Custom Work During Build

[rider]

Hey, I'm compiling a list of custom work I want to get done during the build. I want to keep the list minimal/essential and avoid potential warranty implications. 

 

So, here is a list I made. Please review and suggest opinions and alternatives. And, what other mods you think would be useful that don't void the warranty? 

 

- POR15 to Chassis and all exposed components, entire shell, suspension arms.
- 3rd Brake Light
- Fuel Gauge Fix
- Ceramic coating exhaust primaries, Headers.
- Battery Cutoff switch inside the cabin, under the dash.
- Route battery charging cable from battery to cabin. 
- Extra heat insulation
    o    https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/design-engineering-reflect-a-gold-12in-x-24in-sheet-premium-reflective-heat-barrier-multi-use-material-010392/22121657-P
    o    Pedal Box
    o    Passenger foot well
    o    Top of Tunnel, entire length.    
    o    Inside of passenger side.
    - Can Thermostat be adjusted to make the fan come on at lower temp?
- Shifter: shorten the shaft. 
    - Bottom of the dash hinders the hand movement. Not enough spacing.
    (From one owner: 
        - Essentially, make the knob to sit lower. The hole in the knob is pretty deep, just need to tap the threads a little deeper and screw it down more. Or just twist it hard and let the steel shaft tap its own way into the aluminum knob.)
- Better Horn: 
    Piaa 85115 Superior 112Db 330Hz and 400Hz Twin Tone Bass Horn, Black 
        https://www.amazon.com/PIAA-85115-Superior-Bass-Horn/dp/B0060ZB43G/ref=mp_s_a_1_1
- Visor, driver and passenger
    - options:
        - https://www.etsy.com/listing/1406209289/tinted-sun-visor-screens-for-classic?variation0=4619863737
            - 13" x 4.33": too big? 
            

TBD
- Sturdier mirrors that fit on the door.
    - Don't want to restrict the movement of the doors by mounting on the pillar.
- Radiator protection.    

CHECK:
- Check the tires; are they new (recently manufactured)?

 

 

Thanks; appreciate it.

 

[CBuff]

I pondered / did many on your list. 

 

 

third level brake light - I did the caterled add on. Mounted it low on the vertical members of the roll bar. I very much like them  

I did the fuel gauge plug and play mod. Easy enough. I think some new owners have reported it’s not an issue. But who knows if caterham fixed it or it’s just variance build to build. 
 

battery tender -  I redid my entire auxiliary 12v system with an msd solid state 4 channel switch (I think it’s written up in my 420 New York write up). This allows me to just plug the tender into the 12v cig outlet in boot or under dash. Although I have been driving enough I don’t really use the tender much. 
 

shift knob - I was pondering this at the beginning. My brain recalibrated so I no longer get jammed up on the bottom of the dash. My hands just naturally work around it. So likely won’t address. 
 

mirrors. I did the pillar mount. I rarely run with doors. And have traded the door opening all the way for not having to address mirrors when doors come on and off.  I think door mounts also have a certain amount of vibration that cannot be avoided.  For my use I vastly prefer. 
 

radiator protection - I saw vanderhall folks addressing this and briefly thought about it.  I think the grill does a sufficient job. My instinct is that the radiator will shake itself apart before road debris hits cause it to fail 

 

sun visor, heat insulation, and horn. I haven’t felt the need to address these. 

 

 

[wemtd]

Food for thought:

1) Horizontal racequip oil filter adapter (or remote filter)

2) oil cooler with thermostatic sandwich plate

3) drain plug in bottom of radiator (cleaner than disconnecting hose to drain system)

4) CHMSL with turn indicator lights

5) aero-style (newton equip) gas filler cap - doesn’t leak, works great.

6) Tillett seat.

7) spray bed liner under wheel arches

Edited December 6, 2025 by wemtd

[rider]

On 12/6/2025 at 11:38 AM, CBuff said:

I pondered / did many on your list. 

............

third level brake light - I did the caterled add on........
I did the fuel gauge plug and play mod. ......

mirrors. I did the pillar mount. I rarely run with doors. And have traded the door opening all the way for not having to address mirrors when doors come on and off.  I think door mounts also have a certain amount of vibration that cannot be avoided.  For my use I vastly prefer. 
 

radiator protection ...

sun visor, heat insulation, and horn. I haven’t felt the need to address these. 

 

 

Thanks Charlie. Looked through your thread; plenty of useful tips.

- What shade of Green is it? Beautiful!

- what's the plug & Play mod for the fuel gauge fix? 

- Like your umbrella idea to cover the cabin! Creative! I might consider it as well. 
- Auxiliary 12v power source:
    Sounds interesting. Will add to the list for consideration, probably post-warranty. 

- CaterLED:
    Looks great indeed; will be ordering a pair.
- Mirrors
    Decided to wait until I get to drive it before deciding an option. 
- Radiator Protection:
    Decided to wait until warranty runs out. It might fail; if it does during warranty, keeping it unmodded will help with coverage. 

- Extra insulation:
    So, you don't get any excessive heat in the cabin or pedal box or transmission tunnel cover?

 

 

On 12/6/2025 at 3:44 PM, wemtd said:

Food for thought:

1) .........

 

Thanks 'wemtd'.

 

What do these help with? 
    - Horizontal racequip oil filter adapter (or remote filter)
    - oil cooler with thermostatic sandwich plate 
    - drain plug in bottom of radiator (cleaner than disconnecting hose to drain system) 

 

- CHMSL 
    This looks same as CaterLED (or, the other way around!). 

- aero-style (newton equip) gas filler cap - doesn’t leak, works great:
    So, does the stock leaks? Is the stock not lockable? And, which specific model should I get? 

-  Tillett seat:
    I want to experience the standard leather seats before considering a change. This will be road-only; so, need to be careful with seats. 
- spray bed liner under wheel arches:
    Yes, definitely.

 

 

 

[CBuff]

9 hours ago, rider said:

What shade of Green is it? Beautiful!

Vintage green. Caterhams take on brg. Grey stripes with gunmetal pinstripes 

 

fuel mod

 

12v. My setup is fully reversible. I did drill some holes in my fuse box cover for two 3 way switches and and aux power outlet. So I have a new one on hand to reverse it if needed.  
 

https://www.jegs.com/i/MSD-Ignition/121/75643/10002/-1?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22902591282&gbraid=0AAAAAD6OBREVMM7s_bU_lGIlKFr9QH24f&gclid=Cj0KCQiAi9rJBhCYARIsALyPDtvwfnhcwQJIRLnT4kruVFfr2RF-lRSf3QDhU5UbqmgrKe4Kn7arhjkaAkelEALw_wcB

I can switch the boot outlet and dash stuff to ign switched or constant power.  It’s still post master cutoff so I can still cut off the entire

but I knew I was a baubles and bolt on kind of guy. So having a bunch of fuses open for additions has been helpful so it’s not a mess (more of a mess ) under the dash. 

system.  
 

insulation - I’m in the northeast so heat hasn’t been that much of an issue.  I usually run without doors as well. On super hot days it’s warm for sure. But at that point don’t think insulation would mitigate that.  And yes much to the chagrin of the die hards I have a heater. Which I like and use. 

 

Edited December 8, 2025 by CBuff

[rider]

16 hours ago, CBuff said:

.........

fuel mod.......

 

12v. My setup is fully reversible. ........

 

insulation - I’m in the northeast so heat hasn’t been that much of an issue.  I usually run without doors as well. ......

 

 

Thanks Charlie. Ordered the Fuel Gauge Mod Connector. Will add 12v mod to post-warranty mod list. Warranty is just one year anyway; and, will lose six months of that to Minnesota winter...... (I really need to get the hell outta here....)

 

Regarding insulation, I'm planning to get it done anyway. Even if it doesn't bother me (it may not; hardened by riding motorcycles that run hot....), wouldn't wanna make my passenger uncomfortable!

 

Thanks again for your help.