bball7754

Getting lined up in the same group prior to registration on Monday morning would probably be a good thing.

Just noticed that there are two Intermediate groups. We're all in Intermediate 1? Steve

Just noticed on the SCDA website that they don't allow passengers. Is that rule still in effect? My brother is considering coming down on Monday, and wanted to take him out during a session. Steve

Thought I'd bring some adult beverages from a St. Louis micro-brewery. A little taste from fly-over country. Steve

I have the Bell M4, which seems to run around $380. It has an extra large eyeport, which I like. I purchased mine (and the helmet before) from Helmet City. If you're a memeber of Lotus Ltd. you get a 10% (I think) discount. And they offer free 2nd day delivery shipping. Steve

I'll arrive in Mahwah to visit family on Saturday afternoon. Thought I'd get down to NJMP around 4:00 pm Sunday. I'm staying at the Fairfield Inn in Millville. Assume I can drop off the trailer at the track on Sunday? Steve

Mike - The '03 is still listed. Looks like you got a fantastic deal! It mentions pushrod inboard rear suspension. I'm thinking that is an error in the description? It's an S3, right? Steve

Mike - You seem to have become a serial Seven owner. Congrats. Steve

Just submitted my registration. I encourage more Crossflow owners to join me. Steve

Mike - Any updates? Steve

So if I'm counting correctly, 4 have signed up, 2 of which (Mike M. and Karl) are facing significant challenges to get their Sevens running by this date. Don't take this the wrong way, but driving 900 miles in one direction to run with possibly only 2 other Sevens is not quite as attractive as when there are going to be 8-14 Sevens. Are others still interested? Steve (the one in St. Louis)

Mike - Did a track day a few years ago at Putnam with a friend who had a Zetec SV. Came in after a session with similar sounds. We hoped (for probably no good reason) that it was a top end problem. It wasn't. Scored bearings and bent con rods. Cause was never really determined. It was an expensive fix. Hope your diagnosis is better and cheaper. Steve

Don't see any price info for the suites on the NJMP site. Approx. cost per night? Never mind. Just found the online reservation for the suites. Looks like $109/night.

Used my new Hybrid Pro Rage at a track day two weekends ago, and discovered after the second session that the exposed bolts on the back of the restraint had removed the finish on the leather seat. I put tape over both the screws on the restraint and my seat, and I think that prevented further damage. Could be worse, but obviously not thrilled. Steve

According to their web site AIM has 3 245/60-15 CR500's available, and they are only $150 each. http://www.aimtire.com/typ_category.asp?Unique=41018.5607407407&ObjectID=6682

It's also been posted on Bring-a-trailer: http://bringatrailer.com/2012/04/02/real-deal-1962-lotus-seven/ Steve

Don - A good source for unofficial info is Blatchat. This post has some info on some of the changes during the '90's. http://www.blatchat.com/t.asp?id=85042 From the post: "The main changes to the De Dion chassis happened mid.1996 ( 96.5 type chassis ). The revisions were quite extensive: * De Dion 96.5 chassis had a fully triangulated space frame structure in the tunnel which increased torsional stiffness by 30%. * New dashboard instruments with ' Caterham ' branding. * Standard roll-over bar 40mm taller and sloping forwards. * FRONT and REAR suspension geometry revisions. At the front, repositioning the wishbone pick-up points reducing roll-on camber change and track width variation. * As Alex and Angus say, a degree of anti-dive was incorporated, instead of the pro-dive traditionally used. * Progressive rate springs introduced on the rear. * Bilstein damper revisions. * Smaller front anti-roll bar. * Rear anti-roll bar not fitted as standard but provision to fit if required. * Steering rack development. " And there are other features that have changed over time. My '98 does not have tabs behind the seats to mount crotch straps - there are only attachment points for the lap and shoulder straps. They went away for awhile, then came back. And my rear ARB mounts over the differential, while they now mount beneath. And then there was the change to the "metric" chassis around 2006. Previous chassis were imperial measurement and hand built by Arch. The metric chassis is built by a company called Caged (although that may have changed) by robots. Steve

I would agree that the Bilstein's are not adjustable. You might want to contact Caterham parts (Darren) and ask what the proper length is for an '85 LA. Seems like I've seen posts on Blatchat about how there have been periodic changes in the chassis that require different lengths. Steve

Received my headers back from Swain. Here are before and after pictures. The white is growing on me, and may not paint. Steve

Mike - Grattan is also on my list. Was thinking of running there with 3Balls racing this year. Dates are end of July and early September. However, since you're no longer a member of the Crossflow club I'm not sure I should be trying to coordinate a track day with you. Steve

I have the Weale book, and the Caterham wiring diagram is for a period ending 1981 - don't remember the start date (maybe 1973). I can make a copy tonight. Steve

This is a microcosm of what I found on the web. For both paint and coatings, it seems to work for some, and not for others. I'm pretty confident about the Swain ceramic coating. Classic Motorsports magazine has them coat the headers on all their project cars. I think being able to cure the VHT paint in an oven would increase the odds of it being successful. The curing process with them on the engine seems like it would be sort of hit or miss. Of course, I don't have an oven available - the one in our kitchen is not in play. Maybe I'll love the white color.

Wasn't planning on using their engine paint. They have a product that is specifically for exhaust headers, and is (according to them) rated 1300-2000 Fahrenheit. They rate their engine paint to 550 F. Which product did you use?

I've had the portion of my exhaust headers that live under the bonnet ceramic coated by Swain Tech (http://www.swaintech.com/store.asp?pid=10969). The only color they offer is white. I'm considering painting the ceramic coating (either black or silver) using VHT Flameproof paint (http://www.vhtpaint.com/products/flameproof/). I've read great things about painting headers, and horrible (peels immediately, etc.). Anyone have experience painting their headers, and if so, positive or negative? Thanks. Steve

I purchased a set for my Crossflow from Dave Bean. http://www.davebean.com/ Steve