New Cat Owner with Questions

[redursidae]

Friday I picked up a Caterham with the Ford SVT motor from a local autocrosser in New Mexico. I have been interested in Sevens since I first rode, and eventually drove one in 2020.

 

 

 

 

I have a few questions I could use help figuring out, and forgive me if my search-foo has failed me:

 

1) How can I tell if this is an imperial or a metric chassis? It is registered as a 2007 Caterham SV, but the VIN indicates a 2006 code. I don't know how to tell the difference between brazed and tig welds. I was told it was metric, but found a spare set of blinker covers with paperwork indicating it's possibly imperial.

2) What is the correct way to check the oil level on the raceline sump? The dipstick in the engine is too short (seems broken), but the PO included another OEM dipstick that he used to check the level. The part number is 978M6750DA and seems to be an OEM Ford Focus dipstick that crosschecks to an SVT motor too. Using said dipstick the oil level is at the max mark.

3) The reason for my dipstick question is that after driving today I noticed the oil pressure hovering right above the red mark at hot idle, which should be around 1.2 or 1.4 bar if the scale is linear (17-20psi). Pressure climbs to 4 or 5 bar by 3k RPM. Is this normal oil pressure for this engine and this wet sump? It's about the same as my Miata at hot idle if the gauge is correct, but want to verify.

 

 

4) Any information on how to access the ECU and adjust the calibration is highly welcomed. HP Tuners says on their website that the SVT is supported, but when I tried to read the PCM with my MPVI4 it did not work. Scanning/Datalogging reads the ECU as a Ford unit, but wasn't as useful as others I've worked with.

 

I need to address some maintenance items right away (timing belt, valve cover gasket, and radiator) then I want to track and autocross with it a few times this year. Very excited to have a Seven and join the community!

[Vovchandr]

Congrats!

 

Can you post a picture with the hood off?

 

Nice cat-ception. 

[redursidae]

8 minutes ago, Vovchandr said:

Congrats!

 

Can you post a picture with the hood off?

 

Nice cat-ception. 

 

Thanks! Here you go

 

 

 

 

[Reiver]

Your oil pressure is fine I believe.... altho I'm not familiar with your motor.  That tic mark is 2 bar so you are showing 1.5bar or 21.7 psi. if I'm eyeballing the gauge right.  My older Vauxhall does the same....right there full hot idle and 4 bar plus at 3k.  That is also a wet sump.

Not sure about your dipstick issue but if you are not getting a red eye oil light warning you should have enough in the sump especially if you were fine cornering at speed.

 

Your Cat looks nice and congrats.

[redursidae]

Thanks for confirming the pressure is within reason . Yep, it is about halfway between red and 2 bar. Oil is Mobil 1 5w-30, ~4.5 qts based on notes from PO I just went through.

 

And here is a picture comparing the length of both dipsticks. Yellow handle is the one that shows full. Oil isn’t registering in the shorter one.

 

[Croc]

1 hour ago, redursidae said:

1) How can I tell if this is an imperial or a metric chassis? It is registered as a 2007 Caterham SV, but the VIN indicates a 2006 code. I don't know how to tell the difference between brazed and tig welds. I was told it was metric, but found a spare set of blinker covers with paperwork indicating it's possibly imperial.

 

4) Any information on how to access the ECU and adjust the calibration is highly welcomed. HP Tuners says on their website that the SVT is supported, but when I tried to read the PCM with my MPVI4 it did not work. Scanning/Datalogging reads the ECU as a Ford unit, but wasn't as useful as others I've worked with.

 

Congratulations on your new purchase!

 

A 2006 should be a metric chassis.  If you PM me the VIN then I can decode it for you and confirm the year, etc.    But from looking at that engine bay it looks like my past 2004 and 2005 SV's with the SVT engine.

 

I expect it will be a Ford Oak ECU unit.  ECU usually is in roof of passenger footwell.  Quite sophisticated for their time.  However, I assume you put your OBDII reader on it and could not get a reading?  I used to be able to get a reading off my cars albeit with a bunch of fault codes (missing fuel tank, evap emissions, etc).  They are tunable and open access - no password needed.   Just need a tuner who can do it or the software that will allow you to adjust the settings.

 

[redursidae]

I appreciate the info, Croc! Sent you a PM with the VIN.

 

The ECU seems to be an Oak unit as you described. I did connect to the OBD port with HPTuners’ VCM Scanner and read the fault codes you mentioned (EVAP code etc.), no faults related to the engine. What I mean to say is that I couldn’t run a datalog, although I didn’t try with the engine running, only ignition on-engine off. The VCM Editor, the tuning side of the software, was not able to read the firmware or OS though. Do you know which software I could use for tuning on my own?

[JohnCh]

1 hour ago, redursidae said:

2) What is the correct way to check the oil level on the raceline sump? The dipstick in the engine is too short (seems broken), but the PO included another OEM dipstick that he used to check the level. The part number is 978M6750DA and seems to be an OEM Ford Focus dipstick that crosschecks to an SVT motor too. Using said dipstick the oil level is at the max mark.

 

I wouldn't trust the dipstick unless the previous owner confirmed it's accurate. Raceline's installation instructions for the Zetec wet sump state to scribe the dipstick after the initial oil fill of 5L. However, because not all oil is drained during an oil change, adding 5L now will be too much. On my old Duratec with their wet sump (also 5L upon initial oil fill), a refill was about 4.5L when the oil was drained via the sump plug, and about 4.75L when siphoned out via the dipstick tube. Unless someone has the specifics for the Zetec, it's probably worth a call to Raceline to get their recommendation.  

 

-John

[Taber10]

As Croc said, CONGRATULATIONS on your purchase!  It is a great looking car and has been well kept!  

Very minor point here, but it must be a 2006 as the 2007s came with the "50th Anniversary" badge on the nose.

 

Taber

[Reiver]

I usually change fluids, always the oil, when getting a used vehicle to have a start point for maint.  

 

I'd drain the oil from a hot motor and measure the amount....it should be, as you note, about 4.5.  I'd refill with the same amount then measure/mark the long dipstick for a reference point.  This if you cannot source an original one. 

[Croc]

13 hours ago, redursidae said:

Do you know which software I could use for tuning on my own?

 

No I dont sorry but I bet a dive into Focus forums will surface what they use for tuning.  

[redursidae]

On 2/28/2026 at 10:11 PM, JohnCh said:

 

I wouldn't trust the dipstick unless the previous owner confirmed it's accurate.

Great points, thanks for that. I will follow up with him and ask how he arrived at his conclusion, but it seems it is somewhere in the ballpark of accurate.

 

On 3/1/2026 at 6:14 AM, Taber10 said:

As Croc said, CONGRATULATIONS on your purchase!  It is a great looking car and has been well kept!  

Very minor point here, but it must be a 2006 as the 2007s came with the "50th Anniversary" badge on the nose.

 

Taber

Thank you! It is well kept, and the battle scars it wears make me feel at ease when I track it

 

22 hours ago, Reiver said:

I usually change fluids, always the oil, when getting a used vehicle to have a start point for maint.  

 

I'd drain the oil from a hot motor and measure the amount....it should be, as you note, about 4.5.  I'd refill with the same amount then measure/mark the long dipstick for a reference point.  This if you cannot source an original one. 

Thanks for the reminder. I should check the transmission and diff fluid. I plan to change from Mobil 1 to Valvoline VR1 or Amsoil and when that change happens I'll measure how much comes out and go from there.

 

20 hours ago, Croc said:

 

No I dont sorry but I bet a dive into Focus forums will surface what they use for tuning.  

No problem. I've been reading on Focus Fanatics that SCT is the current software available when used with an older dongle, but at this time I don't want to invest in a new tuning suite. I'll give it some time and see how the engine runs the next couple of months before making a choice.

[BruceBe]

On the ECU - it is a Ford EEC-V. Application is 2002-2003 Ford Focus SVT. As Croc said - for the time, it was quite sophisticated (MAF sensor; ECU-controlled fuel pressure).

 

The Raceline sumps for that application are famous for breaking dipsticks right at the upper oil range window (upper hole). The yellow stick should be accurate.

 

Congratulations!

 

Cheers,

-Bruce

 

[redursidae]

 

22 hours ago, BruceBe said:

On the ECU - it is a Ford EEC-V. Application is 2002-2003 Ford Focus SVT. As Croc said - for the time, it was quite sophisticated (MAF sensor; ECU-controlled fuel pressure).

 

The Raceline sumps for that application are famous for breaking dipsticks right at the upper oil range window (upper hole). The yellow stick should be accurate.

 

Congratulations!

 

Cheers,

-Bruce

 

 

Didn't know it had ECU controlled fuel pressure. That's neat. Just a few days ago HP Tuners released full support for the SVT Focus while I had a ticket opened with them about it; fortuitous timing! But I'm going to let it bake a little longer and get a feel for the car and tune first. It honestly drives well aside from a bit of kangarooing at very light throttle, and constant pops on decel which I can do with a little less.

 

Good to know on the Raceline sump and dipstick. Feeling better about it all after the input in the thread.

 

and thank you!

[BruceBe]

Yep - fuel pressure sender is at the front of the fuel rail, and there is a fuel pump control module mounted either in the boot somewhere, or under the tunnel cover near the bulkhead.

 

Cheers,

-Bruce

 

[Slonie]

And here I thought I was the only person who had broken off a dipstick with the Raceline Zetec sump! Luckily in my case I twas hanging on by a thread when I pulled the dipstick out (it finally came free when moving in for a photo...

 

as a replacement, according to my previous post: 

 

After significant overthinking of the catalog and inability to find a matching NOS Ford dipstick (they are discontinued), I settled on a Dorman 917-312 for "2000-2004 Focus" and it seems to be an exact match for the length of the dipstick that came with Zetec/Raceline sump. Hopefully it stays in one piece this time!

 

I'm wondering if it's because the dipstick has to make a sharper bend a few inches from the end in the shallower raceline pan (that plus all the vibration).

 

[redursidae]

Oooff. I would rather not think where the rest of this dipstick may be. I’m going to go with “the PO fished it out”.

 

I spent time yesterday setting the ride height. The front shocks were maxed to the low setting. Measured heights were 130mm front, and rear was about 150mm. The sump had 75mm to the ground. It now sits around 140mm front and 165mm rear with me in the seat. I’m going to raise the front a smidge more and lower the rear to hit the recommended 10-15mm rake. Went on a small drive today for a shake down and the front felt more compliant than before which is good for our mountain roads. 

 

 

Mom approves.

[Silber]

I saw your post over on the MiataTurbo forum and read through some of your build thread with your Miata. What happened to that enginer is a bummer, but it looks like you have big plans with it. Which car do you think you'll have more fun in, this 7 or the Miata with a spicy motor?

[redursidae]

oh that’s a tough question. My expectation is that I’ll enjoy them for different reasons; The Miata has a very good suspension package and should be smoother, more compliant, while still having a communicative chassis. The Caterham is raw and lively and that’s fun in a different way. In the short term the new BP6D should feel more special with the high compression, ITBs, cams and 8k RPM on the shorter ratio 6 speed. The Caterham would still have a better power to weight ratio, but so far I’ve noticed the engine feels less responsive than the ITB BP6D did. Sorry that I don’t have a clear cut answer for you, but I don’t think there is one.

 

For anyone interested, here is my Miata’s build thread: https://www.miataturbo.net/build-threads-57/scooter-miata-journey-itb-noises-108848/

 

It’s a 2170lbs car, with a VVT engine swap, ITBs and headers. Lots of chasis and suspension work. Made 132whp and built with the Lotus 26R as my vision. I’m expecting the new engine to make around 180whp.

Edited March 9 by redursidae

[Reiver]

I supercharged a first gen Miata years ago.... that is really the way to go if you want it to move.