Kitcat

Thx Bruce-I thought I had a dry sump system. When you say "charged" and "on" that means...? Apparently its fool-proof:).

Raceline sells a wetsump for Duratecs. All new Birkins are so equipped (including my '09). I suspect they supply the wet pan for current stock Caterhams as well.I think I had 3&1/2" clearance. Not suitable for track, as noted.

I would assume a base spec 200hp CSR (No big $ upgrades), 5 sp, cloth seats, etc., would sticker for around $65K? Hopefully w/cage and dry sump? BTW: what does "CSR" stand for, if anything. As I recall, the Avons, in additional to being hard to find, are very expensive ($400 vs $150 fo a Toyo, etc.).

My current Cat is the subject of the 25 hours at T-Hill threads. I have had zero build quality issues. I would agree that a major source of savings for these highly desirable (and expensive) little cars is the drive train area. Seems that crate Duratecs can be had for under $2K. And as Croc's Nurbergring post shows, with "only" 175 hp, they are capable of embarrassing much more powerful cars, even the mighty Porsches. Also, a relatively cheap hp bump could be had via SC option, like Caterham now offers on its highest spec car (And which Birkin offers for about $5K), for those who HAVE to have the fastest car in a straight line. If the motor goes kaput, it's a relatively cheap fix, unlike replacing the $20-35K high horsepower na Duratec options.

Cost parameters for a kit and a turnkey? Will the SC Duratec engine be available? Given my personal history of oil starvation/engine failure in my Birkin at the track, will dry sump option be available (mandatory?) for dedicated track cars? Best wishes: looks like a great car and you look like a great fit as distributor.

Karl: I think the road connecting the paddock to the clubhouse has a straight that is at least 1/4 mile long, if you get my drift....

When my Duratec's sump went dry it was bad in the traditional sense (Really bad in the really traditional sense)! Twice. The Raceline oil pan Birkin uses is not adequate for track use, even w/mods that Texas Motor Works and Dick Brink recommend. Or at least on the tracks that I drive(:.

Steve: 7/7? You were destined to own your car:). Count me in Croc, thx for putting this together! Who is the sponsor-or is this a stand-alone event? Looks like another wonderful event. The sum truly exceeds the parts at this event. Definitely my favorite car/track event every year and it looks like this one will be better than ever! Folks who come to spectate and socialize seem to have a ball too:the on- track part is, as Croc notes 2 hours a day. That leaves lots of time to hang around the pits under the Sevens tarp and socialize. The dinners are memorable as well. Sure wld like to see a Stalker or two show up, ditto other makes, in addition to the ubiquitous Caterhams and S1's

Tony: My filer tube leaked too. Just tighten the hose clamps w/screwdriver.

Alpha Mini

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.