FE07

Really sorry to hear this. Scott is how I got interested in 7's to begin with. We were at an event at Summit Point probably 15 years ago when I saw him and asked if he'd give me a ride in his 7. I said lets just go around for a couple laps so you can show me what this thing will do. Proceeds to take me around faster and faster. I didn't have my communicator with me so he just kept going! I'd been instructing all day and riding around with students who THOUGHT they were going fast but weren't. Scott on the other hand was flying. Needless to say- I was impressed with the car and Scott's driving as well. Knew I needed to buy a 7 at some point. Scott- you'll be missed. Jim Adleberg

Since we seem to be having a lot of recent Zetec issues/discussion I thought I'd add a problem I'm having with mine. Seems I've blown a 2nd head gasket. Engine was last rebuilt maybe 1,000 miles ago (which is about 20 months ago in Caterham 7 time). Maybe tracked once over that time. Ran well when I first got it back. As last time- it's leaking exhaust gas into the overflow bottle which then pressurizes/spits and then overflows. No oil mixing into the water jacket. Has a Cometic gasket and ARP head studs. Not sure the compression it's running. It was suggested to me (not by the builder) that the issue could be related to the ARP studs and the need to re-torque them. Looking at the ARP and Cometic websites- they both say there is no need to re-torque either the studs or gasket. Anyone else had similar issues with head gaskets on their Zetec?? Looking for any other potential causes to look out for when rebuilt. Thanks all, Jim

John, You have a PM. Jim

Too Funny! Though my wife wouldn't think so. :rofl: Jim

I'll chime in- I had some engine issues with my Zetec we just couldn't quite figure out until I called George Alderman and he knew right away what the issue was. So my engine work was done by him. New head gasket, head, cams, timing gear etc... Not really more power but more top end. Quicksilver does very nice work and I know the guys there from racing Vees. Great work- reputation for great expense. In regards to all the cost's with our crazy obsession- I guess as long as you're not making yourself broke or screwing up your retirement and you get enjoyment out of your 7 or race car- it's worthwhile. I get a little sick if I go back and look at all the receipts/costs but then I go in the garage and see my toys (even if I can't get em out on street or track yet cause of this freaking weather and the race car frame has been at a shop for the past 2 months and -and -and) it's all good! Coincidentally or perhaps ironically I'm typing this while I'm wearing a shirt I bought from Blipshift that has 3 words on it in the shape of a triangle: race-regret-repair. Been around that triangle more than a couple times but wouldn't give it up. Something special about car people. Doesn't matter if it's sports cars, race cars, muscle cars, old stuff- it's all interesting and there's always something to learn and see and bond over. Oh- and if you can- not a bad idea to NOT have those conversations with the wife! Jim

Nice looking Europa with some needs just showed up on BAT Jim A.

Old school restorations or recreations?? Maybe there's a couple pieces of original 7 frame in these 2 cars but doesn't appear to be much else. Not sure who designed the IRS. Interesting but certainly not original. Have never seen a 7 with track rods like this in the rear. Looks like the combination of the rear end from a Lotus formula car 18/21/22??? with rubber donuts with a significantly modified old 7 frame. Interesting but don't call it a Lotus if it's not. Love the Mallock and looks like a good buy for a fun vintage racer. Jim A.

It has not been dynoed but suspect only about 160-170 HP. Has Kent cams, adjustable timing gears and some head work, slight increase in compression. Does not have ITB's. Still with stock fuel injection and ECU. ITB's and ECU mods would be next to do for more HP but too many other projects at present. Jim

Mine was built by Chip Bond who owned GT Classics. He sold the car for one of his customers. It has a small GT Classics decal on the rear. The yellow valve cover is gone now. Had a head gasket issue and the "while were in there" kicked in. So new head with no VVT, hotter Kent cams, adjustable timing gears etc... Raceline in England has a great looking red valve cover. It looks like we have the same wheels and yours are also missing the covers that go over the lug nuts. If you look at them carefully- you'll see where this fits and screws in. The center caps in the link would just cover the dust caps for the bearings. If you don't have the SLR dash plaque- it means your car is a Chinese reproduction of a British continuation! Jim

I tell em it's a "continuation" of the Lotus 7. It truly is. My wheels didn't come with center covers. Not sure if you can still get them? As far as tires for 13's, mine came with Avon ACB 10's which are great track tires and fine for the street. Bit pricey however. Talk to Roger Kraus racing in California or Sasco sports in Virginia. Pics of mine can be seen from the initial ad: http://www.usa7s.net/vb/showthread.php?9592-2000-Caterham-Superlight-R&highlight=superlight Took a bit but I seem to have worked out all the bugs. jim

Vlad, Congrats on your purchase. I've got a 2000 superlight R. It appears someone in your car's past did some nice mods. Mine does have Carbon nose and front and rear wings. All are painted on mine. Same wheels although black centers and mine also has a spare tire carrier. Like the red and white. Enjoy, jim

Cool idea Stuart. Awful clean for a '98 and a very nice car. Sorry your selling. Someone's going to get a great car. Jim

Nut & bolt the car, new brake fluid, swapped tires, aeroscreen on. Ready to go-until..... Enterprise called me this AM to tell me the truck they were supposed to be renting me was still out. Don't own a tow vehicle at the moment. They looked to come up with another one but called me late in the day to say they'd have one for me tomorrow. I could pick it up at 7:30 AM. Hmmmm... pick up at 7:30, drive home, hook up trailer and I'm up at NJMP by 10:30-11 at earliest. Thanks but no thanks. So- sorry I'll miss the festivities tomorrow, though looks a bit on the wet side. Thanks for setting it all up Mike and Tom. Have to try next year or later in the season. Everybody keep it on the black stuff tomorrow! Jim A

OK.....just signed up for Friday. Sorry can't join everyone for Thursday as well. Actually like Thunderbolt better. Looking forwards to seeing everyone. Thanks Tom & Mike! Jim A.

Decided to get a jump on nutting and bolting my car for NJMP in July and discovered something loose I've never noted before. Thought I'd share it with the group as an FYI. Small recessed bolt at front lower shock mount to A arm. It's a 1/4" allen and mine was loose on 1 side. Not falling out but I've never seen it loose before and it would be easy to miss since it's recessed. So.......... add it to the list of things to check!! See you at the track, Jim A.

Have used Horseless Carriage in the past and can recommend them. Brought a race car from California to Maryland. Call around though. Sometimes you get lucky and they either have a delivery near you or other pickup near the car you're buying and you can save some money. Jim A

Stewart- Glad to hear your progressing and sorry about your limited use of the Caterham. It certainly is a pretty car. Gotta agree with Croc that you'd probably get more $ out of it selling the car with the crossflow in it and then the BDA seperately. I'd consider posting the BDA for sale on Apexspeed. Always a Chevron owner or some vintage formula car/sports racer looking for one. SVRA website, Vintage Motorsports etc... Jim A

Absolutely, freaking awesome. On my bucket list. Thanks Mike. Jim A.

The risk of any four point harness is of submarining below the belt in a forward collision. Some (all?) Schroth harnesses with ASM technology being the exception. For track use you want to have at least a 5 point harness. The sub strap keeps the lap belt down around your pelvis where it should be. I have 6 points in my car which is a formula car harness. Eliminates any metal in the uhh....private parts. Much more comfortable and safe. To the original poster- my subs are mounted on plates along with the laps where the original laps from Caterham were mounted. Not screwed through the floor. Jim

I'll bump as well. Pretty and fanatically maintained 7 at a good price. If you're looking for a nice car- look no further. Jim A.

Inchoate, I've got a set of 6" (maybe7"??) x 13" wheels. They've always been track wheels that I got when I bought my car. Have old rains on them now which are beat. Just sitting in my garage. If you're close to Philly, may work well as I'm outside of Baltimore and don't really want to ship. Give me your email and I can try to send you some pics if you're interested. Jim

Michael Just bought a Golf R for daily driver. 292 HP. Haldex 4 WD. 6 speed or DSG. Back seat for kids. Check it out- sounds like it might fit your needs! You're welcome to drive mine if you're interested. Let me know. Jim

Michael, Sorry to hear you sold it. Anytime I talk to anyone at Summit Point about a Caterham I get- Hey do you know some guy named Michael with a green one?? Hope your out there with something else to play with. Jim A.

Thanks for the advice guys. Taking it up tomorrow and I'll see what they have to say. Like the idea of the VCT eliminator and more adjustablity of cam timing. Have worked a little with Tom in the past and I'll give him a call. Keep the ideas coming if any more. Jim

Almost positive it's a ZX2. Apparently from a Contour not a Focus. Trying to maintain fuel injxn as opposed to ITB's. Thanks for the suggestions so far. I'll talk to George and see what he suggests. Jim