CJS

No warranty for these cars once they've been on the track. Twelve months ago my R400 blew its head gasket before it had made even 2000kms. I was politely informed to go away and sort it out myself. Chris

+1 for Simon at Ultimate Performance. He's gone far beyond the call of duty for me. Chris

I had the same issue with mine until (as SM25T notes) I spotted that cheeky second nipple on the front calipers. No problems after that. Chris

I had the same issue with my R400 build - Mic has it spot on, as you'd expect. It's a bit cr@p that its not set up properly from the off really but you can disable it by pressing the right buttons in the right order (don't expect the instructions from CC or Stack to be of any use here at all) - or get CC to do it on the post build check. Chris

The aluminium pipe also doesn't fit beneath throttle bodies (when you get round to upgrading). Or at least under my Titan's anyway... Chris

It's hard to miss, so if it looks like it's attached then you're not being stupid. Mine was attached when I received my kit. Just check the torque on the bolts. I found it best to regard the assembly guide as just that (i.e. a guide and not a rule book). Chris

You can also download the R400 Duratec and gearbox supplement (which replaced the Sigma engine chapter in the full assembly guide). Christian

Thanks all; much obliged. Chris

I need to get the mapping sorted on my Duratec R400. It has an MBE 9A4. Before the chaps at the dyno can get stuck in I need to get a few things sorted, including a way of them adjusting the map. They have the software but cabling needs sorting (I'm in Dubai so there's not a wealth of places to go to that are experienced with Caterhams). The loom has the socket to go into the ECU but no other comms cables to stick into a laptop or similar. Presumably I need to get something spliced into the loom or ECU plug and then a cable from that to a laptop but at a loss as to exactly what. Anyone help? Short words please; am an idiot when it comes to electrics. Thanks, Chris

Thanks all; a new straight hose under the throttle bodies sounds like it makes most sense. I like simple. Neil, my R400 engine had a head gasket failure which lead to a seriously warped head. As part of the necessary rebuild I decided to take it to R500 spec which involved a lairy Utimate Performance cylinder head and throttle bodies (and I went for roller ones because I got a good deal from Simon at UP on a 'nearly new' set of Titans). Currently sort out my snagging list so not started up yet, but will let you know how it compares when I do... Thanks again Chris

Having changed my R400 single plenum to titan roller throttle bodies, the existing water rail fouls the bodies. I've managed a temporary fix, but would like to change it to something a little more solid. I've seen the raceline casting. Is this the best way forward, or are there other suggestions out there? (What is used on the R500 for instance?) Thanks for any views Chris

Thanks all. My respect to all those that manage to mate the block to the bellhousing when the latter is in the car. I ended up taking the gearbox out. Did absolute wonders for my temper... Chris

So I'm trying to get my engine back in the car by re-attaching it to the bellhousing (which is in situ). I have about an inch gap between the faces of the block and the bellhousing and I can't get it much closer (lots of resistance one the bolts I'm tightening to bring the faces together). Everything is aligned, gap is more or less equal all round, and I centred the clutch before it went in. Much wriggling (of engine/'box as well as me) as well as moving car forward and back in gear to turn the splines). Now when I try to crank the engine (using a spanner on the crank pulley it wont turn over even though car is not in gear). What am I missing here (should be depressing the clutch for this final bit maybe?)? Any tips? Engine is 2.0l duratec and box is Caterham 6 speed. Thanks in advance Chris Edited by - CJS on 13 Nov 2009 09:41:55

Makes sense to me and just what I wanted to hear - thanks. Chris

I took my 2.0l Duratec out by unbolting it from its bellhousing and after a couple of taps just lifting it out. Nice and quick. It's now ready to go back in. Can I get it back in by the reverse of this (ie leaving the gearbox and bell housing in the car) or do i need to remove the gearbox and return the engine and gearbox in one unit (as it went in originally)? Thanks in advance Chris