wcm s2k and caterham for sale on ebay

[Bruce K]

very nice-looking 2009 wcm s2k for sale on ebay:

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lotus-Super-Seven-Ultralight-S2K-2009-lotus-super-7-wcm-ultralite-s-2-k-/151147325633?forcerrptr=true&hash=item23311528c1&item=151147325633&pt=US_Cars_Trucks

 

exceptional caterham for sale on ebay. this is one of the small-cockpit models, you may be interested only if you are under 5' 10":

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tamiya-1-12-Masters-coach-work-series-Caterham-super-Seven-cycle-fender-Special-/181236971298?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a3290b722

[transalpian]

The wcm is nice. Probably a rip with that powertrain.

 

The cat, I think you'd need to be under 5" to fit, not 5'.

[Mondo]

Looks like he wants about 20 grand... seems like a great deal. New drivetrain, low miles... noticed Brian put some smaller discs in back so brake bias is probably not an issue to be fixed.

Would make a great xmas gift

[jimrankin]

Since it's probably going to be nearly impossible to get another factory built ride out of Ultralite until Loren gets seriously more free time this is the best chance for a sorted out low miles/low abuse S2K at a way more than reasonable (flat ass low!) price I think anyone is going to see for a good long while. If I didn't already have one this one would already be listed as "sold".

On a side note: All of the major "7 clones" are unique in their own way, either by being closer to the original simple design, offering "race ready" high performance packages or full line choices but they all share one thing, pure fun.

The longer I have my S2K the more I enjoy it, which seems to be the same attitude I find in the owners of every "7" brand I meet. I don't know anything about this particular car but if your out there on the fence about "which one" to buy better get off it before this one is gone. At the reserve price you can drive it for a year or two and if you find something you like better in the future sell it for probably more than you paid. My bet is that once you get it you'll keep it.

[rnr]

If I didn't already have one this one would already be listed as "sold".

 

Spare car Jim?

[cobra]

Shhh, ya'll are bidding up the price! xD

 

But in all seriousness, it is a beautiful car. Caterham body beats all IMO still, but the WCM still looks nice, yet has more easily attainable parts. That's a huge plus. It also says it has a dead pedal, so that's better than resting your foot behind the clutch in a Birkin on the highway.

 

At the right price, I'd start out with it and work my way later in life up to a V8 Caterham.

[Bruce K]

Shhh, ya'll are bidding up the price! xD

 

But in all seriousness, it is a beautiful car. Caterham body beats all IMO still, but the WCM still looks nice, yet has more easily attainable parts. That's a huge plus. It also says it has a dead pedal, so that's better than resting your foot behind the clutch in a Birkin on the highway.

 

At the right price, I'd start out with it and work my way later in life up to a V8 Caterham.

Fortunately, no such animal as a V8 Caterham. The new R600 with the supercharged Ford 4-cylinder is the new hot Caterham. A V8 Caterham would be equivalent to a Westfield SEight, which is largely a straight-line Seven and unfun in the curves. Too much athleticism sacrificed to the front-end weight of a V8 - high-powered fours are the way to go in a Seven.

 

Cobra remarked earlier that the original Caterham styling was his preference. I shared that opinion earlier, but have come to appreciate the "double-bubble" look and the near-instantaneous all-engine accessibility of the WCM S2K design. I have owned 2 Caterhams, and if the WCM suspension proves as durable as it is competent, I will judge it superior to the Caterham Dedion. There is a revised all-independent suspension in the new CSR Caterham series, with which I have no experience - this suspension may prove to be a better match to the WCM S2K. I bent another 2 links this summer, but we had committed a fabrication error during the rebuild, so I will know more about durability by the end of next summer.

[RGTorque]

Caterham RST-V8

 

not only a v8, but supercharged

 

http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/News/Search-Results/First-Official-Pictures/Caterham-RST-V8-Levante/

[jlumba81]

I believe that some caterhams had rover 3.5l V8 installed.

[Bruce K]

Caterham RST-V8

 

not only a v8, but supercharged

 

http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/News/Search-Results/First-Official-Pictures/Caterham-RST-V8-Levante/

Good point. That's the 2.4 liter engine that results from the stir-welding of 2 Kawasaki Hayabusa motors. That is a racing motor with a water-cooled block but air-cooled heads - not for everyday play, especially since that motor alone costs more than most Caterhams. It is produced by a special tuning house car and is not a regular production model, which was my point. On the subject of the 3.5 liter Rover motor, that was the powerplant fitted to the Westfield SEight that I noted earlier. If I recall correctly, there were monster 5 liter variants of that motor that were fitted to these essentially dragster Sevens. The 3.5 liter Rover motor has never been offered in a stock Caterham as a production unit.

[cobra]

Fortunately, no such animal as a V8 Caterham. The new R600 with the supercharged Ford 4-cylinder is the new hot Caterham. A V8 Caterham would be equivalent to a Westfield SEight, which is largely a straight-line Seven and unfun in the curves. Too much athleticism sacrificed to the front-end weight of a V8 - high-powered fours are the way to go in a Seven.

 

Cobra remarked earlier that the original Caterham styling was his preference. I shared that opinion earlier, but have come to appreciate the "double-bubble" look and the near-instantaneous all-engine accessibility of the WCM S2K design. I have owned 2 Caterhams, and if the WCM suspension proves as durable as it is competent, I will judge it superior to the Caterham Dedion. There is a revised all-independent suspension in the new CSR Caterham series, with which I have no experience - this suspension may prove to be a better match to the WCM S2K. I bent another 2 links this summer, but we had committed a fabrication error during the rebuild, so I will know more about durability by the end of next summer.

 

Ah, thanks! That's good to know about the Westfield SEight (or other variants), since I never drove one. I didn't even think about the front-end weight throwing off the weight distro and turning. Sounds like they're notorious for oversteer? The WCM S2K sounds like the way to go.

[xcarguy]

Ah, thanks! That's good to know about the Westfield SEight (or other variants), since I never drove one. I didn't even think about the front-end weight throwing off the weight distro and turning. Sounds like they're notorious for oversteer? The WCM S2K sounds like the way to go.

 

Before making the decision to group all V8-based Sevens into one weight-biased category, I would encourage you to experience the variants for yourself if at all possible. While I can't speak for the Westfield, or other V8-based Sevens, my Stalker, with it's aluminum LS6, has a near 50/50 front/rear weight distribution. I recently corner weighted the car, and empty (with no driver and prior to making any suspension adjustments), it had a mere 24lb front/rear imbalance.

 

As for cornering, here is a video of an M-Spec 'V8' Stalker taking 1st place in Emod at a SCCA Solo National Tour:

 

[sevenup]

Not taking a position here, but I have installed several aluminum V8's (commonly referred to as BOPR >) into mgb's over the years....the reason the bopr is the "swap de jour" for mgb's is that the engine weighs 70 lbs less than the 4 cylinder mgb engine and puts out several times over the amount of hp/torque....yes, it's "old tech" (compared to LS et al.) but is still a viable power plant for increasing performance in any sports car...

[Bruce K]

Before making the decision to group all V8-based Sevens into one weight-biased category, I would encourage you to experience the variants for yourself if at all possible. While I can't speak for the Westfield, or other V8-based Sevens, my Stalker, with it's aluminum LS6, has a near 50/50 front/rear weight distribution. I recently corner weighted the car, and empty (with no driver and prior to making any suspension adjustments), it had a mere 24lb front/rear imbalance.

 

As for cornering, here is a video of an M-Spec 'V8' Stalker taking 1st place in Emod at a SCCA Solo National Tour:

 

Holy cow - I am going to have to parse my language more carefully on this site! XCARGUY and COBRA are both correct:

 

XCARGUY - The Stalker (great car!) is a physically larger seven-style sporter that was engineered to accomodate supercharged V6 and various V8 motors. It exploits these powerplants efficiently, as witnessed by the captioned Emod Solo National victory and other victories, as well. When I stated that Sevens benefit from lighter, smaller 4-cylinder power, I should have stated Sevens designed for 4-cylinder power, including the Caterham, Westfield, S2K and more. I am a victim of generalizing from my point of reference. Larger seven-style cars like the Stalker, originally designed for heavier, larger powerplants, might suffer reduced performance from many 4-cylinder motors.

 

COBRA - I have never driven any mass-produced sporters refitted with V8 power, though i have read good things about the monster Miata and others. These cars are not germain to the discussion about seven power, however. At this point, I agree with your conclusion that an S2K is a great choice for a variety of reasons, especially concerning value for the dollar and performance for the dollar. In my estimation, a new S2k with a little head/cam work should run with a Caterham R500 for about 60% of price new. An S2K with a supercharger should run with the new Caterham R600 model for about 55% of price new. Those ratios appear viable for the used market, as well. These are broad assumptions based on past ownership of two Caterhams and current ownership of an S2K, but I don't believe I am much mistaken.

[rnr]

In my estimation, a new S2k with a little head/cam work should run with a Caterham R500 for about 60% of price new.

 

Not even close. The S2K is a fat pig compared to an R500 and is not going to keep up without significant power additions and thats discounting the aero advantages of the Caterham. I've tracked my S2K against an R500 and its pretty demoralizing to see how it pulls away on the straights.

 

A lot of the pricing of the Caterham is due to the additional engineering and support that goes into it compared to the other kits. This is not to say that the other kits are badly built but Caterham just has more resources and a larger install base to find, fix and amortize problems.

[cobra]

Not even close. The S2K is a fat pig compared to an R500 and is not going to keep up without significant power additions and thats discounting the aero advantages of the Caterham. I've tracked my S2K against an R500 and its pretty demoralizing to see how it pulls away on the straights.

 

A lot of the pricing of the Caterham is due to the additional engineering and support that goes into it compared to the other kits. This is not to say that the other kits are badly built but Caterham just has more resources and a larger install base to find, fix and amortize problems.

 

Yeah, but at the right price, I'll throw some makeup on that fat pig, bring her to the prom and dance! :cooldude:

[xcarguy]

Holy cow - I am going to have to parse my language more carefully on this site!

 

Parse . . . now there's a word you can have some fun with!

[super7guy]

On the 2005 USA Tour, One of the Caterhams had the V8 engine and he ran complete tour. This car also had that attitude that if I need it, I already got it.

Beautiful car that was air lifted in from Dubai for it's owner.

[Bruce K]

Not even close. The S2K is a fat pig compared to an R500 and is not going to keep up without significant power additions and thats discounting the aero advantages of the Caterham. I've tracked my S2K against an R500 and its pretty demoralizing to see how it pulls away on the straights.

 

A lot of the pricing of the Caterham is due to the additional engineering and support that goes into it compared to the other kits. This is not to say that the other kits are badly built but Caterham just has more resources and a larger install base to find, fix and amortize problems.

 

Odd that you make these disparaging statements. In your earlier posts and blogs, you noted that the R500 was only able to gain distance on your S2K in the straights. You even provided video evidence, which I viewed. You concluded that the lighter weight of the Caterham enabled it to out-accelerate your heavier S2K in the straights. You proffered that you would need more power to catch the R500, which seems reasonable. Your post, blogs and video are part of the reason for my position: that with additional offsetting power (such as head, cam and fuel management work), the R500 and S2K should run evenly. The other reasons for my position emanate from familiarity with Caterhams due to prior ownership of two examples, including a mighty Cosworth. I have only enjoyed one track day with my S2K to date, due to extensive time required to rehiem and relink the suspension (I bought it with 9,000 autocross miles on the odo). In that single day, on 17" street Toyos, I was running times just behind those clocked in my Cosworth Caterham. With future development including smaller wheels and race slicks, I am optimistic about the car's performance.

 

I am not discounting Caterham performance, especially future performance with their RS speed shop partnership, the possible Formula One linkage, joint production of several possible cars with Renault's performance division, the Aeroseven and more. Their deep-pocketed new ownership is opening vast new vistas. A lot of Caterham's past production, and most of their current production, was and is bound by heritage and budget limitations. What other excuse for the overlong production life of that anachronistic Dedion IRS? The S2K, on the other hand, was cleverly-engineered from a clean sheet of paper. It makes use of reasonably-price components from popular passenger cars (Subaru, Honda), plus tough, affordable and generic racing components (hiems, links, fuel pumps, Sparco wheels, Wilwood brakes, Tilton pedal set, Duratech exhaust and more). By including the product of so many successful speed companies, WCM effectively borrowed their engineering departments, and in effect became a much larger company in terms of design resources. You want to rebuild a Caterham, with it's numerous proprietary parts (wheels, brakes, suspension links, bushings, complete exhaust, steering wheels, on and on), be prepared for months-long waits, expensive customs and shipping fees, innumerable wrong parts sent and worse. Don't get me wrong - I love Caterhams. I always looked down my prominent nose at the several clones, including Stalker, S2K and others. Now I know better.

[Bruce K]

On the 2005 USA Tour, One of the Caterhams had the V8 engine and he ran complete tour. This car also had that attitude that if I need it, I already got it.

Beautiful car that was air lifted in from Dubai for it's owner.

Was that the Caterham RS Levante? The black car 2.4 liter Hayabusa-derived race motor and the quad headlights? I wasn't aware that RS built more than one. Are there pix anywhere?