Kitcat

Great photos of beautiful cars. Nice to see all the Caterhams and other se7ens. I assume the V8 Storker was fastest? How did the others stack up against it?

Same engine Bruce, tho currently undergoing a mild rebuild as compression was low. My original point was that perhaps MichaelD's dyno # was optimistic? Back on topic, I think Massive Speed System has aftermarket Zetec parts including everything needed for a significant increase in power (tho not cheap). Another route would be to put a turbo on the Zetec? Again not cheap.

Also, I have the 6 sp, what do you have? I enter the straight on Lightening in 5th and shift to 6th soon after.

Michael: I have Toyo R888's on the rear. 195x15x50. Diameter is 22.6".

The challenge of the dyno Grand prix is the variability of results from dyno to dyno. For instance, my 170hp Zetec SVT (at the crank) can keep up with MichaelD's 215 hp Zetec on the straight at Lightening at NJMP. We both have drag-inducing full cages, so I dont have an aero advantage (tho he does sport claims while I have cycle fenders). I'd estimate we mite enter at 100 mph, and end up at 120 mph and it is a pure horsepower contest.

Great thread, keep those pix coming!

Wowsy-Dowsy, nicest bug-eye I have ever seen, and I remember them when they were new! What are dyno #'s (we know you have them:)).

For some reason, I suddenly can't get the Mr. Rogers' song out of my head ("Won't you be my neighbor?").

I put a set of Blizzacks on my '94-R pkg Miata and drove thru every winter. I loved pulling away from SUV's and their all-season tires at stop lights. The only downside was the car really got rusty after all the salted roads. I also have high hopes for the Fiat version of the Miata ND. IF I were to buy an all-season convertible now, I'd be tempted by the VW Beetle. Naturally, using my Caterham as back-up for track days, etc.

Speaking of the hard-to-believe category, the Stalker V8 above claims 800 foot lbs of torque. That seems a bit high. Not complaining abt the car, I'd love to have it in my garage, just noting the torque # seems optimistic. If accurate, given the car's light weight, it would seem possible to spin the tires in any gear, making it challenging to drive.

Croc: That maroon Birkin is Zetec powered, mine was a Duratec, with exhaust on the opposite side. Looks like a great weekend and 4500 miles with a trailer, wow! Good job keeping the Birkin 7 flame alive Tom.

Croc: But think of what a great tow vehicle it would make for my Caterham/trailer (or for a Stalker-to keep this slightly on topic:)). It weighs about the same as my SUV and, while it has half the gears, it has twice the cylinders. And on those "rare" track days when my trusty Caterham falters, I could sub in the Ferrari. Look how much sense I am making....

I kinda like the Ferrari '00 456 GTO featured earlier on the site:)! Only 23 thousand miles and $59.9K, what a steal. I agree the Stalker article is excellent. At some point Grassroots motor sports will build a couple (Miata and uber v8?) and really put them on the map. The attention is overdue.

I hated the new Miata ND in the photos, it seemed like an Z3 wannabe. Then I saw one at the dealership recently and liked it much more in person. I sat in it and was surprised that it really doesn't seem to have any more room than my '93 and '94 did. At 5'9 1/2" with the seat pushed back to the bulkhead it fit just right. But I am hardly at the 95th percentile. Track use: Is anyone making a roll-over bar yet for it? The suspension apparently has lots of slop, is there an after-market spring kit for that yet? Anyhow, it now is on my list of cars to fantasize about, at least mildly. What # Miata is this that you have owned Skip, 30? (Not counting your Miata powered Caterham).

Craig is in Akron, OH.

Some amazing shots. Esp Alaska, what a place! Anyone who hasn't been there should visit. Even in a rental car. We saw whales about 30' from the airport while driving our rental car along the bay motoring toward Turn-Again-Arm and the Kenai Peninsula. Here is a shot of where we spotted the whales. Nice to see fall season extending so far this year.

I like the wind cheating headlights (along with everything else).

Given that BD engines themselves are going for $16-20K, the $21K car is like buying a BD with a free Caterham thrown in as a deal sweetener. Actually kinda tempting.

I have attended his events in the past and they are very well run. Not excessively bureaucratic (No offense PCA:)).

John: I found a shot of my '97 Cat showing a single exhaust pipe coming through the cutout. I must have had a less aggressive header set up. My X-flow dyno'ed at 95 hp, 93 lbs torque. Since the Cat tank holds 8 gallons, and gets abt 12-16 mpg (when driven properly:)), the range is somewhat limited. I used to carry a 2 gallon gas container for emergencies and used it a few times. If your blatting area is as remote as it seems, this mite be an issue. Also, can you get 93 octane, or just 91? Speaking of X-flows, I have discovered via owning one of each, that it is easier to get parts for the X-Flow than the Zetec SVT. Ford has stopped making SVT parts (as opposed to standard Zetec parts, which, unfortunately, are mostly not interchangeable with the SVT engine). I look forward to pix of your car out amoungst the mountains.

Sorry, no shots of engine bay from that angle. And car is long gone. My memory is steering shaft space was really, really tight. Someone here with an x-Flow mite be able to snap a picture showing fitment. I will be interested in your dyno results. As BBall may note, his higher hp X-flow rebuild was not without its trials and tribulations. Maybe he will fill you in? Am also slightly jealous of your driving roads. When I make a left out of my driveway I then have to make many more, both right and left, to get to anything without a stop sign.

Lists for $4,850 on Cat USA site as part of the spec'ing process for new builds.

My '03 Caterham "Superlight" weighs 1390lbs (I may have to start hanging out w/the Stalker boys:)). I have a full cage, 26 gallon fuel tank that was maybe 1/2 full. Also a fire suppression system with bottle and an Accusump system, all of which adds a bit of weight.My '98 Xflow weighed abt 1250 lbs, empty, my '09 Birkin was abt 1150 lbs.

I am impressed. There are many supercharging and turbocharging options for that engine. It could become the go-to se7en, esp given the reasonable price (If I am reading their price list correctly, a turnkey car is $28K!).

Agree with everyone above. The point of ''no criticisms" of For-sale posts on this Forum by members of this Forum is that the criticisms and debate can overwhelm the sales thread. A very defensive and (often) legitimately angry seller can over-react to real and perceived criticisms of his or her "baby." And no one wins. But off-site ads seem like fair game. I see one now where an "original" Lotus 7 is offered for sale and, as far as I can tell, the only original part is the Lotus badge and VIN plate. It doesn't hurt for potential buyers to have a source of information on such things and Croc tends to offer generally candid, but not particularly harsh observations. So our community of member benefits from his honest and often humorous evaluations. And everyone is free to do their own assessment, contact the buyer, take the car for a spin and do their "due diligence". This section of the Forum is a starting point, not the end of the discussion. And, it is by far our most popular feature. So-keep up the good work Croc!