gundersen Posted October 3, 2013 Share Posted October 3, 2013 During my short (two years) caterham ownership, I have made quite a number of changes and upgrades to my car. Including, but not limited to: new engine, gearbox, diff, wheels, dials, aeroscreen, exhaust, seats, ecu All these modifications vary greatly in price and complexity, but I have found that there is no directly link between the price of a modification and the gain. Two of the best modifications I have made, have been relatively inexpensive. The first modification I did that REALLY changed the car, was removing the 16" wheels and replacing them with 13" CR500's. That simply transformed the handling of the car, before it felt like a heavy tin top, and after it felt like top fuel gokart. The second modification I did, was to move the seat forward by 7.5cm...not much, but enough that I could get a proper driving position. Again, the feel of the car was transformed 🥰 So, just my two pence of wisdom. So what is your best modification/upgrade 🤔 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin J Posted October 3, 2013 Share Posted October 3, 2013 Best upgrade.....replacing the ZV3 tyres with AO21's. Cheapest upgrade, eventually locating & taping over the end of the indicator buzzer as the BEEP BEEP really was just too loud. If I have ear plugs in I only very occasionally forget to switch them off. 😳 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richy Posted October 3, 2013 Share Posted October 3, 2013 Trackday rollbar. Though these should really be fitted as standard. Richy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stationary M25 Traveller Posted October 3, 2013 Share Posted October 3, 2013 The k-series cooling circuit mod Cheap, easy and effective. Slimline LED rear fog and reverse lights .... good looking and effective. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BSA Posted October 3, 2013 Share Posted October 3, 2013 Gunderson, what about that lovely six speed box i sold you ? Matt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myothercarsa2cv Posted October 3, 2013 Share Posted October 3, 2013 Doing the throttle body mod for better throttle response. 30 mins and a few inches of solder was the total outlay. After that, it was replacing the sh*t brake MC with one that works. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drumster Posted October 3, 2013 Share Posted October 3, 2013 1. Changing from 15" Prisoners and Michelin Pileups to 13" Supalites and Yoko 21s 2. Fitting a Tillett seat 3. FIA rollover bar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prangerman Posted October 3, 2013 Share Posted October 3, 2013 1. Full cage (primarily for taking the kids out but adds rigidity, although my ageing body is starting to object to the contortions) 2. Vernier pulleys 3. Oxted Trimming Tillett seat inserts 4. Aeroscreen (well sometimes ) Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leadership Team SLR No.77 Posted October 3, 2013 Leadership Team Share Posted October 3, 2013 Interior light An umbrella with a couple of poppers fitted to anchor it to the windscreen Stu. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Riches Posted October 4, 2013 Share Posted October 4, 2013 .....so Mr. Forshaw doesn't that umbrella act as a drogue chute at any speed other than not moving. Nigel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul jacobs Posted October 4, 2013 Share Posted October 4, 2013 What an excellent topic. As an inveterate fiddler, one of the most useful small additions I have made was the addition of a full width parcel shelf, using plastic facia board, and carpeted. On my current swoopy dash CSR, I have had to confine it to passenger side only, but it is just so useful. In the days when handbrakes were tucked up over the passengers toes, I fitted a Spridget handbrake vertically on the n/s alongside the gear lever. In those days I was autotesting and needed a handbrake for quick turns, but it was also useful for normal parking on the road. I have also added padding under the seat cover, so the middle of my back is now supported. It was costing me a fortune in physio fees everytime I did a journey of more than an hour, also packing the front of the seat up, so I have more recline of the backrest, ensures far more comfort for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grubbster Posted October 4, 2013 Share Posted October 4, 2013 Elasticated tunnel strap designed to hold a vbox in place but also handy for phone, wallet etc Edited by - Grubbster on 4 Oct 2013 09:58:14 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gundersen Posted October 4, 2013 Author Share Posted October 4, 2013 Lots of good suggestions here I am surprised that none have mentioned lowered floors... @BSA: The gearbox is nice (and works flawlessly btw, thanks), and while it is better on track than the old five speed, it didn't transform the car in the same way that for example switching from 16" to 13" wheels did. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Birkin S3 ZA. Posted October 4, 2013 Share Posted October 4, 2013 Tillett seats fitted 60mm lower 50mm back and steering wheel 30mm forward, small key/remote tray under front of drivers seat. better front discs and softer pads, self cancelling indicator switch, Swapping all the bonded suspension bushes for needle bearings and vesconite bushes on the A arms. Fitting Nitron shocks and revalve to suit. and more power 😬 😬 some of the mods where not cheap but they made it great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie_pank Posted October 4, 2013 Share Posted October 4, 2013 I'm afraid I have to say that my best upgrade was also the most expensive. Here's the list of mods I performed on my 2001 Roadsport: Ditched Cr322 tyres for AO21Rs 4-2-1 exhaust manifold Q/R steering wheel Emerald ECU + wideband lambda probe and self-mapping Heater (yes) Swappable aeroscreen Mech OPG Yamaha R1 engine install (limited slip diff, huge weight loss, power up to around 180hp, 6 speed sequential gearbox and 14,000 rpm redline) Unsurprisingly, the last of these was both the most expensive and changed the car from a 'quick' toy to an utterly insane monster! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexander Gurr Posted October 4, 2013 Share Posted October 4, 2013 Proper flat floor set-up at DPR...turned the car from fun, to fantastic and all for £300. After that, some driver tuition...I thought I knew how to drive, but I had no idea really 😬 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nickh7 Posted October 4, 2013 Share Posted October 4, 2013 switching to freestyle suspension Big Brakes Sticky Tyres Wide-track What it needs Better Driver or at least training LSD fit the bl 🙆🏻 *confused*dy vernier pulleys I've had for 3 years But for smaller things , half hood just brilliant but best of all , Elie of this parish getting a motalita steering wheel retrimed in suede for me , it just makes the steering feel better, silly I know but just does 😬 Edited by - nickh7 on 4 Oct 2013 12:46:57 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob L Posted October 4, 2013 Share Posted October 4, 2013 Not just modifications, more general enhancements to the driving experience, some better than others: Peashooter silencer (?), now at least if I cant be seen, I can be bloody well heard! Earplugs Toyo R888’s – great when dry, try not to take it out in the wet Mechanical OPG Cooling mod on the K series with the T peace – no more air locks, should have done this sooner. Rear view mirrors – Various, this is continual work in progress…. Half hood – just purchased and waiting delivery but its got to better than fighting with a full hood when it rains Ace change up lights – Fun, easy to fit but pointless if you have ears 12v Lighter socket for accessories but mainly for charging - simples Original Caterham jacket from 1999, faded and getting a little threadbare but still the most comfortable and warm compared to everything else I’ve tried – why did they stop making this version 😔 My own servicing – Only just started doing this but surprisingly satisfying on a warm day and at least I know nothing has been missed Rear wheel intrusion bar. Will fit a side impact bar eventually – every little counts! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter clarke Posted October 4, 2013 Share Posted October 4, 2013 How do you keep this short???? 1600 K road use only now. Suspension :15 to 13 inch wheels plus Nitrons with progressive rears and 225 with 150 lb/in tenders on front plus r888 tyres, prefer them to 021's. Engine: Daves large port head plus all the usual goodies I did myself and van Kroenenburg ECU and RR set up to 180 ish BHP with very good torque from 4-2-1 exhaust. Full set of adjustable SPA analogue gauges. Also SPA convex mirrors. 47 litre tank, so can go 260 miles, and stupid flap removed so can actually fill it quickly! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Birkin S3 ZA. Posted October 4, 2013 Share Posted October 4, 2013 The one cheap thing I forgot was the 4 into 1 venturi merge collector I made that gave 20+ hp from low to high rpm, it really did feel like a different engine had been fitted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomB Posted October 4, 2013 Share Posted October 4, 2013 De-selecting 'Cut fuel on overrun' on the Emerald software. Childish, but the car sounds lovely, with lots of gentle popping when changing down gear. Together with the TB conversion, makes the car have a bit more old-skool character. Snail shaped air horns - same footprint as the original horns but so much louder for only £6 from eBay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OliverSedlacek Posted October 4, 2013 Share Posted October 4, 2013 Bracket to link the Webers so that they don't go out of balance. Raised steering rack to minimise bump steer. Most mods were a lot more expensive! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
combine Posted October 4, 2013 Share Posted October 4, 2013 Removing the windscreen ! 😬 Completely alters the caterham experience ! 😬 Edited by - combine on 4 Oct 2013 21:24:16 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AntonyH Posted October 5, 2013 Share Posted October 5, 2013 Moving the indicator repeaters from the cycle wings (where the wires and fittings were already life-expired) into the headlamp bowls. I can now see, from the cockpit, that I've left the indicators on...* *And more importantly, turn them off! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baz Hemsley Posted October 5, 2013 Share Posted October 5, 2013 You said little things. Making a Perspex wind deflector to go between the Brooklands. It stopped the rear view mirror vibrating. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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