Kitcat

I added the Brooklands set up because someone on the seven's list guesstimated it was like adding 20 hp. Who knows, but I was immediately hooked:)!-it wld cost quite a bit to add that much hp to my engine. As noted, the car is definitely faster but 20 hp???? It takes 10-15' to swap the regular windshield back in (2 bolts per side, behind a panel held in place with 8 screws). Speed it up and just leave the small panels off. Mike.

Mike-sorry, I have no times. I typically don't time myself and only get a number if someone else times me. I was pulling 100 mph at the fastest part of the track w/full windshield, 106 mph w/Brooklands, if that helps. I seemed to get up to speed faster. Ran almost everwhere in 4th, before I was in 3rd, spinning the engine much faster. I was using 4th because I was getting wheelspin out of 3rd (non-LSD car) in many spots and the car seemed just as fast at lower RPM's in 4th. Before there was wheelspin in just one spot. All of this was at Putnam Park race track in Indiana. A1.8 mile fairly tight course. I didn't notice any wind jostling. I had the passenger screen down, was wearing a full face helmet, belted in real tight w/5 pt harness, Hans and arm restraints, carbon fiber Tilton race seat:all kept me pretty pinned down. I am 5'9' so sit pretty low in the windstream Mike M

Robert: In mildly powered cars like ours, I think the Brooklands makes a big difference in performance. My car is much livelier above 40 mph. I am able to drive a gear higher around town. I was faster at the track and wasn't left for dead on the straights. An added bonus is it dissipates the dreaded cockpit heat much better. And as you point out, it looks cool. I always wear goggles but haven't been hit in the face by road crud after 2-3K miles of this set-up. The other Mike

It was 23 Saturday when I drove to work. All that unwanted engine heat pouring into the cockpit in the summer seems to disappear in the winter. Someone needs to figure out how to reverse that:)! The heater really helps keep my legs and lower half warm. A sweater, heavy leather jacket and gloves was all I needed up top. I had the full windshield and side screens in place. My only problem was my new carbon fiber race seat stayed ice cold so my butt froze. Next time, a pad goes on the seat. The car is in storage now. I don't fear the cold but the road salt is definitely not good for these aluminum/steel cars. Mike

Once you have the cowl piece made, think about putting something between it and the cowl to cushion it where it touches the cowl. My Caterham Brooklands piece rubbed all the paint off the cowl where it actually touched (about 6" in the middle of the cowl). Didn't notice it until I remounted the regular wind shield last week. Mike

The Westfield's license says:"Queensland-Sunshine State" LOL, don't tell Florida! I wonder who used the slogan first? Nice diffuser BTW, never saw one on a Se7en before.

Unbelievable how fast things can change! Condolences to you and your family. What a huge shock. I truly hope your mom's recovery continues to proceed. My son was in a wreck this summer when his 19 year old friend over corrected and flipped the van they were in. The friend died next to him, his other friend was ejected and suffered a massive brain injury. My son was thankfully unscratched, but is dealing with the emotional fall out of such a traumatic event. Even tho it was 6 months ago, we are all just coming out of the shock now. Mike

I really like the color, the carbon fiber fenders and the side intrusion bars. The whole set up seems very tidy/professional.

Nice! I am jealous of your power. Who built your engine, who tuned it? How many miles, or track hours before a rebuild is needed? The hp number seems to be about right for a good, high-end Kent engine. What are you other 2 race cars? I am sure it is fun to drive a giant-killer at the track, which this Se7en certainly is. Mike

Additional research shows that limiting American cars to 1000 lbs seems to be the norm, regardless of real world ability. For instance, the new Cadillac CTS sport wagon is rated at 1000lbs, tho it makes 300 hp and weighs 4000lbs and should have no trouble pulling 3500 lbs.The only car that seems to be rated at 3500lbs ls is the Suburu Outback 6 cyl. I suspect the car makers are trying to drive people to their SUV & truck offerings w/these low ratings (Suburu makes neither). I am attracted to the BMW X5 diesel, wh/is rated to tow 6500 lbs and gets 26/19 mpg. Sadly, it costs $52K, stripped. A new Silverado can be had for $16K locally, so its hard to justify all those bucks for the Bimmer (The savings could be spent on an upgraded Se7en:)). Edit: The perfect Se7en hauler mite be the Subaru Forester if the company decides to bring it here with its 2.0 flat four turbo-diesel, which is rated at 41/34 mileage and can lug 4400 lbs, for under $30K. Sort of the tow vehicle of my dreams. Mike

One of my few heroes, so this is not good. I suspect the golf club was used before the accident not after, and I have read that there is a girl friend involved. Who knows, but the current story makes zero sense.

It was a good TG in Cincy: many nieces & nephews went with me for rides in the se7en. No traffic helped make the rides adventuresome. Then an adult son took his new girlfriend out in it for about an hour. The unanimous opinion was that the car was "so awesome".

JohnK, who posts here occasionally, lives in Cincy, not far from Super Performance's Ross, Ohio office/dealership. He tuned the S1 engines for them for a while and is quite adept. Maybe a resource in the engine area? I also live in Cincy and wld periodically make the pilgrimage to Ross in my pre-se7en days to look at all their offerings. The S-1 was a favorite. S-1 experts:was it made in the same South African factory as Birkins? Mike

Amazing work. I really like the look of your proposed Se7en. Sort of what Caterham should build if they wanted a new look that was consistent with the spirit and the general outline of the current Caterham. I will enjoy following your progress. Why a Honda engine and not a Duratec? Longevity? Mike

I would guess it would save $4-5K off the price. Call Dick and ask, he's happy to answer questions about sevens and I am sure wld love to sell you a kit.

On a TG trip that went thru Akron, I stopped to see this car. It is as represented. Unfortunately it was raining so I didn't get to go for a spin. Body is basically perfect, much carbon fiber, weighs 1150 lbs. Can rev to 9K. Makes great power above 4K,starts, runs smoothly,as per all fuel injected cars. Has many trick items, like built in lap timer with read outs, per lap on the Stack system, also top speed, etc.,plus tons of other info. THere is a G-load sensor as well as a steering input monitor that records steering wheel position and that info can be downloaded to a computer to a track map and driving style evaluated. Kind of a step up from my '97 Caterham! I must say my car souds better tho! Engine bay much tidier too. No oil leaks. Can be tuned to make over 300 hp tho is at 267 or so now. The seller, Craig Chmia, is a long time Se7en fan having owed Lotus 7's (He still races one in the SCCA) as well as a Crossflw, and Zetec Caterham. He has a nice shop and is available to service this car, and its engine, for any buyer, ($60/hr).

Yes, 4 on the way. That seems like a lot .

The "pumpkin" Birkin, noted in this section previously, has sold-for abt $41K, fully turnkey, 210 hp (at the crank) Duratec engine. Many more cars on the way. He loves the Duratec, much more than Zetec, as it's lighter and easier and cheaper to make big power with. Going to offer a 260hp Duratec with this next batch of cars. Cost approx $46K w/that engine, wide track, independent rear suspension, LSD, 5sp Subie tyranny w/4.11 rear end. He is now having cars shipped unpainted so buyers can chose their color scheme. As with other currencies, the dollar is sagging against the South African rand (where the Birkins are made)-abt 13% drop in last 6 months. This next batch of cars is at the old price, the next after this shipment will reflect the dollar's drop. Mike

He will see this post. He visits here, under a "nom de plume".

Congrats on the sale. It was all pretty quick. You know you don't have to have Se7en to hang out here. Elises are very cool. I look forward to your full report comparing the two cars! Is the auto-x a thing of the past? If not, include details in your big car comparo that I am hoping you do here for our edification. Mike

Then he charges an hour for labor!

Car is listed at $48K. Buyer didn't have remorse (wife did).

A7: In the "interest of science", try it next time without the windshield and see if that makes a difference. I will try the downhill coast test next time I am out to see what the result is. I have Brookland screens wh/shd help. Mike

20.5 mpg in the Ridgeline pulling a trailer? I am lucky to get 20 mpg in my Se7en itself. Of all the potential tow vehicles I have thought of and suggested here, I must say the Ridgeline is the most appealing:stout but not over the top. Decent gas mileage, livable as a daily driver, etc. I just wish it didn't look so dorky (sorry).

No Hank's not in the car. Guessing Hank's weight will be the next contest:).