Dave McCulloch

OK, I measured cam timing almost 2 weeks ago then removed cam pulleys in anticipation of fitting verniers. However, it's only now that I'm ready to fit the verniers and time them in. Will the hydraulic tappets (Rover K series) still be fully "pumped up" or do I need to install verniers timed exactly as per original pulleys, put cam cover back on and start engine briefly, then remove cam cover to measure and set timing. Obviously would rather not have to assemble and disassemble unless I have to! Thanks Dave

Sounds similar to readings for my 1.6SS K series, once the oil is hot. When cold, the idle oil pressure is about half way (about 4 bar from memory) but this drops to about quarter reading (2 bar I think) as engine warms up. I always understood that as long as you have oil pressure at idle (ie not in the red) and it rises rapidly as revs rise, that all was ok. As said, the Caterham sensor / gauge aren't renowned for their accuracy. Dave

Just received a pair from Dave Andrews at dvapower, cost was £147 +£8P&P. Cheapest place I found, and Dave has always been very helpful with queries - eg he provided the correct cam timing for the supersport cams. I strongly believe that his providing such invaluable information is a very good reason for ordering the bits from him. All I've got to do is fit mine now, but I've been in bed with flu all week ☹️ Dave Edited by - Dave McCulloch on 20 Nov 2003 14:35:02 Edited by - Dave McCulloch on 20 Nov 2003 14:35:33 Edited by - Dave McCulloch on 20 Nov 2003 14:35:57

Rich Is that as per this web page here? If so, great article. Dave Edited by - Dave McCulloch on 13 Nov 2003 17:05:11 Edited by - Dave McCulloch on 13 Nov 2003 17:11:17

Eh? I'm after a system for a K series (mainly want the manifold as will add a Raceco silencer, but Caterham want an arm and a leg for the manifold on its own)

Anyone? Somebody must have upgraded?

Mark Excellent result. Was this with standard valves, or did the porting include larger valves? Dave

Going to go for a pair of these under the new group buy, but out of interest what lense colours did people go for in the last group buy - which are recommended? Thanks Dave

Dave If this is a 2nd hand system and you don't go ahead with it, pls let me know the seller's contact details. Thanks Dave

Thanks for that Pierre - you've even got the same 40th anniversary version as me! Unfortunately I got a price from Caterham for only the manifold of £500 + VAT - with the Raceco silencer that comes in at an eye watering £1,150 total. For an exhaust system Might have to think again - the Caterham full system is only £700 incl VAT. I have to admit that your pic shows the Caterham manifold to be a lot "tidier" than the Powerspeed system - given the amount the car cost and the fact that the exhaust is "on show", I don't really want to fit a "dustbin" of an exhaust system. Thanks Dave

Does anyone know if the Caterham K series 4-2-1 manifold (as fitted to the SLR I believe) mates with the Raceco silencer can? Or does one or the other have to be modified to fit, in which case what is the rough cost of modifying and who can do it (I'm in West Sussex). How much is the Caterham manifold on its own - I know the price including 7" silencer is £595 +VAT. Thanks Dave

In my 98 car with S type seats, the seats bolt direct to the ali floor and not the chassis. Nic, I had the same problem a few months ago. Once I'd got the car in the air on the axle stands, I then used the trolley jack to raise the bent piece of floor back into place before re-rivetting - makes sure floor is hard up against chassis. You may also find some of the sheared rivets have left their "ball" lodged in the chassis rails - a quick blow with a centre punch will release them. I also gave a good squirt of waxoyl through the rivet holes while they were open to add a bit of corrosion resistance. Fairly easy job - only took about half an hour all in. Dave

That would help wouldn't it!! - K series. Original post edited.

Wanted - Caterham 4-2-1 exhaust manifold and 7" silencer (no cat required) for K series. Must be good condition - though I'm happy to have to polish it up myself. I'm in West Sussex, so if not local you'll need to be prepared to post / courier it. Thanks Dave [Edited cos I'm a muppet and forgot to include which engine it was for!] Edited by - Dave McCulloch on 29 Oct 2003 20:13:03

I'd also chip in for a couple of sets. Dave

Oily Many thanks. Off to test my fabrication skills then! Dave

Dave Thanks - I've seen the ad, but unfortunately I want a 4-2-1 to maximise torque. Dave

I'm in the process of waiting for a 2nd hand exhaust system to come up for sale, so whilst I wait I thought I'd check the cam timing as Dave Andrews commented this can be a long way out on the K series supersport. I'm going to order a dial gauge to use the "lift at TDC" method, but have a couple of queries having looked at Dave Andrews' web site: 1) What should the lift be at TDC for the inlet and exhaust cams respectively 2) Presume I will need to make up a bracket to hold the dial gauge as the magnetic stand will presumably not attach to a (non-ferrous) aluminium cylinder head. What's the best place to bolt this to and what have people used to make it. If the timing proves to be out, I'll purchase some vernier pulleys to rectify. Thanks Dave

Mark YHM about exhaust if still available. Dave

Thanks Petrolhead. The EBD design certainly looks neater there. Any idea on price for that one? I presume the yellow car further down that page is also Power Speed - looks different where it exits the sideskin compared to the purple one at the top - both look quite "messy" where they exit the engine bay IMHO. Also not sure about using the existing cat silencer - was hoping to make it a bit quieter! - and I don't need a (power sapping) cat due to the age of the car. Tom, thanks!

Petrolhead Do you mean the pics of your old 7 on your website? - that's a 4-1!

Tom Is your Powerspeed a 4-2-1 system - if so, is there any chance of you getting a photo of it and emailing it to me. Sorry to be a pain, but as one of the earlier posts said, some of the systems available look a bit of a dog's dinner (to my eyes at any rate!). Thanks Dave

Just been talking to Caterham, and they do a 4-2-1 manifold and large silencer (the "SLR" system was what they called it) for £595 +VAT. Said I would need this rather than the 4-1 system in order to meet noise limits at most track days. Since my original post I've been trying to search the net for pics of the various systems, but without much luck so far. If anyone has a 4-2-1 system fitted and has (or can get) a piccie, I'd be very grateful if you could email it to me. Does the Caterham 4-2-1 manifold match Dave Andrew's recommendations - ie 30-32" primaries (1.5" dia), 10-12" secondaries (1.75" dia) and 2.25" system? Is it quieter than the standard short 4-1 system which came standard with my 1998 1.6 K series? Quite like the idea of keeping at least the visible parts original Caterham (albeit at a price I suspect compared to others). Thanks Dave ps Does my existing exhaust have any 2nd hand value to offset the cost of a new system? - guess not much as presumably most people would upgrade rather than replace with same system if cat failed? Edited by - Dave McCulloch on 6 Oct 2003 11:48:16

Thanks for all the replies. As always, I see this being the beginning of the slippery (and expensive) slope! Oily - is there a particular manifold / silencer combination which you would recommend which combines good improvements in performance, good looks and no louder than the standard Caterham fare. I know your website recommends primary / secondary lengths and diameters, but which manifolds satisfy these? Thanks Dave

Tony - hence my question about recommended combinations - it must still look good as well as releasing the extra torque. Not keen on an updraded single throttle body as it would always be a compromise on the full house dual throttle bodies a la Jenvey - my understanding is that the plenum will always be quite a major restriction on liberating more power. Dave