different it is. You will be a one car rolling parade, kids smile and wave, women stop and stare, men's heads swivel. And everyone wants to talk about it with you: How much, how fast, what's the gas mileage, is it a kit-car??? You can not drive it and be anonymous. I have a new 414 hp BMW M3. Great car. Like, your 911. Fast, much faster than my Cat. But, just a car. For a purely transformational experience, nothing approaches a se7en. Mike

Things I replaced on my 10 y/o, 13K Cat, within 1 year after purchase 3 years ago: Tires, hydraulic clutch slave cylinder, water hoses (upper and lower), did radiator flush, tune up, new spark wires, new spark plugs, changed diff oil. All this prior to extensive upgrade-itis. Is it the long cockpit version of the S3? I can not imagine what smog test my cat-less Kent engine wld pass. Not even the "sniff" test, or even the "laugh" test:). Good luck-it seems to be a beautiful car, assuming its the one noted elsewhere here in the For-sale section. Mike

Unless, Caterham prices have spiked up, $23K US seems a bit high, esp IF is solid rear, 4 speed. OTOH, it looks like new (repaint?) and well cared for. Interesting roll-over bar. Looks stouter than the stock bar tho less so than the Caterham FIA bar. RHD is a plus too, much cooler temperature wise, and puts you on the inside of the car wh/is nice at most US clockwise tracks. These cars are so narrow, I don't think its a disadvantage for the driver to be on the "wrong" side of the car as a driver. The $1K seats are steep but not as steep as my $1.7K Tillet and definitely more comfortable:).

So sad. As they say, he died living.

Thx, Jayson. I am a big fan of the clams too. They just look right to me on these old style cars. Never had the much-discussed and much-dreaded front end lift either, tho top speed on my horsepower limited car is abt 105-108 mph. Your Zetec will push you along much faster tho, esp if you go to Brookland screens. I recently posted elsewhere on the the availability of Brooklands on a site in England called "woolies trim", just google it. Called an "aeroscreen" on their site. Much (much) cheaper than the Caterham version (mite even be the same AFAIK). I am happy to send measurements re location, when needed. There was just a discussion on the usa@se7ens.net mailing list about excellent results people were having just gluing them on with some new product. I had a 7 hp Vespa that I bought new in '62. It had a stopping distance that rivaled your BSA. Was also the most unstable vehicle I ever rode, but loads of fun Mike

Nice car, nice garage, nice tool chest, (very) nice bike (Triumph, 1950's?). You are making progress. Mike

Andrew7 and I met up there a few years back in our 7's. We just went to the track day at Beaverun, where the track competition was. Lots of great vintage cars, close racing. Made me want to hop in my car and roar out onto the track and mix it up:). Nothing overwhelming, at least at Beaverun. Lots of parking, vantage points, food, drink for sale, etc.

For a great nearby track day, check out 3BallsRacing.com. (They have more balls than we do:)). They have a date at Calabogie, not far from you 8/28-29. They emphasize fun and aren't as uptight as most track day groups. For instance, most groups wld not ok your roll-over bar. I doubt that 3Balls will care.I have done many events w/them, tho never Calabogie (too far).

Do you have an upgraded oil pump for the Kent engine? If so, how much $? My stock oil pump manages abt 25 lbs pressure once all is warmed up. According to the most recent edition of the Lotus magazine, ReMarque, the stock pump is a weak leak in the Kent engine, low oil pressures are standard, and upgrades are recommended. Thx, Mike

If you Google "woolies trim" you will get a UK site that sells individual Brookie screens, brackets etc, for around 57 pounds sterling. Seems like a deal.

Raw, incredible sensation of speed, people swarming around the car-that is definitely the se7en experience! At least phase one. Phase two? Upgradeitis! If your NSX is any guide, this will be good:).

I have seen the subject of ear protection popping up here and there, just as an aside, in various posts lately.It is actually a serious issue with our cars so I thot I'd start a thread devoted just to it. My experience: I bought my 7 over 3 years ago in NJ and drove 700 miles home with foam ear inserts. Since then I have had a mild tinnitus (ringing) in my right (not left) ear. Yes, it is ringing away as I type this. Since that experience, I always wear the foam inserts and the ear muff type ear protection, available at hardware stores for abt $15.00. The kind of things people use for mowing their lawns, running power saws, etc. Since then, no problemo. It has the additional advantage of holding my baseball hat in place. I think the incredible and constant wind buffeting is what did my ear in. The exhaust etc, is pretty mellow at a steady speed, even 75 mph. I have the rear exiting exhaust so the sound exits behind my ears too, which helps. So, a word to the wise. And, if other ear damage sufferers want to add their experiences, solution's, it mite help some of the newbies/lurkers from making the same mistake when the magical day comes and the get their se7en. Mike

Skip: I got whatever mirrors Chris T sells at Sevens and Elans. They are carbon fiber, or faux carbon fiber. They look better than they they work but once adjusted they are fine. Before my Caterham, I always took mirrors for granted. However the mirrors on my Caterham are often very entertaining. What's this bracket you speak of? Photo? Mike

"Old reliable":). Actually, after many descriptions that my wife didn't grasp, i finally showed up in it in person and she shouted:"Why, it's a little roadster". So that's how it is known to friends and family.

Skip: FWIW- On my official Caterham set-up, the side mirrors, and center mirror, are all attached to the Brooklands screen frame. As you say, swapping it out is a coupla screws (I leave the small inside panels covering access to the screws off). Even if I take my time, I can do it in 15'. As noted in a post last year, put some tape or foam on the underside of the frame or it will rub off the paint there. Mike

Mark: Have you tried Texas Motor Works? They are the US dealer for Birkins and I think you can get a new one built for abt $40K with a 220 hp Duratec. I know that's more than you want to spend but you wld't lose as much come resale time-and you'd have a whole lot more car. Or, contact the owner, Dick Brink, and he can look for a used Caterham/Birkin for you. He has lots of contacts. Ditto Chris T at Sevens and Elans, or Ben at Caterham USA. Mike

For well over $20K you can get a lot more se7en than the above Caterham. Be patient. Four or five years ago I watched an identical car sit on the Rocky Mountain Sportscar site for 2 years at $18K. Don't know what it finally sold for. My informal survey of costs is : 1600 cc Catehams $18-20K. 1700 cc Caterhams $22-24K Zetec Caterhams $26-$50K. Lots of variables tho, depending on condition, equipment. Subtract $2-4K for similar Birkins. I paid $22K for my cat 3 + years ago and have easily put in $10K more in upgrades (Carbon fiber seat, FIA roll-over bar, 6 pt seat belts, Brooklands screen, kill switch, car cover, tires, suspension bushings, etc.). Keep in mind (wh/I did not), low mileage cars are not necessarily a plus. So much on my car was worn out by time, not mileage. Even tho I now have 26K miles on my car vs. 13K miles when I bought it, it is in much better condition now because of constant use and constant tending, maintenance, upgrades, etc. Happy hunting. Mike

I have the set-up sold by Caterham, as tweaked by Chris T at Sevens and Elans-you can sort of see them in my avatar photo. The mirrors look great, small, sleek, but are hard to adjust much. Major adjustments involve removing the entire structure from the car-not a big deal-fiddling, putting back, repeat, etc.-royal PITA. Once they are right, you are good to go (just don't adjust the seat back/forth). The Centerpost mirror is also a pain tho much less so. Again, once it's right, it's right. And rearward vision is excellent. Cost? Too much to mention in such a public forum:)., so let's just say: not cheap.

$20K is a good price for a 1600 cc Kent engine in a bare bones Caterham (IMHO). Seller shudda pounced.

I took a long convoluted drive over 700 miles last weekend w/a NUVI and didn't use the sound, With earplugs and ear muffs, wind noise and exhaust noise, the Garmin audio never had a chance. But with the Caterham, the windshield is so close it is easy to see the directions on the GPS screen. I never missed a turn. Also nice for accurate MPH and odometer #'s.

Thx, that's lite!

Craig: How much do they weigh? Mike