JP

Good point Blatman! Alex? Mmmm need sleep. Will probably be joining in discussion again about 02:00 knowing my luck! James.

Blatman, I suppose that depends on whether the torsional stiffness is communicated evenly across the bar from wheel to wheel. If it is, then it doesn't matter whether it is 1:4 or 4:1, for example. If I am wrong and it does matter, what is the point of having different anti-roll settings across an axle? James.

10! where do you get 10 from? - Surely it's 5!

Maybe I'm just being a bit dim, but how do 4 holes give rise to twelve settings on the rear ARB (or can it be set assymmetrically)? James.

Just keep driving!!!!! James.

I'm getting a powerspeed manifold next week for my 1.6KSS. Will let you know how it goes. Is the standard silencer (with catalyst) the same length as the race type? I was hoping to keep the possibility of making swaps at MOT time but do not want to compromise the length of the 4-2-1 manifold which, as I understand needs long primaries to get the most out of it. Should I simply ask for an entire system next week? James. P.S. Car is '99 kit built but went through SVA so I'm not sure of the emmisions status w.r.t. MOT.

Arnie, I obviously need a spell in Safeway's car park practicing my doughnuts!!! James.

While we're on the subject of tyres, I need to replace the rears on my 1.6KSS. I have a set of 13" with 32Rs for the dry and the track and 14" wheels (the car came with them) for touring / wet. It's the 14" that need replacing. I was planning on 21Rs - any suggestions? Also I'm forever spinning in the wet at the moment. It's probably me being clumsy with the throttle, but should I go for wider rear tyres? James.

Mine's WT ('99) - green steering rack, extensions on dampers and adjustable rear ARB. Out of interest, does anyone know if WT affects turning circle? Mine seems to have the turning circle of an oil tanker whereas a friend of mine with a '92 Vx (don't even start F.A.) seems to have a much tighter turning circle. James.

I fitted (or rather Ratrace fitted) an AP racing master cylinder about a month ago (1.6KSS). Feels great! You're right in that the overall braking performance should not be altered but I think that the front/rear balance is different with the upgrade so locking the rears happens less now. The pedal feel is initially hard but you get used to it. I'm looking forward to the pads wearing so I can try some red or green stuffs - doing my best. Hope this is of help. James.

I fitted (or rather Ratrace fitted) an AP racing master cylinder about a month ago (1.6KSS). Feels great! You're right in that the overall braking performance should not be altered but I think that the front/rear balance is different with the upgrade so locking the rears happens less now. The pedal feel is initially hard but you get used to it. I'm looking forward to the pads wearing so I can try some red or green stuffs - doing my best. Hope this is of help. James.

Tarek, Cheers. James.

Is the legal position altered if your car comes new with a spare and you choose to ditch it? Tarek, I've been considering this myself. Would be interested if you find someone in the SW who does this well. James.

I had the same on mine (99 1.6KSS) - fault was with the rev counter (Caterham gauges) - problem sorted by replacing with a newer dial. James.

FA, Interesting. Particularly your last sentence, BGH's selling point (in our phone calls) was the improved 1/2 change to provide a useable 1st for slow hairpins on track. Thank God I haven't coughed up any cash yet! James

Seems expensive FA. I'm looking for a re-ratio 5spd for my 1.6KSS - I spoke to BGH and we were talking in the region of £400-£500 (gearbox, not kit). I suppose if you're going to race then the 6spd is more of a need. Bear in mind also that widetrack suspension requires cycle wings (this may be an MOT issue rather than absolute neccessity). James

Good luck - I got zero replies when I advertised mine on this forum! Mine was a year younger and 1.8 and I got £6500 - for anyone considering it this sounds like a good deal! James.

Mine's a 1.6K SS with supersport susp. Recently had ratrace service and I mentioned this problem to them. There was lots of talk about new ARBs etc. but in the end they just moved the rear ARB setting one notch forward towards a stiffer setting. The difference was immediately obvious. Much more neutral car, but if anything a slight tendency towards oversteer. The car feels so much nicer to drive and this upgrade was of course free. You may still want an adjustable front setup but I would suggest giving this a go first. James.

Simon, This may be of help. Had a service this weekend. I've never had the scale of problem you seem to have had, but I did suffer from rapid heating up in traffic jams. I initially bled the system, changed the fan switch, changed the sender and finally concluded that (as I hadn't lost any coolant) that the gauge was crap and have since ignored it. After the service, I was told that the water / antifreeze mix (bad) had been completely drained and instead replaced with a neat pre-prepared proprietary coolant (can't remember the name but will check). I then had to endure a traffic jam lasting a million years while driving across London in pretty hot weather. The temp gauge reached 80deg and remained steady throughout. No fan, no overheating - the only difference being the coolant. I know it sounds basic, but this was something I had overlooked in the past. Hope it's of some help, James

How much? James (1.6K SS)

This is a conversion I am planning. Is a there a template for this hole? If there is, is it centred over the existing small hole or is it eccentric? I looked very closely at lots of cars at Caterham the other day and there was little consistency - these holes seemed to be all over the place. James.

I'm finding it difficult to arrange getting my car to the exhaust maker's and am considering ordering the bits from Caterham and getting it fitted locally. Is it the SLR exhaust I need? (1.6KSS). Despite the criticism I've heard of the Caterham part, does it actually make significant difference at the end of the day? If so then I will just have to take leave to get my exhaust fitted! James.

Pierre, I wasn't referring to the Caterham supplied part. Although I've never examined it closely, I am told that the Caterham part is not as well made as those specifically made for you by some these other independent specialists (and the price is almost the same). Also, while fitting the exhaust is fairly simple, enlarging the small round hole in the body to accommodate 4 pipes may not be. I have seen many pictures of cars where this has been done very badly and it really affects the overall image of the car. Just something else to consider... James.

I've been quoted around £350 to have a stainless steel manifold made and fitted to my cat'd silencer. However as mine's kit built I'm tempted to go for a whole system (cat-less) about £500. James Edited by - jp on 23 Sep 2001 14:00:53

I'm looking to do the same upgrade - have a 1.6K SS. I put up a posting a few weeks ago about this "simple upgrade for 1.6KSS" on techtalk and got a very imformative response. I have spoken to Exhausts by Design and Powerspeed in Kent. Advice has been the same from both - 421 for increased midrange, 41 for improved low range torque and some small gains at the high end if the engine is to be further modified. For a standard SS they both recommended a 421. The problem is I'm down in the southwest these places are in Milton Keynes and Ashford respectively, and they say they need the car for at least 2-3 days. As I do have to work for a living it is proving logisitically difficult. Does anyone know of somewhere in the southwest where I can take the car for the measuring stage then drive away and then return for fitting? JP