powderbrake

I registered in D mod, as #1, if we only have dot and slick classes, I will run in DOT, as I have street tires.

Steve: Gret looking car, and you can never go wrong wih ared interior. http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/hurray.gifhttp://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/biggrin5.gif

Spotcheck: I measured the seat area. The passenger side measures 16 3/4 between the tunnel and side of the car, and the metal portion of the seat is 15 1/2 inside between the seat sides. There is about 1/4 inch of padding on the seat sides. The sides are rather high, and provide a lot of side support. The driver's side is 18 3/4 and 17 1/2 respectively. The engine and drive train are offset toward the passenger side to provide more room for the driver. As mentioned before they are 20 degree layback "drag" model seats from Ultrashield. I added about 1" of foam under the seat and on the back, with a little more for a lumbar support, and they are pretty comfortable. Here's some seat pics. here's some seat pics. http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/20070313_101026_DSC_3538_Medium.JPG http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/20070313_101101_DSC_3537_Medium.JPG

The dam is in a strange neighborhood, the trees grow downwards

- You think the primary purpose of wings is to PREVENT flight. - You take your helmet along when you go to buy new eyeglasses or check out cars. - You feel compelled on a road trip to beat your previous best time. - You are happiest when your street car's tires are worn to racing depth and the wear bars are showing. - When something falls off of your car, you wonder how much weight you just saved. - When you hear 'overcooked it', instead of food you think 'off the track'. - You change engine oil every other week. - You sometimes hear little noises from your passengers when you get on the throttle right after turning in. - You thoroughly enjoy showing the tailgater behind how to drive around a highway off-ramp. - Your racing budget is one of the big three --mortgage, car payments/maintenance, dating. -Your email address refers to your race car rather than to you. - You walk proper lines through the grocery store. - You've been known to yell "It means 'check your mirrors' dammit!" at your television. - You've paid $4.00 a gallon for gas without complaining. - You buy new parts because you don't know where you put the spares. - You bought a race car before buying a house. - You bought a race car before buying furniture for the new house. - You're looking for a tow vehicle and still haven't bought furniture! - You find that you need a new house because you've outgrown your garage and the neighbors are threatening violence if you park one more vehicle on the street or in the front yard. - The requirements you give your real estate agent are (in order of importance): 1) 8 car climate controlled garage with an attached shop. 2) Outside parking for 6 cars, a motorhome, a crew cab dualie, a 28'enclosed trailer and a 34' 5th wheel. 3) 3 phase 220V outlets in the garage for your welder. 4) A grease pit. 5) Convenient to a hazardous waste disposal site. 6) Deaf neighbors. 7) Across the street from a paint and body shop. 8) Some sort of house with a working toilet and shower on the property somewhere -or- hookups for the motorhome. - You measure all family acquisitions in terms of the number of race tires that could have been purchased. - You know well that Orthodontic work is the equivalant of three sets of tires - You sit in your race car in a dark garage and make car noises and shift and practice your heel and toe, while waiting for your motor to get back from the machine shop. - You look at the purchase of tools as a long term investment. - Your wife says, "If you buy another set of tires, I'm getting a new mink." - Your garage holds more cars than your house has bedrooms. - You have enough spare parts to build another car. - More than one racer supply house recognizes your voice and greets you by name when you call. - You have car parts in your cubicle at work. - You think the last line of the Star Spangled Banner is: "Racers,start your engines!" - If you can't remember when you last worked on weekdays and rested on weekends. - You're registered for wedding gifts at Pegasus and Racer Wholesale. - Your Christmas list begins with another set of BFG R1s and Pauter rods and your 'significant other' knows what they are. - After your answer to "What did you do this weekend?" the next question is always: "And you do this for fun? Right?" - You have a separate drawer for 'garage clothes'. - Your reading material in your bathroom consists of auto parts and racing supply catalogs, several books written by famous drivers, every book Carroll Smith has ever written.... and 400 car magazines, none of which have centerfolds. - People know you by your class letter, car number, and car color. - People know you by your "off"s". "Oh, you are the one stuck in the mud at ButtonWillow last weekend!" - You talk to other cars on the road, calling them by the manufacturer's name. - Your first date involves asking her to crew for you.

As they say, " Every part that ever fell off of a British car was made by the finest British craftsmen"

It appears that in Canada, they can check license plates in real time. There is nowhere to hide. Big Brother is watching you. The digital world is becoming a world without privacy for crooks, and for the rest of us. Mazda: Thanks for the posting procedure YouTube Video powderbrake2007-02-20 16:32:02

For help in registering your car, The SEMA action network was instrumental in getting some model legislation for kit cars in various states. see them at http://www.semasan.com/main/main.aspx?ID=/content/SEMASANcom/HomePage http://www.dmv.org also has some info.

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!! I'll second that!!! I've been on so many diets over my lifetime, I've lost my whole body weight several times.http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/cryin.gif

having seen the Deamans run, I find no shame in being passed by a lighter car with a better #/hp ratio. The BEC se7ens are great cars.

great video!!! There is something about the BEC that sounds like there is something very ANGRY under the hood. Seroius se7en owner, did you all notice the snow at the side of the drieway? I suggest that you did not run out of gas, it's that acceleration that pinned that gallon of gas against the rear of the tank, and away from the intake.

Spotcheck: Your comment about the torque curve is pertinent. I was amazed at the flexibility and the torque capability of the S2000. I regulary took my C5 Vette convertible on some blats through the winding roads in the Ozark mountains ( hills to you guys in the Rockies), and I enjoyed "stirring" the 6 speed box, and working the brakes into the corners, trail braking, and rolling on the throttle as I came out. Then I took my se7en on the same roads. It was much faster, and I was running in 5th and 6th gear, without a lot of shifting, and I was moving a lot faster than the C5, with a lot less effort on my part. There is no replacement for displacement, but with the light weight, that 150 -160 lb-ft of torque will do the job in a se7en.

Spotchck: Welcome to the USA7s forum. New guys are always welcome, and as you noted, the members are willing to help in any way possible. Keep asking questions, and take up the offers of rides and info. As is evidenced by the replies, there are great differences of opinion, yet they are put forward in a way that doesn't demean the other marques. One thing about a se7en, it is a car, but boiled down to the basic functional parts, and is made as light and as powerful as possible or affordable. That means there is likely to be some minor maintainance required, but that doesn't mean you need a mechanic to do it. The people here can walk you through repairs that may be needed. I believe some soul searching is called for before you buy. The questions of build or buy, do I want a cruiser, a street car, an autocross car, a track day car, an out and out racer, do I want to take long trips, luggageroom, what if it rains, can I get weather gear (top and sidecurtains),and so on. Am I concerened about the pedigree, or the closeness in appearance to a Lotus, do I fit in the car, can I drive it with my regular shoes on, license and registration details, and so on. By asking the members about these characteristics, and matching them to your desires, you can find a se7en that fits you perfectly. I'm driving an Ultralite because: I wanted to assemble my own, as assembling a car was the the primary project, not necessarily owning a se7en. ( I am so happy I chose a se7en, instead of a cobra or a hot rod.) If the build wasn't the objective, I would have bought a finished car. I did not want to have to weld up my own frame and running gear. I also didn't want to have to buy a donor car or components. I was (when I was looking at se7ens) about 260 pounds, and I didn't fit well in a normal sized se7en. My car has an 18" wide drivers seat, and a 16" passenger seat, and lots of footwell room. I was not locked into the "close reproduction" looks of a Lotus, and was not concerned with the pedigree. ( I fully appreciate the pedigree aspect and likely might have gone that way if I could fit comfortably in one) I wanted a street car, for fun, that could work as a daily driver, to pick up groceries, and for an occasional "blat" through some twisty roads. I thought about autocrossing it when I bought it, but haven't done it except a couple occasions. I din't think too much about track days, but found out after I got the car, they are a ton of fun. I have been to four events. I didn't need or want a top or rain gear, as I didn't plan to drive it in the rain. If I get rained on, I simply will get wet. ( Only happened once, and it was so light so it didn't count) I liked the suspension system, and the fact it is all heim joints and no rubber bushings, as well as the Wilwood brake systems. I liked the Honda S2000 engine and transmission. It is virtually bulletproof, and I have never done anything to the engine, except change oil and filters, I have not even taken out a spark plug. All I do is gas it and drive it. The trunk space is useful for the tonneau, and it holds luggage for two people for a few days. ( we did a 3 day trip last year) Like you, it only took one test ride to determine I had to have a se7en. Rather than advise you on which car to get, I offer these comments as an example of consideraions you need to make to decide on your se7en. If you can get to St.Louis, you are welcome to experience my car.

I got a kick out of the camera man laughing and giggling at the beginning of the ride. That is the essence of a Se7en.... it's realy a "good time" machine.

Them's fight'n words pardner!! I'm not Lite, but i'm not Ultra Heavy. I'll keep my foot on the brakes as I pass you, so you can clearly see my "lites" Jerry LITEhearted, but Heavyweight owner of WCM Ultralite #36powderbrake2007-02-02 08:35:12

Dennis Brunton and his family have been to my home as has RdRocket. They are nice people. I suggest you call Dennis directly. He is an upstanding guy, an accomplished racer, and a firm believer in Se7ens. He will tell you what you need to know in preparing for the building of a Stalker. Call him, discuss it with him , he will NOT lead you wrong on what to pre-purchase for a Stalker. I met Dennis, his son, Dave Seybold, Jack Banker, John Meyers , Cliff Speck and other Stalker owners at Run N Gun, and they all love their cars and, like all us kit car builders, will talk with you, and help you and do everything they can to insure your build is as smooth as possible. His website, http://www.bruntonauto.com/ has great detail on the car, and should answer many of your questions. Dennis and RdRocket are both friendly and helpful people, and are both well versed in the building and driving of competitive cars. Let's keep this forum a friendly and helpful place as well.

Mike: Have your buddy pick up a copy of the latest Kit Car magazine, it lists some of the times for the sevens and the Cobras at Run N Gun 2006. Note the 1st and 2nd fastest times were se7ens. There were 8 se7ens there, and 7 of them are in the top 16 fastest road course times. Except for about 5 cars, it was all Cobras, GT40's and se7ens that were there. James Yale in the Daytona Coupe was the fastest street tired car there, and I was second fastest ( the S= street tires, PR = prepared tires ( slicks with grooves) and p=pro ( slicks) email me with your address, and I'll send you a cd of a Run N Gun 2006 video that was shot by James Yale, the awesome cover car on the latest issue. The Daytona coupe has 605 HP, 589 lb ft of torque, and in the video, about 1/2 way through, I'm the seven in front of him, and he ain't passing me, until I wave him by at the beginning of the oval. You can show it to your Cobra buddies. He and I were both in street tire class, and we spent two days slicing and dicing on the road course. There were several other Cobras in Street and we passed them all. There is no question that he is faster than me, but not ALL the time. I just couldn't hold him back on that long straight.

Jack: Your car looks great, and since I have seen it in person, I know it is perfect. I really like the Brooklands Screens. Very British and racy, of course you need the proper British clothes,driving cap and perhaps a monocle when using them.

Chuck: What is that round silver thing with the wires coming out of it? Is that a fuel pump? I tought you were running an in-tank pump. http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/confused5.gif I looked at it some more, and that must be the power seat actuator.... I think http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/blush5.gifpowderbrake2007-01-18 12:51:10

Thanks for the kind comments. I like red and yellow, it's my "Ronald McDonald" car. I am not sure of the muffler brand, and yes I am running a catalytic converter. That way I could hook up the standard Honda front and rear O2 sensors, as I am running a stock Honda S2000 computer. Basically the engine/ecu/transmission are completely stock Honda S2000. No tuning, no adjusting, no wrenching, no hassles, just lots of reliable horsepower. Here's a shot of the cat and headers as I was wiring the O2 sensors http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/20070114_102021_IMGP4359.JPGpowderbrake2007-01-14 10:21:09

Yes,it is wider than a standard Caterham, and is needed for my posterior width. The race seats are Ultrashield drag seats, 20 degree layback model, one 18" wide, and one 16' wide.( the drivetrain is offset to give the driver more room) It's 44" across the cockpit outsides. The color is 2004 Mustang Screaming Yellow

Here's a few shots of my car, with track and autocross pictures. Engine...Honda S2000 Trans..Honda S2000 6 speed Diff & rear axles.. Subaru WRX limited slip Brakes... 12" Wilwood, 4 piston calipers Shocks...QA1 http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/20070112_150003_1.JPG http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/20070112_150036_2.JPG http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/20070112_150104_3.JPG http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/20070112_150129_4.JPG http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/20070112_150149_5.JPG http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/20070112_150248_6.JPG http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/20070112_150308_7.JPG http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/20070112_150335_8.jpg

Sorry I can't aanswer the technical questions, as I'm not a Caterham guy, but WELCOME to the USA7s. We are looking forward to stores of your build process.

Ultralite S2k Wheel base= 88" Length= 122" Rear tread & fender width= 67" front tread & fender width = 65.5 Cockpit width (outside)= 44" Roll bar height=44.5"