JimmyG

FYI on the California SB-100, I bought my 2013 Catherham 360 out of Texas and I just drove it around with the Texas plate for 2 years before even trying to get the CA SB-100. Dealing with local CA DMV offices is a pain in the ass because most window clerks don't know how to do it with the right forms and inspections and will send you off on wild-goose chases trying to get inspections at regular local smog stations, etc. It took me a full year and with 6 visits to the DMV, the CHP for serial number verification, an independent garage for a safety and lighting inspection, and then it took 6 weeks to get an appointment at one of the very few Smog Referee stations in CA which only does a visual smog check, no tailpipe reading was done. Once it gets titled with an SB-100 it NEVER Has To Be Smogged Again. I then removed the Catalytic Converter and replaced it with a straight race pipe section for more power, which Caterhan sells online. Once you know how, or have someone help you, applying for an SB-100 can be easier, quicker, and less frustrating. The only question with this 420R for California, is there a Catalytic Converter after the exhaust header collector which the photos do not show??? If not, you'll need to buy or modify the exhaust in front of the side muffler to include a Catalytic Converter. Other than that, you'll have the shipping cost of the car to California, which from back east will cost about $2,000 in an enclosed carrier, plus you will have to pay CA sales tax on the purchase price. I made up a Bill of Sale for a lot lower than what I paid for the car, which is what most private buyers do, and the DMV noticed this and delayed the paperwork another couple of months, but they have no Kelly Blue Book to reference prices for a used Caterhamn, so they finally had to let me finalize the new title and registration. I love my Caterham, it handles so well and is so much fun to drive in mountain roads around Los Angeles and Malibu.

FYI: I spoke with a Caterham suspension dealer/race shop in England. The street/track shocks they sell come with 170lb springs. I attempted to measure and calculate the OEM spring rate on my 2013 Caterham 360R with the base black Bilsteins, and it appeared to be approximately 120lbs. With the stock springs, I am bottoming out hard on the rear end of the car on rough roads.

This question is resolved Guys, Thanks! Empti, I mounted my seats to the floor without the heavy steel sliders, to get them lower down and to save weight. Plus I'm safer in lightening storms. ;)

Just posted in Hemmings today - https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/listing/caterham-portland-or-2709638?utm_medium=email&utm_source=saved_search

Just talked to John - All his wheels have been sold. 4/2023

Hi Phil, The regular production Caterham 7s up to and including the 420 only offer suspension adjustment for ride height by turning the spring preload collars on the shock bodies. But even with the base Bilstein spring/shock setup they are dialed-in up really well for spring rate and damping, so you won't need to change anything between street and occasional track days and autocross. You do want to keep the ride height as low as possible for a lower center of gravity and better handing, but in my case I have a lot of speed bumps and rough canyon roads where I live, so I have to keep the ride hight set fair high to not hit and bottom my engine sump. Unless you are tracking and autocrossing your car full time, you won't need or want to make any other suspension changes to stiffen up your car. Better tires like Toyo Proxies R888R will give you a big handing advantage.

I stand corrected, it is cm - not mm.

I'm running wider Toyo Proxies R888R tires on my 360R's standard 15 x 7.0" Orcus wheels, 195/50s Front and 205/50s Rear. Incredibe tires and better traction than the stock Avons. But the rear wheel rims feel a little too narrow with less sidewall support for the wider tires. So I like to get two (2) wider (2) 15 x 7.5" ORCUS Anthrite Dark Silver Wheels if anyone has a set in new or nice used condition. posted 1/12/2022 Thanks, Jim Gianatsis ph 818 223 8550 Los Angeles / JGDesign@FastDates.com

The Catterham Tillets Carbon Fibre Seats I ordered and installed are wider than the Composite Seats by about 1-in overall. Makes the car more usable and comfortable for us big guys. Suprising the Carbon seats are about 2 pounds each heavier than the Composites, in part because of the additional padding. But I got the weight saving back by not using the heavy steel adjustable seat sliders, but just bolting the seats solidly to the floor with the stock aluminum seat mounts.

I have ordered the Caterham exclusive Carbon Fibre Race Seats with padding and less inside contour which my Caterham dealer assures me have about 1in / 2.5mm more inside room than then R model Composite Race Seats. Just what I wanted. Expensive $3500 for the pair with mounts and runners. Here is their photo:

Thanks DS. I did find here and buy a nice 2013 300R a couple of weeks ago. I like your Elan as well! But I now have a buddy who saw mine, and is interest in getting one too, and I will forward him this link. Cheers, Jim ")

My stock seats are 42 cm External at the shoulders.My floor is 37cm wide. 36cm internal /38cm external at the waist w/rolled edge. There is room on the car to go to 37 internal / 38 cut external at the waist. I can't find anything in the Tillott Catalog that offers a slightly larger 37cm waist internal, but keeps the external at 42 with a cut edge, except maybe the B7XL w/43cm cut edge is close. But the XL base is too wide at 38mm. My floor is 37mm. So nothing is resolved without talking to Tillett. Thanks.

Thank Croc, The Tillotts catalog link you gave me shows different available widths and options, which the seat page on their website did not show. So I probably can go up from my current 37cm wide seat to a 40cm, seat with the rolled edge removed to still fit the fit the cockpit. If only we were all size XSmall and weighed 120lbs My S3? cockpit measures 37-38cm on the floor and 41cm at the side rail. I'll wait a few days for Tillot to reply to my inquiry for their suggestion. Like most British companies, they are really backed up right now because of the pandemic and Brexit. Their seat deliveries are 3+ months. I hear Caterham is a year behind in car deliveries.

Thanks Vovchander.A pad liner may be the easier solution. I've written to Tillett Seats to see what they have to offer. All the seat on their website are 40-44mm wide, and my Caterham seats are 37mm wide at the waist to the outside of the rolled edge. There is no room in my Cat to go with these wider seats at the rolled edge. The shoulder belt cut outs on my drivers seat have the plastic edge trim missing, that's why it looks different.

2022 Update - I ordere and installed the newer, wider Carbon Fiber Tilots (shown right) seats from Caterham ordered through by Caterham dealer, and they are the way to go. About 1/2-inch wider across and an easier fit for my 230 lb 40-inch waist. Snug, but comfortable and perfect for hard cornering. Hi Guys, Just got my new used Caterham with the Caterham Plastic Race Seats and the fit is really tight with pinching on my ribs and butt. It is obvious the seats are molded plastic and were formed with a plastic sheet, heated on a mold. In looking at the clearance between the seat sides and the car interior there is almost 1-in of clearance on each side. So I'm looking to buy a heat gun and open up the sides of the seat back and botton around 0.5in. on each side which should be perferct for me. I'm asking if anyone has tried or heard of doing this? Thank you! Jim Gianatsis

SOLD! I am in the processing of buying Marks Beautiful Caterham. :) Jim G

Looking for a nice later model Caterham 7 R Duratech powered with Limited Slip and Race bucket seats, full windshield. Preferably already California registered, or with vintage pre-smog registration out of state. Price range $30-$40K. Thank You! Jim G. 8/2021 - Purchased a '13 Caterham 360R from a form USA7s member - I love it!

I have the Standard Sparco Padded Carbon Fiber Race Buckets in my Corvette. The narrowest recessed sections in the seat center / seat back are 14" (like your Caterham Race Seats) without compressing the foam padding on the bolster sides. At the shoulders and knees the seat/side bolsters widden out to 16" wide to allow for movment of legs and arms. It's a perfect fit for me at 5'8" / 225lbs / 38" waist. I've messaged with a gentleman on the Caterham USA Facebook page and he just manages to fit comfortably in his Caterham Carbon Race Seat and he is 6'2" / 280lbs. So as small as the Caterham and its race seats are, they will fit most everyone.

Thanks Mike! I'm glad to see there isn't just a squirrel cage in there. - Let's Do This and give your Baby a Happy, Appreciative new Home!!! Let me know if i can send you a deposit now. Cheers, Jim

Your photos look great Mark! Your should be a professional photogapher, too. I'm sure the engine compartment looks as good as the rest of the car, but just so we know there's not just a little hamster running around in wheel to power it, a picture of the motor there would be nice as well. Thanks! Talk to you again soon. Jim Gianatsis, Los Angeles

Hello Cranky, I am very interested in buying your car. How do I contact you? Please contact me. Jim Gianatsis, Los Angeles Ph 818 223 8550 gianatsis@roadrunner.com