Croc Posted April 5, 2009 Share Posted April 5, 2009 (edited) After being a member on this board for 4 or so months it is time I introduce myself and my ride. My car is a 2004 Caterham SV first registered 2005 with a 2.0l Zetec SVT with the 5sp T-9. I bought in second hand out of Florida where the previous owner had managed to run only 1800 miles in 3 years. I have doubled that in 3 months. This is my second Seven. I grew up in Sydney Australia and used to have in a 64 Series II with a 1300 Ford Cortina engine and a 4 speed box. Spectacularly unreliable there was not a straight panel on it as I used to have some "steering issues" during the vintage class racing I enjoyed. My father nicknamed it "Elvis" because it had so many hits. I had to sell it when I left Australia in 1994 but I promised I would buy another again someday. 15 years later and after living in 12 countries I finally settled down in the New York City area and I made good on my promise with this car. I still have my historic Australian Group A Holden Commodore touring car in storage in Sydney which I plan to ship to the US when the 25 year anniversary comes up in 2 years time. I am yet to work out what vintage racing class will accept some unique beast like that. With the perfect spring weather in NYC area today I took a run with a buddy up Rt9 to Bear Mountain State Park, had a blat around the nice twisties in this area, lunch in West Point and then a fast run back with 2 Porsches along the Palisades Parkway. http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a354/mjohnson555/seats/DSC05477.jpg http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a354/mjohnson555/seats/DSC05480.jpg In case you are wondering the ugly extra exhaust shielding was required by NJ regs. Unlike some on this board, mine has not managed to fall off yet on the way home from inspection. Edited April 27, 2009 by Croc typos fixed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mondo Posted April 5, 2009 Share Posted April 5, 2009 Yeah, noticed the exhaust box.... I'm sure it'll get lost along the way. Nice ride! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slngsht Posted April 5, 2009 Share Posted April 5, 2009 nice ride. And I love the Elvis reference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
athens7 Posted April 5, 2009 Share Posted April 5, 2009 Nice looking car! It's always good to find another one of the SVT cars-they are unique in several respects, making certain discussions/solutions like intake air flow and engine management tuning inapplicable to other cars. The more of these that are connected on forums like this, the more likely we will be to find and share useful info. Blatchat is virtually useless in regards to this drive train configuration, as the Zetec ST170 (as the SVT is known over there) is almost unheard of in a UK Seven application. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KiwiBirkin Posted April 6, 2009 Share Posted April 6, 2009 Hi Croc its nice to see your ride, 12 countries hey not bad, so your not hankering for a VB then ??? or a bit of cane toad bashing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croc Posted April 6, 2009 Author Share Posted April 6, 2009 Hi Brad - I was sort of surprised there are not more SVT cars registered on this site. RMSCI said there were close to 100 applications out there in the USA but there seem to be very few of us on this site. It is a sweet engine for these cars. Hi KiwiBirkin - I get plenty of VB from a few places in Manhattan. An Aussie runs TuckShop on Lower East Side which sells the good old meat pie, sausage rolls, tim tams, vegemite and other essentials. Only you would realize how desparate I would be without them. Fortunately I came from Sydney in the south - so no cane toads for me - I just had poisonous snakes and spiders, blue tongue lizards, and the odd wallaby/kangaroo to deal with! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvbtte Posted April 6, 2009 Share Posted April 6, 2009 Hi Croc.The car looks great ! I was up in the park on sunday too.a great day for a blat I ran with out the doors.we ate and wore lot of gravel ill post pics as soon as I pass NJ inspection. i just need to put the exhaust shield on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al N. Posted April 6, 2009 Share Posted April 6, 2009 Jack...I have the shield here in the office...I'll mail it out today. Looks just as "nice" as the one on Croc's car.-Al Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croc Posted April 7, 2009 Author Share Posted April 7, 2009 Hi Jack & Jen - Sunday was perfect driving weather. Lots of bike groups and car clubs out having fun. I spent a happy hour at the top of Bear Mountain chatting with a bunch of car and bike guys. There was an Aptera there too with a jaw dropping paint job. Here is to more great weather for everyone to enjoy their cars with. Cheers mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvbtte Posted April 8, 2009 Share Posted April 8, 2009 Thanks Al, I got the exhaust shield today. I will make an appointment to get the car inspected. I will send it back after I pass inspection. Now with Mike's new black seats and the exhaust shield on my car, we will look almost like twins LOL........thank you again, I really appreciate it..........I will post pics once officially street legal........Jack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KStier Posted April 8, 2009 Share Posted April 8, 2009 I can't wait to join you all soon. I have seen and driven Mike's car...my first time in the presence of a Seven and he let me drive it! Anyway, the obsession has fully taken hold and I'm looking actively with money in hand! I hope to be legal by Carlisle (maybe wishful thinking, but we'll see). Kyle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrud Posted April 8, 2009 Share Posted April 8, 2009 Croc, If you ever get a chance to come to Long Island, Let me know. Same exact car specs. Just about to get legal plates. Regards, Mike R Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrud Posted April 8, 2009 Share Posted April 8, 2009 Croc, Where did you get the front lic. plate mtg. plate? Mike R Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croc Posted April 9, 2009 Author Share Posted April 9, 2009 Hi Mike - I had a mechanic construct the mount since my metal work skills are not good (well ok maybe **** is a better description!). It mounts deep under the nose cone and runs forward - very simple - just 2 pieces of curved alum running forward. I can take a pic on the weekend and send it if you need inspiration. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrud Posted April 9, 2009 Share Posted April 9, 2009 Croc, No problem, I understand what you did. Thanks, Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al N. Posted April 9, 2009 Share Posted April 9, 2009 Croc...did you get a sump guard while you were at it? My old guard made by the same shop was very very sano. Would be a great semi-mass produced piece. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
athens7 Posted April 9, 2009 Share Posted April 9, 2009 +1 on the sump guard-Raceline sumps are expensive, not to mention internal engine components! Mine came from Jeff Sloan at British Auto. I have several blemishes on it that would otherwise have been on the sump. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croc Posted April 9, 2009 Author Share Posted April 9, 2009 (edited) I learned from previous experience on my original Series II that sumps are easily broken (which ended in tears) so I made sure I had one this time. I think Will used the same design as yours Al? http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a354/mjohnson555/seats/Picture_094.jpg I put one small ding in it last weekend so it was good insurance! Edited April 9, 2009 by Croc fixed typos Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scannon Posted April 9, 2009 Share Posted April 9, 2009 Do you have to remove the license plate and bracket to get the nosecone off the car? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croc Posted April 10, 2009 Author Share Posted April 10, 2009 Not completely. I have to remove the single center rubber mounted bolt and then the nose can be removed independently of the rest of the installation. It is pretty tight for clearance but can be done if I am very careful. First time I tried it I did remove the number plate backet which is only 4 more bolts. I do not have to remove the sump guard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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