Kitcat

Helps to have a sense of humor around here. Some day we Caterham "elitists" will have to mention the royal welcome we got at LOG 30 by the "real" Lotus 7 owners. Talk abt being a red headed stepchild:)!

Is it my imagination, or is the front track about 6-8" wider that standard issue? Clearly the rear is somewhat wider. Wld love some performance data:weight, tire size, 1/4mile. Also wld love to compare (in a nice way) to the V8 Stalkers (of which I am a big fan). I wouldnt be surprised if it was 10-15% lighter for 500-700% the cost.

Karl: Are you paying attention: you know you need one of these too! And when you buy it can I have your old engine:)?

Very cool!

Why don't folks who have spare parts gathering dust in their garage, basement, or storage unit, bring them to this event for sale/swap? I know Karl has stuff he doesn't need and I do as well. I am sure there are others. The advantage is that there will be a group of potential buyers all in one spot, it avoids shipping issues, payment issues, buyer gets to see exactly that he is getting and, I suspect, prices will be very reasonable. Or bring you entire car if it's for sale. Hey, this mite be a chance for Superformance, the new US distributor of Caterhams, to show off a few new cars. I know I wldnt refuse the chance to test drive the new Suzuki powered Cat!!! As we get closer we can list our stuff for sale here or open up a separate NJMP track meet/swap meet thread.

Really! Here's a straight forward thread, with a legitimate discussion of handling issues and suddenly this personal attack?

I will just observe that uber horsepower is not incompatible with great handling. What's wrong with both? And isn't it human nature to improve things (even when they are not broke-Tom, where can a get a set of those "cat whiskers" man???). If we were really all that grown up we wouldn't be driving se7ens in the first place, would we? I don't disagree with BD, just saying I am still waiting for that maturity he associates with getting older to set in(Youth is fleeting but immaturity can last a lifetime, etc).

No, but it is indelibly printed in my brain: I had done 2 auto-x's so far at that point and it happened at my corner. It seemed to happen in slow motion, up, up, up (no, no, no), then over. Fortunately this convertible had a roll over bar that easily passed the broomstick test. It was terrifying (I thot auto-x was safe). The only instruction I had at that point was when to hold up a cone that was knocked over. They dont teach you what to do in case of a roll over. No one knew. We all just looked at the driver hanging upside down in his racing harness and had a lengthy debate while he yelled at us. Anyhow, he was fine, the car was eventually repaired (and the suspension was seriously "softened" back up).

A while back an auto-X friend really stiffened up the suspension of his track only Datsun. At his first auto-x, with all the suspension mush gone, he turned into a sharp right hander, the suspension "went solid" since there was no compliance, and over he went, upside down, just like that. Didn't hit a curb, didn't do anything other than run slicks with tons of grip.

What vintage 7 and engine? It has clams with the L bracket, traditional seats so it's a late Lotus 7, early Caterham? I like the polished (chromed?)exhaust pipes. Much nicer than the rusted pipes most X-flows have.

Looking forward to pix. New blood and renewed enthusiasm on the mfg/retail side can only help the Caterham brand in USA.

Sean: you are right. And that makes a lot more sense. Historically tho, in 1997,on the 40th of the Lotus Seven, Caterham did a 40th anniv special, in identical colors with this 2013 version. (I doubt any are still in their crates:)).

Interesting find: a 40th anniv specl edition roller (#34 of 40 according to the one photo). Since the 40th anniv was 1997, it has been sitting a long time. Likely wired for an X-flow? A Zetec will drop in, a Duratec maybe not as intake is on opposite side. Not sure abt Ecotec, but am sure you can get almost anything to work with enough fabrication.

Google "Redline UK".

The 818 vid above shows a lap time of 2:02 at Watkins Glen, or abt 8 seconds faster than the fastest E-Prod Caterham record. Just a point of reference.

Tony: A photo would help. On my 2nd long blat (to the USA7's event in '07 on the Dragon), in my original X-flow Cat, the little barrel you reference fell out. No barrel=no go. I ultimately "fixed" it w/electrical tape wrapped around the throttle cable and the throttle lever on the carbs. Drove it (gently) another 400 miles that way. Always kept a spare barrel (and spare elec tape) in the boot after that.

As a weather nerd, I can report that it was 68 on 1/7/08 in Cincy, tomorrow it will be -10F. It is so cold that I took the wheels and tires off my Caterham yesterday and brought them in out of the deep freeze.

Not sure if anyone has ever put AC into any iteration of a se7en, Stalker Caterham, Birkin, etc. Of course, there is always a first time. My 1st Caterham did have a heater. When on during the summer it made prodigious heat. In the spring and fall, hardly noticeable:). It still was a 3 season car, just cold when it was cold, (extremely) hot when it was hot, and perfect when the weather was perfect. And always fun. My most memorable ''blats" include the times I was coldest/hottest. And dont forget rain. The Caterhams are surprisingly water resistant (not water proof). Not sure abt the Stalkers. Great thread, btw.

What Blubarisax said. The anti-submarine name is a bit misleading. What the anchor strap(s) do is keep the lap belt over your hip/pelvis. Those are your body's frame/hard points. If the belt rides up (because there is no anchor strap), then all of that force is exerted above your hips, on all of your body's vulnerable soft spots. These belts are a bit harder to put on, but not much. And the peace of mind is worth it, not to mention the actual payoff in event you crash, end upside down, etc.

Very impressive! And enjoyed the link to your countless other moto-adventures and equipment.

Ditto Blubarisax, incl recent part from Caterham.

What is the ultimate goal with these changes? I found that my stock , non adjustable narrow track front suspension with stock springs was just as fast as any other Caterham at the track, including all those wide track Cats. Dial in a little toe out for quicker turn in, more caster for quicker return to steering center. Add some negative camber for a bit more grip. All of the stock parts are designed to work in harmony and do. I am just wondering if all this part swapping will produce a noticeable, or measurable gain?

Think of driving a se7en as horizontal bungee jumping:).

Overfilling my X-flow equaled spillage w/ huge plumes of white smoke as it burned off the engine/headers on deceleration, and a nice coat of oil on windshield on acceleration. Never had oil starvation on shaved Toyo RA1's, didn't try slicks for fear of that issue tho. Ditto what everyone said re Caterham oil pressure gauge. It will advise if you have some pressure, just wont say how much. Mine never registered over 15-20 once warm, a mechanical gauge showed 60 lbs.

Thx Bruce, most informative. I have been putting 6 quarts in the system at oil changes, hopefully that is ball park?