MikeE

Richard, Agreed I spoke to Chris @ Raceline today and have decided to go with the Raceline radiator (still can't decide whether to go 2.0l 225bhp or 2.3l 250bhp though ) Mike

just got back from Raceline and I've been advised to go for the 3.92 for the better performance on track. I expressed my concerns about cruisng down to Le Mans at 100mph @ 5200rpm and they tell me you can get an 0.82 5th gear instead of the standard 0.86. This will then give me the best of both, good ingear acceleration on track and 147mph (theorectical) top speed @7250rpm.

Jackal, Sorry, you're right (I was using a inches/sec to mph conversion of 0.06 instead of 0.056818 😬) So now I'm wondering if I should go back to the 3.62 diff (top speed 146mph @7000rpm) instead of the 3.92 diff (135mph @ 7000rpm) 🤔 🤔 🤔 Mike

* not decided on exhaust yet. * R400 will come with the standard Stack dash (includes data logging????) * BGH box as I'm working to a budget! I'll talk to Raceline about it's suitability for the big 250bhp option (I may still go for the 2.0l 220bhp option), * Carbon Interchageable aero is standard on an R400, * When I say R500 mags I actually mean the 13" versions of the new 8 spoke one peice wheels (I've already got a spare set of Mike Barnbey's for 'wets'), * Air box to be discussed with Raceline, * everyone (Jackal, Mik, Raceline have told m e to use a 3.92 diff with the BHG box), should give a top speed of 147.7mph @ 7250 (the 3.62 would give 160mph @7250 - Jackal I don't know where you got your figures from, can you explain how you calculated 140 and 152mph 🤔) * Pace dry sump (Chris @ Raceline told me yesterday that realistically their internal D/S system wouldn't be available until August), again the Pace system has prove perfectly adequate for many installations, Out of interest ( 😬) how much is an Elite box and what are its characteristics (is it sequential) 🤔

Right as many now know I'm building a Duratec road and track car based on an R400 chassis and a 2.3l (or maybe a 2.0l) Raceline Duratec. Below I've listed my spec, I'm interested to know (particularly from existing Duratec early adopters) if I've missed anything out. Bear in mind this car will be 75%/25% track/Road use AND it's being built to a budget (which for now I'll keep to myself ). So here goes: Caterham Cars Order R400 minus engine, gearbox, ECU, Exhaust and radiator. *Chassis (Duratec spec. gussetted support around Diff, brake pipes & loom running down left side engine bay, windscreen washer bottle mount on left hand side, Duratec engine mounts, exhaust mounts on right hand side, no side skin cut out for exhaust) *Uprated master cylinder *SLR Cage (mounting holes in side skin to be pre-drilled ready for home assembly) *Plumbed in extinguisher (in boot) *Battery master switch *Carbon Interchangeable aero *Carbon Mirrors *Programmable Sequential Shift Up Lights (R500) *Polished Alloy fuel filler *NO WING PROTECTORS *Small (5 3/4") Headlights *13" R500 Wheels *ACB10 Tyres *0.25 Degree Rear Ears and Front Camber (suitable for ACB10s) *3.92 LSD Diff *Dayglo Paint (inc cage) *Bare carbon nose BAND ONLY - "7" Emblem in radiator intake in dayglo (against black background) *Bare carbon wings (front and Rear) *ArmourFend side panels *Tonneue & half doors *Kevlar Tillet Upgrade Raceline Order *2.3l Duratec to 250bhp spec. *full Racleine fitting kit, *BGH 5 speed gearbox *Pace dry sump *Raceline Radiator *Dry sump easy clean tank and hoses Other *Freestyle springs/dampers/roll bars and flat floor *Dyno and mapping session *SVA So that lot should get me on the road Any comments 🤔 cheers, Mike Edited by - MikeE on 31 Mar 2004 14:05:55

I've spoken to Chris at Raceline and he's advised to use the one they use which is £250. Problem is CC will only deduct £61 if I omit the standard R400 radiator from my build, hence that's another £190 net to add to the shopping list 😳 While I'm on the subject I think I'll post up the spec and get some opinions - I'll start a new thread.

Still continuing the investigation for my R400 Duratec build. As this 7 is going to be used for a lot of trackdays as well as limited road use I'm concerned about the standard R400 radiator being sufficient. Should I: 1. stick with the R400 spec? 2. upgrade to an R500 triple pass job (at +£200 upgrade cost)? 3. go for something else (is the R500/R400 radiator plumbed correctly for a Duratec?) thanks, Mike

Hi, Can't answer your questions but would like to know why you are changing the gearbox and diff oil on a ❗ 🤔 ❗ 🤔 cheers, Mike

Neil (Dobuy) Can you send me the details against your Duratech, I'd like to know what the theorectical max in gear speeds would be for the following spec: Duratech 2.3l rev limit circa 7000rpm, BHG box (2.66/1.75/1.26/1/0.86) 3.92 LSD On 13" CR500s any ideas? Mike.

right the decision needs to be made soon as I've just paid my deposit to CC for the R400, due to go into build on 11th June I think I'm swaying towards the 2.3l route on the basis of Ammo's recommendations, but then again....oh FFS I can't make my mind up

I currently drive a 135bhp Superlight I'm still divided between the 2.0l and the 2.3l. Part of me says the 2.0l will be plenty for me, but then I think for an extra £300 I can have a 2.3l which then gives me the potential for so much more (without huge additional expense in future). I think the decision would be easier if the 2.3l was significantly more expensive, I'd then happily settle for the 2.0l .....decisions, decisions Edited by - MikeE on 16 Mar 2004 09:27:20

I currently run 6" ACB10s for dry trackdays and CR500s for road and wet trackday. Thing is my cars setup with cross-ply geometry so works well with the ACB10s but prematurely wears the outside edge of the CR500s. Can anyone recommend a good wet road and track cross-ply tyre or do I have to put up with prematurely worn CR500s 🤔

Raymond, YHM ref. the ACB10s Mike

the difference in cost is..................... ...................... ...................... ....wait for it..............£240 Brent I've just realised what you're up to above, and if even I have noticed then I'm sure everyone else now knows who it was 😳

Right I've now got an order in with CC for a kit built R400 minus engine, gearbox, bellhousing, exhaust and ECU plus SLR cage, race m/c, race spring/dampers etc and have my Flourescent paint job sorted as well (thanks for the help from the self proclaim (rotund) 'expert' 😳). I've also recieved a quote from Raceline for a full installation package for a 220bhp 2.0 litre or a 250bhp 2.3 litre (although I'm a little confused by this as the only difference is the increase in capacity, no additional head work or forged rods and pistons which I would have thought would be necessary for 250bhp?). So my question is should I go for the 2.0 or 2.3 litre engine? what are the pros and cons of each option (I know the 2.3 is slightly taller and will probably require a custom low-line cam cover). thanks, Mike. Edited by - MikeE on 11 Mar 2004 10:16:16

Count, Thanks for the reply, yep your info backs up the responses I've had from two other Blatchaters and Tony at TSK so I guess that is what it's going to cost me. BTW Tony really didn't seen keen on doing the SLR cage for me. Arnie, "experts don't want to help..." I'd heard you were rather generously dimensioned but I didn't realise you needed to refer to yourself in the plural now 😳 Edited by - MikeE on 8 Mar 2004 18:30:21

Tony told me the dayglo paint is £170/litre which is quite expensive. But still I previously had a TVR Tuscan (don't snigger) and I specced that in 'Chameleon Green' which was alledgely £600/litre, that cost £3500 extra - must have made the dealers eyes water even more then when he stacked in on a test drive after I'd left it in their care on a Sale or Return basis

Surely one of the dayglo owners on here must know what it cost? Fred, Count etc As it happens I've had a quote from CC as follows: For Dayglo Spray car, leave 4 wings bare carbon and carbon nose band - £1,500 Spray SLR cage - £450 For Triumph pearlescent lime green (i.e CCs R400 demo car and the car they used in the 'R600' article in Autocar): Spray car as above £1,600 So firstly I think the dayglo is too expensive (I suspect CC add a 30% mark up to TSKs prices but Tony won't/can't do a NEW car direct, you have to go via Caterham. If I went direct I suspect it'd be £1,150 for car and £350 for the SLR cage all in). Second I can't understand why the Triumph colour is MORE!!!! Mike

Mic, Did you get the email I sent you yesterday? Mike

Can anyone tell me what CC (or their supplier) charge for a florescent colour 🤔 I'd want the bare chassis sprayed including the SLR cage but leaving all 4 wings and the leading edge of the nose cone bare carbon. Someone must have had this done recently cheers, Mike

actually I've just realised I hadn't include paint in my R400 quote whereas Richard had on his car. Therefore Richard's route is £750 cheaper than mine 😳 (sorry Richard you were right!) Anyhow I'm hoping that going the R400 route I can call the car an R*** Duratech which, when I come to sell, might be worth something cheers, Mike

Guys, I spoken to CC again today and they are leading me down the R400 (minus engine etc.) route. It seems that they now do a 'Duratech Chassis', that is it has the diff mounting strenthening (do I need an uprated diff as well or will the R400 item be OK 🤔), loom and brake lines down the left hand of engine bay, engine mounts in the right place, no exhaust exit hole etc. Anyway I've looked through Richard's spreadsheet, selected my spec. using his prices then added on the full carbon, Stack dash, black pack, etc and Richard's figure is marginally higher than the R400 minus engine, ecu, bellhousing, gearbox and exhaust route (for my spec anyway) So I have a budget figure for an R400 with SLR cage, aero, uprate M/C, race springs & dampers, plumbed in fire extinguisher as well as all the usual R400 bits. Next stop is to work out the most economic route for a dry sumped, 220bhp, 2.0 litre Duratech and 5 speed box (and Diff 🤔). Richard I'm intrgued by your comment about selecting the right surplier to reduce costs, can you give me any more info./advice 🤔 (feel free to email me off-line if you'd rather). cheers, Mike

Jackal, Can't persude you to do Bedford Autodrome on Saturday then 😬 Dino, The brochure refers to a '160 XPower (1.8ltrs)' as being standard in the R300 and a £3,000 option for the Roadsport. Anyway I'm sure the reason is, as someone else stated, that CC don't give you the full refund on the engine. cheers, Mike

Jackal, As Keith says it's because CC probably won't give me the full discount for the R300 engine. I calculated an R300 engine at £6500 based on the standard CC brochure stating the X-Power 160bhp upgrade cost to a 1.6 Roadsport is +£3,000 and in the CC Starter Kit brochure they state 'Rover K-Series Engine from £3,527' (I presume this is the basic 1.6 fitted to an SV as standard?) Anyway I'll find out when I pick my superlight up from the factory tomorrow morning..... Changing the subject slightly, I was looking at the videos on you site of you chasing simon lambert (in the Gimps R300FAT) around BH. I was thinking (call me a cheeky s@d) that it'd be good to get a passenger ride in a Duratech car before parting with £30K+ of my hard earned. So I was wondering if you're doing any more trackdays soon 😳 (I'm doing Bedford GT this Saturday ) cheers, Mike

Mic - YHM thanks Mike