FE07

I'm fortunate enough to have an elise and a 7. The elise for 10 years and the 7 for 2. What can I say- I like the lightweight thing and have always been more into handling than horsepower. I like faster through the turns! The elise is fine on track BUT- if you had an off track excursion (AKA- agricultural racing) especially into a gravel trap, it could get expensive fast. The front of the car is really low and the whole front bodywork is one piece and somewhat fragile and it ain't cheap to fix/replace. Being mid engine it's definitely more well balanced than the 7 and more responsive in handling. You can totally steer it with the throttle or brakes more easily than the 7. Maybe I'm just more comfortable with it because I've had it longer. I haven't had any reliability issues with mine. Getting in and out of them is about the same unless the top is on the 7 in which case there is NOTHING harder to get out of. I'm pretty flexible and 5'7" and I thought I might have to cut a hole in the roof! The elise is certainly much more user friendly- Don't have to worry about 'wind control' The ride in the 7 is actually better than the elise. Feels more softly sprung and definitely leans more in the turns. It's kind of funny- when I drive the elise after I drive the 7, I feel like I'm in a 'regular' car. The 7 is definitely something special! Wish it was 1/2 as reliable as the elise though!! Congrats on 3000 post's. You need stay off the computer and go out in the garage and find something to fix on the car. Jim

Rob, I've got a spare set that look just like those (although not quite as shiny as yours!) Not sure if they're 13's or 14's. Would be great for track as is or you could clean up and paint if you wanted shiny Let me know if you're interested. $200 for the set. I'm outside Baltimore. Met you at Kevin McGovern's party 2 summers ago. Jim

Wow- gorgeous shop Bruce. Wish you were on the east coast to hang out in. Tell us inquiring minds- whats the SP/300 like on track?? Jim

Agree with the Ace hardware/Home depot suggestion. Try to find one with a rotating head. Makes it easier to get into awkward positions. Check out this one: http://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-6-in-Swivel-Head-Riveter-Tool-DWHTMR77C/204285381 Jim

I used horseless carriage to transport a race car from CA to MD. Did a great job. They'll give you the drivers cell # so you can see how he's progressing. They're BIG transporters so just be prepared that you may need to meet him somewhere to load and unload. They ran over a large portion of my neighbors front yard to get the truck into my neigborhood! Jim

Hey guys- I'm in. Really like Thunderbolt though Shame we can't coordinate with LOG in Princeton in August. Bout a 1 1/2 hr drive. Thanks for arranging again Mike. Jim

I'm in Owings Mills, MD just N.W. of Baltimore. '02 Superlight R. Happy to take you for a ride. Jim A

Michael, Can you add a Baltimoron to that list as well? I'll root for the Caps and Wizards No Redskins though. Jim

Tom, I assume (perhaps incorrectly) that you're pulling the head to check the head gasket. Sounds like you've done multiple tests to confirm it's not the head gasket, no antifreeze in the oil or exhaust, leakdown OK, temps OK. So............ I'd say don't worry about it. Of course-my Zetec would probably cost about 1/10 the price of your Cossie to replace!! Sounds like you've done your 'due dilligence'. Just my 2 cents, Jim

Tom, If you remember, I had the same problem at NJMP. Changed the overflow cap, checked all the lines/clamps, thought maybe the head gasket was bad etc... Long and short of it- I simply removed some fluid from the overflow and problem has resolved. I run with about 1/8 of the tank full. No leakage, antifreeze smell and car runs fine temp. wise. If you have'nt already tried that, I'd certainly do it before I'd pull the head. Jim A.

So- put on my new aeroscreen (Thanks Craig!) last Friday. Had to cut the wires for the windscreen heating elements to get it off. When I went to start it back up, got an odd buzzing noise from the area of the fuse block/relays. Figured something was shorted/loosened from me sticking my hands up into the wiring. Never really found anything but I looked around, pushed on some wiring and it started. Took it to the track- no problems. Probably started it up a dozen times without any problems. Went to take it out of the trailer tonight and.........nothing. No fuel pump noise, no lights on dash. Took out my handy dandy dead battery starter (which is charged) and..........nothing when I turn the key. But- the lights go on fine and emergency flashers work. No turn signals, wipers, fan. Tried the inertia switch and nothing happened. Obviously I effed something up but I'm really bad with auto electrics. Thoughts???? Thanks- Jim

I have an elise and 7 so can compare for you. In the elise I have room for my foot on the dead pedal(so between the clutch and the chassis) In the 7, their is no dead pedal and I usually drive with my foot behind the clutch (towards the firewall) I'd say the footwell in the 7 is definitely tighter. I've got size 8 feet however Take Tom up on meeting at NJMP and they'll probably be a couple 7's to try on for size. Jim

Definitely Pegasus. Broke one off a SPA mirror on a race car and they had it in stock. Jim

Also have to add my thanks to Tom and Mike for our track days at NJMP. Great to be together with and get a chance to meet a bunch of other 7 owners. If you think about it, were a rather rare breed. Learned about some maintenence issues with my car and how to solve them. Well, SOME of them anyways! Lots of track time, good food and camraderie. Got to see the new Birkin XS. Very impressive car and good luck to Tom on his new venture. Sign me up for next year. Jim

Thanks Nohmenn. I'll get you some pics from NJMP. I'm sure they'll be lots posted on this site. Jim

Well a little late but thought I'd report on my meeting with Nohmenn in Paris. Wife and I went recently for our 25th anniversary. Emailed Nohmenn (Fanador) prior to leaving and we decided we'd try to get together one afternoon when I had some down time. Nohmenn came by the hotel and picked me up in his lovely white 7. It's his daily driver. Brought my wife and I caps and a patch from his 7 club in France (you guys are gonna be VERY jealous when you see the cap at NJMP) Drove me around Paris for about an hour. Got to see some parts I never would have seen without the ride. Unfortuneately, pretty heavy traffic. He and his group had recreated the Rendevous video route the Sunday before. Had to be on the road by 4:30 AM!! So I passed on that one. Asked him if he'd like to come out to dinner with us that night and he came back after putting the car away. He then proceeded to take US out to dinner. Found a great restaurant not far from the hotel where he knew some of the staff and helped us have a real French meal. Apertif's at the end. I thought I'd have to carry my wife home! Would'nt let us pay either. Isn't it amazing how cars can bring us all together?? That's my short synopsis. Nohmenn if you read this, thanks again for your hospitality and generosity. They were both greatly appreciated. Merci beaucoup! Jim

Thanks for the replies. Tom- I like the idea of the plate since I could remove it and also drill holes in it to use with some of my extra harnesses. There are already 3 holes in the bar behind the seat so not sure if I want to add another bung. Bruce- I like the Sabelts and have used them in my FE. Mine are for formula cars without the hard metal latch for the sub strap. I think they'd probably work well in the 7. Thanks again. If anyone has designed a plate and has dimensions (especially thickness) let me know. Jim

Would like to get new harnesses for the car. I've got a couple of sets of formula car harnesses off my race car but the mounting points in the Caterham require larger holes through the mounting plates.-Uh...not a good idea to overdrill these. So- here's the questions: Do you need to buy through Caterham, Demon Tweeks, Redline etc... to get them to fit? I've got the leather, bolstered seat that comes in the Superlight R. Don't want to cut a hole in the seat bottom for the 'crotch' strap. Has anyone ever used formula car harnesses in their car? With these seats? As configured, the mounting points for the shoulder harnesses are too far apart for HANS usage. Has anyone had their car modified to allow this? Tom, I saw you mentioned this in an old post? Appreciate the help. Thanks guys, Jim

OK- signed up for the event. Looking forwards to meeting everyone and learning some 'care and maintenance' for a 7. Didn't see how to sign up for Don's dinner? Hopefully the new fuel cell will show up in time. Spoke to fuel safe today and sounds like it should be back. Hoping to get more than the 2 laps I got last time on Thunderbolt! Expecting traffic will likely suck on the way up on a holiday weekend. Was thinking of leaving early Saturday AM but may re-think that and come up Friday. Have question about harnesses but will post in separate thread. See you at the track, Jim

Thanks guys. Went on Pegasus' website and found what I need. I'll use the medium mesh. Thanks for the offer Tom, but I'll probably buy it and get it done before the July event. Hopefully I'll have my new fuel cell by then! Jim

Any suggestions for some screen to place behind the 7 logo in my front nose in front of the radiator? Trying to keep the rubber snakes and track junk out of my radiator. Type, where to buy and suggestions on how to install? Have some ideas but thought I'd ask everyone on here first. Thanks, Jim

Fandaor, Well since you asked..........my wife and I are coming to Paris end of May and I'd love a ride in your Seven!! Was trying to arrange a day at Spa but just didn't work out. Have been looking for something auto related to do while away and maybe now I've found it. PM me and lets see if we can make it work. Jim

Craig, Have you got the petty bar for the FIA bar and if so, would you or the new owner be willing to sell it?? Jim

Just got into the office where the new Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition is front and center on my desk. This thread is much more fun!! Mike- me thinks Mr Croc should be your new pen name for the 'erotic' novels you could pen. Too funny. Jim

Here's a second to the Nethercutt collection. Awesome car museum. Think you need a reservation for one part of it. The Mullin automotive museum is supposed to be great but I've never been there. They have limited hours. Jim