Al N.

kar120c-I'm sure there will be many vids and photos strewn across the internet starting on July 6th...thanks for joining the forum!-Al

CE-I think the best person to ask would be a dealer...generally speaking, you should visit the nearest one to you..., which I think would be Chip Bond at GT-Classics in VA. There's a newish dealership in FL, too. I've actually not compared the Ford 5 to the Caterham 6 back to back, but have driven both of them at various points. I have the 6 and have driven it on the highway for extended miles, and it is amusing but certainly not relaxing. Great for carving up the backroads in my area. One point that I'll make is that apparently the 5 speed box does not have a drain plug or perhaps it's very inconvenient? The 6 does have a plug. The other guys who've chimed in are spot on, I think. If price is no object, obviously the CSR 260 is the way to go. You get the larger body, the big brakes, the hot motor, etc. That said, even a 140 hp Classic is a blast to drive. The cars are so quick and nimble and so NOT like "normal" cars that the differences and options you're talking about would be realy just nuances (IMHO). As for the brakes, my car does have the big brakes, but I've never really pushed them nor ever found them wanting. As for fitting into the car...lots of tall guys have the narrow bodied cars...it's the width you are really gaining. When Jon (Boxologist) sat in my car over the weekend, I think he only then really appreciated how tight the narrow body cars are in terms of hip, shoulder, and elbow room. Would love to know how you found the forum. And since you're in NC, you should be aware that over 60 of us will be hitting the Tail of the Dragon for a group meet July 6-8 2007. There will be virtually every permutation of Caterham, and lots of other great LSiS options to see and talk to owners/builder/designers about. We'll post something on how to be involved if you don't have a car or at least one in build sometime in May. The cars are great and so are the people. Welcome aboard.

It's one of my favorite pieces, and I've collected several different versions on CD and vinyl. I also love his opera, The Tender Land.

Sadly, I didn't get a photo of the "after" shot...however, a discussion with Chip Bond of GT-Classics (initially about another topic), may point to the actual cause of my numerous failures: not enough slack in the hose so that when the engine is twisting in its mounts the hoses are stresssed. http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/353710391_Broke.jpg

Funny. Mazda has a picture very similar to that one! And I think my car is in it.

Dino-I wish I could tow an enclosed...our Pilot's got a very weak tow rating. Many of us are looking for an affordable light open. See you soon (Carlisle?). -Al

Steve-Of course....sussing out the ordering still. The guy in the USA who said he had a few last year when I asked the list-serv no longer has them. And the pound certainly hasn't gotten any weaker :cry: Mazda-can you check the server clock too? I see some odd times on there of stuff I've posted (perhaps before selecting my time zone?) -A

Lime rock over Labor Day is a good site...as is the Watkins Glen Historic. And once I recover from TotD (give me a month or two!), I would be up for hosting a meet at my house...we have enough field space for a few dozen cars here in rural NJ.

Just to put everything on the same thread...and bring this one to the "recent" pile. Michael D's trailer here. I'm pretty sure he doesn't have brakes on it. http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/Default.aspx?g=posts&t=119

Steve - Click on the My Profile link. Then hit Edit Profile on the screen that comes up. The password change and timezone features are there. Regarding the water rail...here's the blurb from the Raceline site: e Raceline Performance Engineered cast alloy water rail is designed to simplify the cooling system and plumbing of the Ford Zetec engine when installed in-line in a Caterham Seven or other similar specialist sports car. Because of its innate simplicity, it can enhance reliability as much as it enhances the underbonnet appearance of any such vehicle. The Raceline water rail is designed to closely follow the contours of the Ford cam cover and to look as nearly as possible like a 'factory' component, which is reflected in the high quality of the casting. Although it may be possible to retain the standard Ford Mondeo thermostat mounted at the rear of the engine, suitably plumbed in, the Raceline water rail allows what is undeniably a far neater installation. It moves the thermostat housing to a position near the front of the engine, making the plumbing simpler, neater, and in theory more reliable too, as the fewer the number of joints in the system (count the number of jubilee clips!) the less the potential for failure. BOLDING MINE Raceline use and recommend the 1800 Zetec water pump for all its engine conversions, and when the Raceline water rail is used in conjunction with a 1800 water pump the system operates as follows: the water pump draws coolant from the radiator and pumps it into the water jacket, and as the coolant absorbs heat from the engine it flows back and up into the Raceline water rail at the rear of the cylinder head, where the Ford thermostat housing was previously mounted. Coolant then passes forward along the water rail towards the thermostat housing. From there, it returns to the radiator, provided the thermostat is open. During the warm-up phase a small by-pass hole in the thermostat allows some water flow, so preventing local overheating. The Raceline water rail is designed for use without a header tank, although it is possible to incorporate one in the cooling system if preferred. We prefer the inherent simplicity and efficiency of running the cooling system without a header tank, the only disadvantage being that the coolant level can not be monitored at a glance as it can with the semi-transparent header tank common to most such systems. Therefore the cooling system must be checked and topped up regularly, and as the coolant heats up and expands the excess will be expelled, allowing the system to find its own level. Since I've had a few hose clips pop (mostly under acceleration...don't know if this is unrelated) so far, I'm going to bite the bullet on this one... The link: http://www.raceline.co.uk/zetecframes.htm

The old ES stuff was so overbuilt (again, a good thing) for the money. I have an old STR-5ES surround sound receiver I can't rationalize upgrading. And the stereo-only SACD/CD 333 Changer. Love them both.

Jeff-That lap you have posted with the "dubbed" soundtrack was posted over on the USA@se7ens.net. Pretty funny. Can you dub all of the in car stuff from 7-7-7?:jester: http://www.project-seven.goof.com/videos/FastestVIR.wmv

John-It's vintage in that late 80s/early 90s way. And that's a good way, IMHO. I wish I had been able to find an 8008 BB...for the ultimate in mega-watt nerdiness. BTW, my first real encounter with the "high end" was with a set of Apogee Divas and an Aragon amp of some kind (I only remember the little angle cut for the heatsinks). Do you have a Cal Icon II as your CD player? On another note, my Mom inherited a Nakamichi system from the previous owner of her house, and now that she's moving again, she's letting me have the RX-202 tape deck. Not a Dragon, of course, but it has the autoreverse feature that actually turns the tape over. Classic!

Folks- While you are logging in and changing your randomized password (because who can remember those) for the new Forum softwarre — pleaes take a second to ensure your time zone is correct. It helps when one scans the main page for most recent posts. Thanks in advance. I think I have a Raceline water rail in my future. -Al

John-you wouldn't be the only one in that situation. We'll post something soon on someone can be involved even if you are not bringing an LSiS. (We could probably use some non-seven camera cars out there - hint, hint, hint) There will be a charge for meals and memorabilia, of course. Stay posted.

Alright...so the deal was I was headed over to the rendezvous when I get the windshield full of coolant treatment (over nearly 2 years I've had the car, it's happened 2 other times, at other hose connection points). The good news is that I have tools on me this time. Not a spare clamp, but I was able to use the little clamp that keeps the hoses parallel to the block to hold the connection until I limped in to Clinton. Fortunately, Jon was running a little late and we changed the rendezvous point (hopefully noone was waiting at McDonalds for us!). I was just wrapping up the repair when Jon pulled in. We made it up to Performance Trailer, where our cars made an favorable first impression. A Cobra (don't know if it was original or one of the new ones) had visited in the AM, so it was quite a day for them! The first salesman to come out said "I've got to get the owner." Glenn (the owner) was very accomodating and stayed to walk us around even though his wife was waiting to take him down to the Jersey Shore. We looked at one used trailer, steel utility trailers, and aluminum trailers. The dedicated "car carriers" are more than I need for the Seven, so we really didn't look too closely at them. The good news is that Glenn seemed open to ordering the "Michael D." model when I had mentioned it. I passed on Dean M.'s (the Aluma enginneer) name. Even if we go single axle, Glenn recommends having electric brakes on it though (which I don't think Michael has). I am also going to price out a steel option. If anyone is interested in buying a trailer before 7-7-7, please let me know, as even 3 or 4 additional people in the group buy will help lower the price. Despite my field repair, it was great to get out and meet Jon. SVs look so wide and low in the rear view mirror. Jon's got a yellow helmet that complements his car's paint scheme perfectly. I didn't push the pace at all (not that traffic would have even let us) due to the hose thing. Just getting together with one other Se7en got me even more stoked for the meet in July. Jon and I discussed a few club points — it was good to get another perspective. One last point before I post some pix...to further reinforce the ease of our pace, when we got to the trailer place, I noticed that the adjustable wrench I used for the repair was still sitting on the scuttle, where I had left it! And then when we came out from lunch, we noticed that Jon's keys were sitting on my bootcover, where he had left them. Oh, and I confess that I stalled, twice, at a stoplight. Chalk it up to anxiety about the hose.

It's not fun if you don't blow a hose! Pix to come, but I blew a hose (AGAIN) clamp on the way to my rendez with Jon. Thankfully, I was not too far from a town with an autoparts store AND had some tools. So I cobbled it together McGyver style and we trundled off to visit the trailer place. I'll have more to report but want to get a read for who else would be in for a group buy on a Michael D style trailer? Gotta run before my family thinks I've abandoned them in the library. Great to meet you Jon! Pretty car.

I'm in (from the library, reeking slightly of what Laura politely called "car"). Had a relaxed blat with Jon C. (Boxologist) and went trailer shopping. More when I have time/fast non-library access.

Bruce-I even had correspondence with the guy who designed Michael D.'s trailer...but my local dealer didn't seem so interested either. Wanted to sell me one of the ones he had as "lots of Porsche guys buy them". I'll look at the standard 8.5 x 12 car trailers, then some in narrower widths...all open as the Pilot can't really hack the weight of an enclosed.

John- Welcome. Would love to know how you found the site. Take a second to introduce yourself on the "Tell us a little about yourselves" thread, which is "sticky" so it always stays at the top. As for BMW engined cars, I think Jon W. built a Locost around a 320 donor car, motor and all. I'm sure he'll be chiming in eventually. Of course, if you feel like diving in, you can always meet a bunch of us at the Tail of the Dragon meet in early July. There's a thread in the Events section about it. -Al

I only have time/money (and even that is questionable!) for one automotive project in my life at this time. However, in the past, I did have a pretty trick Audi A4. It was all hopped up with MTM parts (the expensive German stuff) - Stage 2, cat back exhaust, GIAC Tip Chip. Neuspeed rear bar (the BIG one...I had personal correspondence with Aaron Woo about its effects on my rear subframe), etc. Debadged and painted in Hibiscus Red Mica (a maroon), it was a great Q-ship. Only the massive exhaust tips and rumble gave away any clue. I sold it to a college student who appreciated the work I had put into it...he recently wrote to me to let me know that his mom got into an accident driving it...totalled. http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/cryin.gif My other hobby (which is now very dormant) is hi-fi. I currently have 2 semi-hi-fi systems, neither of which is actually set up at my house. The first is a "flea watt" system based around a 47 Lab "Shigaraki" integrated amp driving some custom made single driver Omega speakers — it's at my parents' house now (my dad is a a music buff). Sources include an Arcam CD23 (the last of the Ring DACs) and a Rega Planar 3 turntable. The other system is a vintage Aragon rig with a 24k preamp driving a 8008ST amp. I don't have any sources for this one at the moment. When the picture feature is back, I'll post pix of this stuff.

Keith...so it doesn't get lost, you should post this in the events section.

How'd you get Franken home? Did Dennis flatbed it over?

i was kidding about the tires...I could see the tread pattern somewhere there. But at least you have the required 2 grooves! But more importantly...how's it run/feel now?Al Navarro2007-04-20 11:04:51

Where's my green spray paint? Also, are those DOT legal rears you are running? http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/biggrin5.gif WAIT...I just noticed that you don't have any bonnet louvers — are you going to cut any in?Al Navarro2007-04-20 09:17:39