Britspud Posted March 30 Share Posted March 30 Hi All - Happy Easter to everyone ... anticipating that squeezing into my Caterham will become even more challenging by end of Monday. Good Job I went for the SVÂ đ So question; I bought a genuine Caterham vinyl half hood. I've installed it as instructed and when it's on it gives a nice shape and seems taught. Now I've not driven the car yet because the build is still in progress, but it does seem very floppy ... I can run my hand over it and it bows a lot. Which makes me think it'll be a flapping nightmare when underway. I've done it up tight as I feel safe to do. Feels like it needs to the hood sticks, even though I know it doesn't! Is this normal? Â Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leadership Team SLR No.77 Posted March 31 Leadership Team Share Posted March 31 Mine (S3) is similar to your description. It does stay secure (well itâs not blown off yet) but at speed it doesnât inspire confidence! The front tension is of course provided by the screen which makes me nervous about over tightening. Mine fits snuggly over the roll bar but even so thereâs a limit to how tight Iâll draw the rear centre straps. The side straps are not an issue. Up to around 65mph mine has a gentle downward pressure on the hood, above that speed it inflates from below which tends to cause a clenching of the nether regions and breathing stops in anticipation of the inevitable. Certainly compared to the full hood itâs compromised, youâll get soaked in a heavy downpour and it doesnât feel as secure at speed. Itâs massively more convenient though to fit and remove. Stu. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7Up Posted March 31 Share Posted March 31 mine flew off the windscreen and flapped around the back of the car whilst I worked out what had just happened. Caterham had used the wrong poppers, fixed by a quick visit to Oxted. The fit is as you described, floppy and a bow. But it stays on now tested to 70mph. Â Â 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative paul richards Posted March 31 Area Representative Share Posted March 31 My half hood is from Soft Bits. No real problems but does blow up a little when in gale force winds (Scotland) and at 100mph+ (Germany). 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative Geoff Brown Posted March 31 Area Representative Share Posted March 31 My vinyl half hood is from Thundersport. Now at least ten years old & as tight as a drum with no sagging or flapping when pushing on. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Hutton Posted March 31 Share Posted March 31 I have the exact same half hood on my SV and it is fine. To be honest, I don't really like driving with it on but it is a whole lot better than the full hood even in heavy rain. You have to kept that the swirl makes your left shoulder wet but otherwise it works OK and the floppiness is drowned out by the noise of the spray, the exhaust and the ends of the wiper blades hitting the leading edge of the hood! Top tip, make sure you trim the blade ends they miss it. Enjoy your build, it's looking good 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Britspud Posted April 4 Author Share Posted April 4 Many thanks for all the comments đ Good to gauge the norm! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative paul richards Posted April 4 Area Representative Share Posted April 4 âswirl makes your left shoulder wetâ. Not if you have a spare wheel. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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