I did a thing (finally)

[dsscats]

Happy to say after a very long hunt and slightly drawn out purchasing process (no fault of the seller), I finally have a Caterham! I managed to snag a 2004 Superlight R, ~23k miles, 2 owners before me, and the all-important CA SB100 smog exemption. I'd say it's a hair more of a project than I was looking to get into, but I got tired of waiting for the perfect car and this checks nearly all the right boxes at a number I could live with. A 6-speed and 205 at the crank will help me forgive a lot of shortcomings 😂

 

Still deciding if I'm going to fix it up cosmetically or live with it as-is. Parts-wise, I'm on the hunt for a new foam filter for the ITBs, an appropriate timing belt kit (though it looks in good shape despite the age), and a few other odds and ends.

 

25 miles in and I'm loving it. Can't wait for some free time after work this weekend to really give it a real go! 

[JohnCh]

10 hours ago, dsscats said:

Parts-wise, I'm on the hunt for a new foam filter for the ITBs

 

Do you know if you have a Pipercross or ITG? I've had to source my Pipercross sausage filters directly from them in the UK, but Pegasus in the US can supply the ITG filters. 

[Scott_]

Nice! I'd like to see some engine photos when you have a chance.

 

Scott

[Vovchandr]

2 hours ago, Scott_ said:

Nice! I'd like to see some engine photos when you have a chance.

 

Scott

Yes to this! Motor pictures will help too. 

 

Congrats. 

 

What makes this a project?

 

[Slonie]

Congrats! And don't worry, it turns out they're all projects! 

[pethier]

2 hours ago, Slonie said:

Congrats! And don't worry, it turns out they're all projects! 

Truth.

[dsscats]

Back from a long day of working to pay for this thing, thanks for the kind welcome! 

 

They're ITGs, starting to disintegrate a bit to the touch unfortunately. 

 

And really, the only thing making it a project is some disuse and deferred maintenance. And the fuel gauge. And a fair share of chips and scratches. Nothing I can't make my way through!

 

I also owe a big thank you to @ratchetfor connecting me with the owner of this car, very excited to get going on it! 

[Vovchandr]

Very nice. Mimics the setup on "SLR" Caterhams in states. 

 

Looks like TWM/Borla ITBs on a non SVT Zetec with a race line coolant rail/thermostat. 

 

I assume you have Pectel for ECU?

[pethier]

19 minutes ago, Vovchandr said:

 

ITBs on a non SVT Zetec with a race line coolant rail/thermostat. 

 

 

That's what's in the Birkin I'd like to sell.

[dsscats]

@Vovchandr Indeed, she's a Pectel gal. Curious what the difference between an SLR and a Superlight R is?

[Vovchandr]

3 hours ago, dsscats said:

@Vovchandr Indeed, she's a Pectel gal. Curious what the difference between an SLR and a Superlight R is?

 

Same thing, just abbreviated. 

 

SLR in UK was a special thing with strict rules and a numerated plaque. 

 

SLRs in the states are sold more of an option package that could still have many varieties in the final build but did come with appropriate vin designation. UK versions all had rover motors which we couldn't get in the states and I believe all or almost all had SLR wheels which I love. Things like heater and carpets should be excluded in true builds but cars like mine have them. Some even still have spare carriers in the states and in the UK it's absolutely no go for the true lightweight. In US Zetec came in many varieties and different SLRs got different ones. Some were SVT (best performance), some were VCT like mine (more emission safe variable timing motor) and regular Zetecs which I believe you have. 

 

Mine is 22117 on the production run and is a 2001. 

 

In regards to Pectel all I'll say is I hope your time is perfect and you never have to touch it. And if it is perfect maybe I'll try to grab it from you if you ever get the equipment to communicate with it lol. Been battling tune issues for years now on mine. 

Edited June 26 by Vovchandr

[mca]

Awesome find! Excited to see another Caterham in the LA area.  One day I will get mine on the road (still seeking SB100 CA registration completion). 

 

Would you mind sharing more about the search process?

 

Thanks,

Aaron

[Slonie]

I believe this is your engine spec (and mine). Courtesy of Archive.org's capture of USCaterham.com circa 2005:

 

 

[dsscats]

@Vovchandr So far all is well ECU wise *he says as he knocks on wood,* it was apparently tuned by Bisi of Bisimoto years ago. 

 

And @mca biggest thing search wise was being active and poking a bunch of people. Rich from Kampeña Motors ended up being the one to connect me with the owner but I reached out to 10+ individual people and suppliers.

[JohnCh]

13 minutes ago, dsscats said:

it was apparently tuned by Bisi of Bisimoto years ago. 

I thought your car looked familiar. Was a former owner's name Morgan? If so, I can point you to some history on the car that you may not know about.

[Croc]

4 hours ago, JohnCh said:

I thought your car looked familiar. Was a former owner's name Morgan? If so, I can point you to some history on the car that you may not know about.

ohhhhhhh it’s that car.  
 

Pre-Bessie.  

[JohnCh]

I think it's Al's/Morgan's old car. If so, lots of history here and on the old CCC site.

[S1Steve]

I think Al bought it from Altermann’s Caterham Dealership in New  Castle Delaware… but it’s been 20 plus years and I may be mistaken. Still looks good, so the new owner will have plenty of fun.

[dsscats]

This is indeed Al/Morgan's former car, and I'd love any history available on it! 

[KnifeySpoony]

Not the kind of history you're looking for, but that's the car i sat in to make sure i would fit in an S3 before ordering my kit.