Composite Interchangeable Deflector Kit advice please

[oldbutnotslow]

Im thinking of replacing my full windscreen with the Composite Interchangeable Deflector Kit as sold by Caterham.

I read an earlier thread that said it was pants which has put me off somewhat but would like to have other opinions before I make up my mind.

Caterham say removal of the W/S is worth 10mph on the top end speed and removal will save about 10kg in weight. (not sure if this included the wiper motor and rack being removed as well)

The car is almost exclusively used on track days & is trailered.

How much benefit in terms of wind deflection do they really provide?

Do you need the 1/2 doors or can you put up with no doors?

Do the wing mirrors provide a reasonable amount of rearward vision?

Are there any alternatives out there? If so can anyone supply details etc?

 

Advice would be very welcome 🤔 🤔

 

 

Grant

[YellowSeven]

I can only anwer some of your questions so..,

 

With out a windscreen your car will be undrivable the wind get under your chin and trys to rip your head off, not pleasant!!

Aero screens are excellent for track use all the wind is directed over your head, when driving with a helmet on you wont notice that you've removed the screen.

 

Running with no doors is fine in the dry, you dont experience any buffering, you may want to consider 1/2 door for a little weather protection in the wet.

 

Wing mirrors are ok, but not great, but what can you expect for something so small that is moving about quite a bit!! But there are adequate for track use, you can see when someone is behind you.

 

RIF (Richard In France) apparently does an interchangable carbon aero screen at a very resonable price and its a quality piece of kit. Try doing a search on the matter. Although no doubt someone will be along shortly with his www address

 

If you never run with a passenger you could go for a Caterham race aeroscreen, which is basically an angled piece of plastic bolted to the scuttle, but if you ever do take passenger they wont be thanking you for your choice!!

 

HTH

[jimmyslr]

I have a single driver's side race aeroscreen (the angled plastic referred to above). Works well...

 

- it is NOT like having a full windscreen though. Much noisier and much more buffetting.

- the wind flow hits me 2/3 way up my helmet

- there is nothing on the passenger side and the comments from a passenger following a trip round Goodwood cicruit were not favourable! Airflow with no deflector is vicious

- it does give c10mph at top end

- most of weight is in the glass windscreen and stanchions so you do not have to rip out motor assemblies, but you would get a bit more weight off there

- for track use only I would not worry about the half doors as they are not a bargain

[TomB]

I enquired with Jill Judd of 'Soft Bits for Sevens' about the cost of her flat half-side doors - £75 for pair. I belive CC charge around £100 per side for there doors with the curve for the elbow in.

[Gary-Cornwall]

I've got the interchangable and think it's great. My car gets mostly track miles but I tow it to events with screen and roof on. Changeover takes about 15 mins.

 

No doubting the benefit on the straights, and I like the greatly increased visability as I found the top of the air brake screen to be in my eye line.

 

I actually think the mirrors are excellent. Centre is good and the sides whilst small are convex in shape( or is it concave?) which means you get good viz' from small unit.....much better than the old door mirrors which flap like hell.

 

Have driven without doors so far but am looking into half doors (see soft bits for sevens on previous post) as soaking wet castle coombe was a 'mare.

 

Gary

 

 

[oldbutnotslow]

Thanks for the advice all. Much appreciated.

Yeh Garry, I have the visibility problem too with the top of the screen but exacerbated as I have a full cage. Not sure about the flat 1/2 doors Tom as I find the standard doors restrictive. Have you driven a car with these on it? Probably my flailing about driving style at fault here!! Cadwell recently was wet and it was no fun even with the side screens on, as water seems to get between the door bottom and the side of the car. Similarly I seem to get almost as much water on the inside of the full windscreen as on the front of it. Must be from the air swirl!

I think that I would prefer to just wipe my visor.

I looked at the 1/2 screens but dismissed them as I do take passengers out albeit occasionally but it good to hear that you reckon removal of the full screen to be a worthwhile move Jimmy.

Richard in France sells carbon fibre ones that look the dogs whatsits and looks to be excellent value but I would need to fit my own wing mirrors. Myles has been good enough to give me some more info on the best types to fit.

Next track day on the 20th July so would like to get set up for then.

I must say that I am fairly certain I will go down this route but I am still in a quandary as to which screen to go for so any more experiences would be very welcome

 

Thanks guys

[TomB]

I havnt used either the CC or Jill Judd half side doors, so I cant recommend either. Just thought Id suggest a cheaper alternative to the CC half doors

[oldbutnotslow]

Thanks Tom