So, tell us a little about yourselves

[MV8]

In closing (this thread hijack), I would be sure to document the current timing settings (near zero or retarded initial?) before changing anything. It is normal to build for a lower CR that allows optimized timing without detonation/run-on or excess overlap. Merry Christmas.   

[Reiver]

I'll do that...it has a management system and is set at no advance presently and has an internal rev limiter.  Thanks, no hi jack issues at all.

[Number94]

This seems like an appropriate thread for an introduction.  Newbie here.  Life-long car fanatic, 30+ season SCCA racer, recently retired, have always wanted a 7 for the street and that's within reach now.  Bid on the blue 480 that was on BaT today, got very very close, but the auction fees, transportation cost and some general unfamiliarity made me a bit cautious.  Have priced a new car (360 and 420), haven't ruled that out, but maybe there is a path to buying and updating an older car that could make sense. 

 

Will read through the threads and hope to learn from that and make a few new friends along the way. 

[slowdude]

41 minutes ago, Number94 said:

This seems like an appropriate thread for an introduction.  Newbie here.  Life-long car fanatic, 30+ season SCCA racer, recently retired, have always wanted a 7 for the street and that's within reach now.  Bid on the blue 480 that was on BaT today, got very very close, but the auction fees, transportation cost and some general unfamiliarity made me a bit cautious.  Have priced a new car (360 and 420), haven't ruled that out, but maybe there is a path to buying and updating an older car that could make sense. 

 

Will read through the threads and hope to learn from that and make a few new friends along the way. 

That blue car was very good. But it wasn't a unicorn (unless you're in cali).

 

Welcome and there are plenty here who are willing to help support the 7's addiction.

 

You could also check out the MK Indy, if you're not interested in parting with 60k (i don't blame you).

[CBuff]

@Number94  there is an HPc that is pending a sale (says they will know by Jan 6).  In Illinois (maybe near you). 
 

 

[Number94]

11 hours ago, CBuff said:

@Number94  there is an HPc that is pending a sale (says they will know by Jan 6).  In Illinois (maybe near you). 
 

 

Thank you and yes that's probably close as I'm in the Chicago burbs in the late spring to fall.  Will take a look.  Might be worth making the trip up there. 

Edited January 3 by Number94

[Cirving]

New member here from Tennessee, picked up a Formula 27 back in November from Bring a Trailer and have been busy on it ever since!

[JohnCh]

Welcome @Cirving!  For those interested, Cirving has also created a dedicated thread to his car. Turbocharged bike-engined se7en.  Yeah, that's a sedate ride  

 

 

 

[Stalker LS3]

On 10/3/2018 at 9:40 PM, TNcoupe said:

Hi everyone Im Josh from Chattanooga, TN. Starting to look at Caterhams to purchase next year. Will be completely debt free at 38 years old so I told the wife to be prepared for another car purchase. Ive had multiple sports cars/ fun cars. Built a Factory Five Daytona Coupe 7 years ago and tracked it a few times and put about 7000 street miles on it. Got tired of burning up in it during the summer and folding up to get in the little door opening. Ordered a 2015 Mustang and fitted it with full Steeda suspension for track days and got bored with it cause its so heavy. Im ready to get back to the simplify and add lightness theory. Probably be in the market for a used R300, R400 or 360R next year.

So have you bought anything fun?

 

Scott in Chattanooga.

[TNcoupe]

2 minutes ago, Stalker LS3 said:

So have you bought anything fun?

 

Scott in Chattanooga.

Not in awhile. Finishing up a restoration on a 55 T Bird for the wife, restored a 64 Fairlane for my dad. Havent had the time or the motivation to get anything for myself. Wife did fall in love with the new Emira at Amelia Island though. 

[IamScotticus]

On 2/15/2025 at 11:37 AM, Cirving said:

New member here from Tennessee, picked up a Formula 27 back in November from Bring a Trailer and have been busy on it ever since!

Engine porn!

[pethier]

 

On 4/16/2025 at 8:39 AM, IamScotticus said:

Engine porn!

I don't see an engine.

 

Take it off.  Take it ALL off!

[Cirving]

2 hours ago, pethier said:

 

I don't see an engine.

 

Take it off.  Take it ALL off!

Here ya go! It’s a Honda CBR1100xx with a little turbo on it, accusump and meth injection. Good for around 220HP at 11,000 RPM

Edited April 18 by Cirving

[pethier]

Yow!  I bet that's a light motor, since an entire Super Blackbird only weighs about 500 pounds.

 

What kind of turbocharger?

 

How's the turbo lag?

 

What kind of transmission?

 

have you had the entire car on a scale?

[Cirving]

59 minutes ago, pethier said:

Yow!  I bet that's a light motor, since an entire Super Blackbird only weighs about 500 pounds.

 

What kind of turbocharger?

 

How's the turbo lag?

 

What kind of transmission?

 

have you had the entire car on a scale?

It’s a a Hahn racecraft turbo, it uses the motorcycle transmission with a quick shifter for full throttle, clutchless shifting. The turbo comes on at around 7500 rpm, then it’s time to shift, but it has plenty of power even if you short shift it

I did weigh it, it was 1233lbs, works out to 5.6 lbs per HP

[pethier]

On 4/18/2025 at 7:51 PM, Cirving said:

It’s a a Hahn racecraft turbo, it uses the motorcycle transmission with a quick shifter for full throttle, clutchless shifting. The turbo comes on at around 7500 rpm, then it’s time to shift, but it has plenty of power even if you short shift it

I did weigh it, it was 1233lbs, works out to 5.6 lbs per HP

Thanks.

[minimallyviable]

Hi,  New 1998 Caterham owner.  1.6 K-series, de Dion, 5-speed w/25k miles.  Currently changing fluids and building a list of "need to have" before driving any distance.  This car was imported from the UK in about 2022 by the prior owner and not driven.  Tires are from 2006, so good for pushing around the garage but not much more.  I'm looking at the Kuhmo TA11 in 185/70R13 @ $86.00 plus mount and balance at Discount Tire.  I've also decided to replace the two metal tubes and all rubber hoses in the cooling system since they look a bit suspect.  Finally the brake fluid has probably never been flushed so that's on the list as well along with engine, transmission and diff fluids.

 

About me:  Retired from 38 years of IT industry experience to Northern NM.  Long time HPDE instructor and former SCCA Regional participant in a '70 BMW 2002 ITb.  Currently Lemons 24 participant in an 86 BMW 535.  I've performed a nut and bolt restoration on a '73 3.0 CSL and a 67 Elan S3 SS.  This car joins my '06 Elise.

 

With all that I'm starting from scratch on the Caterham.  The tires seem to hold air for a couple days at a time :).  That's about the only thing I can commit to "knowing".

[slowdude]

5 minutes ago, minimallyviable said:

Hi,  New 1998 Caterham owner.  1.6 K-series, de Dion, 5-speed w/25k miles.  Currently changing fluids and building a list of "need to have" before driving any distance.  This car was imported from the UK in about 2022 by the prior owner and not driven.  Tires are from 2006, so good for pushing around the garage but not much more.  I'm looking at the Kuhmo TA11 in 185/70R13 @ $86.00 plus mount and balance at Discount Tire.  I've also decided to replace the two metal tubes and all rubber hoses in the cooling system since they look a bit suspect.  Finally the brake fluid has probably never been flushed so that's on the list as well along with engine, transmission and diff fluids.

 

About me:  Retired from 38 years of IT industry experience to Northern NM.  Long time HPDE instructor and former SCCA Regional participant in a '70 BMW 2002 ITb.  Currently Lemons 24 participant in an 86 BMW 535.  I've performed a nut and bolt restoration on a '73 3.0 CSL and a 67 Elan S3 SS.  This car joins my '06 Elise.

 

With all that I'm starting from scratch on the Caterham.  The tires seem to hold air for a couple days at a time :).  That's about the only thing I can commit to "knowing".

Welcome. I'm in K series hell right now (lovingly). If you have k series questions, feel free to PM me. They're great motors.

[pethier]

1 hour ago, minimallyviable said:

Hi,  New 1998 Caterham owner.  1.6 K-series, de Dion, 5-speed w/25k miles.  Currently changing fluids and building a list of "need to have" before driving any distance.  This car was imported from the UK in about 2022 by the prior owner and not driven.  Tires are from 2006, so good for pushing around the garage but not much more.  I'm looking at the Kuhmo TA11 in 185/70R13 @ $86.00 plus mount and balance at Discount Tire.  I've also decided to replace the two metal tubes and all rubber hoses in the cooling system since they look a bit suspect.  Finally the brake fluid has probably never been flushed so that's on the list as well along with engine, transmission and diff fluids.

 

About me:  Retired from 38 years of IT industry experience to Northern NM.  Long time HPDE instructor and former SCCA Regional participant in a '70 BMW 2002 ITb.  Currently Lemons 24 participant in an 86 BMW 535.  I've performed a nut and bolt restoration on a '73 3.0 CSL and a 67 Elan S3 SS.  This car joins my '06 Elise.

 

With all that I'm starting from scratch on the Caterham.  The tires seem to hold air for a couple days at a time :).  That's about the only thing I can commit to "knowing".

If you decide to autocross, get some 15" wheels and Yokohama 052 tires.  The new XU class looks like fun for these cars.

 

Sidebar:  Does your 2006 Elise have the factory LSD?

[minimallyviable]

Hi.  Yes it does.  Ardent Red with Magnolia leather and factory LSD along with Sport and Touring.  1 of 1 in the US.