CBuff

I have very little frame of reference regarding tracks as I have only been to NJMP Thunderbolt and now NYST. Certainly tighter and slower than NJMP. But for me very enjoyable. It was a nice time of year to be up in that part of the woods with the leaves changing. I look forward to trying out all the options in the area and then eventually I am sure I will have preferences. As always the 7s guy on hand were very generous with their time to talk about the cars and everything else. I am based in New York City, so made the drive up on Friday night and stayed by Hunter Ski Mountain and returned on Saturday. Which was a decent amount of travel. I continue to think about how I would get to future track days with the 7 - whenever it actually arrives (drive vs trailer). The hunt for insights in all aspects of this car has been enjoyable.

Very Interesting. I am a novice to all of this but sounds like the Getrag has its road advantages with the track drawbacks (and axel breaking potential with wheel lift off situations). I found this an interesting read (for me being a beginner). https://www.rrtransmissions.com/lsdstore/lsd-comparison

I made it up to NYST for Saturday. Ran into some seven folks who were great to touch base with. Beautiful fall colors and an interesting track. Trying to be patient waiting on my build.

I asked my importer about this recently - I have a car on order. He said the new 420R spec are fitted with a BMW Getrag LSD. Apparently they dont have the rebuild issues that the Titans did. I also have read that the SPC tracscport internals seem to hold up but time will tell.

Interesting. Since this is all pretty new to me I think I will go (even with my “big” car). My track driving always needs work and this is also pre scouting for the eventual 7 arrival.

11budlite and nsxguy. Are you guys going to nyst Saturday ? Was thinking of going up with my daily driver. Never been to that track.

A great introduction with low pressure but gets right up to a fast paced in a session or two. Thanks again Mike et Al Charlie

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I will undoubtedly make some adjustments once I get it. And may add additional brake lights to the roll bar, either the single or double circular ones on JAL. Or maybe some of the mods others have done with the strip lights (with turn signal). Trying to focus on what to spec (or not to spec - IE reverse lights) that may by their omission later on leave holes in the body that I would have to repair/patch. Thanks again to everyone on the forum. All of your previous posts have given me great insights as to how many of these options are in the real world.

Hello all, I am working out the final details on my 420R build. One of the last little things was some exterior lighting questions/ideas. I noticed these Caterham LED rear lighting units that incorporate the rear fog and reverse light (thus not needing them installed) https://caterhamparts.co.uk/rear-lights/7586-led-rear-lights.html . I was thinking of optioning these in the hopes that I can get the fog and reverse lights omitted (and maybe not have holes drilled into the rear). Does anyone have experience with these? Are there other options that accomplish the same thing but maybe have a more traditional look?

It was really great to meet all of you yesterday and see all the 7s. Super helpful is flushing out the specs for my 420. Croc - Thank you for the invite and generous offer to take your csr for a spin. I look forward to living down the multiple stalls in front of the entire group. It might be a while. Will try and fill the waiting game until my 7 arrives with some more tracks days. Still lots to learn. Thank you all Charlie

Sorry. I am 5’10” and 175lbs but my better half would question both those figures.

JMK - this topic is very relevant for me as well. I have a Feb build slot for a new 420R. As of now I am planning on an SV with leather seats, and regular floors. Croc was nice enough to extend an invitation to come down to NJMP on Sept 18 to meet some of the 7s folks. I will be driving in the non 7s green group in my daily. I hope to check out the cars and see some of the specs first hand before my options deadline in October. And look forward to meeting some of you all. I seem to have further complicated my intent with wanting leather seats but 6pt harness. Josh in Colorado suggested the FiA formula type belts. I have also looked at the Scroth ASM 4pts with the additional crutch straps. Still working that part out. I did have a question on if the floor height would impact the track legality of the harness (mainly the shoulder harness angle from my shoulders back to the mounting points). In looking at the installation guides it seems to be “properly” installed the shoulder harness must be level to -20 deg (angled down to the mounting points). Not sure if this would ever get flagged. On the other end of the spectrum would be the broomstick concern if the floor was too high. I look forward to meeting those attending njmp and hopefully finalize my specs. Everyone here has been really helpful and engaging thus far. So thanks so much for all your feedback already.

I am trying to finalize my new 420R build options and had a question regarding paint/pinstripes and PPF. I was planning on painting the car vintage green with gunmetal double stripes (with graphite pinstripes). I was planning on putting PPF on some (maybe most) of the car. Any experience with trouble getting the PPF to go over the stripes (assume they are vinyl or similar and not painted). I have read on some UK forums that some suggest PPF before with stripes on top, or stopping the PPF before the stripes. Others seem to have no issues with it over (with the exception of taking it off). Is there a general consensus on this? And PPF coverage - Front, lower sides and fenders? Since I was going with painted composite fenders I was going to spray the undersides with bed liner (Rhino liner). Does anyone every address the underside of the tub in a similar fashion? Was also planning on doing without the rear fender guards and just having the PPF. I sound like a bit of a dandy with all this protection. I do like things nice but plan on driving it a bunch on road and track. I am sure I will embrace the "signs of use" as it comes.

Knifeyspoony, That’s super helpful. I wouldn’t have thought you would get that much on the sides. I will likely air on the side of more coverage. Many thanks.

I do like the look of painted vs the CF. I think I will bedliner the underside and PPF the tops. I can replace the PPF as needed and if it gets real torn up I can explore a repaint or replace the rear wings. As far as PPF, whats the thinking on that. Just the high hit areas or do people do the entire car? Would you ever double up on the rear fenders? Likely being a little over protective as I click the option boxes and want this to stay new looking. I am sure once I am driving it I will be less worried about things.

Hello all, I am starting down the path and have an oder slot for February 2023 for a 420R SV. One (one many) items I keep flip flopping around on is the fenders. I like the look of body colored fenders and rear wings. I have read that the composite (form of fiberglass?) can spider from stone hits both above and below. Was thinking of coating the underside of the fenders with truck bed liner or similar, and have PPF on the tops. Or go the more expensive route and have carbon fiber fenders painted the body color with just PPF on the tops. Also whats the feeling on the stone guards on the rear fenders? Is PPF enough or do both, again prefer the cleaner look. It seems like track driving can add some rubber marks to fenders without stone guards (Thats why I assume they are black) but I believe this can be taken off relatively easy. Please correct me if I am wrong. Likely overthinking things but it wont be the last time I am sure.

Black hole, Thanks for the heads up. I did read that elsewhere that the reach is longer than most standard crutch belts. Do you have leather s type seats? Are the mounting points for the sun belts the same as the lap belts or additional mounting locations?

Croc, thanks for the info. I will use your reference when finalizing my build specs. I live near union square and plan on keeping my car nearby. Still figuring some of that out. Sounds like I will have some time with a build slot early next year. This entire process has reinvigorated my love of cars which was put on hold when I moved to nyc. I am actually doing my first official track day down at njmp in late august (with my daily driver ). Figured I would try to improve my driving before adding the seven into the mix. It is great to see such a tight knit group of enthusiasts.

Thanks for the feedback. I have read in some of the forums that people have mounted the crutch straps and they lay on the seat under your backside (since the S seats dont have a opening). Not sure of the general thinking regarding this.

Just started my journey down the Caterham 7 rabbit hole. Not sure if anything has changed on this in the last couple years. I put in an order for a 420R with S type seats for a feb '23 build slot. I was thinking that the 4 pt harness would be sufficient for street use (and easier to get in and out etc). But also planning on doing some track days, which may eventually require 6 pt or sub straps. Can I have the 6pt harness installed on the S type leather seats? Can you wear them without the sub straps on the street? Or is it better to get the 4 pt and have the sub straps installed (and only use on the track)? https://caterhamparts.co.uk/seatbelts-harnesses/1195-crutch-strap-black-plugs-into-4-point-harness.html What should I specify when ordering from Caterham? Any insights would be appreciated.