yellowss7

Thought I'd share a pic of the heart of the beast prior to installation. Gold dry sump pump is mounted right front, altenator had to be mounted off the front of the engine facing toward the engine due to the headers and steering column on the left hand side. Dry sump tank is incorporated in the bellhousing. http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/20070105_135907_rover_k_series.jpg

I'm 51 now, and built it 7 years ago. I originally wanted an old XKE, but the thoughts of maintaining a 40 year old english car made me look elswere. The Caterham was the perfect solution, old style looks, new parts and unparalled performance. Still puts a grin on my face every time I drive it. http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/biggrin5.gif

I used the image upload button. (The one with the little arrow)

Al, I run 13 inch CR500's at 18 pounds front and back. For autoxing, I run 12 pounds in the Hoosier slicks.

This is a picture of my Ferrari Yellow, 2000 Caterham Superlight #123. Powered by a Dry Sumped 195 bhp, 1.8 liter Rover K series, weighing in at a svelt 1164 pounds. Still learning how to get the most out of it. http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/20061231_123114_Copy_of_DSC_622.jpg And in street trim http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1158429415_fall 07.JPG

Late 60's & 70's rock in general, The Who and Neil Young in particular. Greenday and Smashmouth in the somewhat current genre. Wife and kids say I'm stuck in the 70's. Guess the 7 confirms it. Last concert: Steppenwolf with Foghat as the warm up act earlier this year. John Kay at 60+ years old still Rocks! Nice guy, came out after the concert to have pictures taken with the concert goers. Announced that this would be the last tour. 40 years on the road was enough.

Just looked in my assembly guide and there is no info as to bulb type. Tom

That's good news Michael, we'll continue our rivalry then. Would have hated to lose you from DMOD just because you have that heavy old Zetec. See you in the Spring. Tom

In thinking over the logistics required for an autox, it might be alot easier to join up at an SCCA or other sponsored event. A bunch of Cobras have shown up and were allowed to run as a group at a couple of our philly region events. Not as many runs as we'd like but we could use it to establish an interest level. The Philly region ended its Summer series, this past Sunday. So unless you guys are crazy and want to run in the winter series this may be a moot point until the spring. Tom

I'll assume Michael D., there are usually a couple of others that run in the DC region, I know of one maybe two others locally that would do it for fun. I know there are a couple with the Philly area Lotus society (PALS) but I don't know them. I could post on their message board. If you didn't mind linking up with another group, I know that the local area Porker club runs an autox that only get about 40 cars or so, and they let other types run. Maybe we could pair up with a like club and split the work. We work for them, they work for us?? Just a thought. Tomyellowss72006-11-08 13:10:39

I agree with Russ, the more runs the better, but based on my Philly region experience, someone has to chase cones, work grid,record times etc. So we would have to have a decent number of participants to work while others run. And we'd need a lot of cones. Count me in. Tom

Is it safe to assume that in regional events, the DMod class is not a highly populated one? For competition purposes it is great to have someone to compete against. While I have not run across any of the "Super Modified" 7's, I still believe that Tires and Driver skill make the most difference. A slick shod 135hp seven with a competent driver will beat a street tire shod, 200 hp seven. IMHO And putting both on Slicks, or Street tires, I still think driver skill will determine the winner. Or is that over simplifying it? Granted I have never competed at the national level. Seperating 7's by tire type at the local level, would possibly end up with one in each class. Ergo, to compete you need to be on the same tires as your competitors, and then you need skill to win. Tomyellowss72006-11-02 07:30:03

Michael, I think he means, rear overhead Wings that apply downforce. I'm sure everybody loves clams. Tom

Al, the Philly SCCA region has an autox scheduled for this Sunday in Warminster Pa, Just off the Pa turnpike at the Willow Grove Exit. The weather forecast is good. You should try to make it. Even if you don't run your car you can ride with me. It's a great venue, an old airfield, that's basically a long slalom up and back. I run in the third heat which should start around 1-1:30. If you want to run your car you need to be there by 11 am to register and tech. Hope to see you there. Tomyellowss72006-10-30 12:51:06

Come on Al, it's time for you to really start driving that car and stop polishing it. http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/biggrin5.gif Tom

Don't know if it matters since we're brainstorming here, but Current SCCA rules for DMod exclude motorcycle engined cars.

Slngshot, 5.7 liters in a seven, WOW! We'll that's E Mod vs us under 2 liter D Mods. But from my point of view, you have a weight penalty anyway. And again, can you get the power down coming out of turns? It's the balance in the transitions that makes the difference. I feel I have more power than I can use so personally, I won't have any issues running against higher HP cars. So unless your car is as wide as a corvette with 18 inch slicks, I'm cool with it. Tom

I'm not going back to street tires. Slicks are too much fun. Unless it rains that is. You could spec r compound DOT tires, but if you run CR500,ACB10's or 032 Street tires you still won't compete with the R compounds. My thoughts are that a basic seven, unmodified frame, engine placement, are the "Class we're talking about. I don't care if they run a 4,5,6 or sequential gearbox. In Autox one shift is usually it. As for Power/torque to weight ratios, I still think driver skill is the critical factor. Look at the guys that competed last sunday. Did you beat Sam strano's time? He was driving a Camaro BTW. Most "stock 7's" have either 135-150 or 200-220 hp. Putting the power down is the critical factor, I have 195 hp and I've driven sevens with 135 and personally I think it is easier to drive the lower powered one, since you don't have to worry about breaking the back end loose when you apply the power. Again, skill vs power. Autoxing is not drag racing or top end dependent. Just my opinion. Tom

Michael, I agree, driving skills(and slicks) make the difference. Since you kicked my butt last sunday, I have to bow to your superior skills. http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/cheers2.gif Looking forward to competing against you next season. Tom

I've always wondered why the Caterham was classed as a Modified car, since as bball(steve) pointed out, most of us run "Stock" cars. The engine choice is fairly limited, Crossflows, Zetecs, Rover K series,and now Duratec. All "factory spec" motors. A Street tire'd car can't compete with a Slick no matter how good the driver, IMHO. Once you start moving the engine, adding aerodynamics, etc. you have a true MOD car. Question is are there enough "stock 7's to have their own class? Although I think there should be a weight penalty for those Huge 2.0 Liter engines. Those of us with little 1.8 liters and less need a big handicap to equalize things out. http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/lol.gif Tom yellowss72006-10-29 10:26:24

Just a note of caution for those of you who have never trailered a car. An additional 2000 pounds is not insignificant. 3 years ago, while towing my seven to an autox, the trailer started swaying and I lost control of the Durango that I was towing with. (this was on the NE ext. of the Pa. Turnpike) Bounced off of the left then the right guardrails and ended up with the trailer jacknifed across the inside lane. The trailer is an enclosed 18ft Pace that weighs 2750 empty. I was only doing 50mph when it happened. Someone said that I should have speeded up and applied the trailer brakes using the module in the durango. Speeding up is not intuitive when you're being pushed and pulled by a swaying trailer. http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/ack2.gif The hooks on the rear tiedown straps straightned out and the seven slid forward about 3 feet, denting a rim and putting a small crack in the left rear wing. http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/cryin.gif Duragno was totalled and the trailer now sports dents on 3 corners. Just be careful towing!!! One other observation, an enclosed trailer is nice, if it rains, to store stuff more safely, but definitely is harder to tow, due to poor visablility and susceptability to wind. If you don't get caught in the rain, Michael's trailer is definately the way to go. PS he kicked my butt at sunday's autox. I am humbled. http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/thumbsup.gif Tom

946 might be about right, as I have the windscreen,heater,paint,wipers,lighting,clams up front. MB wheels are alot lighter than the panasports. I'm still the heaviest item in the car. Although my K is tuned slightly higher with 196 BHP and 150 lb/ft torque. http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/coolgleamA.gifyellowss72006-09-28 16:15:19

Ordered it through QED (Quorn Engineering Development)in the UK. Picked it up at customs. No issues. They were pretty easy to deal with. They have a few different levels of tune to suit your needs or wallet. Engine was complete, with mapping and dyno sheet. It's a nice light enging for the 7. Makes pretty good power too.

My Caterham superlight weighed in at 1164 lbs. when I had it cornerweighted last year. Dry sumped Rover K series 6 speed Painted MB Magnesium wheels Avon CR500 tires FIA Rollbar Windscreen 4 gallons of gas