Croc

I actually agree with you on this. The maroon Caterham blew the clutch because it was time after 10500 miles of previous owners hard driving. It was fairly new to me at the time so I did not have much opportunity to add my input to its blowing. It was an ex-road test car for car magazines and probably found its way to the track with them many a time plus drag strips for performance testing. The T-9, bell housing design, flywheel and clutch were designed for a much heavier car than ours. That design redundancy counts for something to my mind when you put it in a seven. Given they were used as standard in Ford Capri's in BTCC/ETCC/ATCC touring car racing globally for going on over 15 years and survived well says it should be fine for our casual road and odd track day purposes. A pure track car should consider a different approach as a wiser option.

I like reading your posts Gert - they make me look at technical issues in different directions When my clutch went in the maroon car it made a big bang and lots of expensive rattling noises. Luckily the flywheel was intact and I would not have wanted that to go! https://www.facebook.com/TKAutosports/photos/a.538665846177151.1073741825.419249624785441/871124712931261/?type=1

I bet that was a bit of an oh dear moment, Shane? [i can hear the groans now...:jester:] Skip - Does your sister know Bruce Bowker from this forum?

Would you mind? I am the only true southerner on this forum. The rest of those pretenders were from north of the equator!

I have used Car Builder Solutions in the UK. They deliver and have a superb stock range for our cars. Never ever go to their store....it is one of the most dangerous places for a man with a wallet! Easy postage to the US.

What a pathetic excuse you are as a southerner! They should have been shot, dressed and frozen for later eating and the skins curing for a seven seat by now! No wonder you are moving to Texas where all the liberals are! Having that Suave duck in residence has turned you all soft! :jester:

One other thing. Maybe post your message to the CSR Forum. http://csr.informe.com There is not a big membership as it is only of interest to CSR owners but I think 2 guys have had to rebuild their engines and all know their cars very well. There will be a better perspective on options for rebuild as there are not many CSR owners on this forum.

I suspect noise will be an issue eventually at Palmer. Its up high on a hill which means it will echo over the surrounding valleys. As for run off, I would not want to go off as the catch fences are really close....

Yes, Xcarguy also found that yesterday while shopping for a replacement for his car. For what it is worth it looks like it is a CMC chassis from those I have seen elsewhere.

Welcome to the forum DStew! I wish you could have joined under better circumstances. I have the same Cosworth sourced motor with a slightly uprated power. The damage your engine shows would look to be caused by running low oil or the wrong oil for the temp range from your usage (should be 5W50). The Cosworth engine used by Caterham runs at very high oil temps on track. Mine tends to sit around 120 degrees on my gauge at the end of a track session with the red zone kicking in at 130. Thats ok so long as you have the right oil weight and plenty of it. There is a modine hanging off the block which works to cool the oil or at least stabilize it with the cooling system temps but there is no dedicated oil cooler although for your rebuild you may want to add one. On really hot days it will sometimes start to head beyond the 120 marker and thats when I bring it in to cool. I watch the oil temp gauge and the oil pressure gauges very carefully as that is where I can avoid a problem How did you check oil levels? Did you use the dipstick or the "overfill and let the engine find its happy level by sending excess to the catch tank"? The latter is the best way as the dipstick approach can be inaccurate since the oil can pool in several locations around the engine preventing an accurate reading from the dry sump tower. Thats why you always have to measure the oil coming out of a CSR260 engine when you do an oil change so you know exactly how much to put back in. If my car is not puking oil into the catch tank then I always add more until it does. Then I know I am not under-oiling. For options to fix, I have thought through my what ifs for this event, and mine are: 1) You can always give it back to Cosworth to fix. They know them and are located local to you in CA. The downside is this is not cheap. 2) Give Bruce Beachman a call (he is on this forum). He is a Caterham specialist who knows CSRs well and he has an engine upgrade package that bumps up the hp. Since the boat anchor engine has to come out and be stripped down its an ideal time to add a few more ponies at a reasonable cost point (since the engine is apart for the rebuild) and surprise your track friends when you next show up. My preferred is option 2). I have not thought about swapping out the engine as quite frankly I like mine too much. It really is a superb engine. It is also a Cosworth so that counts for something. Good luck with the fix. mike

Looks like a CMC chassis kit. Could be a cheap way to get a car. Putting aside that car and the Czech clone being advertised on Fleabay, there is not much else worth commenting on there. Over on Craigslist In GA a guy selling a Locost. Been on this thread quite a few times before -orange with Toyota drive train and no front cycle wings. Asking $12750 or a trade in a Porker (although I suspect the Porker trade would not drive as well as the seven!) http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/cto/5112601197.html There is a Westfield 11 here looking for $30900 at a dealer in GA. Battleship gray and missing the fin which I think is needed in my styling mind. http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/ctd/5115100868.html A Super Storker in FL. http://images.craigslist.org/00j0j_iBFzDsMZx9l_600x450.jpg Asking $15000. That seems cheap for a well sorted track monster! Shane you could be back up and running tomorrow ready to do another Bo and Luke Duke impersonation! Its also advertised in N'awlins http://neworleans.craigslist.org/cto/5068998341.html Speaking of Divas, here is a Diva Speedster. http://images.craigslist.org/00S0S_gPNpw6RozJY_600x450.jpg Asking $25900 http://stlouis.craigslist.org/cto/5053629745.html Now I find a 1972 Pinto (well that is what it is registered as!) http://images.craigslist.org/00K0K_1z2R21z3ITD_600x450.jpg I appreciate an honest seller and this guy is spot on accurate. It only has coolant coming out the side pipe and the exhaust - so how bad could it be! Asking $5 in the title, if you read the text he actually wants $5000 firm. Decent price with a little wrenching and some front wings. http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/cto/5112723452.html A 1975 Dutton, looks reminiscent of the Lotus 7 S4. http://images.craigslist.org/00E0E_dQsXhJjLrUW_600x450.jpg http://ventura.craigslist.org/cto/5106736485.html And the $32k SCCA Hayabusa track car is still out there in HI http://honolulu.craigslist.org/mau/cto/5097694261.html

By now everyone should have received/seen the email with the high resolution 2 group photos and the link to Windshadow if you want to buy photos of you being good-looking studs out on track. If I missed anyone in the email please let me know. I will post a few of the low res images on here in a few days.

You are from Arkansas.... :leaving:

We would not do that Mike - as you note there are too few of us. The NJMP event really gets locked down for date in the January before the event. So we can wait to see if a Dragon event gets momentum for 2017 before committing to an NJMP event.

Being serious for all of 5 seconds, why dont you ping a message to James A? He is in Houston and has a seven and may have more intelligent contribution. He can also advise on good schools for the kids, nice neighborhoods, even a real estate broker and moving company possibly... Is that a much further drive for you from NJMP? :leaving:

Oops - should have mentioned that. Fairly close in weight. Mine with windshield on (instead of aeroscreen) and with side screens and full tank of gas no driver is 1325 pounds. Tom mentioned a number of approximately 1300 pounds for the Birkin in the configuration shown above. I don't know if that included a full tank of gas. The CSR is quite heavy compared with a regular Caterham due to the weight of the Passat IRS. That said the IRS delivers back more in performance in my view compared to the De Dion.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a354/mjohnson555/seats/CSR/2015%20Sevens%20Event%20at%20NJMP/DSC_38148_zps8s5neobe.jpg http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a354/mjohnson555/seats/CSR/2015%20Sevens%20Event%20at%20NJMP/DSC_38150_zps1rn1yzkn.jpg http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a354/mjohnson555/seats/CSR/2015%20Sevens%20Event%20at%20NJMP/DSC_38154_zpstbn3rj75.jpg And its Bessie the Seven!!!! http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a354/mjohnson555/seats/CSR/2015%20Sevens%20Event%20at%20NJMP/DSC_38193_zpszbeeuyjl.jpg

It is now!

Tom's Birkin XS Turning In http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a354/mjohnson555/seats/CSR/2015%20Sevens%20Event%20at%20NJMP/DSC_38137_zpsr8kpfdg0.jpg Apex http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a354/mjohnson555/seats/CSR/2015%20Sevens%20Event%20at%20NJMP/DSC_38139_zpsrovdnipt.jpg Track out http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a354/mjohnson555/seats/CSR/2015%20Sevens%20Event%20at%20NJMP/DSC_38144_zpsixqnhepp.jpg

Jim's Superlight http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a354/mjohnson555/seats/CSR/2015%20Sevens%20Event%20at%20NJMP/DSC_38054_zps9f0vfdto.jpg Jeff's Superlight http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a354/mjohnson555/seats/CSR/2015%20Sevens%20Event%20at%20NJMP/DSC_38083_zpsk4ca4ctj.jpg My CSR http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a354/mjohnson555/seats/CSR/2015%20Sevens%20Event%20at%20NJMP/DSC_38085_zpsivdzke1p.jpg Norm's Caterham http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a354/mjohnson555/seats/CSR/2015%20Sevens%20Event%20at%20NJMP/DSC_38162_zpscnkkstem.jpg

Here are some additional photos courtesy of Paul (Wemtd) who will be driving next year (hint hint...) Roman in turn 7 http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a354/mjohnson555/seats/CSR/2015%20Sevens%20Event%20at%20NJMP/DSC_38038_zps6i57ef8c.jpg Scott L http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a354/mjohnson555/seats/CSR/2015%20Sevens%20Event%20at%20NJMP/DSC_38048_zpspcpr2nwp.jpg Dave or Ryan in their Birkin http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a354/mjohnson555/seats/CSR/2015%20Sevens%20Event%20at%20NJMP/DSC_38047_zps445k0qpw.jpg Paul's sharp looking Stalker http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a354/mjohnson555/seats/CSR/2015%20Sevens%20Event%20at%20NJMP/DSC_38056_zpsnw4fqzi2.jpg

Still at Turn 7 http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a354/mjohnson555/seats/CSR/2015%20Sevens%20Event%20at%20NJMP/DSC_7301_zpseefgyseq.jpg http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a354/mjohnson555/seats/CSR/2015%20Sevens%20Event%20at%20NJMP/DSC_7308_zpssjahcjty.jpg Mike, the official photographer for Saturday who took the big group photo, will let me know when he has everything together from the photos he took.

Here is Steve trying my CSR on for size when he assisted me doing the shuttle run from my garage around to the Lightning circuit. http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a354/mjohnson555/seats/CSR/2015%20Sevens%20Event%20at%20NJMP/IMG_0689_zpsrdeejusu.jpg One of the official track photographers, Bobby was there on Sunday and took a few photos of my car and then played around with photoshop to try and get a more art like feel. Here I am with Colleen (Stewart's wife) heading into Turn 7. Colleen wants her own seven for next year. She took Stewart's BDG out in the green group for a taste and loved it. Maybe Stewart could finish off her Lotus Elan S3? I would allow an exception for that car to run with the sevens group! http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a354/mjohnson555/seats/CSR/2015%20Sevens%20Event%20at%20NJMP/DSC_7130_zpsnvp7haao.jpg http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a354/mjohnson555/seats/CSR/2015%20Sevens%20Event%20at%20NJMP/DSC_7150_zpspcag4gkr.jpg http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a354/mjohnson555/seats/CSR/2015%20Sevens%20Event%20at%20NJMP/DSC_7274_zpsfpzyaedy.jpg

Engine bay of the CSR One thing on the CSR that I feel could benefit the Birkin XS is some form of cold air intake. I lowered the CSR intake temps by 30 degrees by adding a scoop to the side of the bonnet next to the air filter. Easy fix to make. One thing I just realized I forgot to check - is the Birkin XS dry sumped or wet sumped? Tom can chime in on here when he gets back home. He is probably somewhere in Ohio heading west right now. Now the next bit is where the surprise kicked in for both Tom and myself - look at the rear end differences The CSR has far more rear end height than the Birkin XS. The chassis on the Caterham is definitely higher - the style is more horizontal whereas the Birkin slopes down towards the rear. But the ride height is much more on the CSR. Both cars are standard chassis set up - nothing special. I have the CSR on its original 15 inch wheels with Avon CR500s. Both are IRS cars - which is why I wanted to do this comparison. The theories we chewed around with for such a significant difference were: 1) Birkin deliberately styled it this way to avoid any copyright issues given the earlier litigation between Birkin and Caterham 2) The CSR uses early 90s VW Passat rear end components adapted to fit to give it IRS. Could this be of such a height that they had to style the CSR this way? Really should have put my regular SV next to the two to confirm this idea. The roll bar on the CSR looks higher but that seems to be just because the car sits higher. Another observation is that the rear wings on the Birkin are wider than the CSR but the tires are narrower. So looks under tired at the rear end. I prefer the meatier look of the CSR tires. Tom said you could go wider on the back tires but then you had to go up a width on the front. Pretty easy fix to make and probably worth the time to do so if you were tracking the car regularly. Tom was talking about a new engine option which will provide 300+ hp in a very clean installation. That is a game changer for going one up on Caterham power options. I will let Tom announce that one - very exciting news. In my scrutiny of the Birkin XS I will say I was very impressed. Fit and finish were excellent. Tom clearly puts together an excellent car. It went very well on track and sounded great. I followed it on track to observe and it was steady, stable and smooth in the high speed corners. I am not sure of the price but if you were to buy a CSR today and put a similar engine spec of the Birkin XS in it your price tag would be roughly $100k - double the Birkin XS. Is a Caterham CSR worth double a Birkin XS? No way in my view. If I had to buy a seven today that was wide body, has independent rear end, traditional looks, good quality then I would choose the Birkin - no hesitation. That saving of roughly $50k could be used for any number of other toys or keeping the better half happy. You could bling it up with carbon for another $10k and still have virtually the same car as the CSR for a $40k saving. Is a Caterham badge worth $40k - I don't think so. That Caterham price premium disadvantage kills any Caterham advantage in resale values. I think Birkin is on a winner here with their XS model! I wish I had time to try it out on track.