Shortshift

Paul Have sent a pm to help you decide on delivery/collection options. James

Hi Paul - that was quick! I'll just check on courier costs as it doesn't really look like blatting weather at the moment... James

I have a set of part used R888's that are surplus to requirements: Fronts: 185/60 R13 Rears: 205/60R13 They are in good conditioin; no marks or nicks, no puncture repairs and they have a pretty decent amount of tread and life left in them - the rears have around 2mm before you get to the tread bar (most of the width has a fair bit more depth) and the fronts have around 3mm or 4mm, at least, before getting to the tread bar. What about £25 each? Collection from Stratford upon Avon (J15 on M40) area or I can arrange to courier at cost (not too bad from previous experience). James

I can add to Mark's comment above. I think that, whereas the earlier Ford final drive units were fitted with ZF or Quaife ATB limited slip diff 'internals' (when they were specified as an LSD, as opposed to being an 'open' diff), when the switch to BMW final drives was made these were always fitted with Titan LSD 'internals' when specified as LSD units. I believe that some early BMW units may have been fitted with Titan's sintered plate option but the vast majority have been - and are currently - specced with Titan's carbon plate LSD (which helps to minimise 'chatter' noise when on lock). I believe that the BMW final drive with the Titan carbon plate LSD is the standard LSD spec more or less across the range today, except for the 620R which combines the Ford final drive unit (for strength) with this same carbon plate Titan LSD (for strength and anti-chatter performance) as used elsewhere in the Caterham line-up. Happy to be proven wrong on any of this! James

Nick A few months ago I used to know my way around this topic quite well and although my memory is rusty I have found the note below that I made for myself, covering diff specs and ratios for R500 and 620R cars. This isn't gospel but is my understanding after a bit of digging around: Diff ratios: Ford diff/LSD used on K series R500 (3.92:1) Ford diff/LSD on early Duratec R500 and on all 620R (3.62:1) BMW diff/LSD on later Duratec R500 (3.64:1) Ford diff/LSD on CSR 260 (3.38:1) Essentially, whilst the switch was made across the board from Ford units to BMW units in 2011/2012 or thereabouts to address noise issues with the reconditioned Ford units (they were no longer available as 'factory new'), there is a torque limitation with the BMW unit (sourced from BMW 118d amongst other applications) that subsequently made it unsuitable for use in the 620R. Hence the switch back to the Ford unit (with attendant noise risk, I imagine) on that derivative. I do have some other notes that I pulled together to better understand the key issues around diff specs, ratios, noise, power (torque) handling, cages and braces - but I won't post that unless if it's of general interest! James

Does anyone have a surplus SPA Design centre mirror in carbon (for use with aeroscreens) that they'd be willing to part with? James

Just removed from my 2012 factory build S3 (narrow body) car - a standard roll-over bar - that is, the non-track day one. Pretty much as new (it's certainly never been 'used'!). Open to offers on this. Possibly best to collect (Stratford upon Avon area) but happy to wrap-up and ship if that's the best solution. James

I have a carbon leather boot cover available for sale as I have just replaced it (and other pieces on the car) with a 'mohair' fabric one. It's from a 2012 factory build Series 3 (narrow body) car. It isn't perfect as there are some areas of 'uneveness' in the fabric (I was told that it has delaminated in these areas) but it isn't too bad and I'd be happy to send photos as required. Poppers and so on are already fitted. New, these cost something north of £250 but, given the remarks above, I was thinking that £50 would be about right? Let me know if you're interested. James

It may be a small 'group' but I wonder if there'd be enough interest for a 'Group Buy' of Zircotec thermal coating of exhaust manifolds? It does seem to be one of the effective treatments. James

Hi Julian I have one that's effectively like new, removed from a 2012 factory build car just last weekend. This is from a S3 (narrow body) metric body - I'm not sure if this is interchangeable between metric and Arch, but you might know the answer. Let me know if it's of interest. James

Ellie I'd really like to try that if I may - it could well be the perfect answer! What details do you need from me? James

Got it off their web site but here you go: s.hawkins@spa-uk.co.uk Hope that helps. James

Oh, unusual! Good luck with an extension, then! James

Julian Not sure about your comment about being unable to fix the screen back on; the SPA pillars are only held on with three small fixings and are interchangable - just change between the short one you already have and the longer one as you wish... James

Interestingly, I've been in touch with SPA Design today asking the same question. Steve (at SPA) told me that they can make a custom stem or post length without additional charge so long as it is timed to coincide with their normal production batch runs; the next run is timed for first week in September. The normal (short) Caterham aeroscreen post length is 40mm, and the SPA longer alternative is 100mm and costs around £28. I'm thinking of going for a 70mm stem (mid-way between the two 'standard' sizes) and I'll be confirming my order in time to hit SPA's next batch. James

James I think I have one that is pretty much as new and unused... Just checked and realised I paid £135 for it only a few months ago!! But it is nice and gold-shiny... Of interest? If so, happy to accept a reasonable offer as I am not planning to use it. James

Thanks Antony - we'll agree the details for me to get them to you. James

Antony I think that the comments from Roger (ECR) may - with good intentions - have confused things somewhat... It is the lap straps that fix to the threaded bosses at the rear of the tunnel and the outside rear panelling using the standard bolt-through plates (identical to the belts you will be removing). No need for eye-bolts here - just re-use the bolts that hold the currently fitted lap belts. The 5th/6th (crutch) belts attach via the sprung latches (as per the photos I emailed to you last night) to a couple of eye-bolts that you will need to buy and fix through the mounting holes you identified which are on the 'square' pieces projecting forward from the rear bulkhead, at floor level; from memory, these are mounted much closer to the centre-line of the seat. As I said, I don't have my car any more or I would have sent a photo but I'm sure you've identified the right mounting points for the eye-bolts; it should be really straightforward! James

Thanks Simon! Hope that gives you the answers you need Antony. I had forgotten that the belts are correctly handed, in that both the driver and passenger side have the quick release buckle attached to their respective inboard lap strap (so that the buckle gets 'thrown' over the transmision tunnel and not over the outside sill where it could damage paintwork). Anyway, let me know! James

Hi Anthony Ah - I can't remember which way round Simon advised me to have the adjusters made up; I'm not at home till tomorrow evening but can check then. Whichever way it is, it is the way that Simon at Meteor said works best! The adjusters are the normal ones and they look really good; I was thinking originally about the lightweight ones but they hardly look any different and cost a fortune! So I was happy (again) to take Simon's advice and go for the standard set up. Quick release hooks for the six point straps (that fix to the chassis mounted eyes under/at the rear of the seat) but otherwise the lap and shoulder straps use the triangular plates that bolt on. Hope that helps - I can check and confirm tomorrow evening if need be. James

I've got a set of brand new, unused Titon seat belts that I purchased through Simon at Meteor Motorsport, but which I simply don't need. They are in black fabric with black adjusters and buckles, and were tailor made to fit a Caterham. They can be used in 4-point or 6-point configurations. The belts are in the original Titon boxes (never taken out) and come complete with instructions. I paid £248 for them but would be prepared to sell them to L7Club member for around 20% off - so call that £200 in round numbers. James

Hi Mike Can I have first dibs, please, on the areoscreen and mirrors? Have left a VM and hopefully we can talk later in teh day. James

Hi Can I have first dibs on teh aeroscreen and mirrors, please? Will send pm as well. James

Hi Antony PM just sent. James

Thanks James - I'll get back to you. James