Kitcat Posted October 1, 2009 Share Posted October 1, 2009 (edited) As I noted elsewhere, in passing, I switched over from a standard Caterham windscreen to a Caterham Brooklands screen set up. I added the aftermarket 3 mirror setup suggested by Chris T at Sevens and Elans. After running it for a month, here are my impressions: First, it looks way cooler-always important; Second, the cockpit isn't nearly as toasty; Third, it runs faster: more acceleration and higher top speed. It is noticeable over 35mph. I had read somewhere that a Brooklands screen was like adding 20 hp. I can't quantify the difference that precisely, but it is quite noticeable in my modestly powered car; Fourth, better gas mileage-best I have ever gotten (wh/isnt saying much), by about 25%. In part because the car pulls so much stronger in higher gears, so I routinely am one gear higher everywhere. Downsides: Lots of wind tho not hugely different, zero protection from the elements, when it rains, you get very wet, instantly. Less protection from flying road debris. I now wear a nice set of safety goggles over my glasses. While the Brooklands screen is a peiece of art, the mirrors, wh/are next to impossible to adjust, are a piece of S%&*. And, for those of us too busy and/or too mechanically challenged to fabricate/install our own creation, or even these off-the shelf pieces, it ain't cheap. I carry a car cover and when it looks like it might rain, I toss it on and hope the rain will be over when I need to drive it home. It's about a 1/2 hour job to swap back in the standard windscreen. Bottom line: I am sold on it. It's way cool and the pluses far outweigh the negatives. Mike Edited October 1, 2009 by Kitcat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scannon Posted October 1, 2009 Share Posted October 1, 2009 Pictures, please? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitcat Posted October 1, 2009 Author Share Posted October 1, 2009 (edited) Can't seem to upload pixs. This site keeps saying "connection to server was reset" when I try to post them. Then nuttin. Feel free to send me your e-mail address and I can attach them and send via e-mail. Mike Edited October 1, 2009 by Kitcat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Rohaley Posted October 1, 2009 Share Posted October 1, 2009 I concur with your impressions completely. The exposure adds a whole different element to the driving experience (the car virtually disappears around you). If it was just me, I think I would keep it set up as such much more often but my wife isn't to keen about the need for a helmet or goggles whenever we go somewhere. Also, the sun can really tan us up if we used it all summer long in that configuration, the sun top really cuts down the sun fatigue on those long summer drives which means the standard screen is needed. Driving in the rain is fun but at 70 your face really feels as though you stuck it in a sandblasting cabinet (very sharp pains, like little needles........like I said, fun!). The screens do provide a relatively calm pocket for your head versus just removing the windscreen and using nothing. Also, the wind syles your hair much more favorably since the wind only comes from one direction versus the random directional pounding you get with the standard screen. I have not noticed a difference in economy or speed but will do some checking to see what the benefits are. I hope my findings are as positive as yours. Scannon, attached is a photo of my setup while kitcat gets his together. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supersportsp Posted October 1, 2009 Share Posted October 1, 2009 The screens do provide a relatively calm pocket for your head versus just removing the windscreen and using nothing. Also, the wind syles your hair much more favorably since the wind only comes from one direction versus the random directional pounding you get with the standard screen. I have not noticed a difference in economy or speed but will do some checking to see what the benefits are. I hope my findings are as positive as yours. Scannon, attached is a photo of my setup while kitcat gets his together. Any reason you both went with the brooklands set-up vs. say the carbon lip type wind deflector? Going for a more historic look? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Locost 5.0 Posted October 1, 2009 Share Posted October 1, 2009 http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p3/beergodrod/RodsLocost50081-1.jpg They do wonders for your hair! Rod Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MHKflyer52 Posted October 1, 2009 Share Posted October 1, 2009 http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p3/beergodrod/RodsLocost50081-1.jpg They do wonders for your hair! Rod NOW THAT IS FUNNY!!!!! :smilielol5: :smilielol5: :driving: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solder_guy Posted October 1, 2009 Share Posted October 1, 2009 Frizz! :smilielol5: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Rohaley Posted October 2, 2009 Share Posted October 2, 2009 Yes, only because it matches the picture in my head with the Brooklands. I have always liked the look since I saw the car on the back page of the Lotus Caterham Seven Gold Portfolio book many a year ago. It does have a pure, classic look to it and while the aero lip is the modern version I suppose I just always envisioned the old style screen on my car. The aero lip is much meaner looking though......all business. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MHKflyer52 Posted October 2, 2009 Share Posted October 2, 2009 Locost5.0 You need to take that picture in the street and not in a driveway.....one of the best photos that I have seen that exemplifies the 7 and the feeling that everyone gets when they drive or ride in a 7. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitcat Posted October 2, 2009 Author Share Posted October 2, 2009 Yes great photo above, wh/captures the se7en experience. Just caption it with 7evin's comment about the "adrenaline squirting from your ears", and you have the whole deal in a nutshell. I went w/the Brooklands vs. the carbon fiber lip strictly for aesthetics. I have a clam fendered Caterham, so it seemed to fit that classic look better. If I had a cycle fendered car, I might have gone with the lip, wh/is much cheaper. (I just checked my receipts and I spent about $1.5K on my set up, with mirrors, not counting my mechanic's charge for installing it all). Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scannon Posted October 2, 2009 Share Posted October 2, 2009 Mike was having problems posting his pictures and sent me copies. He said it was OK for me to post them for your viewing pleasure. One with the full windscreen and two with the Brooklands. Great looking car Mike. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Gunther Posted October 2, 2009 Share Posted October 2, 2009 Where did y'all get your Brooklands? Link? Tia, Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitcat Posted October 2, 2009 Author Share Posted October 2, 2009 See above Jim, I got them from Sevens and Elevens, a Caterham dealer in MA. THx for posting , Skip, and thx for the compliment. BTW, I am running Caterham's "Prisoner" wheels, but without the center caps, wh/I think enhaces their appearance. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Rohaley Posted October 2, 2009 Share Posted October 2, 2009 I picked mine up used from a fellow local 7 owner. You can order it from any distributer though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scannon Posted October 2, 2009 Share Posted October 2, 2009 I got mine from RSMC, now Caterham USA. They don't make a mount for the SV series so I split the narrow one in the middle and added a 4" piece in the center. Got to get around to polishing it out and drilling the holes for the screens and mirrors and then mounting it up. I've already installed the brackets with weld nuts to make changing from full windscreen to Brooklands much easier. These brackets also have the added benefit of making your windscreen much more solidly mounted. It now has a direct connection to a frame tube instead of just the sheet metal with a big washer behind it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Rohaley Posted October 2, 2009 Share Posted October 2, 2009 Scannon, Are these brackets readily available? my car is not equiped with them and I really like the idea if tying to something of substance (the current setup is only sufficient for standing up to a bird strike and my scuttle would peel if struck by anything larger). The rivnut idea is great too, I will need to make this modification this winter.......oh lucky me, here it is! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scannon Posted October 2, 2009 Share Posted October 2, 2009 Mike, I got them from RMSC. I just took a look at them and they are more than just a simple angle iron. They have a U channel that sits inside the channel at the inside bottom of the scuttle and uses the two studs holding the scuttle. It goes up about 2.5" just under the skin of the scuttle where the holes with welded nuts line up with the bolts coming through from the windscreen stanchions. IIRC they were relatively cheap (for Caterham parts ). They seriously shorten the time for change over not to mention not having to get a wrench up in the dash with all those electrics just waiting for a chance to let the smoke out of the wires. They require removing the black vinyl coated ali pieces that round the corner between the dash and the side panel. Be very careful and disconnect your battery. As I was pulling out the one on the driver side I caught one of the hot wires from the headlight flasher switch between the ali skin and the piece I was removing. Major outlet of smoke from the wires and I had to replace several of them. I have never gotten around to putting those pieces back in as you can see from the pictures below. You could make your own using a piece of ali or steel and some rivnuts if you have access to a sheet metal brake. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Rohaley Posted October 3, 2009 Share Posted October 3, 2009 Thanks for the info and nice photos too. I will order those into my winter pile-o-parts list. The brackets appear to be powdercoated steel, probably better than trying to fab them out of aluminum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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