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0-60 in 3.2


slngsht

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No, not me http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/smile5.gif

 

 

 

Busa powered seven. I can't tell if it was measured while the tape was rolling, because there wasn't much hint of tires struggling. Does this belong to someone here?

 

 

 

Cool collection of cars at the start too http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/thumbsup.gif

 

 

 

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I was very interested in one of these when I was looking into buying. But the prospect of importing a Canadian car — especially one with a bike engine, was just too much for me.

 

 

 

Would be great if Super7Cars had a US distrib to help with sorting out that kind of stuff. Not unlike what Deman USA seems to be doing with Deman.

 

 

 

I think Super7Cars uses the SV body for reasons of space and I prefer (and can comfortably fit in) the narrow-body cars (alas, the James Whiting Fireblade wasn't sold directly here). I can't wait to see some of the BECs that have committed for the Dragon meet in July.

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I can't figure out why Caterham would not make these available to the US, one has to build their cars and source your own engines and transmissions. A Hayabusa with a reverse box and sump pan would be easy and cheaper.

 

 

 

Yes, the wail sounds familiar. I first started shifting by sound just like an MX bike. My Dad,65, co-builder of our car asked why I only shifted between 7k and 8k rpm. I really scared myself and him too when I shifted at 14k. BEC 7's should all be named Rush 7's cause of the adrenalin. His nick name for the 7 is Stupid Quick.

 

 

 

See you at the Dragon.

 

andrew72007-02-09 10:48:42

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Caterham doesn't officially make a BEC that is why its not available. Super7cars offers standard Caterham cars as well as their own version of a Caterham BEC which you see in the video.

 

 

 

Why do some say that BEC do not make daily drivers? Can a person drive a BEC as a DD?

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B10Bt-there's a whole BEC thread somewhere here. Some very big proponents of BECs in the forum.

 

 

 

Note that I referred to the James Whiting Fireblade, which was as close as you could get to a Caterham sanctioned BEC in the UK...the Blackbird too. I don't think they offer(ed) either one officially over here.

 

 

 

I didn't have an issue with a BEC per se, it just added a layer of complexity to the buying process had I chosen to go the route of Super7Cars.

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I believe a lot of the discussion around suitability as a daily-driver is to do with the relative lack of torque at less than 6000rpm and the attention-requiring nature of the sequential box - ie making sure you are in first when you come to a standstill. Having said that, I would love to put a Hayabusa turbo in my Caterham!!

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Yes they don't officially make it available here but it could be an easy option and there are many BECs in England.

 

 

 

First I don't consider any 7 a daily driver buy a beater. I have other vehicles for DD and probably most others here do as well. Second is the nature of the engine. The ultra light flywheel revs up very fast but it also drops just as fast with a load, i.e. pulling out. The clutch has about 1" of travel from free wheel to full lock up so your foot movement is important. At first it feels like everything is either on or off. The engine revving to the moon or dead and the clutch locked or free. The transmission is close ratios drop a gear and the change is less than 500 rpm. Anything over 6k rpm and its a violent acceleration to redline but you have to rev between 4-6k to pull out get the idea. You either stall or smoke the tires at every stop and sound like an F1 car, its a razors edge. Every one loves the sound including me but the constant sound on a main highway is terrible. Sit in a chair with your favorite magazine and tape the switch on for your circular saw and sit it 2 feet away for 30 min. I'll do almost any route to stay off of a straight freeway.

 

 

 

My car is a delight, used to clear my head and enjoy the drive, its basic and simple and a real driving pleasure. The 1000# weight handles like a ballet dancer while my other cars feel like Rosie O'Donel. Gear changes with both hands on the wheel, the car never feels like its trying but encourages me and doesn't punish me if I do something stupid. Its almost a surreal experience just don't make me drive it every day.

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Based on my multi-hour pilgrimages to Skyline East, a Zetec with the overdriveless Caterham 6 speed tranny is no sonic picnic when endured for an extended periods, either. Glad I have the helmet to cut down on sound and buffeting.

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Andrew7 did a very nice summary explaining it. I don't have a BEC - one might say the opposite: TPB- Truck Powered Bike http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/lol.gif

 

 

 

I did spend decent seat time in a Formula SAE car with a turbo 600cc, weighing way below 1000lbs, and I will NEVER forget the way that car felt. Just WOW. I wouldn't mind having a BEC at all... even just for the sequential box and sound.

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I was very interested in one of these when I was looking into buying. But the prospect of importing a Canadian car — especially one with a bike engine, was just too much for me.

 

 

 

Would be great if Super7Cars had a US distrib to help with sorting out that kind of stuff. Not unlike what Deman USA seems to be doing with Deman.

 

 

 

 

I might point out that you can currently get a Hayabusa-powered Westfield Megabusa here in the USA. They have been in production for about six years, although only brought into the U.S. during the first part of 2001. I think there are about four of them at present. More in about six weeks... http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/smile5.gif

 

 

 

Forgot to add this video:

 

 

 

Megabusa beating Ferrari f355

 

 

 

 

 

 

tmmanik2007-02-09 19:53:22

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They used to have it on their site until a couple of months ago, but GT Classics in VA put together a Fireblade (Honda) BEC Caterham for a customer in the last couple of years. It was purdy! They had a little build log on it with pics, but not much more info than that.

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Kool aren't they!   ...   Now you CEC guys are beginning to get it!

 

Super7cars will only sell it as a finished car. I tried to buy one from them as a kit but they said no.   ...   But they said they would be willing to sell it to me for full price and then assemble it myself!   ...   That's why I have the Deman (Busa) SR7.

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TM-what's the titling/reg like for the megabusa? I guess it does depend on the state, right? Does anyone know of a bike-engined car in NJ? I know that the Galeks (fisher fury usa) would be interested to know the answer too.

 

 

 

I sense the need for a "distributors/mfg" roundtable at the 777 meet. Perhaps for Saturday before the bbq? After? I will ask some of these questions in my Feb update, which will go out on Monday at the latest. (was waiting to hear on something that I've heard back on!)-Al

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TM-what's the titling/reg like for the megabusa? I guess it does depend on the state, right? Does anyone know of a bike-engined car in NJ? I know that the Galeks (fisher fury usa) would be interested to know the answer too.

 

 

 

I sense the need for a "distributors/mfg" roundtable at the 777 meet. Perhaps for Saturday before the bbq? After? I will ask some of these questions in my Feb update, which will go out on Monday at the latest. (was waiting to hear on something that I've heard back on!)-Al

 

 

 

Al, yes, you are right that it depends on the State you are registering the car in. However, with a windshield, the Westfield Megabusa (it comes standard with an aeroscreen which is actually better for airflow in the passenger compartment) is completely street legal in the U.S. Since all the bits from the Hayabusa engine management system are kept in place, there is no real emissions issue. Really no different than registering your orange beast.

 

 

 

If the car is registered in New Jersey as a 'Collector Vehicle' it is exempt from inspections.

 

 

 

 

 

tm

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Clarification on NJ inspections...

 

 

 

I registered my 2004 Cat under the Collector Vehicle option...which does absolve me of the standard emissions and "safety" inspection that new and late model cars require. However, since I was also titling my car from scratch, it was subject to a "reconstructed vehicle" inspection — and failed the initial inspection for a few reasons: A) I had an aeroscreen that needed to be swapped for a windshield (as you note), B) I had to cover my 4 into 1 to satisfy some "exposed exhaust" prohibition, C) My exhaust hung too low when it was a rear exit...converted to side exit, D) Stock Steering wheel too small, replaced, E) Gas tank needed shielding from below...used honeycomb, F) needed to show proof of origin for Zetec and pass some rudimentary emissions (I think) due to recent vintage of motor.

 

 

 

In hindsight, I should have tried to get it dealer-titled in AZ...would probably have made things easier.

 

 

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For help in registering your car,

 

The SEMA action network was instrumental in getting some model legislation for kit cars in various states. see them at

 

 

 

http://www.semasan.com/main/main.aspx?ID=/content/SEMASANcom/HomePage

 

 

 

 

 

http://www.dmv.org   also has some info.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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