dino ferrana

Maybe they offer some form of warranty?

ZV1s are one of the hardest tyres you can get on a seven. I think the tyre itself is largely made of stone which takes decades to erode! Seriously they are a really hard CR500s or similar are MUCH grippier but will last a shorter time. You really can't experience the legendary grip of the Caterham particularly well with ZV1s

Gun-Drilled Drive shafts? Carbon Prop Shaft? Drilled centre from the De-Dion bolt? Wiring Loom Diet?

I know that Meaden's has a lightened axle, small headlamps, carbon silencer, cf steering wheel etc. ACB10s (lighter than CR500). He basically got Paul Harvey to do as much weight removal as possible.

I think although Caterham quote 160 bhp for the R300 it is reckoned to be at least 165 bhp if not more with some engines. Worth remembering you get lots of new bits in your engine when you do the Supersport R upgrade which is especially useful if you have done a few miles.

Caterham recommend Optimax on track as it keeps temps down. I don't understand why but it does?

IF you aren't that much of a trackday warrior why the XTR4? I don't know too much about them as I haven't driven one and I haven't seen a mag test where it has lasted long enough to get meaninful results. Surely a seven type car is always going to be more rewarding to drive on the road?

I know you aren't listening to detractors but... The Duratec is being used by several kit manufacturers including Westfield and Quantum. There are probably half a dozen if not more using it if you trawl through totalkitcar.com. The Audi engine is mainly being used by people who stick it in the middle a la Westfield. I know Doonkervoort stick it at the front but then they are quite a lot bigger than a seven. They are heavier 50KG is probably about right and that is 50 KG right in the wrong place. Lastly I know the main criticism thrown at this engine is it is utterly souless and has a pretty boring sound. The main reason Wonkfield are using it is the fact that it is quiet becase their XR2's kept failing noise tests. Interesting project but I am sure that a Duratec would be a far more viable option with many more off the shelf parts and wealth of experience in slotting them in already.

Are you still going to have the Marina Axle in the car? I would suggest that this engine will exceed the torque capacity of that axle.

I have just noticed that you now have wider rear tyres than front. This will inevitably change the balance of the handling. The increase in rear grip may be causing the front end to push on.

CR500s are a fair bit lighter than the A048Rs which afterall are designed for a heavier car than a Caterham. The car is unlikely to handle the same on both and the reduction in front tyre width will certainly have an effect. Why did you swith to A048s if the handling was fine or CR500s?

Petrolhead the Caterham motorsport oil made by Comma won't be on their site as it is not on general sale. I believe it is a 5W50 and it is available from Caterham.

Mav I agree with you but the original post was relating to high temperatures on trackdays and worries about protection in these conditions. The new oil specifically caters for those concerns whilst being good day to day.

I don't know what ACEA standard the Caterham oil is. Would you get such a low volume oil tested by such an organisation I would guess it would be expensive. I am sure Peter is right Comma must have cooked up some rubbishy oil for Caterham for a laugh. No point trying it he says it is bound to be dodgy. FWIW I have used it for the last 4,200 miles and my superlight has yet to expire.

The Halfords stuff is the same rating as Comma Syner-Z but is not I believe the same oil. The Caterham motorsport oil is definately nothing to do with the Haflords product and is very different hence the different rating. Bare I think Dave is probably in quite a good position to judge oil being that he builds all of the high performance engines for Caterham? It would not be in his interest to recommend crap stuff if Minsters engines started going pop as a result.

DO you now recommend the Comma produced Caterham motorsport oil now?

I use the Comma developed Caterham motorsport oil which is specially developed for the K-Series in the Caterham application. Mobil 1 motorsport is a little thick for a K-Series from a cold start whereas the 5W50 Caterham oil is perfect. Don't be taken in by the motorsport bit of the name it actually isn't terribly sophisticated oil.

I don't think a 7 can pull 2g under brakes but it can stop quicker than an SLR from 100 mph. Suspicious?

You might find that Volk racing or similar might not fit properly. There are a lot of wheels which a) fit a seven b) aren't designed to support the weight of a saloon car. c) don't weigh a ton. Most people favour 13 inch wheels but 15 wheels are also popular. Choices are 13" Caterhams 8 spoke alloy wheel - lightweight (for a one piece wheel) and attractive Mike Barmby Magnesium split rim- incredibly light but expensive MOG racing wheel- never seen or touched one but meant to be light and attractive Compomotive CXR- light and attractive but prone to cracking KN minilite replicas- good all round wheel and been fitted by Caterham and other to the seven for years. 15" Caterhams 10 spoke ally wheel- light for the size and attractive Prisoner style Wheels- fitted by Caterham for years but not longer and option. Heavy and IMHO not that attractive.

Probably worth a try?

I think that selling it may be a good move as you seemed to be intent on upgrading it to the first ever 1.6VX with carbon everything, mag wheels etc. 😬 What are you getting next?

Hard Run In: Warm it up properly (20 minutes low revs driving) then thrash the nuts off it. Result: Best for power. Soft Run in: Keeping it below 4-5000 rpm and heat cycling etc. Result: Longer lasting engine.

BUt if you don't use charcoal how will you make it taste of lighter fluid?

They have always had very good reviews here

Sorry to hear that. Are you appealing? You never know you might get them to change their minds in a couple of years and you could then get another one!