Please Review These Build Specs: 420R

[Nocturnal005]

On 6/26/2025 at 10:56 AM, rider said:

Large Chassis

- How tall/wide are you? I'm 5'11" and 200 lbs and really happy in S3 with lowered floors

Track day roll cage

- I'd do the track day roll bar for road for reasons mentioned

Full windscreen hood & side screens (in lieu of aeroscreen)

- I bought all of this and have zero intention of installing any of it. Running aero screen everywhere - I wear a helmet on the freeway above 60 but everywhere else I just use sunglasses. Love it.

Fully carpeted interior

- I skipped this, no regrets. figure carpets would hold water if I ever left the car outside

Momo suede steering wheel ,fixed. 280mm substituted instead of 260mm

- I understand the wider SV cars have a slower steering rack. Depending on your leg clearance you may want the smaller wheel. The steering effort isn't really an issue

Sequential shift lights

- 420R comes with a shift light, it's not sequential, but with the RBTB, you will def know where you are in the rev range, even w a helmet on

High intensity lights with LED side lights, running lights

- for sure

Carbon side and rear panels(standard on 620 models)

- but you will carpet over? Doesn't seem to make sense

620 Style Dash/Switchgear

- I've heard the lights cannot be dimmed at night and are too bright - perhaps look into this

Brakes - Front – ventilated discs with quad piston calipers

- yes, i have these and still wish I had more brake bite

Standard Seat Belts, Inertia Reel 3-point belts.

- seems incongruent w all of the carbon as well as race dash

Roller barrel ITBs and carbon fiber air box

- MUST

 

 

[Nocturnal005]

On 6/26/2025 at 3:48 PM, rider said:

However, I never read/heard anyone mentioning you could hit the cage! But then, I have only seen pictures extremely few Sevens with Trackday Roll Cage. No, I won't be wearing a helmet. So, you think I could hit my head onto cage from road bumps? From the picture, there seems to be plenty of clearance. 

 

I would be concerned with a cage in conjunction with the three point belts...

[Xhilr8n]

The thing is, any sort of contact with a hard steel beam and your cranium is a sure lose.  Unless well strapped down you or your passenger’s bodies can move quite a bit in an event.

 

I don’t like driving my track prepped Elise on the street, full cage.  My white helmet has a zillion black streaks and bumps from contact with the cage while I’m in a full six point harness and neck protector.  Even with helmets we cover the parts of the cage near our helmets with a very dense almost hard foam material, anticipating a solid head to cage event.

[rider]

On 7/2/2025 at 9:08 AM, Lancefitzgiben said:

For me the Cat has become all about flexibility -.............

 

As others are saying, I'd skip the full cage for street use, especially with 3 point belts.

 

Definitely get 13" wheels and spring for avons. the toyos aren't quite the right size and while they do work okay on a light car - especially for road use they're not that consistent or predictable.

 

@Lancefitzgiben: Thanks. Yeah, Seven is typically highly customized. As they say, 'no two Seven are like....'! I've a long list of stuff I wanna do. Well, I have been lurking on multiple forums and probably watched every single review, for years! So, I've had time to think through, probably more than I should admit.....

 

Regarding Cage, see my response/explanation in early part of this thread.

 

Tires: I was told Avon is currently unavailable. So, Toyo it is.

 

 

 

On 7/2/2025 at 8:06 PM, Nocturnal005 said:

Large Chassis

- How tall/wide are you? I'm 5'11" and 200 lbs and really happy in S3 with lowered floors

Track day roll cage

- I'd do the track day roll bar for road for reasons mentioned

Full windscreen hood & side screens (in lieu of aeroscreen)

- .....- I wear a helmet on the freeway above 60 but everywhere else I just use sunglasses. Love it.

Momo suede steering wheel ,fixed. 280mm substituted instead of 260mm

- I understand the wider SV cars have a slower steering rack. ........

Carbon side and rear panels(standard on 620 models)

- but you will carpet over? Doesn't seem to make sense

620 Style Dash/Switchgear

- I've heard the lights cannot be dimmed at night and are too bright - perhaps look into this

 

Standard Seat Belts, Inertia Reel 3-point belts.

- seems incongruent w all of the carbon as well as race dash

 

Thanks, @Nocturnal005; appreciate the detailed response.

 

Chassis: I'm short, 5'8". However, I prefer SV chassis for a # of reasons. Standard floor will suit better for my short frame.

Cage: See my response above.

Windscreen: I need this. Helmet is for motorcycles! 

Steering Wheel: I didn't know SV gets slower rack. Good to know. I've actually changed it to 'Quick Release'; and, getting both, 260 and 280 wheels. I can now alternate for different experiences.

Carbon panels: The purpose of these is to mitigate heat from exhaust. I really don't care for carbon look. 

620 Dash: Yeah, I read about that bright blue light.... Will think of something to diffuse it!

Standard Seat Belts: I want less drama and hassle with belts! I prefer simplicity whenever possible!

 

 

On 7/2/2025 at 10:09 PM, Xhilr8n said:

The thing is, any sort of contact with a hard steel beam and your cranium is a sure lose.  Unless well strapped down you or your passenger’s bodies can move quite a bit in an event.

 

....... My white helmet has a zillion black streaks and bumps from contact with the cage while I’m in a full six point harness and neck protector.  Even with helmets we cover the parts of the cage near our helmets with a very dense almost hard foam material, anticipating a solid head to cage event.

 

Thanks @Xhilr8n; agree with your concerns. You're correct about body moving around by an event. I'll evaluate the safety of 3-point after I get a chance to drive a bit. If I feel it is inadequate with respect to the proximity of the cage, will switch to 6-point. As I understand, it is easy to retrofit. 

 

Would you happen to have a picture of your Elise, showing the Cage? I want to get a perspective with respect to Seven. Thanks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited July 8 by rider

[Xhilr8n]

The Elise cage was installed by Dwight Wightman who did the cages for the Exige Cup cars.  He said it weighs 90 pounds.  It’s shaped to fit my knees and helmet and shoulder straps at good height, all that.  No bar across the doors, depending on the high treshholds of the chassis.  He also made custom sest mount to get me lower for the helmet.

 

There is hard dense foam in helmet areas to sides. Six point Schroth.  Seats reinforced to chassis.  Always had neck protector too.

 

Hard to compare to what Caterham offers, this car 750 pounds heavier even stripped for track.  But I am just learning of how protective the Caterham offerings are.  New here.  
 

I have to wonder.  Have you been in many wrecks? Big offs? Spins?  Ever been hit hard by another vehicle?  In the words of my first driving instructor my Uncle Frank, “I’ve been in enough wrecks to know what to do when I get there”   I’ve done all those things and more that I’m too embarrassed to admit.  Stuff happens and even if it does not we prepare for it.  You’re making a great effort.

 

 

Edited July 8 by Xhilr8n

[rider]

On 7/7/2025 at 11:37 PM, Xhilr8n said:

..........
I have to wonder.  Have you been in many wrecks? Big offs? Spins?  Ever been hit hard by another vehicle?  .........

 

 

Thanks for the pictures, @Xhilr8n. Your setup is stout indeed and looks the part. 

 

I've never tracked. However, been in a few crashes, over the decades, with four-wheels and two. A big one in a S2000. Hit by a teenager running a red light, totaling it. Escaped potential fatality or serious injuries by fraction a second! Then, a few crashes on motorcycles.... for different reasons....

 

Looking at your cage, it is very different from Seven's Trackday Roll Cage. Judging by scuff marks on the headrest, probably caused by helmet, I can visualize the top of the helmet is very close to bottom edge of the cross-bar. The side-bar by the door is reasonably close as well. I'll do an evaluation of the cage and 3-point combo after some time driving. Thanks again; gives me a perspective.

 

Like the "BE SMOOTH" remainder! As they say, "smooth is fast"! To be fast, you need to "slow down inside"! Oscar Piastri (I'm sure you follow F1) symbolizes it (as was Michael Schumacher). However, I do think Piastri will do better if he develops bit more killer drive to avoid getting mugged by Verstappen's douchebaggery and kamikaze moves (my opinions, of course!)........ 

 

 

Edited July 9 by rider

[Xhilr8n]

I was wondering if there’s a thread here where folks hash out F1 conspiracy theories.  My son’s a Hulkenberg fan, we attended Silverdtone F1 in 2012, last of the V8s!  He was exstatic Sunday with the podium.

 

My Dad was a car dealer, Dodge and Plymouth.  He spoke of the “ring of steel” sound you experience in a collision, how it matures you.  I asked about your experience because I wanted to know how real you view the possibility of an event,

 

Yes my helmet is battered with black marks from contact with cage and the hard pads.  We lowered me as much as possible.  Notice heights of seats.  I may do it with the 360R, lower just driver.

[wdb]

8 hours ago, Xhilr8n said:

I was wondering if there’s a thread here where folks hash out F1 conspiracy theories.  My son’s a Hulkenberg fan, we attended Silverdtone F1 in 2012, last of the V8s!  He was exstatic Sunday with the podium.

 

You could start one. I'd be interested in hearing this crowd's take on F1 goings on. I suppose the powers-that-be would have to be okay with it.

 

Back on topic, this discussion led me to bending my head every which way the last time I was in the Caterham. I didn't touch any tubes, but I came close enough to suspect that my noggin might make contact under more violent circumstances. Another item on the to-do list...