athens7 Posted June 13, 2007 Share Posted June 13, 2007 I've been a voyeur on the site for about a month. I'm looking at a new Caterham SV, but I wonder about waiting for the Caged frame and a Duratec engine. I hear that the Duratec won't fit in the Arch Motors frame, but I see posts here implying that a fit is possible. What do you all know about fitting the Duratec in an Arch frame, and is there any word on a time frame for availability of Caged/Duratec SVs? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new2 7s Posted June 14, 2007 Share Posted June 14, 2007 I've seen a Duratec and Cosworth motor installed in the standard chassis, they were set up with either shallow oil pans or a dry sump oil system. The SV chassis is wider by a few inches, so I think the clearances work. Contact Rocky Mountain Sports Cars, they have an engine program which includes several motor configurations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slomove Posted June 14, 2007 Share Posted June 14, 2007 Interesting info here. If the Duratec fits the small Arch frame why should it not fit the fat one? I've been a voyeur on the site for about a month. I'm looking at a new Caterham SV, but I wonder about waiting for the Caged frame and a Duratec engine. I hear that the Duratec won't fit in the Arch Motors frame, but I see posts here implying that a fit is possible. What do you all know about fitting the Duratec in an Arch frame, and is there any word on a time frame for availability of Caged/Duratec SVs? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
athens7 Posted June 14, 2007 Author Share Posted June 14, 2007 As I've learned today, 2 problems seem to exist with the Duratec/Arch frame combo. First, the height of the engine may necessitate a dry sump oiling system. Second, the factory throttle body/ECU setup has clearance problems near the foot boxes. Apparently, the people using Duratecs are getting the motors from Raceline and using non OEM ECUs. This requires a lot of dyno/computer ECU mapping time (way over my head). Any feedback on this info? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new2 7s Posted June 15, 2007 Share Posted June 15, 2007 The Duratec motor is a little bigger then the Zetec.... One big difference between the motors, the duratecs exhaust system exits out the right side of the car and that makes the throttle body on the left side and depending what type of induction system used will depend on clearance.... From what I've seen in the cars with Cosworth Motors there isnt a big issue with clearances, though the motor mounts have to be fabricated. There is a lot of information out there for mapping the ECU.... I know someone in Los Angeles with a Cosworth (Duratec) that puts out over 260hp.... the car is very fast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnCh Posted June 15, 2007 Share Posted June 15, 2007 I’ve never heard about the pedal box interference before, and there are left hand drive Duratec Caterhams out there. In fact Tom in CA has a great build site of his car that you should check out. As for the height, I’ve heard that only the 2.3L versions have the issue (the 2.0L is ~14mm shorter). Raceline makes a low profile cam cover that addresses the problem. I wouldn’t worry about the ECU. If you go for a popular unit like the Emerald, then you shouldn’t have a problem locating a starter map which will have the critical timing table done. The new Emerald also has a self mapping feature for the injection system. Simply hook up a Wide Band 02 unit like the Innovate Motorsports LC1, enter your target air fuel ratios in the appropriate table, and drive the car. It does the rest. I’ve just finished upgrading the 2.0L Duratec in my Westfield from 190hp to ~220hp (very minor head work, new cams & valve springs). It’s a great engine. -John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
athens7 Posted June 15, 2007 Author Share Posted June 15, 2007 Thanks for the info. It looks like I've reached agreement with Jeff Sloan at British Auto on his demo, an SV with an SVT motor. He's going to do the cam upgrade, and a few other things, then on to Georgia! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roll a 7 Posted June 15, 2007 Share Posted June 15, 2007 I've always been a voyeur. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slngsht Posted June 15, 2007 Share Posted June 15, 2007 do you still have your 550? When you get the seven, post up some side by side pics Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
athens7 Posted June 15, 2007 Author Share Posted June 15, 2007 I've got the 550 now, but I hope to have it sold by the time the 7 arrives (lack of garage space). It goes on sale this weekend on www.spyderclub.com and I'll post some pictures here if anyone is interested in seeing another take on the 1400 lbs/180 hp concept. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slngsht Posted June 15, 2007 Share Posted June 15, 2007 I've got the 550 now, but I hope to have it sold by the time the 7 arrives (lack of garage space). It goes on sale this weekend on www.spyderclub.com and I'll post some pictures here if anyone is interested in seeing another take on the 1400 lbs/180 hp concept. Please post it in Off Topic. I'd love to see it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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