Shortshift

Yes, there are two considerations here: will it fit, and is it strong enough? Mic's earlier response confirms that the original CSR chassis had to be modified so that the Mazda box will fit (for the later European 485 versions), and he went on to say that it would be a bit of a stretch to stretch the original CSR frame to take the box. So possibly ruled out (unless chassis mods are carried out) on the "does it fit?" criterion. And then the strength issue. The CSR 260 has around 33% more torquey-things than the European 485 (272Nm vs 206Nm) so that question remains unanswered at this stage. A bit of a challenge, methinks... James

That's interesting, Hanns Per. Nothing to contribute, i"m afraid, but I'm curious about the torque capacity of the Mazda gearbox. Is it sufficient to handle CSR260 torques? James

Can't beat a genuine Ford Ka mirror sticky pad. Local Ford parts counter or ebay to sort. James

Fitting imperial cages and rollover bars to metric chassis cars is commonplace. You will find that the cage 'stub' that fits into the chassis pocket is a solid piece that is threaded throughout its length. Simply arm yourself with a decent hacksaw and cut off the bottom 1/2 inch of the stub, check that the thread is fine (run a tap up it) and Bob's your uncle. James

Planning on needing a replacement, Nick?? James

Shame about the 90db static noise limit; I suspect that might be tight for many Caterhams - and £380 is too much to gamble on getting the right noise test result! Would love to drive Thruxton at some point, but this issue seems to be the perennial stumbling block (for me, at any rate). James

Revised price and an extra photograph added! James

Described as 'Superlight Decal/Striping' this is a 1m length of self-adhesive twin-stripe in silver, complete with black edging/pinstriping. Still in original packaging (it was purchased in December). Supplied by Caterham Cars for the princely sum of £68 including postage! Selling around half-price so £39 to include shipping in the UK. Images show how it looks on the car! James

Purchased last month (but just over 30 days ago, so I can't make a return) from Caterham Cars and still in original packaging and totally as new - well, they are unused and new! These are the 'two-piece' grilles, comprising (i) the mesh element and (ii) the part with the "7" shield. They cost me £141 from Caterham Cars including shipping. They will fit metric body (so post 2009 or thereabouts?) SV and 620SV nose cones. Looking for £110 to include shipping. Just the job for a spring-time spruce-up! James

Raceco. James

No worries John - my turn to apologise for being a bit too quick and a touch too impulsive with my response. I now understand what you meant. It's just that there are times when the task of making everything work (which, to be fair, LT members have mostly agree to take on 'eyes-open') seems to fall always on the same small group of people. And we're in one of those periods right now! So, we (you and I) are all good. James

"How long it'll take to fix is anyone's guess." Yeah, John - what with having a vast army of highly remunerated Club IT professionals just ready and waiting to drop on to it (and any other Club website or Forum problem) I'm sure the issue will be resolved in just a nanosecond or two. James Note: For the avoidance of doubt, that's not necessarily a full and accurate description of how issues get dealt with by the small team of volunteers who help keep the show on the road.

Deposit received and sold to Patrick. James

And to finish off, here's some images of a nearly-finished fit of the 620SV nosecone on a 2015 CSR. The last of the three images shows the slight gapping around the front-side panels. Actually, maybe I over-emphasised the fit challenges; with a bit of fettling and adjustment, it ended up just fine - just go into it with your eyes open! James

To illustrate the difference in curvature and peak bonnet height, here is an image of a CSR bonnet (orange), profiled to give a working clearance to the taller 2.3 litre Cosworth/Duratec engine, nestled up against a mounting height-unadjusted SV 620 nose cone (red). About seven or eight millimeters difference on centreline of car.. James

Thank you, both Patrick and Jason This is proving to be more sought-after than I had thought! So to be fair and transparent to you both: Patrick was first out of the blocks and has asked for 24 hours to carry out some measurements which I am, of course, happy to agree to. So first dibs to Patrick until tomorrow evening. And then second dibs to Jason (R400svn), as the second hand to be raised. I hope you'll see I'm trying to be fair here - all will be settled by this time tomorrow evening! Again, thank you both for your interest. James

Yup! J

Right - some five or six months on, an update (for anyone who picks up on this in the future). Well, the good news is that a 620SV nosecone fits snugly but well around the CSR radiator and cowling structure. So no problems in that area at all - all good. However, two small issues to be aware of. Firstly (and, dohh - of course!) a CSR is built on an imperial chassis whereas a 620 SV is a metric chassis beast and it seems there are slight (millimetric) differences in body width and profile around the area where the nosecone sits on the body sides in the area that extends forward of the nosecone rear/upper mounting points. Nothing serious but a very slight gapping in the areas where the cone and front body sides meet. Hard to describe and, I should say, not a show-stopper but something to be aware of. And secondly - well... there seems to be a difference in profile of the trailing edge of the cone/leading edge of the bonnet between CSR and SV620 models. To attempt to describe it: the CSR nosecone is more 'rounded' (in the vertical plane) across the bonnet joint line than the 620 SV cone, and actually rises to a point on centreline of car that is around 8mm higher that the 'flatter' SV 620 cone. Who knew - the CSR 2.3 engine is (of course!) a little taller than the 2.0 litre unit in the 620 SV and it's obvious, in retrospect, that the CSR bonnet and nosecone profiles are slightly raised, slightly more rounded, to accommodate this. This is fixable - a modest lift at the rear of the SV 620 nosecone of 4 or 5 mm (on the rear mounting Dxus fasteners) was enough to provide clearance to the top of the CSR engine but this also then contributes to a slight further degradation of 'fit' around the front end. Just a mm or two and probably invisible to most but I am very fussy and ultimately whether you can live with that will depend on your OCD levels! So there you are. No show-stoppers but a bit of fettling required and, after that, be prepared for a slight amount of gapping around the front end fit areas which you may, or may not, find acceptable. James

And replied to, Patrick. James

Sorry Jonathan - I tried with the limited privileges I have and I can't clear anything either. Suggest you call for the cavalry - Andrew Edney (itlead@caterhamlotus7.club) should be your go-to expert! James

Now sold to Billy. James

Jonathan - I would PM you but...!! With your permission, I can try and clear down some messages in your inbox? Just say. James

And now for something a little different. Left over from an abandoned project (don't ask) I am selling a complete front end kit to fit an SV of any flavour (to upgrade the car's appearance to the more contemporary 620 front end) or as a replacement for an existing but damaged 620 SV nosecone. The unmarked main glass-fibre moulding just needs painting to match (or contrast) with your existing body colour, of course. The grilles are new and unused (the "7" can be repainted to choice), the special 620 number plate mounting bracket, mountings and all fixings, Dzus fasteners, spring retainers and body brackets are included. To buy these components individually would tot-up to £770 plus. I'm looking for £550 (plus shipping, if collection from Warwickshire is an issue). James

No fewer than 30 pieces of OE carpet in this complete SV carpet set! Still in original packaging (opened to inspect only). Out of stock at CC where the set costs £243. I'm looking for £110 (plus postage/shipping at cost). Just the thing to complete that pre-season spruce-up and a genuine bargain! James

Now sold. James