yellowss7

Chip Bond the Caterham dealer in Va. is very responsive. I bought a couple of rear wings from him and he only charged $7 for shipping and they arrived in 2 days. George Alderman at Midlantic Caterham is also a good guy, and I've also had good results with RMSCI. in Denver. Tom

Just had an order of parts shipped from Caterham and it too cost me about 41 pounds to ship. A couple of front springs, spark plugs and 5 oil filters. Not a bargain by any means. I had an engine shipped over and it was only 500 dollars shipping. BTW, I got charged $12 dollars Custom fees in addition to the shipping on the parts order. Tom

Sounds awesome, though I'm not sure that overdriving it like that is the fastest way around the course. But it sure looked like fun. http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/hurray.gif Tom

I'm not the one running a boat anchor up front. http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/cryin.gifhttp://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/cryin.gifhttp://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/biggrin5.gif Tom

Speaking of G's, in a couple of autox's last season, my codriver and I found ourselves out of breath at the end of a 55 second run. We're still trying to figure out why? Was it the g's from the hard cornering/braking/accelaration? or were we just holding our breath to brace ourselves against the pull of the harnesses? I like to think it was the G's http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/ack2.gifhttp://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/biggrin5.gif Tom

Hey! Don't hate me because my car only has 197hp and only weighs 1164 lbs. http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/rofl.gif I was only trying to reply to the new guy's inquiry as to what to look for in a seven. Just didn't want to scare him off if he didn't go big. Even with a 150 hp these cars will outperform almost anything up to a Porsche Turbo or new Z06. Tomyellowss72007-02-14 16:05:59

Skip, Point taken, on the track the extra HP helps overcome the poor aerodynamics. Although you have to have pretty huge ones to keep the pedal down for long with 3-400 hp. http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/yesnod.gif Tom

That kind of HP is probably only good if you drag race. I doubt very much that you could fit tires wide enough to hook up and as for the Turbo, I doubt that it would give any advantage in an autox. More likely it would be a liabilty. IMHO. Tom

How's the old classic... Life's too short to drink cheap wine. http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/ack2.gif Buy a 7 and you'll bring smiles too everyone you pass, except the M3 drivers. http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/rofl.gif Tom

Nah, don't bother dieting. You need the weight to get the rear wheels to hook up. http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/lol.gif Unless you're looking for top end terminal speed on the track, it's not an issue. Tom

When I ordered my Caterham, The Zetec wasn't standard, the Crossflow was but I wanted more power so the Rover K series, that was used in the UK was my choice due to the low weight (under 200 lbs) and the different levels of tune available. BTW total build time on mine was 80 hours, spread out obviously but the kit is pretty well put together and I'm no mechanic. The Ford Duratec looks like a good engine choice now with low weight and incredible levels of power available. On the subject of Power... Becareful what you wish for. I've driven a 135 hp Caterham that was much easier to handle than my 195 Hp beast. In autocrossing I find that the extra power can induce oversteer very easily if you are not smooth. The power is addictive for straight line acceleration, but that's not what these cars are all about. I went with the Caterham, but the Birkins I've seen are just as nice. Haven't seen any of the others so I can't comment. It's definately more cost effective to find a used one. But you are then limited to what's available and someone else speced. I'm 6'1 220 and fit very nicely in the standard body, but foot room is the limiting factor. That's where the SV is worth it. You can wear normal shoes, as opposed to having to wear dedicated driving/race boots.

I'll second the Kodiak wheels. Although mine are 13x10. Michael Dougherty turned me on to them. Tom

The yellow one is a Series IV Lotus 7. Fiberglass body panels. Also referred to as the dune buggy 7.

Red Baron, I showed photos of you XJ13 to a buddy of mine who has a 1937 Jag SS100 and he said if you ever decide to sell it he'd be interested. Let me know if you ever decide to sell. Tom

Avon CR500's come in 13 inch I think my fronts are 185/55/13 on 7 inch rims. About $200 a tire though.

Jerry, great looking car! Love the color http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/biggrin5.gif How wide is the car to fit two race seats? Don't think I could do that in my Caterham. Tom

My 2000 Caterham came with both imperial and metric fasteners. Mines a dedion and a 6 speed so I can't comment on the other questions. As for the TR4, you might as well sell it, because it will feel like a truck compared to the seven, a slow poor handling truck. http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/lol.gifyellowss72007-01-12 08:29:35

Drain hole is on the bottom, fill hole is on the right side,but you need to cut down an allen key to fit it in there, it's tight. you access it from below. I have one that I cut down if you need it. filling is can accmplished one of two ways, using a long tube and funnel into the fill hole,fill until it starts to come out of the hole or some guys take the front plate off the top of the trans, I think there are 6 or 8 little allen head type screws holding it down. you can then fill to the level of the fill plug. You can get to the top plate from above, looking down at the back of the bell housing. I have the Caterham dry sump bell housing so that's not an option for me, no room. Tom

Al, I have the Caterham 6 speed as well. There were some issues with the very first boxes, but I doubt that yours is one of those. Some experienced trouble getting into 3rd when cold and recommend using redline MTL as the gear oil of choice. Assuming you aren't flat shifting, I doubt that you would need a "service" at 3000 miles. IMHO. Tom

Inconclusive. Car was spotted by my Cousin, who said, he thought it had clams, but wasn't sure.

Jonathan,(boxologist) Just a heads up, EBT responded on Blatchat that he would contact you. Good Luck. Tom

All right, Spotted an Orange Seven Northbound on Route 3 in Newtown Square, Pa. earlier this afternoon. Anyone we know? Tom

Nice wheel! but I don't have enough thigh room. Probably need to lower the seat.

locostv8 wrote: "Third and most important I bought a very nice 12" rosewood steering wheel and I need something to put it on." 12 inches!! Why so Big? I think my steering wheel is 280mm and I probably should have gone down to 260mm. yellowss72007-01-07 10:08:12

I usually answer to Tom. Yes Al, those are Carbon trumpets and it is street legal. It's on the CR500's today and will be going out shortly to test my new Bullet Cam Christmas present. http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/biggrin5.gif Would love to meet up for a Blat sometime. And you DEFINATELY must bring Orange to one of our Autocrosses.