electrick

Bumped into someone from the factory a few weeks ago and he pointed out a neat trick. With the door done up with the top fastener only, when driving at a reasonable speed you can push the bottom section of the door out - it then lifts up like a wing allowing lots of fresh air into the cockpit. I tried it the other week and it works a treat ! James T. Edited by - electrick on 27 Sep 2004 13:04:34 Edited by - electrick on 27 Sep 2004 13:05:22

I fitted my old type road angel on an angled bracket on the tunnel and had the same prob with the volume. Have made up an external speaker with bits from Maplin. pics here I'l look up the bits I used in the morning but basically have put together a 3watt amp and speaker mounted in a box with a 10K potentiometer to adjust the volume. The speaker box is fitted using heavy duty velcro to the bulkhead under the steering column. (The box for the power sockets in the picture is on the passenger side to the left of the fuse box.) Works well, although the startup bleeps from the Road Angel are very loud - the power is switched to try and keep the noise down on those early morning startups! I did try adding an output jack to connect to the Autocom (through the volume control) but the interference is too bad with the setup as it is at the moment. James T. Edited by - electrick on 12 Sep 2004 23:56:43

I'd be interested in the alternate baffle as I'm not likely to be able to fund a dry sump system yet but expect to be clocking up a high mileage. 3500 miles in two months plus a trip to west coast of Scotland coming up this month!! (first oil change now done since 500 mile service and a burnt wrist from the exahust - oops !) James T.

Thats sounds more like it. But why the baffle was mentioned in the first place - I have no idea... James T. Edited by - electrick on 1 Sep 2004 16:13:04

Ok the facts: All wet sump K series have the baffle - it's not an optional extra - just phoned up the factory and checked. Shall just assume someone on the parts counter there was slightly mistaken Can now do the first oil change confident I'm putting the right amount in ! James T.

The prob is I'm getting this second hand - my father went into the factory at Dartford to pick some oil up for me (else i'd have to drive 50 miles at lunchtime.) It was someone behind the parts counter. Thought it would be straightforward to doublecheck the amount needed (I suspect 4-5 litres..so don't need to buy two cans) I'l phone the factory up in a few minutes and check this comment about the baffle !! James T.

Caterham have just suggested that I won't have a foam baffle in the sump if I didn't specify one. (1.8K 140 X power wet sump, assembled in May) Slightly confused as this was never on any option list I have filled in... My reason for checking here is I'm stuck at work and have someone else running round picking some oil+filter for me and the question of amount came up. Apparently it makes a difference.. Any idea ? is it really an option that I missed and should it make a difference to the amount of oil? Thanks James T.

Having built mine in May I'd say the basic things that need doing are fairly well known and Caterham can advise you what they are if you want to present the car yourself. Things like rubber trim on indicators, fog light, dash etc etc. I had problems taking time off work which made it easier for my decision to let Caterham do it. The interesting thing is that the day they took my car to Gillingham they took another that was to all intents and purposes the same. Mine flew through, the other (tested at the same time by another inspector) failed on lots of points that could easily have applied to mine. One example was one of the pipes exited the transmission tunnel supposedly a few mm too close to something else. Odd considering they are all practically the same. (although the "inspector of inspectors" was visiting that day!) I guess you have to consider how much hassle it will cause you in time off work etc if your car fails first time. By letting Caterham do it they will do what they can to re-present the car. Also they very rapidly sort out the Registration etc straight after meaning I was on the road the next day James T

Mentioned once already but remember to kick of the SVA as soon as possible. You don't need to worry that by sending the initial forms off you will end up with having to specify a date you might not be ready for. It takes a few weeks from sending the first form off before you are in a position where you need to agree a date with them - and at that stage its a case of when you are ready you simply phone them up and make the appointment (usually a week or two lead time). If you are having Caterham do a post build check you'l need to allow a couple of weeks lead time with them first as well (They usually will ask you to wait until you have an SVA date........) I messed up and ended up waiting 5 weeks after building the car before It was SVA'd and on the road ! Have fun with the build and take your time. As said before Caterham are excellent at forwarding missing bits and pieces (hardly any shortages in my case) James.

Bexley. I'l measure mine as well. James

I'm interested as well..... clouted mine at the weekend... - another SV (wet sump k series) James Edited by - electrick on 18 Aug 2004 23:06:46

I'd also consider adding Amourfend especially on the forward facing outside edges of the rear wings.(The protector plates don't quite reach the outside edge) I wish I had as after 2000 miles since getting mine on the road the paint looks like someone has taken a shot blaster to the car ! James.

I have mounted the Road Angel in front of the gear shift on an angled bracket (old style road angel but probably would work with the new one). The external (re-radiating) antenna is mounted on the top of the passenger seat (behind the head rest). For power sockets I have made up a box that mounts to the left of the fuse box. This has two 12v cigar sockets. One directly connected to the battery (fused at the battery). Usefull for Optimate connection or phone charger etc.. The other is fed from the ignition switch and is used for the Road Angel and it's external antenna. I've posted some pictures here James Edited by - electrick on 17 Aug 2004 00:51:32 Edited by - electrick on 17 Aug 2004 01:04:14 Edited by - electrick on 18 Aug 2004 00:30:56

mm same on mine... I eventually torqued them up in the best position to suit myself, but you have just reminded me to do something about them. My father borrows the car a lot... I seem recall a thread about this somewhere so I thinks its very common...

Having had mine on the road a few weeks now I can say the best way to handle reverse is slow deliberate gearchange with a pause for 1 or two seconds before engaging reverse. Just don't try to rush the gearchange itself. I've got used to the other quirks apart from the annoyingly frequent issue with the indicators flashing away on first start up and not cancelling even through several flicks of the hazard switch. I find I have to re-arm then disarm the immobiliser (with ignition off) to clear the problem. James.