First Modification for the 420R - Trimmed Steering Wheel

[CtrMint]

Afternoon All, 

Hope you're all well.  Thought I'd share my first modification for the 420R.  I've had the steering wheel retrimmed.  It's not my work.  I'm sure you'll agree it's a fantastic job.  I'll be doing a write up for my blog soon.

 

 

[StevehS3]

Looks great. I think Alcantara is the ideal material. Feels and grips like suede but harder wearing.

[Mark w]

Very nice . Jo does a great job.

Mark , completely off topic but can you have a look at your cars and advise if your 420 and 620 both have the same dry sump pan and general plumbing arrangement please .

TIA

[Shortshift]

I'll bet you the outcome...

James

[Mark w]

JB 

I looked at the photos of the Pace sump and it looked different to mine ........ just researching .

[Mark w]

JB 

I looked at the photos of the Pace sump and it looked different to mine ........ just researching .

[CtrMint]

I'll have a look at the pans tomorrow.  As for plumbing, are you talking general plumbing to the sump tank?   The tank is totally different and position near the airbox.

[Mark w]

Just the sump castings will do .

if you can photograph any lettering on the underside that would be a great help , an iPhone on the floor will focus in the space available after you have run a finger to see if there is anything cast into the pan .

[Shortshift]

Poor Mark - he was only talking about his fancy steering wheel...

James

[CtrMint]

I'll put the iPhone under, might try and stream to YouTube; see how it looks.

[7 wonders of the world]

Steering wheel is very nice Mark, who did the trimming for you..?

[CtrMint]

I used a chap that was using Instagram to detail his work.

https://www.instagram.com/krossstitchuk/

He seems well known on one of the Caterham/L7 FB pages too.  If you look on his storyline there is a picture by picture break down of my wheel.

[kiloromeo]

Very nice.

Do they remove the existing leather, or just trim over the top so its a bit fatter?

[CtrMint]

From the pics he sands down the original covering.

[CtrMint]

I think this link should work https://www.instagram.com/stories/krossstitchuk/ shows the process.

[Shortshift]

It's Joe Wilcox and, yes, he does have a very good reputation.

I think he strips the original top-layer of covering (leather or Alcantara, etc) and then smooths, repairs and modifies (as required) the high-density foam underlayer before recovering.

The recovering seems to be a magical process to me; just can't see how it all comes together (and so perfectly!).

James

[CtrMint]

I've shot two videos of the 620 by moving the phone around on the floor.  Hopefully I caught what you need.  Turn your sound down.  Will go do the 420 now,

[CtrMint]

420 sump 

[Mark w]

Thanks for the videos Mark , you've cleared up my query .

You appear to have the same Caterham branded Raceline dry sump on both cars . 
 

The early 620r was fitted with the Cosworth own supply sump with 3 stage pump -extreme duty . This was fitted into  at least 2016 but sometime thereafter  production was changed to use the 420 type . The query arose after investigating sump clearance on another variant when it was discovered that early 620R appeared to have a more bespoke system . I don't know for sure but the change may have been linked to availability or cost of the Cosworth kit .

thanks for doing the videos 

[CtrMint]

Nw glad to assist, just wish I was out driving them.

 

[Frogman]

Manx roads must be a lot cleaner than I remember them if that is what a sump looks like!

[Richard_420R]

That looks very nice - very tempting for my 420R - can I ask how much??

Rich.

[CtrMint]

The price varies depending on your spec, if you have the top band and embroidery, the cost was 180.00GBP.  I think it's 10GBP for the top band, and maybe 20GBP for the embroidery.  I suspect the price will vary based on wheel size too, but I guess we're all using the same wheel.

I have to say the chap doing the retriml has been incredibly friendly and amazingly engaging.  We chatted through options over instagram before finalizing a spec.  He sent through images of varies thread colours.  It's been a totally engaging experience.

Personally I think it's a bargain, and would happily have paid more.  I wouldn't be surprised if his prices creep up, supply vs demand etc.