jfgw

Sorry for the delay, but for those who have asked for more pictures, please follow this link to photobucket for several images. I need to take some of the engine bay too and will do so soon. Engine build pics are in a separate thread on usa7s showing all of the new forged rods, pistons etc - search for threads with my user name and I will add a link on here once I find it too. http://s1209.photobucket.com/albums/cc400/jfgw/Caterham%207/ Let me know if you have any questions, car is officially FOR SALE!

All, With mixed emotions, I am seriously considering the sale of my beloved Caterham in order to fund a move back to my homeland of England. As time allows, I will add more details and photo's to this ad, but I wanted to at least get the basics up on here in case someone is looking for a car like mine. Originally built by Chris at Sevens & Elans as a Vauxhall C20XE powered car, the car has been treated to several doses of upgrade-itis over the last 5+ years in my care. Purchased in 2006 from the original owner, the car had covered less than 2,000 miles as he owned way more toys than seemed fair. I have added approximately 7,500 miles since then including 2 trackday weekends at Mid-Ohio, where it embarrassed many 'serious' 911s in the advanced group. Some of you may have followed the recent engine build on another thread after I holed the original block at Mid Ohio due to a non-functioning rev limiter and an absent-minded driver. Engine now properly run in is as follows: C20XE iron block, overbored to 2.1 Fully blueprinted engine Balanced and polished crank All new bearings Forged Conrods All ARP bolts Forged race pistons Polished and port matched Coscast cylinder head Q450 QED cams Solid lifters QED 45mm Throttle bodies on QED manifold QED 90mm trumpets ITG large one piece foam filter Caterham Drysumped in bellhousing SBD Lightweight flywheel SBD heavy duty clutch cover SBD 4 paddle ceramic clutch Quaife QBE60G 6-speed straight-cut sequential gearbox for near-flat upshifts LSD with 3.9 ratio De-dion Watts linkage Wide track front suspension with adjustable platforms and Bilstein dampers AP big brake kit Radtech ali radiator with heavy duty fan JPE 4-2-1 manifold exhaust Black car with contrasting exposed carbon nose, headlight and indicator pods, front and rear fenders, dash, aeroscreen, spa mirrors and sill protectors Racelogic electronic dash featuring gear display from Quaife potentiometer, Quaife gear display also installed underneath dash. Wheel speed sensor so no issues with gearbox driven speedo Oil pressure, temp and water temp on single screen bar-style rev counter with sequential shift lights Supplementary STACK revcounter with memory and shift light Tillett composite seats Willans 6 point harnesses FIA rollbar with diagonal bar (not petty strut) DTA ECU Panasport minilite style wheels with black painted centers and polished lips Yokohama A048 tires Quick release momo wheel Spares: Full windscreen Full weather equipment (doors, hood, tonneau etc) american racing wheels with avon slicks probably a ton more more receipts than I care to go back through. A thoroughly loved member of the family which if I could keep, i would, money no object, but needs must, as they say, and it's time (after 10 years) to go home... Needless to say, the car is quite quick, surprisingly easy to drive slowly, but makes all of the right noises. The straight cut box is a pure mechanical joy, but not too loud without the roof. This is a serious car though, and for those wanting the ultimate in Chapman-inspired vehicles. Realistically, I am looking for offers in the $40k to $55k range which I think is pretty fair. Let me know if this seems of interest to anyone.... James

Guys, Just wanted to share some thoughts on this topic as I saw it in person last week while Craig was doing some geometry work on mine. I got a 1270lb reading on the scales and some correct front camber settings to keep me busy while driving home in the rainstorm (sans roof, doors or screen!). Anyway, Craig's new workshop is enough to make any car enthusiast drool - he has equipment to do pretty much anything himself, and has privacy on his land to keep prying eyes away. The quality of his work is of an extremely high standard, as shown by the other projects under way in there. His yellow Caterham is a huge amount of car for the money, with the BDR, the quaife H-pattern box etc, and the finish/engineering is of a top class level. If you are thinking about this one, having seen it and driven it for a very short distance, I would have no issues in recommending it. I am very lucky to have a guy with these skills within Ohio! James

Hey guys, I wanted to give you an update on my engine progress...it is all back together and running...YIPPEEEE! I will post some pics but I have been very busy trying to get some miles on the new set-up - it has been such a chore driving around in my car in the sun So anyway, I wanted to see what opinions were out there regarding running-in of the engine. The head/cams etc are not new, but th4e block, bores, pistons, rings, rods, bearings etc are all new. The machinist recommended Brad Penn mineral break-in oil so that is what is in it. I am keeping the rpm below 4000, not laboring the engine, and not sticking to constant rpms, also only using light throttle. At what point should I change the oil, should I go straight to fully synthetic, or to an intermediate, and at what point can I start using the full performance? I am getting married at the end of April (the same day as another English wedding ) and wanted to have it fully run-in by then as I have lots of friends and family coming into town.... Thanks in advance, James

All, Engine went in today and ran fine until one of the freeze plugs started to leak. Before ordering replacements, I wanted to double-check the size. Does anyone know? I am googling but not having much luck. Thanks James

Thanks Tom, I have experienced that 'scientific' method in the past and know exactly what you mean!! I was more worried about how much of the 'break-in' oil I needed to buy as I hopefully won't have a need for the excess again!!

Thanks very much indeed Bob. PM on its way

Hi guys, So after almost a year off the road, my rebuilt engine is scheduled to go back into the car in a week or so....to say I am excited is a massive understatement! I am about to order some oil for the break-in period, and it occurred to me that I am not sure how much I need. I have a Vauxhall XE engine, using the Caterham dry sump system. Does anyone know the oil capacity for this? Filter is already full. Thanks very much, James

I have a 6 speed straight-cut Quaife sequential in my Caterham, and I love it. Having previously had a straight-cut 5 speed, I actually think the sequential straight-cut whine is quieter, but I suspect that's because I use an aeroscreen and no roof now. The clonk of the sequential is quite brutal, but it certainly adds to the 'sensory overload'. The 'almost' flat shifts are incredible, and the quality of the Quaife box is second to none in my opinion. I bought mine directly from Quaife in the UK and it arrived in less than a week. Highly recommended! James

Sale pending

You may see a clue in the background of picture 3 - I replaced it last season with a Quaife 6 speed straight cut sequential box - it's an absolute monster!

Please note, this DOES NOT include the bellhousing shown in the final picture.

Recently removed from my Vauxhall engined Caterham, a Ford fitment T-9 gearbox for a 7. Gearbox was just starting to occasionally stick in 4th gear - pictures of the syncro's attached. I am not a mechanical person so could not tell what needs repairing, but my mechanic said one of the syncro's looks a little distance away from the gear, so could be the cause. Having used a T9 with a modified Crossflow in the UK, and seen their tolerance for bhp and torque, and having used this for a few thousand miles in my much higher bhp/torque Vauxhall, I suspect this one has uprated gears, but again, I do not know for sure. Fully reconditioned T9's going for around $1000 - what do you think this is worth? Open to offers. Thanks James

Harnesses have been sold - thanks for your interest. Still available: T-9 gearbox (occasionally sticks in 4th gear - no bellhousing) S3 Dedion standard rollbar (with high level brake light) S3 Boot cover complete with poppers to fit standard roll bar. QED-port matched GM C20XE cylinder head - needs porosity issue fixed Pair of K&N air filters replaced by ITG foam filter on my 45mm DCOE Throttle Bodies Thanks James

Hi guys, just wanting to see if there are any offers on these belts before I put them on ebay? Thanks James

Caterham drysump in the bellhousing here too - ground clearance and 'just incase' make it a wise investment.

Welcome aboard! As a fellow Englishman, I can relate to the challenges of moving to another country, but you will find a very active and very friendly group here! 7 enthusiasts exist all over the place I don't have specific experience of NY/NJ 7 ownership, but my 98 Caterham was built by Chris at Sevens & Elans near Boston, who sold it to an attorney near Chicago. I bought it from him a few years ago, registered as a 67 Lotus, and just did a title transfer based on buying a car from out of state. That was all I had to do to register it in Ohio. If you are looking for a competition-biased car, my Vauxhall engined, Quaife sequential box Caterham will be for sale soon. PM me if you are interested. Welcome again! James

Both in excellent condition. Rollbar is standard (non FIA) size with an added high-level brake light. Boot cover is in excellent unmarked condition with poppers already fitted. Rollbar is from my Dedion chassis when I replaced with an FIA bar. Boot cover was replaced at the same time as it needed wider diameter rollbar holes. Rollbar $200 plus shipping from the UK, asking $95 Boot cover $120 plus shipping, asking $65 $150 for both. Thanks James

Hi Paul, I have an S3 standard rollbar (with high level brake light added) as well as a boot cover for sale. Boot cover has rivets fitted already, and was removed when I replaced the rollbar with a thicker FIA bar and needed a new boot cover with larger diameter holes. I will post an ad in the for sale section later today with photo's. PM me if you are interested. Thanks James

I just got off the phone with Luke Harnesses (now part of Corbeau Seats), and they told me that the harnesses are CPR06 (cut for a Caterham with longer straps), and were manufactured on April 3, 2003. FIA validity runs for 5 years so unfortunately they are out of date now. Thanks James

Wind deflectors have been sold. Thanks for your interest.

The only markings on the belts are the Luke labels with Serial numbers. I will call them tomorrow and ask them if they can tell me about an FIA date. I suspect it has expired for competition purposes though, as I have had them since 2007, and the car was built in 1998. I can't see whether the belts were new in 1998 or added at a later date.

Thanks Skip, you have a reply via PM too. Thanks James

Barely used Caterham wind deflectors designed to fit to standard windscreen where doors attach. The same as available from Caterham - https://www.caterhamparts.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=227&osCsid=7e677ee910a12299f0b19670dc31f6cd About $100 plus shipping and assembly from UK (excluding VAT) or about $130 from Caterham USA. Asking $60. Thanks James

Removed from my Caterham to replace with black Willans a while ago, and stored since. Red and in nice condition. No date stamp but serial numbers shown in picture. All belts 2", padding on shoulder belts and different padding on lap belts. Quick release buckle currently mounted to crotch strap. All belts adjustable. The Avon badges are stuck to the quick release buckle, and one of them came off. I have it but have obviously stored it in such a 'safe place' that I have so far been unable to locate. I am planning an international move however, so there is a good chance that I will find it as I pack my things up. New price about $200 each plus shipping from UK. Asking $200 for the pair. Thanks James