Engine Upgrade or Car Swap
Discussion
Definitely a first world problem but having just received a modest annual bonus, I have started thinking that i need more power in my Caterham.
18months ago I bought a live axle car (with Ford gearbox) that has a 1.6l 8V Vauxhall engine delivering around 100HP. Love it to bits but having recently driven a couple of others with more power, I feel the need to see what i can do with mine.
From the limited research that i have done, it looks like the engine i have has limited options to significantly increase the power ( £2500 at Sevens & Classics to gain 25hp) so i started to consider swapping out the engine for something else (only stipulation is that it retains weber carbs - can't help myself, just love the noise). Alternatively, do i just trade my car in for a different one?
As it is my first Caterham, i am a little bit attached to it so i think i would like to try and keep the car but improve it.
Not being that mechanically minded, i would be paying someone to do the work for me so if it is a tricky job but doable to change the engine, then that's not a problem.
Not looking for silly increase (maybe to 140/150bhp) which i believe is well within the capabilities of the axle and gearbox.
Anyone been down this route who can give any advice??
Cheers
18months ago I bought a live axle car (with Ford gearbox) that has a 1.6l 8V Vauxhall engine delivering around 100HP. Love it to bits but having recently driven a couple of others with more power, I feel the need to see what i can do with mine.
From the limited research that i have done, it looks like the engine i have has limited options to significantly increase the power ( £2500 at Sevens & Classics to gain 25hp) so i started to consider swapping out the engine for something else (only stipulation is that it retains weber carbs - can't help myself, just love the noise). Alternatively, do i just trade my car in for a different one?
As it is my first Caterham, i am a little bit attached to it so i think i would like to try and keep the car but improve it.
Not being that mechanically minded, i would be paying someone to do the work for me so if it is a tricky job but doable to change the engine, then that's not a problem.
Not looking for silly increase (maybe to 140/150bhp) which i believe is well within the capabilities of the axle and gearbox.
Anyone been down this route who can give any advice??
Cheers
If you want a simple engine upgrade whereby you can keep your existing gearbox etc. it is worth considering swapping the 8v engine for the Vauxhall Ecotec 1.6 16v engine (C16XE or X16XE). Nice light/revvy engine and has the potential to achieve the power figs you want with some minor fettling.
NotNormal said:
If you want a simple engine upgrade whereby you can keep your existing gearbox etc. it is worth considering swapping the 8v engine for the Vauxhall Ecotec 1.6 16v engine (C16XE or X16XE). Nice light/revvy engine and has the potential to achieve the power figs you want with some minor fettling.
As it has a Ford gearbox the zetec will be fine and possibly a better trodden path?If you want the car to retain any value, only use an engine the Caterham have used, otherwise the car will be practically unsellable in the future. Having done numerous Caterham engine swaps I would say it’s always cheaper to sell and buy another car unless you are particularly attached to your car
Tiddy7 said:
If you want the car to retain any value, only use an engine the Caterham have used, otherwise the car will be practically unsellable in the future. Having done numerous Caterham engine swaps I would say it’s always cheaper to sell and buy another car unless you are particularly attached to your car
Unsellable? I wouldn't say that's true at all. I've seen lots of Zetec powered Caterhams - it's a fairly well trodden path and so long as they use a reputable engine builder, I wouldn't see it as a problem at all.I suspect, value-for-money wise, you'd probably be better selling it and buying a K-series of Sigma powered car if you're looking for that sort of power.
I understand wanting to keep and upgrade your car though. I've got a Sigma 140 that I've owned for 10 years. I'd like a smidge more power and will be getting some work done on my existing engine rather than changing the car.
My first Caterham was a stunning black Sigma Roadsport, after 30+ years of wanting one, I bloody loved that car. I also wanted more power, but when I costed it up for me it just did not make any financial sense, and then of course to get the car I really wanted I'd be looking at changing brakes/track/diff/wheels/headlights/ARB etc etc too. I'd never get that money back and it would be a bitsa.
I kept an eye on the classifieds and then "the one" came up, an acid green R400 that had absolutely everything I wanted and made a lot more sense financially both in terms of cost to get to that level of performance, and future value. For me, although I do love the whole "originally this started out as an xyz and then I did this and that and swapped to RTBs and changed this ratio and that box and now it's roughly the equivalent of an 310r" conversation I've had with other enthusiastic owners, for me saying "factory R400K with vernier cams and a carbon airbox" is an easier conversation with myself, a prospective purchaser and an insurance company when it comes to modifications and agreed values. For me it's a special car and probably a lifer, I certainly will never need more power for the road, and as it's fairly rare I don't want to start messing with the originality too much.
I have happy memories of the Sigma but adore the new one...no regrets at going down the route I've taken. And it's not like I don't like tinkering with cars, I'm doing a full rebuild of my old Defender, including all my own spraying and welding.
So for me, I'd probably go down the car swap route if you can.
I kept an eye on the classifieds and then "the one" came up, an acid green R400 that had absolutely everything I wanted and made a lot more sense financially both in terms of cost to get to that level of performance, and future value. For me, although I do love the whole "originally this started out as an xyz and then I did this and that and swapped to RTBs and changed this ratio and that box and now it's roughly the equivalent of an 310r" conversation I've had with other enthusiastic owners, for me saying "factory R400K with vernier cams and a carbon airbox" is an easier conversation with myself, a prospective purchaser and an insurance company when it comes to modifications and agreed values. For me it's a special car and probably a lifer, I certainly will never need more power for the road, and as it's fairly rare I don't want to start messing with the originality too much.
I have happy memories of the Sigma but adore the new one...no regrets at going down the route I've taken. And it's not like I don't like tinkering with cars, I'm doing a full rebuild of my old Defender, including all my own spraying and welding.
So for me, I'd probably go down the car swap route if you can.
Although there is nothing wrong with a live axle car, it’s market value will always be capped in comparison to DeDion cars, so if resale value is a concern, I’d be hesitant investing money into an engine and would look to change the car.
In regards to engine choices, we are obviously spoilt for choice, so it’s important to try and experience what’s out there. Most owners will gel with a particular engine, for me it’s the k-series but it really is personal preference.
In regards to engine choices, we are obviously spoilt for choice, so it’s important to try and experience what’s out there. Most owners will gel with a particular engine, for me it’s the k-series but it really is personal preference.
Thanks for all the comments and points of view.
Getting more power is looking to be expensive for not a massive increase (or i need to change the car) so for now i think i am going to go keep the car and make it more individual to me as i do have an emotional attachment to it (it being my first 7)
Also, I now have the opportunity to replace the daily driver with something that will satisfy the urge for straightline speed (company car scheme has been extended to include some nice electric cars - taycan/i4m50/Mach E Gt etc) so the need for more power can be satisfied this way.
The twisty stuff can be reserved for what i have.
Getting more power is looking to be expensive for not a massive increase (or i need to change the car) so for now i think i am going to go keep the car and make it more individual to me as i do have an emotional attachment to it (it being my first 7)
Also, I now have the opportunity to replace the daily driver with something that will satisfy the urge for straightline speed (company car scheme has been extended to include some nice electric cars - taycan/i4m50/Mach E Gt etc) so the need for more power can be satisfied this way.
The twisty stuff can be reserved for what i have.
When the time is right, order another kit from CC (or one of their dealers) and spec. it just the way you want it, using the experience from the 1st Seven, honestly it will have just as much meaning for you and of course by building it, it will be completely yours again.
BertBert - I have to admit I exaggerated on the 'couple of dozen' Sevens. They weren't all Caterhams, two were Westfields and one was a Sylva Striker and one wasn't even a Seven at all, it was a red 21 which I swapped out the 1600 k series and dropped in a 245bhp dry sump Vx 2l. It's still around, I follow it's progress from time to time.
BertBert - I have to admit I exaggerated on the 'couple of dozen' Sevens. They weren't all Caterhams, two were Westfields and one was a Sylva Striker and one wasn't even a Seven at all, it was a red 21 which I swapped out the 1600 k series and dropped in a 245bhp dry sump Vx 2l. It's still around, I follow it's progress from time to time.
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