yellowss7

Al, what hose are you waiting for? I have a couple of hoses that came with my car that I didn't use. I have atleast 2 differnt hoses from the radiator to the water rail. Let me know. Tom

Al, it's a FJ kart. J as in Junior. Surely you won't let a kiddie cart beat you:willy: :willy: :willy: :rofl: :seeya: Tom Maybe you should show up at this Sunday's autox in Warminster, Pa. to get some practice in. DMod works first, runs second, should be done by 1:30PM. Home by 2:30. Tom Mazda, was the driver Sam Strano? He's incredible!!!

I'll give it a go. First off, It would be WAAAY cheaper to find a used car! I built mine and got nickeled and dimed for everything at full retail!! Now having said that, I loved builing mine to my spec. But you could always buy a used one, dissasemble and then rebuild it. As for the ordering process, yes they do need to know what motor you plan to put in. For example, on a Duratec the injection and exhaust are on the opposite side from a Zetec, Rover, and Crossflow, They probably route the fuel lines down the other side of the chassie. If you plan on a Fuel Injection motor, you need a fuel injection gas tank. As for the cutout for the exhaust, It's pretty easy to do yourself. Mine came without the hole. A pair of tin ships, and a dremel make for a reasonably quick job. Motor mounts would be the other difference on the chassie. Again not a big issue as I think the mounting points are similar. (Someone correct me if I'm wrong there) I think that's about it. As for the bonnet cut out. You could spec that for the motor or if you have room, don't do a cut out. Mine does not have one, althought it might benefit from the cooler intake air if I did. As for the Exhaust, mine was a seperate Item, as were most of the ancilliaries. (Don't use the dealer I dealt with!!) As for the parts you need, RMCI have a good supply and George Alderman at MidAtlantic Caterham or Skip at GT classics are good guys knowledgeable guys who can supply parts as well. I've also gone directly to Caterham UK for parts, since I have a Rover K and they know more about them. Shipping is really high now, though. Finally, your question about options, depends on what model you order, Carpets, heater, FIA roll bar, Top, mirrors, upgraded radiator, paint, etc can really boost the base price, in my experience. Tom

I did the Greek Isle and Turkey cruise this time last year. Great Trip!!! Have a blast. Tom http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1210721992_DSC_1338b.JPG http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1159654416_DSC_1232.JPG

Yeah, well what did you expect from me? It's not a cute little car, its a freakin race car!!!!! No radio, No cupholders, Just a high reving engine and a loud exhaust!!!! The more rev's the better! And the wimp was English to boot!! I could understand some 'mericans not getting it, but only until you give them a proper ride. I've never had anyone I gave a ride to at an autocross, say, "its too fast, i don't like it" ;>0 Rant off!! I'm going for a nice leisurely Blat. Yeah Right! Tom

Yeah, he really put that 7 thru its paces. Must have got it up to around 30mph. I looked hard, but couldn't see what color skirt he was wearing. Tom

Try 610-566-5708 172 E. Knowlton Rd. Media, Pa. 19063 info@laminarauto.com Don't know if the phone or email is current but the address is correct. Tom

#172 in the last picture is the Viking owned by Jerry Fink. His company's name is Laminar concepts, based in Media, Pa. I competed against him and his son Derek, this past sunday in a regional scca autox. He was testing his newest version. It has over 550hp at the wheels. :eek: I believe he does his own fabrication of his carbon fiber panels and wings. BTW Mazda, he said his new version will have an LS7 crate motor. It's actually 40 pounds lighter than the turbo Mazda motor or so he said. He's a great guy and a two time national champ in SCCA autox. Once in 1972 in a stock Lotus 7. and in 2005 in E MOD in the Viking 7. Tom

Wile, I meant to say that the UK Cycle wings guys.... And since you're in France and a strong standard bearer of Clams it was obvioulsy not directed at you. Watch out for Al. He's one of those Cylce guys! :ack: Tom :flag:

Yeah, if you think your car handles now, stick a set of 13 inch slicks on it. You'll feel like you're on rails. And you will have FTD, unless there's a shifter cart. Once I drove Michael D.'s with slicks, I had to get a set. No comparison. Just do it!! :thumbs: Tom BTW where was the Autox?? Meadowlands Complex??? 5 runs and done by 3:15 is great. When's the next one?? I may join you. Tom

Thanks Steve. Close but no cigar. Back to fiberglassing it. Tom

I've started reparing the wing I ripped off in last week's autox. Second time for this wing. The flange that bolts on to the car took a beating and will take a fair bit of work. Anyone have a old right rear wing that they want to get rid of??? I doesn't have to be in great shape. I don't even mind a few cracks. Color doesn't matter. Just for use durning autoxing. Tom

7 years for me. I don't think anything could ever give you the same thrill. You wear this car. I tell people that to turn left you just turn your head a little and the air pressure turns you. Tom

I would be up for the Pocono run. I have a place in the Pocono's about mid way between Scranton and Long Pond(Pocono Raceway). Seems the terrorist they just caught liked the area as they stayed in the same community that my place is! :surprised: :shocked: :shocked: :willy: :willy: We could stop there for lunch, dinner or other refreshments at the end of the day. :party: Tom

I have two sets of wheels. First set are the 13 inch Mike Barnby/caterham R500 Magniesium 3 piece wheels, 7 inch fronts and 8.5 inch rears. Back spacing on those wheels are 4.5 inches The second set are Kodiak 3 piece wheels. 13 inch diameter, 10 inch wide for my slicks. I measured the clearance I had and went with 5 inch backspacing on those. No clearance problems, but you have to watch where the wheel weights are place to avoid hitting the calipers. Tom

If you can order a beaver tail for the trailer bed it helps avoid the breakover problem Al referred to. I have an 18 ft Pace enclosed trailer with a 4-5 ft beavertail that allows the Caterham to easily load and unload. Tom

DeDeion Caterhams have a 4.25 PCD (108mm)I believe whether 13/14/15/16. I think Live axel varients have a 4 PCD. (100mm)

May have been George then, giving a test drive.

Bruce, try McMaster-Carr. Part# 94175A430 $8.98 per 100. plastic hex bolt M5x.8x20mm Tom

I know the UK seven guys complain that clamshell fendered 7's have too much lift, but the photo below demonstrates that the rear wings can also become airborne if you hit a cone. :ack: Good thing it's only fiberglass. Plastic bolts facilitated the launch but saved the rivenuts and side skin. :cheers: Tom http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/316759949_Warminster 073.jpg http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/2005085254_Warminster 07 4jpg.jpg

My wife just returned home with a sighting!:hurray: Silver Caterham, Delaware tags. In Pennsylvania, on Route 1 (Baltimore Pike) Heading North, turning onto South 52. Anyone Know this one? Tom

The track is Cadwell Park in the NorthEast of England. A great track for 7's!! 2 miles around, lots of elevation changes and plenty of turns. Top speed down the longest straight away was around 150. (in 250 bhp cars and R500's with really excellent drivers.) Accellerating down hill into that hard left hander is a scary thing (as a passenger) I was invited to a Lotus Seven club of GB track day there several years ago this weekend. It was on the Monday bank holiday right after the Stoneleigh kit car show, after the Track day, I drove back down to Dartford and visited the Caterham factory. Great Trip Sure wish we had tracks like that over here. Hey, Mazda and Al. Maybe we can invade our UK brothers. Next club event??? Tom

Here's a couple of runs on an ugly, tight autox course yesterday. Short course no room to open it up. I did have the 2nd Fastest time of the Day out of 153 cars. A FMod Formula 500 was 1.4 seconds faster. Some times you have to go slow to be fast. Easier said than done. Tom

More like $5.50 a gallon last year. Sunoco sells it as GT race fuel. Purple pump. needed for my 12:4:1 compression ratio. Very Distinctive smell from the exhaust. Tom

Tom, any issues withfitting a 2.3L duratec in the standard Caterham? From what I've read, the 2.3 is a little taller so clearance under the bonnet can be tight. How about side to side? Since the exhaust is now on the right, that solves the header/starter/steering issue as on my Rover K series. 185 ftpounds of Torque You're going to be breaking it loose at every gear change :hurray: What bell housing mates the duratec to the 6 speed? Enjoy. Tom