Tazio Posted January 24, 2001 Share Posted January 24, 2001 I would prefer the standard Caterham system with the tank in the bellhousing Alan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StewartG Posted January 24, 2001 Share Posted January 24, 2001 Why? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tazio Posted January 25, 2001 Author Share Posted January 25, 2001 Rather than get into a circular ' Why not ', sort of thread, I am happy to listen to arguments for and against... Alan L7 FUN Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StewartG Posted January 25, 2001 Share Posted January 25, 2001 The tank in the bellhousing means a new clutch which I think has to be hydraulically operated and gets very hot and not much oil in the system. It also means the engine has to come out to put the new bellhousing in. The Caterham system costs about £1400 + VAT I'm not sure if that includes the clutch bits or is just the pump, sump, bellhousing tank, pulley and plumbing. Using an external tank allows as much oil in the system as you want, keeps your existing clutch and costs about £500 less. On the down side the installation looks messier and you need to sacrifice the passenger footwell to locate the tank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tazio Posted January 25, 2001 Author Share Posted January 25, 2001 Stewart, Thanks for that, I have the engine out anyway, and whilst I am noit concerned about the passenger footwell ( no passenger seat, fully enclosed tonneau, so very passenger unfriendly anyway , so if I can get a good secondhand ' standard' system it could be quite inexpensive, if not then I'll have to go elsewhere as I wont pay £ 1400. Whose system are you using by the way? Alan L7 FUN Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EFA Posted January 25, 2001 Share Posted January 25, 2001 Alan, Several errors above. The Caterham dry sump system uses precisely the same clutch as the wet sump setup except the actuation has to be hydraulic. Cost of the bits to do this is about £150. The Caterham sump for the dry sump system is better suited to the car than any of the QED/SBD type sumps as it is designed with the vehicle in mind. There are only two disadvantages to the Caterham system: 1 Capacity - it only holds 4.5 litres so in a tuned VX oil temp becomes a problem on the track. 2. The system uses the Vauxhall Pressure Pump which is possibly not ideal if you intend to run high rpm much as this would be outside the design spec. That said, the Caterham system is a neat instalation and its very easy to remove the engine. My car uses a Caterham dry sump pan, a wet sump bellhousing, an exteral tank sited in front of the extended passenger footwell (no space issue, but this could be because of my exhaust feeding over the top chassis rail unlike std.) I have a PACE SlimJim pump which when correctly fitted provides the pressue and scavenge no problem. It holds 8 litres of oil which never gets too hot, but an dits a big but, this setup is not a very need installation (pipes everywhere) and when removing the engine you have to disconnect the pump and that gets oil all over the place! My reccomendation: If you are not a good engineer opt for the Caterham system. If you wish to spend a while getting it right ( mine after 6 years still leaks like a sieve) go for the cheaper option. Nick Richens has a bellhousing for the dry sump setup for sale. I just bought the pan off him. Arnie Webb Organiser- L7C Le Mans Trip To book for this years Le Mans Trip see The Le Mans Trip Website It really is very very very very full now!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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