SuperSport / Superlight
Discussion
iirc Superlight added to a Supersport the following -
Widetrack Susp
Supersport Engine Upgrade
Carbon Nosecone/wings
Carbon Dash (with numbered plaque)
6 Speed 'box
Chassis without rear wheel carrier
There may be other bits n pieces but I think that's the main items covered, I should know really having owned a few of the things!
Widetrack Susp
Supersport Engine Upgrade
Carbon Nosecone/wings
Carbon Dash (with numbered plaque)
6 Speed 'box
Chassis without rear wheel carrier
There may be other bits n pieces but I think that's the main items covered, I should know really having owned a few of the things!
Supersport refers to the engine and is basically a camshaft and ECU upgrade to the standard K series. On a 1.6 it goes from about 115 to 135 bhp and on a 1.8 from about 120 to about 140bhp.
Superlight is a separate model that comes with Supersport engine, wide track front suspension, AP 4 pot front brakes with vented discs, adjustable spring platforms, LSD, 6 speed gearbox, carbon nosecone, dash and front wings, no carpets, aeroscreen in place of windscreen and composite low back race seats. Many have had windscreens added and leather seats in place of the early race seats. Later models had the much better Tillet composite seats.
What you have been offered looks like a good car and the brake upgrade plus widetrack will help on trackdays as will the FIA rollover bar if the worst happens (it's mandatory for L7 club trackdays). NB Alcon is not, I believe, a factory upgrade - the factory use AP brakes but a number of specialists offer the Alcon upgrade as a cheaper alternative that normally uses the existing discs but replaces the calipers with light weight 4-pot versions. It's still a worthwhile upgrade though.
As to whether it's the right car for you depends on use. As you said on your other post it was for trackdays then a Superlight would seem to offer better package for you but probably at higher cost. This car will still be fine on track but you may find yourself wanting to upgrade bits sooner rather than later. Whatever car you buy, it is recommended that you have an "Apollo" anti-cavitation tank fitted if you are planning on any track work.
>> Edited by Shaun_E on Wednesday 26th April 16:40
Superlight is a separate model that comes with Supersport engine, wide track front suspension, AP 4 pot front brakes with vented discs, adjustable spring platforms, LSD, 6 speed gearbox, carbon nosecone, dash and front wings, no carpets, aeroscreen in place of windscreen and composite low back race seats. Many have had windscreens added and leather seats in place of the early race seats. Later models had the much better Tillet composite seats.
What you have been offered looks like a good car and the brake upgrade plus widetrack will help on trackdays as will the FIA rollover bar if the worst happens (it's mandatory for L7 club trackdays). NB Alcon is not, I believe, a factory upgrade - the factory use AP brakes but a number of specialists offer the Alcon upgrade as a cheaper alternative that normally uses the existing discs but replaces the calipers with light weight 4-pot versions. It's still a worthwhile upgrade though.
As to whether it's the right car for you depends on use. As you said on your other post it was for trackdays then a Superlight would seem to offer better package for you but probably at higher cost. This car will still be fine on track but you may find yourself wanting to upgrade bits sooner rather than later. Whatever car you buy, it is recommended that you have an "Apollo" anti-cavitation tank fitted if you are planning on any track work.
>> Edited by Shaun_E on Wednesday 26th April 16:40
Cheers Shaun, I knew there would be one (or two) items that I may miss off! 
What I will say is that although not the fastest Caterham I have ever owned, the best one has got to be my original Superlight. It was the 1.8 version which although not as free revving as the 1.6 it did have a useful amount more torque than my previous 1.6 Supersport. The Superlight was just such a well balanced car and it just felt right.
Mine was a Superlight in it's purest form - aeroscreen, acb10's and no paint just bare ali and carbon. Perfection.
What I will say is that although not the fastest Caterham I have ever owned, the best one has got to be my original Superlight. It was the 1.8 version which although not as free revving as the 1.6 it did have a useful amount more torque than my previous 1.6 Supersport. The Superlight was just such a well balanced car and it just felt right.
Mine was a Superlight in it's purest form - aeroscreen, acb10's and no paint just bare ali and carbon. Perfection.
Thanks for your replies guys ...
I think this is going to be the car for me, maybe not the best track day car as far as Caterhams go from what you are saying, but still, this is the top of my budget for the car.
The idea is I want something that does not break the min you push it a little! The idea of finishing a track day and just having to put more fuel in certainly appeals to me!
Idea is prob to run this car for this summer, get know Caterhams and upgrade for next year when money permits ...
I think this is going to be the car for me, maybe not the best track day car as far as Caterhams go from what you are saying, but still, this is the top of my budget for the car.
The idea is I want something that does not break the min you push it a little! The idea of finishing a track day and just having to put more fuel in certainly appeals to me!
Idea is prob to run this car for this summer, get know Caterhams and upgrade for next year when money permits ...
redwall said:
Thanks for your replies guys ...
I think this is going to be the car for me, maybe not the best track day car as far as Caterhams go from what you are saying, but still, this is the top of my budget for the car.
The idea is I want something that does not break the min you push it a little! The idea of finishing a track day and just having to put more fuel in certainly appeals to me!
Idea is prob to run this car for this summer, get know Caterhams and upgrade for next year when money permits ...
Sounds like a good plan, the car that you are looking at is a very good spec and seems a good starting point. Oh and for evidence of Caterham upgraditis just check out my profile!
L100NYY said:
Sounds like a good plan, the car that you are looking at is a very good spec and seems a good starting point. Oh and for evidence of Caterham upgraditis just check out my profile!
Good, mind is more at rest now ... I used to own a Noble (don't even ask, bag of nails that was) so I am used to performance (but not reliability
) I see you like the Caterhams then, and you have gone for the Elise in the end, over and R400?
Guess I need to plan a trip to the UK now and meet some of you Caterham owners since track day season is upon us! I live out in the Isle of Man, and we don't have a great amount of track days here!
The only reason I went for the Elise over the R400 was purely financial. I sold my Cosworth and the R400 and bought the Elise and a new house, it was a real wrench to get rid of the Caterham but needs must. 
Mind you saying that, the S1 Elise has gone and has been replaced by an XJR Jaguar! Still got the 111R though.
Mind you saying that, the S1 Elise has gone and has been replaced by an XJR Jaguar! Still got the 111R though.
Rover engined cars come fitted with an immobiliser which in theory meets Thatcham 2 and most Caterham insurers accept it as sufficient. I'd check carefully with your insurer if it isn't one of the Caterham specialists that they will accept that. Thatcham 2 I believe specifies that the immobiliser should be in a metal box and the Caterham one isn't. It does however operate with the ECU and meets all the other requirements.
>> Edited by Shaun_E on Friday 28th April 09:53
>> Edited by Shaun_E on Friday 28th April 09:53
Well, drove the car last night...
I am hooked ... so much fun, so much grip and as for the brakes, well, just out of this world!
I am sure I will get used to the acceleration quick enough, but I do agree its the perfect car to start in ...
Paperwork hopefully sorted out today and then time to play! Although I think I need to get a track day sorted soon, or I am likely to be arrested!
I am hooked ... so much fun, so much grip and as for the brakes, well, just out of this world!
I am sure I will get used to the acceleration quick enough, but I do agree its the perfect car to start in ...
Paperwork hopefully sorted out today and then time to play! Although I think I need to get a track day sorted soon, or I am likely to be arrested!
rubystone said:
If it's a 6 speed car, it's a good enough deal - if a 5 speed, save up an extra £1k and find a Superlight or a 6 speed Supersport
It is a 5 speed. Allready bought!
Fantastic car, loads of fun, well setup, and I have to say perfect for me to start with in the Caterham world ...
Lots of learning to come, and loads of time to get up to r500/csr260 ... need to walk before I run ...
redwall said:
It is a 5 speed. Allready bought!
Fantastic car, loads of fun, well setup, and I have to say perfect for me to start with in the Caterham world ...
Lots of learning to come, and loads of time to get up to r500/csr260 ... need to walk before I run ...
Yes, I started off with a 5 speed Supersport - fine for the road but a gaping big hole in the ratios on track. But a good introduction to 7 motoring. A year later I bought a Superlight R, mind!
Gassing Station | Caterham | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff