TurboWood Posted December 21, 2013 Posted December 21, 2013 These photos are a little separated in time, but the Supra I've owned for the last 15yrs is gone and the new Caterham has arrived! The timing is quite amazing since it showed up about ten days before Christmas. I fly back (from Shanghai) on the 24th so it will be opened Christmas day! I have not purchased the engine and transmission yet. It's going to be a slow build process as I am trying to use a GM ecotec engine and will have to work on it in pieces during periodic trips back from the far east. In any case, I'm very excited :cheers::willy_nilly::jester::auto: Daniel
TurboWood Posted December 22, 2013 Author Posted December 22, 2013 Thanks gents, I appreciate the kind words and encouragement. I'm hoping 7 ownership is different than the Supra. In 15 years I put about 35k miles on the Supra. I spent more time modifying and washing the car then I did driving it, but I did love driving it. I had grand dreams of taking it on track days, but when it came down to it I just never did. I've already noticed a huge mentality change between this community and the Supra community. In the Supra world there is a lot of focus on dyno tests, massive power (1000hp is almost normal), and having the most well taken care of car. Here it's clear that driving comes first. I'm looking forward to that! Daniel
yellowss7 Posted December 22, 2013 Posted December 22, 2013 Who says you can't do both. Take a look at BBall's car on track. It's Blinding! Not Blinding fast, just blinding it so shiny. :jester: Enjoy that car on the street, on the track, or at a car show. It amazing how these cars attract attention. The only guys that don't seem to like them are the ones we pass on the track. :deadhorse: They just hate having a little four banger kit car making them give a point by or worse yet lapping them. :svengo: Oh, see how long it will take to wipe that silly grin off your face after your first drive. :smilielol5: Tom
Kitcat Posted December 22, 2013 Posted December 22, 2013 Think of driving a se7en as horizontal bungee jumping:).
Croc Posted December 23, 2013 Posted December 23, 2013 Guess who has been a good boy for Santa this year?! :blue angel: Have fun opening your crate when you return and enjoying the build!
scannon Posted January 1, 2014 Posted January 1, 2014 I see you've got that baby idling at 1,250 RPM already! Congratulations and Happy New Year.
TurboWood Posted January 9, 2014 Author Posted January 9, 2014 2-wks of work and it's a roller! Unfortunately it has to sit in this state for at least a few months. That should give me time to figure out the engine. Daniel
DeanD3W Posted January 9, 2014 Posted January 9, 2014 Daniel, The car looks great. Which Ecotec do you intend to use? Do you already have it on hand? I have a 3000 mile 2.4L (LE5) Solstice engine, transmission, drive shaft, differential and axles. It seems that you need only the engine and transmission? I do have a use for the Solstice drivetrain, but if I stick with my current plan it's the 4th in line for projects, with the other three likely to consume at least the next 5 years... Maybe I should sell the parts now rather than work around them for all that time..? Dean
TurboWood Posted January 9, 2014 Author Posted January 9, 2014 Hi Dean, Thanks! I'm looking for the 2L turbo and what's worse is the GM transmission won't fit in the car. I need to adapt to the Ford Type 9 (or equivalent). Daniel
bball7754 Posted January 9, 2014 Posted January 9, 2014 I guess it's a special 40th anniversary edition, and that accounts for the grey dash and grey chassis? Steve
Kitcat Posted January 9, 2014 Posted January 9, 2014 (edited) Interesting find: a 40th anniv specl edition roller (#34 of 40 according to the one photo). Since the 40th anniv was 1997, it has been sitting a long time. Likely wired for an X-flow? A Zetec will drop in, a Duratec maybe not as intake is on opposite side. Not sure abt Ecotec, but am sure you can get almost anything to work with enough fabrication. Edited January 9, 2014 by Kitcat
Sean Posted January 9, 2014 Posted January 9, 2014 Since the 40th anniv was 1997... Caterham acquired the rights to and started building the 7 in 1973. 1973 + 40 = 2013 It is almost certainly a 2013 model. edit: Looks great!
Kitcat Posted January 9, 2014 Posted January 9, 2014 Sean: you are right. And that makes a lot more sense. Historically tho, in 1997,on the 40th of the Lotus Seven, Caterham did a 40th anniv special, in identical colors with this 2013 version. (I doubt any are still in their crates:)).
TurboWood Posted January 9, 2014 Author Posted January 9, 2014 Not to mentions it's a CSR which did not exist in '97 . http://uk.caterhamcars.com/news/telegram-caterham-hq-40-years-caterham-special-edition-announced Daniel
DeanD3W Posted January 10, 2014 Posted January 10, 2014 Hi Dean, Thanks! I'm looking for the 2L turbo and what's worse is the GM transmission won't fit in the car. I need to adapt to the Ford Type 9 (or equivalent). Daniel I'm sure you considered this, but I wonder if it may be easier, or at least possibly better overall, to modify the frame and sheet metal as needed to clear the transmission. If you decide to consider tunnel mods and you don't have the Aisin 5 speed on-hand then I can take pictures and send dimensions if that would be helpful. Dean
TurboWood Posted January 10, 2014 Author Posted January 10, 2014 Dean, That is very kind. The other issue is the Aisin transmission has terrible gear ratios for such a light car. I think I've found a bell housing for a Vauxhall engine that is intended for the T9 transmission and ZZPerformance claims to have a clutch/flywheel that will work. The bell housing isn't perfect and will require some modification, but that sounds easier than modifying a frame. I'll keep your offer in mind if I hit a wall. Daniel
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