peter clarke

That is what I have done, as soon as SPA came out with their fuel gauge. Now all SPA gauge dash. Plus special 43 litre tank. So the speedo and mileage/kilometre readings are accurate and also the tank reading. Typically fill up at 1/8 full with 38 litres and will have covered 270 miles. Great feeling of "not going to run out of fuel" that originally had with old standard set up, especially on long trips to France or Germany

And how accurate is the mileage on the speedo trip. About as accurate as the speedo itself. Very generous so you seem to go faster and get better mpg. Make sure readings are accurate

Also have used the red top 25 for about 5 years now. No issues to date, normally starts first time-1600K 180bhp-use cut off switch and very rarely use the trickle charger. Even after 3-4 weeks of not being used it is fine.

Rubbish???what did you do wrong? Only put mine in a few months ago but very easy to handle and a deeper but quieter exhaust noise. Took less than an hour to take off silencer strip repack and have up and running. Still have to see long term but based on most inputs presume this will be fine.

My favorite saying: Rules are for the interpretation of the wise and the obedience of fools. I too hate restrictions but many are good in priciple, just need interpretation, or the seemingly right piece of paper. Will not list the changes on my 7 which may not be official.

Paul, The test stations here are reasonably good. You normally have a choice of 3-4 in your area and are not local garages but a special drive thru set up. They do a good test on the suspension and dampers. Instead of hiding away any potential issues they find out if there are any real issues, and if you are driving your Caterham as you should it is a damn sit better to know if you do have any problems rather than ending up in a ditch or worse.

Hi Marc, know what you mean. Mine is a 1997 1600 k, looks fairly standard but a number of mods including engine, exhaust, suspension, battery, lights, 13" wheels Toyo R888, etc. Unless the car came with adjustable set up you need a statement from importer that this is a standard part. Philippe at GPS will do this for you; he did it for me, his place is only 2-3 km from where I live so very conveniant! Things like vented discs would be an issue as not on any of the Caterham cars. If new items on the car are E marked I do not find a problem at the test centre. Sometimes get a list on the green pass paper of non conforming but acceptable items but usually find the guys want to talk about the car. Peter

Living in Schoten. Used to have this issue with both standard and the Bilstein dampers and had to drop tyre pressures, but since I changed to the adjustable Nitrons no issue. Test is simple one for the dampers, put on a vibrating pad and the effect is a graphical read out and then a %age which is pass or fail. It is good as it tells you how good the dampers funtion. As standard dampers are quite stiff and car is so light the readings on the equipment used is always an issue. I drop the stiffness down a couple of clicks and for the past 6 years no issue.Ground clearance in the test centre OK even with 13" wheels and wishbones set to near flat, 70mm under sump. In fact the car has only failed a couple of times in the last 6 years and only needed minor adjustments( lights and a small water leak) Peter

Have had a similar problem a few years ago with similar readings. Checked Lamba and it was no good, new one and then set up with gas analyser and all perfect ,below 0.2 reading

Steve converted my diff to LSD a few years ago. Very quick as I came over from Belgium for 2-3days, good price and works well. Would recommend him anytime.

Cibie Oscars are excellent

Mine is also 40th anaversary model and has black windscreen and carbon protectors on rear arches and carbon mirrors. Changer headlights to Ciebe Oscars black with chrome bezel. Not as small as5,5 but much more campact than original chrome and look good. You can also see where you are going at night which is a great advantage. The small amount of chrome seems to go well with SS exhaust and the aluminium stripe

Thanks for the info Richard. 1-4 at bottom and 2-3 at the top on exit of side panel. Was under the impression it was an old R 400 type and that CATERHAM said it was the only one that fitted LHD back in early 2000's because of fouling the steering wheel. I guess, maybe 10 years ago, time flys.

Have similar set up. Original R 400 system which is a 4-1 with the cat in place for the mot. Then I have a 6" Techcraft SS silencer to which the 4-2-1 part (same length as the cat),is now fixed and is always on the car except mot time. It then takes less than half an hour from start to finish to swap. Headers stay on and only 4 nuts/bolts to remove. Cat will last forever.

Calling M25! Is the cat in the can that you have good enough to pass emmissions for road legal or is it one that is a balance for track power use? Understand that some are made like this. If so would eliminate the bother of changing the cat each mot time. In response to is it possible to 4-2-1 whith long enough silencer mine is 75 cm long, so answer is yes.

Definitely 4-2-1 for road. When I switched from the terrible short4 branch on 1600K to a R 400 4-2-1 with removable cat the whole engine not only burst into life with the other head mods but drivable from 2000 rpm. That was an R 400 system from about 8 years ago as it would fit LHD car. Power speed or others as recommended are natural choice now.

For all the year round I would run 21's but as I use the other cars in the rain(3seriesM), then use 888's as they give better ride on the road, more predictable and better at the limit where you think you may not come back. Last ok as well considering.

Very wise words from Johnty. I wish I had know about Dave when I started upgrading, would have saved alot of cash. Not saying that the other items are not good value but many lead to nowhere. My 1600 K is now14 years old and it took me 10 of those to get it right for me. Stoll1600 but forged pistons now as one let go when using standard ones in my ignorance. 180 bhp and almost 140 torque is fine for me as it is road use only, and reliable, and very tractable which is so often ignored. Phone Dave. Peter

I use the bells slim unit, your no 2 item. Very well made easy to fit and excellent light. From memory paid about 40 Euro say 50 US dollars.

I bought mine from SFS Performance in Luton. Took selection of pipes as my system is a bit modified. Excellent quick service and follow up when I had a small problem

I am not using an Emerald but unit from van Kronenburg (KMS), convenient as only an hours drive for me. They are normally tuning BMW M3's, Audi v6's and the like. They installed their system on my 1600 K and set it up on their RR along with an exhaust analyser. They believe the engine is set up correctly and needs only one map, the higher rpm for on the track is also possible but I can change that in a few minutes if needed. MOT equivalent here is not an issue with their set up for emmissions at idle and 2000 rpm. Starts first time, fuel consumption good, and so is torque as well as 180 bhp. Dave's head along with the throttle bodies, 4,2,1 exhaust and cold air intake do help.

135watt????? Get real I use a 400 watt Hitachi and it is great with 6 mm collet. Canuse 8 mm if you prefer. A little more expensive of course

I had the under one and it was a real pain to fit it in. When I redid the head about 4 years back switched to an overhead system, just made a small bracket and guide and direct to the throttle body. Much easier to assemble, adjust and maintain

most tiles, it is how you lay them that counts, need a flat floor to start with and even spread od tile cement or you have to lay down a suitable concrete base. Sure Wicks would advise. Tiles only crack if there is no support underneath

Tile shop? Don't know about the UK these days but we have alot of shops selling only tiles. I got seconds at a very good price.