Conference terri::cars_uk

    
    Eric, the chap who is currently working on the 7, phoned last night and
    gave me an update. He has already exceeded the 30 odd hours he thought
    he would spend on it as he has been working on it for most of the last
    two weeks.
    
    All the nuts and bolts in the suspension, driveline, steering etc are
    now correctly torqued. The steering is centred and aligned. The
    radiator and heater are fitted, as are all the hoses. The handbrake is
    fitted and the brakes are bled. All the wiring in the engine bay has
    been tested and fitted (only one of the wires was a different colour to
    the diagram).
    
    He has had to make a few minor modifications. On full droop the
    steering rack gaitors fouled the bodywork, so he has filed it back and
    finished the edge. He thinks the handbrake mechanism is crude (the
    inner cable clamps to the body and the lever pushes the outer cable
    away through a rubber grommet) so he is modifying it to work the
    'correct' way. The speedo drive (!) is still not fitted. There IS a
    slot in the tailshaft socket for the retaining circlip, but the base of
    the right angle drive fabricated by Caterham is too thick, so this will
    have to be ground down a couple of mm. The throttle cable is suspended
    in free space between the carbs and the pedal, so he is modifying the
    Ford bracket which comes with it to attach to an existing mounting
    point on the carb body.
    
    The next job is to modify the bodywork to take the competition exhaust,
    and then fit it. If all goes well, the engine should be started for the
    first time in about 2 weeks.
    
    He has only found one 'mistake' that I had made... I fitted the front
    wing stays on the wrong side, with the result that the cycle wings
    would be too far forward over the wheels. He has reversed these, which
    required removing the steering ball joints and the stub axle nuts.
    
    On the positive side, the rear suspension geometry (and the steering)
    are spot on (I had spent a whole day measuring, fitting the shims,
    remeasuring etc) so they did not need reassembling.
    
    David.
    

    Good to see that your car is progressing,albeit with someone else
    doing the work! It'll be great when you get it back.
    If you can pass on whatever mod is done to the hand brake,I'd be
    interested.The present arrangement does work,but as your man says,it
    is a bit strange!!
    
    Watch out for the February edition of Performance Car - they are
    planning to do a road test on the latest Caterham Press car.
    
    
    

    
    Its getting there! The electronic ignition is fitted, as is the exhaust
    system. The hole for the exhaust had to be enlarged front and back, and
    theres now an oval aperture in the side of the car. All the plumbings
    finished now that the oil catch tank is on.
    
    Its now down to re-checking all the fluid levels, wiring and connectors
    (esp the fuel lines :-)) and it will be started for the first time a
    week Saturday, the 20th.
    
    Discovered another 'home-goal' by Caterham's logistics department when
    fitting the electronic ignition. I now have two Lucas distributor kits,
    one of which was already fitted. This can be added to the extra
    throttle cable, spare gearshift gaitor and spare set of headlamp bowls.
    
    They also phone up to notify me that my wheels and tyres were to be
    Securicored to me too, as they didn't know they had already supplied
    them.
    
    Their best slip up was when I actually paid for the car. They applied a
    �300 'clubmans discount' as they thought it was part of a promotion
    they were running. It was news to me.
    
    Not far to the big day now!
    David.

    
    Would they fit a VW?
    
    Mark

    Re-.105,
    
    Depends on how much Araldite I use doesn't it!
    
    Carl.

    
    I didn't keep the wheels, I admitted that I took a set away with me
    when I collected the kit.
    
    Funny you should ask what sort of electronic ignition it is, as other
    than its Lucas, I don't know. No marks on the packaging or the casing.
    Its just a medium size aluminium box with fins on the top approx 4" by
    5" by 2". The box has two short leads coming out with multi-pin plugs.
    One attaches to the distributor, the other to the wiring loom. 
    
    The distributor kit is a replacement rotor with metals fins
    on, and a sensor which screws to the baseplate.
    
    The fuel line is supported by a bracket near the inlet manifold.
    
    David.
    

    
    Last Saturday, the 20th, the 7 was successfully started for the first
    time.
    
    Eventually.
    
    It took about an hour and a half (and two battery recharges) to get the
    oil pressure up. We eventually achieved this by taking the oil pump off
    and primimg it by hand. Next time we turned it over, the pressure came
    up in about 10 seconds.
    
    After checking, double checking, and then rechecking everything, we
    decided to try and fire the engine. Despite having been assured that it
    was a 'bench tested' engine, it was quite clear that it had never been
    run before, as the piston tops were totally clean.
    
    We had two batteries in parallel, to turn it over a bit quicker. The
    difficult bit was working out how to prime the engine with enough fuel
    for it to fire, and then to continue to run. After going through the
    cycle of flattening the battery, drying the plugs off and recharging
    the battery, we worked it out to be 5 full strokes of the throttle.
    
    Next time, it started. Rough as anything at first, as it was only
    running on two cylinders. We stayed at this point for quite a while, as
    we could not work out what the problem was or how to fix it.
    
    A friend of Eric's turned up (with a 1830cc full-race Caterham 7, heard
    from over 1/2 mile away) and fixed the problem. He turned the mixture
    screws on the second Weber to maximum richness, cranked the engine
    over, then reset them to the nominal correct value. Cranked the engine
    over again, and it ran perfectly. It sounds like a cross between a JCB
    and a Spitfire. It sounds (and looks) MEAN!
    
    Just a few more jobs to do, and then it will be returned to me for
    finishing (lights, belts, interior, glass fibre etc).
    
    Looking forward to driving it for the first time soon (just up and down
    the drive). Its going to be set up on a rolling road after the head has
    been tightened down and the valve clearances have been reset.
    
    David.
    (been away on a course for a week)
    

    
    
    Re:.-1
    
    A couple of times when it was trying very hard to start, but not quite
    catching, there were some impressive pale blue flames shooting out of
    the second carb. As I was leant over the car holding the chokes closed
    by hand, I very nearly got burnt in the worst possible place (but only
    the first time!)
    
    Eric managed to sink a very healthy charge from the coil when he was
    testing to see if we had a spark on plugs 1 and 2. He won't do that
    again!
    
    David.
    
    PS the ignition is Lucas, not Luminition
    

    David,
    
    Congratulations
    
    But can you explain how you 'very nearly got burnt in the worst
    possible place'. Were you straddling the thing at the time?
    
    Peter

    
    Peter,
    
    The carbs (a pair of Weber 40's) work horizontally ie the air filters,
    which were not fitted, bolt onto the side of the carbs. This is where
    the flame shot out. With the car up on axle stands, it was just at the
    wrong height, and I was leaning over them holding the chokes closed!
    
    David.

    David,
    
    It's been announced that a full size "Caterham 7" trophy will run
    in France this year. Special cars will be sold (130000FF VAT incl) by
    the french Caterham importer, ready to race. Mmmm ... tempting !
    
    Congratulations for your progress !

    
    The 7 has moved under its own power for the first time (albeit only
    about 10'). The car is light enough/powerful enough to move off easily
    in any of the five forward gears. Eric let the clutch up a bit too
    sharpish in first gear @1500 rpm and left 12" tyre marks down the
    drive!
    
    The car starts and runs cleanly from cold now. Rolling road session
    tomorrow.
    
    David.

    
    We took the car down to the rolling road on Saturday, and gave it a
    good run for the first time. We just did part-load testing as its a new
    engine. The chokes that were supplied with the carbs are too small and
    it was running very weak up to about 3,000 rpm. They were swapped for
    larger ones until the car is run in.
    
    The rolling road is at the end of a private road and I was able to
    drive it properly (ie up and down the box) for the first time. The
    performance is breathtaking, even at small throttle openings. I can see
    that getting the wheels to grip in the wet is going to be a real
    problem, the car is so, so light. It is so totally responsive, it
    must be driven smoothly and considerately to avoid breaking grip. The
    steering is razor sharp too. The howl from the exhaust makes you break
    out in goosepimples when you pull away from standing!!!!
    
    It really has been worth the wait. I've never driven anything else that
    is as exciting as this. Now I've got to take a weeks hols (soon) and
    finish it off.
    
    David.
    

    VAUXHALL are supplying the engines for the 7 as sources for the
    Ford Kent engine are drying up.  The 7 will use the ASTRA GTE 16v
    engine.
    
    I read this in the latest issue of Fast Lane.
    
    Grant

    re .119
    
    Congratulations David. I can easily imagine what you feel.   Patrick

    David,
          Welcome to the happy band of Seven drivers,easily recognised
    by their permanent grin!! - John.
    

    Wow - never in my widest dreams,
    
    someone took me seriously and bought me a Lotus Seven II for my
    birthday !!!
    
    
    Now pass me the polystyrene cement.
    
    Guess i'll have to make do with Tamiya until the Caterham becomes
    a reality.

    re .123
    
    Congratulations!!!
    
    Now you have the instructions to put together the REAL Seven!!
    
    (That's what I used the Tamiya kit for!)
    
    	-Barry_who_sold_his_REAL_Series_2_but_kept_the_kits-
    

    
    
    .....Fanfare of trumpets....
    
    The Seven is complete!! I thought it would look good when it was
    finished but it looks absolutely magnificent. I drove it properly on
    the roads last week and I have not stopped grinning yet. Even old
    ladies at bus stops look as it drives past. It is more like riding a
    motorbike than driving a normal car, as you feel so much part of it,
    being stuck out in the elements.
    
    It took it for an MOT last week which it sailed through. They did not
    pick up on the 4 point harness or the side exit (and loud) exhaust. 
    
    Now that I have got the MOT, I can register the car on a 'Q' plate, at
    no cost, by producing some 'receipts' showing that it has got some
    secondhand parts in it. Alternatively, I can register it on a 'G' by
    parting with about �950 new car tax and producing the certificate of
    newness for it. I'm undecided as I haven't really got the cash, but
    registering the car on a 'Q' will devalue it.
    
    The only bit missing from the car at the moment is the roll over bar as
    it would not fit onto the mountings. Caterham are to supply me with
    another.
    
    Regards, David.  :-)  :-) :-)  etc
    
    PS John, thanks for the instructions on how to use the press stud
    fastener tool.
      

    
>>    newness for it. I'm undecided as I haven't really got the cash, but
>>    registering the car on a 'Q' will devalue it.
    
      I wouldn't have thought that a 'Q' plate on a Caterham would make any
    difference at all to it's value. I'd save the 950 quid for something
    else!
    
    Elaine

    
    re: .-1
    
    It make a lot of difference. The 'Q' plate correctly implies that it
    contains secondhand parts. The 'G' plate proves that it really is a
    brand new car. In terms of resale value, on a 'Q' its not worth more
    than about �11k, on a 'G' its at least �13k.
    
    It all depends on how long I believe that I'll own it for, as at some
    point in time the difference will be minimal.
    
    David.
    

    David,
    
    What about buying a 'personalised plate' that has no value (something
    like HFR 273 from a dead moped etc).
    
    Would this not get rid of the 'Q' plate and also avoid car tax?
    
    Peter
    
    PS for sale - old moped interesting plate 5,000 pounds ;-)
    

    You cannot transfer to or from  a 'Q' plated vehicle ...

   Mark

    
    Unless you re-register in Northern Ireland or the Channel Islands
    first, then re-register in the mainland UK.
    
    David.
    

    IMHO- go for the 'G' - there will be loads of people out there who
    like the idea of a Caterham but don't want to build one. They are
    far more likely to be 'in-tune' with ageing cars by their registration
    letter - PLUS as has been mentioned, you can't replate a Q car.
    
    
    Tony (who hasn't started on his Lotus 7 yet - the kitchen table
    needs clearing)
    

    Well done - on the road at last! - Great ain't it !!!
    
    I couldn't afford all new parts,so I didn't have the option of a
    current letter plate.Most of the people who talk to me about the
    car - the average "man in the street" type who stops and wants to
    admire the car -don't know about 'Q'plates anyway and are intrigued
    to know how I got it! I content myself in the thoughts that:-
             Its different.
             It doesn't give the cars age away.
             In 8 years time it will be 'the current letter' - and not
             many people will have it!
             
    John. 
    
     

    Anyone know anything about a handbrake mod. on a 7 to move the
    handbrake away from over the passengers knees ? I heard something
    about using the handbrake from a Midget/Sprite,adapted in some way,
    so that the driver could reach it easily.
    
    John.

    
    
    Armed with MOT, Insurance and receipts, I went to the Local Vehicle
    Licensing office in Stretford to register the Caterham. I queued at the
    'New Vehicle Registrations' window for 40 minutes. They directed me to
    the 'Enquiries' window. 20 minutes later they gave me the forms to fill
    in (there were none in the waiting room) and an explanatory brochure.
    The explanatory brochure runs to about 40 pages of text. "Once
    completed" they said "we'll arrange for an inspector to come out to you
    from the appropriate office"
    
    Undaunted, I waded through the bumph and completed the forms. One of
    the forms has about 20 line items (engine, chassis, suspension,
    steering, wheels etc...) which you must state are new, used or
    reconditioned, and the vehicle of origin and part number if known.
    
    I spent another 20 minutes queuing at the 'Enquiries' window. The paper
    work was checked, all seemed OK, and it was submitted to the Inspector
    in the back room. Inspector then comes out to tell me that they don't
    cover the Warrington area and that I'll have to go to the Chester
    office to arrange the inspection!!!
    
    Grrrrrrrrrr.
    
    David.
    
    PS Chester office says "just put them in the post"
    

    was taken for a ride in a caterham super 7 sprint 1700cc t'other day...
    
    WOW!!!
    the noise it made was spectacular 
    loved everything about the car
     
    now i *need* one!
    
    i'll be going to stoneleigh for the kit car show now
    
    ...art
                                  

    i am going sunday but i'm going up to see the folks tomorrow...
    who live in Coventry (so i'll be v. near anyway)
    
    thanks for the kind offer anyhows 
    could see youy there perhaps ?
    
    
    ...art

went to the show on sunday...

There were so many people offering cobra replicas, the show could easily be 
renamed Cobra Kit Car Show!

anyhows...
Caterham had a new limited edition Prisoner series car (complete with letter
of authenticity signed by Patrick McGoohan plus membership of the prisoner fan
club) Pity it costs over �3000 more than the super sprint its based on.
Only difference was new alloys, a totally red interior and a bit extra chrome.
The BRG paint looked dodgy it was a "recreation of the old BRG" i was told, 
actually looked quite dull.


...art

anyone interested in going to the CCC caterham 7 race series ?

heres some info on the next race- this sunday (17th) at Thruxton (quite near 
Reading)...

qualifying at 9:00 to 11:15

racing starts at 2:00pm

doors open at 7:30am

cost: 5.50 quid adult (kids 50pence)
     +3.00 grandstand
     +3.00 pit transfer

free parking


I think that theres a programme of ten races during the afternoon inc.
super sevens
TVR's etc



...art

    
    For the first time, a couple of weeks ago I was lucky enough to be
    a passenger in a 1700 super sprint. What can I say...it was great!
    Mind you that evening the weather wasn't particularly ideal for
    "open top" driving, or suitable to experiance the full potential
    of the car, but nevertheless it was still very quick.
                                           
    For those of you who own Caterham 7's, how do you find night time 
    driving? My friend said the lights are pretty appalling if you want 
    to drive when it's dark. I don't know the standard make of the lights, 
    but could anyone recommend a make or suggest any ideas which could 
    improve visibility?
                                                        
    I know he would appreciate any suggestions and/or ideas.
    
    Thanks
    Tony                                                    
    
    

First, check the alignment of the current headlights, and check all the
connections are sound.  If all this is fine and they're still not good enough,
try fitting Wipac halogen units.  I think they come in both 5� and 7 inch units,
so you should be able to get some to fit whatever size pods you've got.

Or if your curent lights aren't "sealed beam", try putting halogen bulbs in
them; cheaper than buying a whole new light.

Don't forget you may need to uprate the fuse as well.

Scott

Caterham can supply suitable Cibie halogen units 

could also try putting KC Daylighters on the car (150w)!

...art

    I put the Caterham supplied CIBIE halogen lights on my 7 and the
    night vision is fine,though I have heard others say that the standard
    Lucas units are a bit naff!
    
    When hammering down country lanes at night it is useful if you can
    see where the road goes!!!
    
    John

I have halogen ones, 

    Phew, finally finished the Lotus.
    
    Only problem is keeping the nose-cone on. I might have to file down
    the forward lower wishbone joints. At the moment I've got a paper-clip
    holding it in place.
    
    Looks good on the bookshelf though. Now if only I could find a decent
    Group C....
    
    
    AMS

    
    I hear they are going to produce a Caterham 7 with the Astra 16v 2.0
    engine, which delivers 190 bhp!
    
    Now that would be something!
    

nope its only got 175 bhp
costs �18.5k
has performance on par with a Testarossa (upto 100mph)
is only sold with a High Performance driving Course

it's called the Super 7 HPC  


...art

ps. i'll take you for a ride in it when its built   :-)

    
    Slight correction - its only sold with _the_ High Performance Course...
    
    Bill.

Penny told me of other HPC type courses that she & John rated highly
(can't remember which one it was tho')

...art

    
    Um, gets complicated. The course run for Caterham is run by the
    High Performance Course Ltd, but is only a short half (full?) day
    session...
    
    Bill.
    

   As I understsnd it, the course is compulsory for all people under 25 who buy 
the car, and a no cost option for anyone else. Is this true ?
  Anyway, anyone got a spare 18.5k just lying around that I could borrow ??!!?

the way it works is that the course (1.5 day GT course) is included in the 
cost of the car.
the course is compulsory for buyers under 25yrs of age
and optional for those over 25
and yes it is the HPC ltd course run from Caterham

...art

    
    TVR have also introduced this scheme for their cars (or is it just
    the new one?).
    
    Do people suddenly become responsible human beings at 25 or do they
    suddenly acquire the skills of Ayrton Senna on their 25th birthday?
    
    Surely it's a bit arbitary. If these cars are so difficult to handle
    then the courses should be compulsory for all buyers (unless they can
    prove experience with similar machinery).
    
    On the whole, though, some sort of familiarisation with a new level
    of performance is a good idea before you're let loose on the road.
    
    Having said that, don't you think that there is a danger that people 
    will believe that they are now expert enough to drive their cars at 
    the limit having done these short courses, whereas without they may
    have been more cautious about approaching the limits?
    
    Mark

	25 year age limit - any limit is arbitrary, so no limit would be the
	best option.

	As for the "overnight expert 'cos I did a morning's course syndrome",
	that's always possible.  However, from my (limited) experience of
	HPC, I very much doubt it.

	I think that it shows a responsible attitude by Caterham; after all
	it does there image no good if there cars keep leaving the road...

>>    Having said that, don't you think that there is a danger that people 
>>    will believe that they are now expert enough to drive their cars at 
>>    the limit having done these short courses, whereas without they may
>>    have been more cautious about approaching the limits?


I think that folk that have been through this type of training will be more
aware of their limits & would probably want to continue to improve their
driving (I suppose there always will be some that reckon on being Mansell)

Jaguar have the HPC course as an optional 'extra' on their Jaguar Sport range
(costs about �1k) - I can't understand why they don't include it in the price
of the car (�40ishK)

Nissan run a course (including a handling course on a track) for all buyers
of the new 300ZX turbo

...art

    
    After a day with John Lyon, you'll probably feel so inadequate and
    incapable you're likely to wonder how you passed the DoT test - 
    don't do a course with him if you think you know it all...
    
    Bill.

    � don't do a course with him if you think you know it all...
    
    � Bill.
    
    
    Perhaps these are just the people who should? :^)
    
    Mark

    
    Oh quite, but I don't think your (oops, sorry, their!) ego could
    take the bashing...
    
    Bill.

	Hi,
	I'm a man who dream to live each day in spring time with 7. 
	Yes, I'm sick for 7.
	
	By the way, I read a topic in Japanese magazine which said that
	7's engine will change next yaer.
	I want to know about that new engine, and I'm very afraid to 
	7 be spoiled for new engine.

	What kind of engine VAUXHALL T/C and METRO K JET is ?
	For example, what is difference of character between LOTUS T/C
	and new engine ?



						/Katsuhiko

    
    Just came back from a wonderful, sunny (!) weekend in Aberdovey, Wales.
    We had two Caterhams there, one of which ran an 1800 engine with Cossie
    BDG Head - ie potentially 200BHP and 0-100 mph in about 11 seconds.
    
    Caterhams are outrageous, you only build them for performance and this
    is the quickest I've seen. It sounds just like a racing car, is mind
    shatteringly loud with a side exhaust that spits flames, and sends sheep
    running about half a mile before it arrives. To handle the power, it had
    a sintered clutch which was decidedly binary in operation - especially
    when cold when you generally left two grey lines moving off, or stalled. 
    
    I can't really describe how it feels on the road; essentially it just
    sits down and f**ks off.
    
    Bill.