Kitcat

When I load my 2 axle, 4 wheel trailer to a slightly forward/neutral balance, it wants to push my tow vehicle around. It also rattles the tow ball/receiver like crazy. When I load it toward the front (maybe 350-500lbs forward), it tows much easier, straighter, quieter.

Jack: What is the weight difference between the two versions of your car? Nice to see an alterative to the V8 route being explored. Beautiful car, beautiful paint. Did you close off the driver's side engine compartment exhaust opening?

I read a post by a new owner who was very pleased with his C7's performance at a recent trackday. In totally stock form, street tires, etc, he was one of the top guys. Only downside was his car's torque vectoring system completely used up his rear brakes after a weekend. Apparently, the computer applys one rear brake or the other to get the car to turn/rotate. In any event, it's on my short list....

I ckd the measuements and the Cat wld fit. So I called back a week later and said I needed to rent a trailer to tow a Ford Focus with:). They were good with that. Then the se7en sale fell thru and it was all moot.

When I tried to rent a U-haul open car trailer, I was denied because they said it wasnt designed to haul a se7en:).

I suspect you have a petronix elec distributor, or some variation, not mechanical/vacuum. If not, it's a common upgrade. How new are the ignition wires? That's an easy replacement item that sometimes causes issues.

Per the Birkin Yahoo list: both are home and reccovering well. I have zero knowledge of S Africa but so far, what I have heard doesn't sound too different from my (upper middle class) neighborhood in the good old USA. We are right next to a large poverty pocket and we seem to be a magnet for rape, murder, break-ins, robberies, you name it. All of those have occurred on my block over the last 25 years that I have lived here. We have been broken into 2x, last time 3 months ago.

Truely amazing! I would have predicted serious injuries to the Stalker passengers. And that the F-150 would have been unscratched. TG it wasnt the Stalker that got T-boned. Five point harnesses are a pain to put on, but clearly worth the time and trouble. Was the F150 driver using a cell phone?

Engine bay photos?

235/50x15 Toyo R888's will not fit on the back of a S3. Way too wide. I have a mounted set (2 wheels) and it is not even close. 195/15x15 does fit. They are way to tall/wide for the front fender set up that I run tho. I have a set of the 195/15's and they are going on the back. I will mount a 13" wheel/tire combo up front once I find a 13'' wheel/tire set I like. This will be my back-up so I dont have to borrow Karl's street tire/wheels, like I did at NJMP, if my track tires have issues.

One of my specialties as an attorney is representing disabled veterans in their efforts to be compensated for their service injuries. I am sure no one will be surprised to discover that the system is broken, but people mite be surprised to know how broken it is. Some examples: I just won a case for a disabled Vietnam veteran-it took twenty (20) years from start to finish. This is not unsual: 5-10 years is typical. I was 2-3 months away from wining another case for a Korean War veteran that was active for 18 years. The retro benefits, because it had been so undecided so long, were $400K. Sadly, my client died. And, under VA rules, so did the case. It was legally entitled to keep the $, his adult children got $0. When I file a routine appeal, it typically takes 5-6 years, for the file to be transfered from the local office to the Board in Washington DC. Under the VA's unique math, a veteran with a 60% rating and a 40% rating, ges a total rating of 80%, not 100%. Under tha VA's unique system of math, a veteran who is rated at 90% is paid about 60% of what a veteran with a rating of 100% gets.

Mine are on order....

Tom: You are right, the weather looks dry for nextweekend at NJMP, so hopefully I can get there. The cold doesnt bother me and the car, except for the tires, seems to like it. Mike M.

My car is operational:)! The long awaited part is still unavailable but Caterham UK found a used CV joint that I cld add to my otherwise intact rt side drive shaft and sent it to me (for no charge but postage). I hope to squeeze in a track day before storing til Spring.

BlueMax: It has always been a bit of an adventure to find Caterham parts. I always start at Cat USA, then Cat UK (From the states dial: 01144 1322 625 80). Check their online parts store first to see if they have the part. Also Redline in UK is a huge supplier of all Caterham needs(01144 1883 346 515). I suspect one of them will have what you need. Unfortunately, some parts have simply become unobtainable (like half shafts and CV joints). I have just gotten a used CV joint from Cat UK (for free as they were embarrassed that they had been unable to supply my long-promised 1/2 shaft for so many months),so my car shd soon be back on the road.

Caterham is apparently starting a motorcycle division with this new 750 cc (single?)bike. I wil rely on the more technmically competent to provide links. Is Caterham losing its focus, spreading itself too thin? This is a bold move, I truly hope it is successful.

Fastg: Thx. Caterham sez it will have the part 10/21, so I will wait til then and see. If date gets pushed back (as has been happening), I will f/u w/your guy. Plz pm me his # and I will have it if needed.

Got the above-referenced CV joint from AutomotiveUnlimited. Not even close to fitting. On to plan B (or E, maybe F?). I will contact GKN as noted above by Jlumba. They even have a store in Ohio. Then back to Caterham/Redline who each "thought" they mite have the part later this month. Just glad I am not stranded somewhere in the middle of nowhere next to the road.

The Caterham's rear 1/2 shaft is a cut down front half shaft from a 4 -wheel drive Sierra, or so I am told.

Thx to additional help from my new BFF, Alpineturbo, I have located a source of CV joints for Caterhams:http://www.automotiveunlimited.co.uk. My outer CV joint has been ordered and is on its way (we shall see). They are a major supplier of parts that Ford no longer makes or cares about for Ford Sierras. Since the rear 1/2 shaft of the S3 is based on the front 1/2 shaft of the Sierra (tho cut down), this CV joint it a direct replacement. I spoke with Duncan there who was easy to deal with and friendly. He was interested in visiting our humble site, also was surprised Caterham and Redline are so unhelpful (business opportunity?). Caterham also now has the 10" vented rear disc in so that has been ordered and is allegedly winging its way here. I might actually get back on the track this year. Final point: for those trying to call UK from US: first dial 011 44 AND then delete the 1st digit of the UK # (usually 0), then dial the rest of UK #. So Automotive Unlimited's # is 011 44 1279 816049, for instance.

Today's update. After some tutoring by Alpineturbo, and a consult with my mechanic, it turns out I dont need a right side 1/2 shaft, I "just" need a complete "outer CV joint." Mick at Redine just advised me: "Those are as scarce as right side driveshafts". I will ask Ford/independent parts stores/GNK if they have this item. BTW my ''reseach" into the driveshaft suggests it is a cut down Ford Sierra part.

I have struck-out in my efforts to have the drive shart rebuilt. And auto parts stores dont know what it is. Not clear when Cat UK/Redline UK will have the part, just that it wont be anytime soon. Unfortunately, extreme disinterest by them.

Speaking of disinterest by mfg. Caterham seems to be out of everything. Ditto their supplier, Redline. So my Cat, wh/has been on jack stands for 2+ months, contines to sit awaiting a rear right 1/2 shaft. Word today is: "Give it another month". Caterham is also out of the disc brake size I need, ditto the 13" front wheel size needed. Complete indifference by everyone involved(:.

Spoke w/Mick @ Redline: no right hand side halfshafts. Maybe in 1-2 weeks (and maybe not). BTW-# above is off a bit-use 011 44 1883 346515 to get thru. Will now take what I have to place JohnK suggested to see if it can be rebuilt.

Thx Martin, off on vacation abt 3 weeks, will do when return.