SV Chassis Question

[Sllimr]

I'm a complete newbie to this forum but a friend suggested this was the best place to ask the question, so excuse me if I ask something that's been discussed before but I didn't find it searching.

 

I'm thinking about building a 7 (isn't everyone) but was thinking about chassis options first. I'm 6'1" and was thinking that the SV Chassis would be nice for the extra room, however I was wondering if I sacrifice anything on handling by going for this option.

 

Could anybody shed any light on differences with the SV chassis over the standard other than the extra space for me?

 

Thanks

 

/R

[mav]

Not really any different.

 

There may be a few less tubes in the chassis now than there were to start with (An effort to reduce weight I understand), but apart from that little difference except for the dimensions...

[Jason Plato]

The handling may actually be improved with the wider track dimensions 🤔

 

The SV does offer a greater choice of engines - thinking small v8

 

The future tweeks such as inboard suspension , aero kit , independant rear suspension and other goodies may only be developed for the SV 🤔

 

On the downside the SV can look a little odd on 13" wheels ( personal opinion ) .

 

I dont think your height would restrict you to a SV , I'm 6'2" and fit in a std chassis just fine , but if you are of the larger girth then the SV makes perfect sense . My next car will probably be a SVR chassis with all the goodies , not cos I expect to put on any more weight after quitting the fags but just because of the things I listed above .

 

Dave

 

 

 

Lotus 7 Club Speed Champion 2003

South Wales Area Organiser

C7 TOP

[Sllimr]

Thanks, thats exactly the advice I was after, 12.5 Stone so not to much of a larger girth issue, but just wondering what the pros / cons of the larger chassis were...

 

/R

[Graham Perry]

I am wondering how long it will be before someone puts the new Triumph 2.3 bike engine in one Admittedly its not a screamer, but it is oversquare so must have some tuning potential.

 

Edited by - Graham Perry on 23 Jun 2004 14:10:08

[thinfourth]

ignoring the fat git issues

 

Pros

 

Wider track, more room for silly engines (bike engine V8 jobbie), more room for under floor aero stuff.

 

Cons

 

about 20kg more wieght, majority of current knowledge is for normal car, majority of aftermarket kit for normal car.

 

So normal car more sensible choice however the new racer is SV based and companys doing stuff for 7s are so small they can easyily do custom stuff

 

So i would say go for an SV

 

Sod the heater wheres my shades

[Stuart Faulds]

Regardless of the performance pros and cons, I would strongly recommend driving an SV and a standard car. Personally, despite being more comfortable in the SV, I found it felt like a big car on the road, and didn't enjoy it as much.

[RWHomer]

I have both an SV for road and Superlight for competition only.

I think it is a no-brainer, the SV is so much better for road use if carrying a passenger, getting in/out with the weather gear on , luggage space etc. I am about 5'10" and actually had to modify the seat runner to enable me to move the seat further forward but have considerable extra luggage space behind the seats.

Fitted with the 160bhp K-Series, the SV gives impressive performance and is probably more stable than the Superlight.

Possibly you need to wait for IRS and inboard front suspension which may only be developed for the SV.

[Nick Woods]

A friend of mine is 6'4 and about 15-16 stone. He drove a standard car and an SV and although fitting into the standard car is a bit trickier he much preferred the more 'enclosed' feel and that is what he eventually bought.

 

Another friend of similar height but slighltly smaller build did the opposite, he had a standard car and swapped it for an SV and much prefers the bigger car.

 

The moral is to try both and see which you prefer.

 

Nick

Red and Black 1.6K supersport

visit Carrotland.co.uk

 

[pinstripe pete]

I bought my SV last year, although I tried both versions beforehand. I'm 6'2'' and 'snake of hip' (girlfriend's description) and the standard version was a tight fit (granted that I have freakily long, disproportionate legs). The main reason I chose the SV was because I can move my (size 13) feet around the pedal box; in the standard version they were jammed solid, even in 'small' shoes. Because the car is wider you may slip around more in the seat under 'enthusiastic' cornering, hence the 4 point harness is a must if you wish to avoid supporting yourself with the steering wheel.

[Sllimr]

Thanks guys, this really helps, I guess the answer is to drive both and see which one I'm more comfortable in on the road. If there's little difference I'll look at the SV.

 

/R

[Bare]

Hell ..Yes...The SV is a HUGE 1.5 " longer.. Major differences there , Mate,

the likes we have not seen of since the S4 lotus 7.. which incidentally outsold the previous S 2/3 models by a V large margin. Damn buyers.. what did they know about tradition and history :-)

C'mon it's STILL a teeny tiny Car.. period.

No wonder Cat is "Terrified '[ of changing 'Anything' about the car.. regardless wether it requires it or not.. the pesky customers are V. V. conservative.

[Joe 90]

I think the SV is a great effort by Caterham Nobody has mentioned what I think is the biggest drawback which is that it is about £1000 more expensive

 

SEP field working, not spotted in 101,600 miles. Some photos on webshots, updated 10 June

[Subaru Blue SV]

A friend had a normal 7 and i thought it cosy (read cramped) when we both went out in his car.

The SV has what feels like a lot more space.

On the down side, you do get thrown around the cockpit more and if driving hard have to brace your knees against the cockpit sides.

On the plus side, talking to Millwoods the mechanic said that at the limits, a normal seven will lose grip very quickly, snap and bite you wheras the SV tends to slide a bit more at the margins.

 

Go to caterham and try both

[neil.cavanagh]

I have an SV and think its the bees knees.. I'm 6'4" and 15 stone. A regular 7 just was not an option. Especially as I oftern carry a passenger and like going touring in the Caterham.

 

On a track I've had no trouble keeping up with 'faster' regular 7s. The handling on the SV seems very sorted, and even with a 'puny' 140bhp K-series it is quick enough.

 

The only down sides are:

 

1) Cost.. closer to £2k more

and

2) lack of aeroscreen bits etc at the moment. BUT that is changing quickly...

[paul jacobs]

Whilst not owning an SV, being only short at 5'8", I notice that a lot is being made about the downside of the extra width, allowing the driver to slide around in the seat if not wearing 4/6 point belts. This can easily be rectified with the use of suitable heavy duty foam cut to fit on either side of the hips, it doesn't even need to be permanently fixed in as the seat sides will hold it in place. Sounds like the ideal solution for old "snake hips" Pete, see earlier posting 😬

 

Paul J. - On the road at last. it's only been two and a half years!!

[mav]

You used to get quite a few extras as std on the SV, Like RARB, Watts and Momo Steering wheel, along with leather tunnel top and the new arm rest type doors

[pinstripe pete]

Paul - Hmmmm supporting foam....interesting idea. I'd carry it round Sainsbury's with my other badges of Caterham ownership - the Momo and the radar detector! Of course, since the recent course I now drive n-i-c-e-a-n-d-c-a-r-e-f-u-l-l-y round corners ensuring plenty of visibility and stopping distance. And then nailing it off the rev limiter on the straight!!! (BTW I can't make the next meeting - we have a damned School Feast that night- three line whip I'm afraid. Hope the car's running well! (With apologies to Sllimr for momentary hijack))

[Sllimr]

No problems, thanks again everyone for your feedback....

 

I shall be driving both before I purchase...

 

/R

😬