Kitcat

Thx Croc. Those don't look like the right items. But, between Bruce Beachman and Innominatus (who is buying up all of Jon Nelson's leftover Cat USA inventory), I should soon have it sorted. Next up something less challenging: finding proof that the Loch Ness monster is real:).

At our annual USA7S event at NJMP, the S1's have no trouble keeping up with similarly powered Caterhams and Birkins. Just saying, tho it is a bit more polished than they are, it is just as competent on the track.

Very good dyno #'s for a stock Zetec. Not that much less than my SVT (hp 155, torque 143).

Thx Croc, I will see what I can learn. Caterham seems to only sell the "uprated rear brake kit" as a group of parts, so I am not sure if the rotor has a part #. I will ask Bruce Beachman, who I typically get my Caterham parts from. Innominatus is checking to see if his part works and I will buy his if it is the right item. I do know the 10" front brake rotor does not work. It is sourced from AP racing which is all out of them, but allegedly is making more in a few weeks. The last time I heard Caterham say a part wld be available in few weeks it was 6 months....

Thx Inn, I will await your verifying that it is, indeed, the rare, bespoke, long rumored, seldom seen, unicorn, Caterham uprated rear brake rotor:).

The "new" Caterham brand sells a civilized, fun, around the town car, suitable for dates with women in heels and dresses (Note, they did not show her elegantly entering and exiting the Caterham while somehow maintaining her dignity). So, no doughnuts, burnouts, track day heroics. Its a kinder, gentler, more practical brand, apparently:). The car seems the same tho.

Some new names on the list, that's good news!

TNc: I drove my street legal Cat in the rain all of the time. The full weather kit actually works. Yes, there is a drip here and there but it is nice and cozy all buttoned up inside. Getting in and out with the top up and the "doors" on in the rain IS a bit of a comic adventure. And other vehicles' ability to see your already diminutive car is further obscured by tire spray. But it's doable.

I have a dB app on my I-phone. Typically, my home db is under 40. At a recent crowded office holiday party in a small venue it was spiking at 115, with no music, just yakking.

Thx John. Redline says they dont have the needed rotor, nor does their supplier.

I have my Caterham at my mechanic's to repair damage that occurred when my driver's side half shaft broke at a track day. I lost the disc rotor at that time and have not been able to find a replacement, hence this post. I have Caterham's "uprated rear brake kit" which uses a system specific 10" disc rotor. Nothing else will do-this is a unique bespoke item just for this "uprated" brake kit. Both Beachmman Racing and Caterham Parts UK are out of this item. Thus this post. I only need the 10" rotor but will happily purchase the entire uprated brake kit if necessary ($1K+). My mechanic wants my car out as he doesn't have room to store it, so I dont have the luxury of time. If anyone has the part, plz contact me here, or better, text or call me at 513-646-8120. Thx! Mike

TNcoupe: I find that particular Caterham pretty tempting as well:). Maybe they will sell it for less, it's been there a while? Unlike most sports/sporty cars, Caterhams hold their value reasonably well. I bought a new '08 BMW M3 for $75K and sold it 3 years later for $45K. An identical one just sold on BAT for$19K. Caterhams seem to have a residual value of between $20-35K, and up depending on spec, in spite of age, mileage, etc. So, if logic ever has a role in this type of purchase, it would be to recognize the vehicle's excellent resale value. I can say that issue made absolutely no difference to me, tho, I just had to have one:)! A Caterham, or any se7en, for most owners is an emotional purchase not a rationale one. I fully intended to sell my Cat after I bought the M3. But it was the M3 that went. It just didn't generate the happiness/excitement that my Cat did (and still does) 12 years later.

The seller of the Hemmings Caterham R300 (Worldwide Motors) seems a bit confused. He notes that the costs of parts and restoration are going up. And that is that supposed to tempt me to buy this? But he says the value of the vehicle is also going up-since they dont make these anymore. Funny, I thought last year was Caterham's biggest production year?

Maybe Jon should list his parts inventory for sale here? Most of us Caterham owners like to keep a spare or 2 of everything, so when something breaks, we aren't frustrated by the typical Caterham response:"Part not currently available."

Tom: they worked together for many years at R Mtn Motorsport, no? Anyhow, you may be right.

How many does the Caterham RV sleep:)? Sorry, just being a wise guy, congrats on your awesome new Caterham! I will let the experts chime in on registration, but I dont see how this is any different than any other Caterham.

Sounds like Ben at Rocky Mountain Motorsport. He sold Cats to a lot of folks, incl Croc and Alacossie and was the main U.S Caterham distributor for years. If the car is set up for a Signa engine, the wiring loom may only support that engine directly, tho it can be rewired.

If Croc doesn't return to Australia at least 1x a year, he forfeits the right to be called "Croc" on this site and instead reverts to his American nickname, "Bubba". And, at that point he has to enter remedial speech classes with Xcarguy and brush up on his southern accent.

The orange 'Vette sure looks nice!

Thx Tom. I called you 2-3 weeks ago abt a rebuild. That is still my plan. First my mechanic has to get caught up and find time to fix my snapped axle, then we will ship the engine to you to do whatever you deem appropriate. I will call in the next few weeks to make arrangements. Mike M.

Both are good ideas. I am toying with having the bottom rebuilt, so swapping in a new oil pump is definitely a simpler way to go. Randall: Where did you get your oil pump and was it for a Zetec SVT? Parts for it seem can be hard to source. Blaine, I only put 30-40 miles on my last oil change (using your special oil formulation) before the wheel (literally) fell off. Is that enough mileage for an oil analysis?

I believe he sold Caterhams with mostly bike engines. And, as I recall, he is/was somewhat famous (infamous?) for calling the Stalker, a "Storker," a vague reference to its alleged portliness, causing initial outrage, followed by years endless mirth that continues to this day. Wish I had thought of it first:)! He was clearly an enthusiast of the highest order. And a Caterham lover, perhaps to a fault.

Occasional visitor and member, 1TurboFocus,(aka TurboTom) is an acknowledged Zetec guru. See his website Focus-power.com. He says 165-170 is about max for a Zetec without going too crazy. And his numbers are for a car with stock intake manifold, adjustable cams, compression ratio 12:1,(100 octane only), head work, lighter, balanced forged rods/pistons and a variety of incremental hp secrets including an earlier, smaller intake manifold, a stock but different throttle body. Sticking to pump gas, but bumping compression from stock 10.2:1 to 11.2 you lose about 5hp or so (ballpark 160-65a). My relatively stock Zetec SVT made abt 155 hp on the chassis dyno, which Tom says is pretty stout. As a side note, the Zetec SVT was designed/modified from the stock Zetec by Cosworth for Ford. Although it was built on the same assembly line, it incorporated many changes, resulting in a 15-20 hp bump over the stock Zetec. It was advertised as 170 hp (at the flywheel) which translated to approx 150-55 hp at the rear wheels, much better than the stock 129-137 hp at the wheels.

Further thoughts: my Caterham's water temps run anywhere from 1/2 way to 3/4's up the gauge. If my oil were super hot, one would think the water would be too. Also, I have a 2 quart Accusump. That means I have a spare 2 quarts of oil sitting in a tank cooling off for 1/2-3/4's of every track lap. It is mounted high on the bulkhead on the passenger side where the seat back would be (if I had a passenger seat). So its in the cool airflow. It comprises 33% of the engine's total oil capacity (roughly 4 qt +2 system) and is cooling much of the time, then getting injected into the hotter engine oil in corners, then back out. All of which suggests that the oil pressure drop is not due to heat. We shall see what the new gauges say.

Andy: Great car/engine spec. Nice to see you finally got your se7en (I waited 45 years...). But as a wise person once said: There are no sports cars in assisted living:). Tom: Let me know if Jeff's new ECU/tune produced any special numbers on the chassis dyno. He's already too fast!