JP

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

I wouldn't worry about the intermittent wipe - mine seems to select the speed itself: usually unstoppable in the dry and unstartable in the rain!

James.

AMMO,

When I posted the ad I sort of expected that response - but a free ad is a free ad!

Anyway, got the £6,500 I was after.

Time for TOYS!!!

James.

Sold today!!!

Time for lots of seven upgrades!

Thanks to everyone for the underwhelming no of replies!!!

(Doesn't a lovely MX-5 appeal to Seveners???)

James.

Sounds impressive. Anyone have contact details for EBD - phone No. web address etc.??

James

Andy,

Thanks for taking the time to write such a detailed reply.

I think I've now decided - exhaust change with next service, SLR maybe next year, new ratios if I get desperate in the meantime.

Cheers for all the advice,

James.

Thanks for all the comments, especially about the ECU. You've all made me think twice about the plan to change to an SLR. If I do go down the road of upgrading the 1.6SS with mods such as TB's how much power can the engine cope with before bottom end mods become necessary?

Also, I feel an exhaust change coming on soon. Will a 4-1 be right for higher outputs?

I would like a little more oomph out my otherwise fairly standard 1.6 SS. Ultimate plan is to upgrade the car to an SLR (probably) in about a year so I don't want to spend too much money. It is currently 5spd, standard exhaust with a set of 14" and 13" wheels. It is predominantly a road car so I'm not keen on losing the 5th gear ratio (for touring), before everyone shouts 6spd at me!

I remember reading a thread a while ago about how supersport performance can be had from a standard 1.6K by simply changing the ECU. If I have remembered right, what can be expected from a similar change on a supersport equipped 1.6? Is this relatively cheap? Would I need a competitipon exhaust as well? Does it really make a difference? If so 4-1 or 4-2-1? (emmisions probably aren't a problem - kit built car, but 1999)

Help! The more I write, the more questions keep coming into my mind! Better stop.

Please help,

James.

Can't stop driving the "7" so the other car has got to go:

1994 "M" Mazda Eunos Rs Ltd (Japanese import).

1.8l engine, 53,000 miles, MOT Jan 2002, Tax Feb 2002.

Navy blue / green pearlescent paint.

15" BBS Alloys.

Lowered and stiffened Bilstein suspension.

Brace bar.

Performance manifold.

Chrome engine cover.

Cloth seats with wooden trim and leather Nardi s/w.

Stereo with headrest speakers and electric aerial.

Electric windows and mirrors.

Power steering.

Air conditioning.

I imported the car in 1999 - so only one UK owner.

Recent Cam Belt change.

I'm looking for around £6,500 - open to offers.

See the car here (ignore the price on the web page)

James.

Edited by - jp on 19 Aug 2001 20:15:07

Edited by - jp on 19 Aug 2001 20:35:07

What a good suggestion - the MX-5 - and I just happen to have mine for sale!!! If you decide on this route and you're interested e-mail me - I'll send you some details. (jmapiers@hotmail.com)

James

P.S. I drove an elise before buying my Caterham and I have to agree with all of Julian's observations.

I' ve found a way to reduce the elbow grease component of the process. When using Autosol, I do not aim for a gleaming finish immediately (the elbow grease bit). After getting most of the polish off, I use a coat of top polish (Autoglym Extra Gloss seems to work and is easy to apply). When I polish this layer off it seems to bring the remaining Autosol with it. The car also retains shine and beading for longer.

Hope this is off help,

James.

Mine's the same as Peter C's - very unnerving when in the wrong position!

James.

Nick,

Your predictive powers are amazing! Just changed the temp sender and the eratic gauge seems to have settled - at about 5 degrees higher than it was!!!

I've been over the system so many times now I'm convinced there cannot be anything major wrong. I'm going to give up and just be vigilant.

Unless anyone else has any suggestions...

Thanks for the advice. Just tried to check for air locks in the radiator - bloody drain plug flange just disintegrated in my hands!!! And there was no air lock!!!

James.

'99 1.6K SS. Over the last 2 days I' ve noticed the (Caterham) temp gauge approaching 120 degrees when in traffic. Performance seems fine, I'm not losing any coolant, oil seems fine, no steam in exhaust gas, compressions are about 170 psi (12 bar) etc. The fan does eventually cut in. I' ve only had the car for about 2 months and it is still under warranty. Is this normal or should I worry / investigate further?

Please help /reassure me!!

James.

Now that I' ve bought my Seven I need to sell my MX-5 (or Eunos Roadster) to be exact. Full details at www.jpiers.freeserve.co.uk.

I' ve had the car for 2 years - I imported it. Good example of its type. Price is obviously open to negotiation.