11Budlite

Gary - It's even with the bottom of the fill plug but I never drained it and measured how much was in it. Even with the leak I have (about a drop or two after a drive) I've only topped it off once. After the first snow or ice storm I'll be taking it off the road and starting to work on it. I'll measure how much was in there before I remove the eng/trans. "Let us know how you get on with the K3 upgrade. I plan to do the same this winter. I'm curious to know how much it costs and how long it takes for Carl to turn it around." - Bob, once I take my car off the road I plan on shipping the ECU to Emerald. According to their website the upgrade is 30 pounds or about $45 at the current exchange rate. They can only do the upgrade if the s/n on your ECU is 41272 or higher. Here's the link to their pricing page: http://www.emeraldm3d.com/em_pricing.html I'll e-mail him this week to see what the turnaround will be. Bruce :7drive:

Ian, I don't have any definitive info, but one of my Lotus Seven books has the Series 4 starting at chassis SB2650. Certainly John D. at http://www.simplesevens.org/ would be a good place to start. Then again it could be a typo in the ad. Bruce :7drive:

Congrats Chet. I'm glad it's going to a good home. Bruce :7drive:

All, With the winter season fast approaching, what are everyone's plans for upgrades and repairs? Here's mine: Repairs: Oil leak from trans input shaft and possibly rear main seal Turn rotors (or buy new) for slight brake pulsation Check orientation of fuel pick-up in fuel cell to see if there's more useable capacity Repair broken zipper on tonneau cover Upgrades: Muffler with side exit exhaust - probably Burns Stainless like Gary S's Seats - Ultrashield Spec Miata (14" or 15" ) or vintage looking seats that are more comfortable than the stock Birkin seats Harness - 5 or 6 point Emerald ECU K3 upgrade - Adaptive mapping, 3 switchable maps, EGT, etc Clutch/Flywheel - Still doing some research but something lighter with better clamping ability Air Filter - ITG for daily driving, keep the K&N's for shows Driveshaft safety hoops - not much protection right now Bruce :7drive: PS: I'm still hoping the weather gods are kind and I can drive it till Christmas!

Sorry you have to sell your Locost Chet. I always thought you did a real nice job building it! Good luck on the sale. Bruce :7drive:

One of the options to mount the side mirrors is this kit from Sevens & Elans. Not cheap but at least they're there when the doors are removed. Or you could make up something similar yourself. http://www.usa7s.net/ASPNETFORUM/upload/542664066_cf_mirrors.gif Bruce :7drive:

Here's a better pic showing the ID plate attached to the pedal box: http://www.usa7s.net/ASPNETFORUM/upload/804888702_Lotus engine intake side.JPG As nice as it looks in yellow I still wish it were BRG. I could be tempted... Bruce :7drive:

I e-mailed the owner for some info, so I thought I'd post some of the photos he sent me: http://www.usa7s.net/ASPNETFORUM/upload/978621651_2003_0101Lotus20012.JPG http://www.usa7s.net/ASPNETFORUM/upload/1544253937_2003_0101Lotus20009.JPG http://www.usa7s.net/ASPNETFORUM/upload/980776933_Lotus engine exhaust side.JPG Bruce :7drive:

Mike, Because I have a Zetec in the Birkin I've been using Mobil1, 5W-30. For my MGB I've been running 20w-50 in the summer and 10w-30 or 10w-40 in the winter (Castrol GTX because I still had cases of the old version with the higher levels of ZDDP-I might switch to Brad Penn when I run out). So far the temps are staying around 180 degrees with great oil pressure, but I should probably put in a 195 degree thermostat for the winter. I wish the oil would get up to temp a little quicker than it does... Bruce :7drive:

No affiliation, etc: http://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/carsforsale/lotus/caterham/727398.html Updated price: $26,500 or negotiable Bruce :7drive:

"They have salted the roads here-season's over(:." - Sorry to hear that Mike. The last two winters the weather was clear enough where I was able to drive into January, but that was in the MGB so it wasn't quite as much fun. According to Accuweather it was 19 degrees at 5 o'clock this morning so I have officially hit the teens. Definitely felt a little cooler but the insulated gloves made all the difference! Bruce :7drive:

That's a beautiful car Tony!

If you set your front license plate at the correct height and the correct angle, you can do your own plowing! Bruce :7drive: PS: Congrats on the sale. That was/is a beautiful car and I was surprised it didn't sell quicker!

"I think some of the people here are starting to think you're nuts!" - Come on Skip, I can't be the only one! I guess I'm just not ready for the driving season to end! So it was 22 degrees this morning and the only difference I could see was my hands felt a little cold by the time I got to work. I think it could be time to break out the insulated gloves... Bruce :7drive:

:iagree: - Thanks Al!

Twenty-seven degrees on the way to work this morning and it still wasn't bad. If I put a hat on and installed the heater I'm sure I could drive it down into the teens with no problem. I think some of the people at work are starting to think I'm nuts! Bruce :7drive:

"We left the house a little after 9:00 with a brisk 66 degrees showing on the patio thermometer. By the time we got back, around noon, it was 81!" - :cuss: :cry: "I thought I saw you at Rt. 69 coughing." - Who me? Nah... http://www.coolsmileys.org/smilies/sick0026.gif Bruce :7drive:

http://buffalo.craigslist.org/cto/914326886.html Bruce :7drive:

"side curtains ?... BAH!" - Hey Ian, you have your top up in your avatar! Bruce :7drive:

Just thought I'd give an update after this mornings drive into work. Around 33 degrees when I left the house, but with the addition of the side curtains it certainly makes the drive more comfortable. In fact, I don't have to wear safety goggles to keep my eyes from watering. Still no heat, so we'll see how it goes tomorrow morning when it's supposed to drop into the 20's! Bruce :7drive:

Come on, you're in Georgia. How cold could it get??? :leaving: Bruce

Congrats Hank, you must be thrilled! :hurray: Keep us updated on your progress. Bruce :7drive:

That's a great photo Andrew! Bruce :7drive:

Dermot - I just read the December issue too and I was real happy to see that he won. He basically built the whole car himself and though it's not a pristine show car, it's definitely a car that gets driven and that's the whole point to me! Bruce :7fume:

I picked up a leather shift knob on eBay for $4.95 including shipping to the house. It was originally for an MG but I decided to see if I could fit it in the Birkin. I measured the "Lotus" emblem on a spare key fob I had and it looked like it would fit perfectly in the new shift knob. I drilled and tapped the base for the M10x1.5 thread on the shifter (it was originally 5/16-24), knocked out the "MG" emblem, cut the "Lotus" emblem off and filed down the two remaining tabs to make it perfectly round, and RTV'd it in place on the former MG shift knob. For a total of about $12.00 and about a half hours work I have this: http://www.usa7s.net/ASPNETFORUM/upload/1251537751_20081116_0001.JPG The seller was lynne222 and they seem to regularly have shift knobs listed from $5-10 including shipping, but obviously they could be bid up higher. Bruce :7drive: