yellowss7

My car is just about exactly as I assembled it almost 14 years ago. I have not YET, done any suspension mods, Power upgrades or anything other than safety mods. (roll cage being built as we speak). My car is street legal, and I enjoy Sunday afternoon Blats and I'm not out there burning up the corners. Just a nice drive with the wind thru my scalp:driving: I've autoxed for 8 years before being introduced to the track. The track is the ONLY place you can actually get anywhere close to the limits of our cars Safely. I leave all my desire to speed and corner on the track. And now, after about 4 years of tracktime, have just gotten to the point where I'm starting to use the potential of the car, and I'm still nowhere near wringing the last bit of grip out of it. I have as much fun out there as anyone else, with the exception of Croc and Blubarisax as they go blasting by me on the straights. (They no longer lap me though) I'm torn right now as the only place that I really need more power is on the straights. I try to keep telling myself that the skill is in the turns, but :banghead::banghead::banghead: I hate getting passed after working so hard to keep them off my butt. Maybe another year of driving skill improvement before I reach for the wallet. We'll See. Tom

Here you go Kitcat. these should make you much faster and maybe even keep you on the track. :jester: http://www.caterhamparts.co.uk/product.php?id_product=3272 As for any of us maturing, from the guys that show up at our NJMP trackday, I can honestly say that, that statement does not apply to any of us. :jester: Maybe it's the fun that comes with driving a great little car that almost always puts a smile on our faces everytime we take it out. If that doesn't keep you young at heart, then you are probably :svengo: As long as we can keep climbing in and out of our cars I think we will never grow up. And if we can't climb in and out, we can always ask Skip to build us one of those neat Butt chair winches. :cooldude: Tom

I believe the newer R500's share the ducted nosecone as well. Right? Tom

BigDog, as a new Caterham owner, you obviously have not yet been infected with the dreaded, UPGRADEITIS virus. You cannot avoid this disease and will eventually succumb to its power. Chasing Lightness, Handling, and Power are the three main symptons of the disease. You'll know when for some reason you buy carbon fiber "cat whiskers" to put on your nosecone to improve your down force, or buy a carbon fiber cam cover to save weight. :willy_nilly: Assuming your caterham was assembled correctly, and suspension set up to specs, have good rubber and inflate it properly, it will be one heck of a good handling car. I've found that driving style/ skill has as much impact on handling as anything else. You are right that enjoying your car is the key. Some like to Polish, some like to drive, some like to go really fast. Nothing wrong with any of them. Just have fun. Tom

I dropped my car off at Mid Atlantic Caterham in Delaware this afternoon to have a Roll cage fabricated and found George Alderman working on a New 40th Anniversary S3 with a Sigma engine ready to be installed. So if anyone is looking for a new Sigma engined car, this one looks great. It's Interesting in that the chassis tubes are powdercoated gray to match the 40th anniversary paint scheme. Some nice touches in the construction that are different from my 2000 build. It looks like the ECU connections are recessed into the passenger foot box so that the loom just plugs in. Nice and clean looking. The Throttle body intake is housed in an airbox that draws in fresh air from the heater vent near the windscreen. The 1600cc engine is very compact and looks very light. George said it's so compact that it doesn't even need a special sump as the stock one fits fine. I don't know the power level, but suspect it's not much more than 150 or so as it appeared bone stock. Sorry I didn't think to take pictures, but if anyone is interested, I could always run down and take some. Tom

Come on up. I trailered to Barber Motorsports Park once for a trackday. 17 hours straight thru one way. I didn't feel too bad until I tried to get out of the truck. Legs were a little stiff. :ack::ack::ack: But for a long weekend and this year's 7's only run group, it may be worth it. :cheers: We are at 15 se7en's so far and there are several more who are thinking about it. I still think we will be at 20 plus on track. Just Do it! Tom

That wasn't even in the top 2 of Croc's offs. Mike, dig up the one from our first 7's gathering where your Dust cloud brought the whole track to a stop. :flag: Welcome back. Tom

I bought a set of Kodiaks at the recommendation of Michael D. and have had no problems with them. They are nice and light too. However, as the rims are aluminum be aware that they don't like off track excursions. So If you drive like Croc or Kitcat you may want to buy big heavy honking Steel rims. :smilielol5::smilielol5::smilielol5: Tom

I bought a set from Seven Speed this year. Easy to install If you have long arms or a helper to hold the seat down to tighten the bolts on the seat after you took it out to attach the belts to their mounting points. http://www.sevenspeed.co.uk/collections/harnesses Tom

Jon has been very responsive to me as well for over 13 years. Hopefully he'll still be around to provide support. Tom

Bill, I'm interested, just sent you a PM. Tom

Have not done it, but this should be a start. New dash, swap gauge positions, rewire as needed. New Steering rack, Swap steering column over along with pedal box and pedals, Don't know if pedal box and pedals are interchangeable. Might need new throttle cable if length is different. Move Handbrake assembly if old style in tunnel brake is used. Move ignition to new side, rewire, new left hand Windshield wipers maybe Don't recall if the passenger footwell is the same size, if not you might have to buy a new footwell and rivet it in. Now what did I miss?

If I take her for a ride would I have to have my car re corner weighted?:rofl: Tom

Cosworth 2.3L-309HP, Sadev Sequential Gearbox, Geartronics Paddle Shift Yep it was definitely the carbon fiber. :smilielol5::smilielol5::smilielol5: Tom:jester:

Merry Christmas to All and have a Happy, Prosperous and Blatfull New Year!:party: Tom

Excellent! His guy may be able to bend them up at the same time. Looking forward to seeing you out there on the track, Make sure to get out with us earlier in the season to get the feel of the car and the track prior to the gathering in July. A day in the novice group with instruction is time well spent. Tom

I'm taking my car to George Alderman at Midatlantic Caterham in Delaware on Jan 6th to have his guy fab up a roll cage using my existing tall Roll bar. He did this for JBH, and the work was nicely done. I'm sure if Jeff Checks in he can post up a picture or two off his Cage. I hope your trackday plans might include our 7s gathering at NJMP:cheers: Tom

Yes, but just make sure you get the one for the Wide track if you are going that way. They are not interchangeable between wide track and standard track. Tom

Who says you can't do both. Take a look at BBall's car on track. It's Blinding! Not Blinding fast, just blinding it so shiny. :jester: Enjoy that car on the street, on the track, or at a car show. It amazing how these cars attract attention. The only guys that don't seem to like them are the ones we pass on the track. :deadhorse: They just hate having a little four banger kit car making them give a point by or worse yet lapping them. :svengo: Oh, see how long it will take to wipe that silly grin off your face after your first drive. :smilielol5: Tom

Here you go. Bargain. :svengo: http://www.caterhamparts.co.uk/product.php?id_product=149

Two Mettalic Orange S1s on track at the same time, Now that will be special!!!:driving: Did you convince Tim (CrewsT) to get one too? A metallic Yellow one on track too would be extra special, as you know that Yellow 7s are the best. :rofl: Tom

Coming off the rear dedion ear, you will see a drop link which connects to the anti sway bar which has several locating holes that allow you to vary the stiffness. Tom

Hey Steve, do I see a roll bar sticking up in that picture???:seeya:

Dallasdude is correct, I do have a rear bar and it is set to the firmest setting. Again, I've seen the Blatchat guys suggest that the rear bar can be disconnected for better handling. I guess the point is to drive it, then make a change to one component and drive it some more and see which you like. I think set up is probably dependent on how you drive. I noticed that Croc likes to slide his car around on skinny tires, :jester:, I like mine planted so that it carves the turns without sliding around. I think both work, Just depends on what you are comfortable with. IMO Tom

I don't recall the wide track as requiring the big brake kit. Unless you are racing your car, I doubt that you need the big brake upgrade. I track my car and can honestly say that Brakes aren't a big factor in making the car perform on track. Save the money. As for being stiffer with the thicker anti roll bar, yes, BUT, the question is stiffer better. Let me rephrase that, :rofl: Is stiffer suspension better on the track? I've seen comments that a bit of body roll is actually a good thing on our Sevens. I'll let the techie guys have at it, but consider How you use the car and how it feels to you before you start digging into your pockets. IMO I'd spend the money on a light set of wheels and some sticky slicks and maybe some driving instruction. just my two cents. Tom