2005 Superlight R - Victoria, BC

[das76]

Hey Folks,

 

I've been lurking around here for a little while, but I'm thrilled to finally get myself into a Caterham. After what turned out to fortunately be a small hick up earlier this week today was the day!!! So behold my new to me 2005 Superlight R. This car was previously owned by James Wheeler, who was a member on this forum, and was imported to Canada last year.

 

Today I took the 30 minute floatplane from Victoria, BC to Vancouver and returned by ferry with the car. Pics below.

I've been a British car fan my whole life and I still have my very first car: a 1979 Austin Mini that I have had for 30 years (since I was 17). I also have a 1991 Porsche 911 Turbo -  I'll post some pics in the "Other cars of 7 owners" thread.

 

Fun fact: this car was a press/demo car for Caterham USA in 2005 and was first owned by Jon Nelson the owner of Caterham USA at the time.

Here are the specs:

- SVT Zetec engine with 200+HP

- 6 speed

- lightened flywheel

- upgraded cams

- 3.62:1 limited slip diff

- widetrack front suspension

 

Some other notable parts I have for the car which aren't shown:

- center exit exhaust

- SLR roll cage

- aeroscreen

- lap timer

- Avon slicks mounted on the same style wheels

- tonneau

 

My first projects for the car are to install:

- FIA rollbar

- 5-3/4" headlights and the new lower style brackets. I'm really sorry but I just can't live with the high 7" lights!

- LED tail lights

These all arrived from Redline this week.

 

I'm planning to use the car both on the road as well as open lapping track days, HPDE events, AutoX etc. Our local track is just an hour from me.

 

Winter projects (I think) will be stripping a good part of the car down to learn it inside and out, and and a possible repaint in a loud colour. Caterhams are crazy cars and I think they need a crazy colour as much as I really do love the green. Safety/visibility of road morons is also a factor. I have a few colours mind so stay tuned. I'll start a "build" thread as I embark on this journey and I'm sure I will lean on the community here for support. So a big thank you in advance for all the knowledge and insight that I know many of you will share with me. I've already learned a lot just reading the other threads here.

 

Lastly, I know there are several owners in the Pacific North West. If you end up in Victoria with your car (or without!) let me know, I'd be glad to meet up. Or maybe one day we can meet in the middle on the Olympic Peninsula and rip some twisty roads. They look divine!

 

- Dave

 

Fun fact: Harbour Air is the world largest all float plane airline. It's a magnificent way to fly!

 

Victoria Harbour

 

Victoria Harbour

 

 

 

 

Flying into Vancouver

 

Ready to roll!

 

I made the ferry with minutes to spare!

 

 

Home sweet home!

Edited April 29, 2023 by das76

[Vovchandr]

Congrats. 

 

Looks very unusual without a cage. 

 

How did you get a 2005 across the border?

 

Agreed on the lights. Went to smaller ones a long time ago in the upper location but still haven't done the rewire to the lower mounts. 

 

Does this SVT run ITBs to get the power?

[das76]

Thanks. The rule in Canada is you can bring in any car that is over 15 years old. In the USA it’s 25. 
 

it will look a lot better once I put the  roll bar on!  
 

No ITBs. Disclaimer: I haven’t dyno’d it but I want to. I’m just going off all the paperwork I have: dyno chart , notes and emails from when the car was first built. I do recall seeing your post about getting more power from your Zetec. I can scan that and add it to your post or send it to you if that’s helpful. 

Edited April 29, 2023 by das76

[Vovchandr]

1 hour ago, das76 said:

Thanks. The rule in Canada is you can bring in any car that is over 15 years old. In the USA it’s 25. 
 

it will look a lot better once I put the  roll bar on!  
 

No ITBs. Disclaimer: I haven’t dyno’d it but I want to. I’m just going off all the paperwork I have: dyno chart , notes and emails from when the car was first built. I do recall seeing your post about getting more power from your Zetec. I can scan that and add it to your post or send it to you if that’s helpful. 

 

Thank you. I read BC but it never quite registered. 

 

Whats the story with the roll bar? Took cage off and putting bar on? Never came with it? Which style did you get? The double diagonal or OEM straight vertical  bar cross bar. 

 

Yes I've been having all sorts of issues on my end with Zetec. Obviously SVT is different but after extensive research I've gathered that the biggest chocking points on regular Zetec are intake and exhaust, both of which are replaced on a Cat with ITBs so power should be comparable. My package was sold as "200hp" SLR but as of now it's nowhere near that. I think me engine might be tired. 

 

You have a dyno you can post? Or send it. It would certainly be nice to have another data point. If SVTs can achieve that almost stock, it would be a rather easy and cheap swap for me. 

[das76]

The car came new with a roll bar; the original build spec and photos show the roll bar. Then James bought the cage and sold the roll bar since he almost exclusively tracked it (or maybe the car came with both originally?). His older videos show the roll bar, and the newer videos show the cage. I'll scan all the docs I have and upload them tonight or tomorrow.

I think stock SVT Zetec is 170hp https://www.car.info/en-se/ford/focus-na/focus-zx3-20-zetec-r-17153181/specs 

Edited April 29, 2023 by das76