spotcheck

I didn't mean I was scared off of the power requirements for an LSIS - the thought of a 600 HP Se7en strapped to my a** was scary. Some years ago, travelling in New Zealand, I met a former astronaut on his way to set up a radio telescope in Antarctica. In response to one of my quesitons, he said "Sitting on top of that rocket on the launch pad, there are no atheists". 600 HP sounds kind of the same.

400+ is getting almost common. One dyno sheet I saw showed 606 hp and 500+ torque. The first iteration of my turbo Miata engine will be in the 220 - 240 hp range with similar torque. Eventually I want to do the 2.0 stroker which should bring an easy 320 hp at 12 psi. Skip GULLLP!! Now you guys are starting to scare me.

Perfect - now give me a solid justification for increased wine consupmtion, and I'm all set.

You may have found a way to get me more religious about a diet - from 220 back down to 200 would equal a lot of carbon fiber and alloy parts!!

JohnCh - thanks for your comments. Good point about headroom to grow. I also liked powderbrakes line "no replacement for displacement" - suspect that one has been used before. Top-end speed on a long straight doesn't interest me - its the Oh my G** heading through the curves. My daily driver 528 has only 200HP, but running it at 4,000 - 6,500 makes the curves move by fast. At the same time, I learned a long time ago that I am happier in the end if I have to wait a little longer to get what I really want. I wish I had waited on the BMW to afford the 540, but maybe that's a good thing - that's why I'm looking into the LSIS - the 528 has no problems at all. Curious - 12% weight decrease is 150lb or more ?? - what were key items that let you strip that much out?

WestTexas + solder guy - thanks for recommendation on "Lotus 7 + Independents". Amazon has a copy coming my way.

my SV becomes an almost daily drive when the weather warms up, so reliability is a critcial issue. coming to 7-7-07 will allow u to expirience all the different drivetrains and how they deliver power. that will be an immense help in deciding how much power u need and when it occurs. First - you guys are all terrific - thanks very much for your kind consideration - which I expect to end when the green flag drops, and resume when the checkerd flag drops. I'm trying to learn the posting protocal - sorry if I foul it up. Next - boxoligist's points above are targeted on my concerns (and powderbrake's - came in as I was writing this). Solder Guy now has me comfortable about GA DMV. When I'm climbing up Brasstown or the Dragon, my 528 does great - its all about riding the TQ curve. The Cooper S 6-speed is even better, but its my wife's car, I can't go without her, her idea of sane driving differs greatly from mine, and I can't handle the glaring looks. I want something more to happen when I lower my right foot on an uphill turn. When I replace the 528, I figure that a 530 (or 550) AND an LSIS will be a reasonable alternative to the M5 as a daily driver and its pending leagal bills. I can see occasional track days, but mainly I just want to haul a** on winding mountain roads with the air blasting in my smiling face. I have contacted slngshot + Al N about "student" participation at TotD, and I have a roome reserved - hope y'all don't mind a gawker hanging around asking rookie quesitons. Keep the opinions and advice coming, please - great info. Kent

You've raised a point I was wondering about - drivetrain. All the Caterham info I have read talks only about the Kent-Zetec-SVT + Sierra setup. Is it over-the-top effort to go with a different drivetrain? For example, the "service it anywhere" feature of the WCM S2K Honda drivetrain has a certain appeal. Thnx

Good point about 7-7-07. I'll see what I can do. Did you consider anything other than your SV? What swung the decision?

I have read your site for quite a while. You all seem willing to suffer fools trying to learn - thanks for that in advance. I live in Atlanta (not the suburbs - Atlanta). I've slammed my Bimmer and my wife's Cooper S up + down Brasstown Bald and TotD a number of times. I test drove a Cat SV yesterday @ Brit Auto in Ft Worth. 'Nuff said. I'm probably a year out on an LSIS, but I am hoping for a little info. I am mechanically inclined, but I am not and will never be an auto mechanic or assembler. I'll buy one assembled, and go to a shop for maintenance. 1. Does anyone have experience with getting registration + title in Georgia? Anything required beyond extreme patience with DMV? This area seems a little murky to me. 2. I am a little concerned about finding a shop in/near Atlanta for maintenance (beyond the basics - fluids, filters, brake pads). Will I have any issues here? 3. Assume for the moment that the issue is not $$, and also assume I acknowledge the Caterham as the direct DNA descendant of the Prisoner (I've even stayed in the Village at Portmerion, Wales). Beyond those two points, are there any short-list pro+con points about the Cat v Ultralite? I learned I can get in + out of the SV easily enough. OH - FYI - I saw a thread about license plate ideas for Georgia. My Bimmer had KAR120C in Michigan. I moved here 3+ years ago. GA DMV - "Nope - that would potentially conflict with a future plate series." Thanks again. All advice appreciated.