YourEconProf

So, as I'm starting to take apart the car, I have so many questions. Another new one...there is a hose that runs from the exhaust just behind the headers to what appears to be a large black catch can, when then has a hose going to a large stamped part on the side of the block just below the headers. Does anyone know what that might be?

I finally got the car up on stands today, and got pictures of the diff. I know its got 3.75" BCD on all four corners. Can anyone see what this is (sorry the pictures are upside down...not sure what that's about, but are normal in the Google gallery)

All, thank you so much for you help and advice! I've created a Build Thread for this adventure:

My car buddy & I do or have owned 4 Miatas. He's a high-end body restoration guy, working mostly with classic Porsches. His shop shares space with a trackside support/race shop. A few months ago, a Caterham came into the race shop that was owned by a long-time client's widow. Though it was running up through a couple of years ago, now it wasn't. The mechanic/owner futzed with it some but lost interest in trying to get it running. I made a threw out a low offer and lo and behold I own a Caterham. Now, I've owned a couple of Miatas, and I'm pretty good with wrenching. My buddy has owned everything from an early E type to a couple of Miatas to 60's Firebird, and he can weld your butt crack together so smoothly its looks like you were born that way. He also builds motorsports harnesses for Porsches. We know a combined diddly squat about Caterhams. I've put high quality pictures of the car in a google album at the link below. If anyone can help us learn more about the car or solve problems or just wants to see more pics, LMK and I'll add them. https://photos.app.goo.gl/6qKo4TBgRanR2VUN6 So far, I can see it's a 1983. The Caterham plaque is missing, and I haven't been able to locate the Caterham chassis number. I see references to "under the pedal box cover" but I have no idea what that means or where to look. The mount of the windshield wiper motor is a black piece of metal with no apparent stampings (both pics in the gallery). So any advice would be appreciated. The current ECU is a Simple Digital Systems that is no longer supported. I'm planning on replacing with a Megasquirt 3Pro Mini. I've installed 5 or so Megasquirts on Miatas, so I'm reasonably familiar with them. Anyway, any help in knowing more about the car, etc., is greatly appreciated. This thread started over here:

Yeah, 35yo Miata’s have actually prepared me for ground searching! For anyone who wondered, the ECU is by Simple Digital Systems.

ALBUM WITH HIGH RESOLUTION PHOTOS: https://photos.app.goo.gl/6qKo4TBgRanR2VUN6 I'll add photos there too going forward, in case some one want to see them at full resolution.

MV8, Thank you for all of that. I'm planning on finally getting her up on stands on Saturday so I can get under her and start examining things better. Lots of great advice on the fuel system; there are a number of bits & bobs we need to identify on it, but this is a plan, so that's good. Particularly around the tank venting, that's new to me. Simple OEM systems I'm pretty comfortable with, but this...is special. :-) Luckily, I know that the engine turns; the starter will actually spin it but no spark. Shop owner replaced the coil pack, which didn't help, and then reached out to ECU manufacturer (I'm away on business, I don't remember name, but nothing I've ever heard of) and they pretty much said it was no longer supported and he was on his own. That's why I'm planning to put an Megasquirt 3 on it. It will be my 5th one to install, though first not on a Miata. Also could be bad igniter. Owner didn't check and I haven't either. Keep the suggestions coming! Also anything I could/should look for. I'm in sunny, frigid Minnesota today and tomorrow. More pictures on Friday and Saturday. Matt.

Thank you for the help. BCD is 3.75" all around. Found the code on the shock tower of AM 83 27--so early 1983 model. There is a bung in the back where you mentioned, if by bung, you mean welded nut on the interior frame. The steering rack is a Caterham. I'll get pics of the diff and steering rack once the car is on stands; I'm heading out of town for a couple of days and will do it when I get back.

So, I just bought my first 7 as a non-runner that was in my friend's shop. Right now, pretty much only some word of mouth about the car from shop owner, but no documentation, I can't even find the Caterham plaque. Anything you can tell from the pics, or other pics that maybe I should take or things I should look for would be very helpful. Also, is there anywhere I could find a build manual? The wiring looks like it was done by a 3rd grader, so first priority is rewire and replace ECU with a Megasquirt. What I can tell so far: Raceline engine, shop owner said it's a 250hp version Pretty sure it's a live axle. Buddy thinks its a Ford 9" but not 100% sure. Otherwise, any insights or observations are welcomed! It's my first Caterham, coming from Miatas. My hope is to have it out for HPDE this Spring and we'll see where it goes from there. Thanks! Matt.