yellowss7

Chet, just curious, what does your car weigh? For comparison, mine weighs 1164 pounds, and the front springs are 150#ers. I have a set of 200# ones that I haven't had the need to use yet. I'm not an engineer, and I just assembled my Caterham using the parts supplied so I'm not making any assumptions, I'm just giving you a point of comparison. Tom

Guess it depends on how it's set up. EvilRome0's car seemed to be prone to oversteer at some of the first autox's he attended. On street tires I tended to use too much steering input and caused understeering. With the same set up on slicks, the car handles really neutral. Questions, what size front and rear antiroll bars are you using? What is the front to back Rake? Have you changed spring rates? I believe these can all have and impact on your handling. Tom

No Al, you can drive it anytime. I usually casually mention to my fellow autoxers, that the redline is 8000 and that a replacement motor cost $20,000, so be careful. The usual arrangement is if you cause the damage you pay for it. (there are alot of knuckleheads out there that would love to drive it as hard as they can with no consequences. A joy ride so to speak. Those are the ones I discourage.) And Yeah, the cost of a simiarly spec'd K series motor is between 10-11 thousand pounds. Tom

I've let 5 people drive my 7 so far. 4 were fellow autoxers who, I knew to be amoung the very best drivers in the Philly region. 3 of the 4 absoultely had no idea of how quick the car was and butchered their runs. One bested my time by 4 SECONDS!!!! We'll he was the Driver of the year in 07. but 4 seconds. I then realized that I really sucked. But even he ripped the fender off on his second run. He offered to replace it though. My rule is you break it you fix it. (20K for the motor is a good incentive for most not to want to take it out) Tom

Next Philly region event is at Warminster on Sunday 8/31. Let's see if we can you Steve out in your S1's along with Roman and me. I'll try to nudge one other Caterham SV owner who lives in the area and hasn't been out in a while. Hope to see you there. Tom

Superlight and Superlight R were models of the Caterham, in UK trim the Superlight was a 1.6L RoverK with around 138 hp, and the superlight R was a 1.8L Modded to around 190-200 HP. Superlights and Superlight R's came with a numbered plaque as well. Specs inclueded, carbon dash,nosecone,wings. Widetrack suspension, uprated front brakes, adjustable springs. etc Most had the 6speed and the LSD as well. Everything else was a option, Windscreen,wipers,carpets,heater, paint,etc. as they all had 'Weight" Roadsports were around 138-148 hp if I recall correctly. US speced Superlight R's had the 200hp Zetec motors. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong. Mine's Superlight #123 But I added the 1.8L Roverk tuned to the VHPD level of 196bhp. Tom Edit: No chassis difference, all but the classic had deDion rears.

That's not the whole story, it gets better. I had posted on BlatChat, the UK Lotus 7 club site, that I was arriving in London prior to departing on a cruise and wanted to get out the the Factory in Dartford, so I asked what the best way to get there was. A fellow BlatChatter, volunteered to pick me up at the Marriot Heathrow and take me out to the Factory in his new 599 Ferrari. Well he showed up but it was in his other Ferrari, a Red 328GTS with the top off. Drive takes 2 hours one way due to traffic, Had great conversations, Spend 20 minutes in the parts department, pick up $200 worth of spare parts, (unfortuntely, not enough room in the Ferrari to bring back a new Duratec) Then an hour plus drive back. Nice guy. Totally car nuts. Reason he didn't take the 599 was that he had put 6000 mile on it in 12 weeks and Had it on the market to sell as he has a new one coming as well as a new California Sypder too. Se7en owners are the Best!!!

Just got back from vacation and had a chance to get out to the Caterham factory. Anyone order a metallic blue CSR??? If so its coming along nicely. http://usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/204844254_caterham factory csr.JPG http://usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/2136951089_caterham factory.JPG

This one pecked a hole in the tree out back last year. Is this a Mexican or Canadian woodpecker? It sure was big and loud. Tom http://usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1068825575_1.jpg

A side hit at 50 eh? I'm no engineer, but you might have trouble surviving in any car much less a 7. Direct Side hits in a seven will not be pretty regardless of the size of the car/truck/suv. As for rear hits at speed...??? not much crush area behind you. Better hope your foot is off the brake and their is no one infront of you. Sorry for the pessimism, but jack the car up and look at the diameter of the chassis tubes. If you're talking about putting a full cage on, you probalby gain some protection, but you better be wearing a helmet, and have good padding on the bars. Just my two cents. Tom

I'm a traditionalist where the 7 is concerned. I like the old british car look, but with blazing performance that no one expects from a little 1.8liter 4. With all due respect for your little V8. I can't handle the 196bhp I have, let alone the 400+ you have. But it is sevenque, so I will consider it an ugly brother. Tom

I agree with Mazda. Doesn't do anything for me. Front end is butt ugly. Looks like a PT Cruiser. Tom edit, maybe I don't agree with Mazda, I wouldn't build that, ever. Tom

My Caterham speedo gave up the ghost after 582 miles, 8 years ago. I fitted a bike speedo that performs well. But last week I finally got around to fixing the stock one, and found that although the quill that fits into the right angle drive was not broken, it did not turn the right angle drive. Fitted a new quill and presto, the speedo works. (quill was about $3) Can't see much difference between the old and new quill, but possibly the old quill was worn a bit? We'll see how long this one lasts. The Caterham speedo is notoriously prone to failure. Tom

So explain to me again how you have a rear weight bias??? I think my original weight guess is looking good. Tom

I have a 2000 Caterham Superlight #123. There are plenty of classes for other cars to run in, depending on the state of mods that have been done. There are even a number of street tire classes. Seven's unfortunately by their very nature are too capable/fast so the SCCA forces 7's into the Modified class, where almost anything goes. My Caterham is bone stock, same springs shocks etc. that it comes with from the factory. However, tires are the difference, in Mod, you can run full slicks. That's where the biggest difference would be. That being said, I ran street tires for the first several years, and its still fun. It's really about driving your car to the best of your ability first, then beating the competition/clock second. We have some very good instructors who would be glad to ride with you to help you improve. Come on out, Have fun, and drive your car. :7fume: Tom

CrewsT, yes I'm at almost all the events, with the exception of the next one due to vacation. EvilRome0 has been there this year as well as an original seriers IV and a 62 series II. Still waiting for Steve and a couple other local guys to make it this year. I'll send you a reminder for the next one. Tom

Crewst-SPS00014 wrote: How about you S1 drivers bringing them out to a Philly Region Autox? Or are they too pretty to run? :d Tom

Ok Jon, so did you move up to slicks or are you doing it with superior driving? Tom As for Roman, I talked to one of the instructors who drove your car and he said your car was a handful to drive. Maybe wider tires in the rear, lower it a bit, adjust the rake, etc. Do one thing at a time and the cheapest first. Tom

Ok, it's up now. Thanks Mazda. Patience is not one of my virtues. Tom

Here's one of my runs from Sunday's Philly Region Autox in Warmnister, Pa. Seems like I'm still coasting and not using the loud pedal to the fullest extent. Sooner or later I'll get this thing down. Tom

Just previewed my video from sunday's Philly Region Autox. Seem to have a few blips from the camera/tape. I'll edit and Upload shortly. Still no confession yet from the accused party??? Is he in hiding? Tom

Jon, just got wind that you have competition on this forum for the most cones/timeing box hits in a single event. However, the new champ has the distinction of getting booted from the event for putting all four wheels on the grass!!!:ack: :eek: or so I heard. :leaving: I shall let the guilty party confess themself. (or give some lame excuse.) :d. Tom

Nice color! What motor are you going with? And why have the dealer build it? Caterhams are pretty easy to build. Other than the bag of fasteners marked Miscellaneous it is basically like putting together a model. Just follow the directions. Seriously! Best of luck with it. Tom

Al Navarro wrote: Write in for "Tits!"? Seconded!! :flag: Tom

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