Which first Caterham ?
Discussion
Hi everyone,
It's my first time here on the forum and i'm sure it won't be the last!
I do have a question though. I am thinking of getting my first Caterham car but don't really know where to go first. there has been so many type of different engines that I don't know what's best for the novice that I am.
I have just parted with my MGF 1.8i which gave me more than one occasion to fiddle with that K serie engine. I'm not shy when it comes to do some manual work on a car but I won't try to split it in half just for fun. I do do my own servicing and general maintenance though.
any idea on which model to go with first ? Nothing too unreliable would be good. I don't mind the year of manufacture.
thanks for your help.
JB
It's my first time here on the forum and i'm sure it won't be the last!
I do have a question though. I am thinking of getting my first Caterham car but don't really know where to go first. there has been so many type of different engines that I don't know what's best for the novice that I am.
I have just parted with my MGF 1.8i which gave me more than one occasion to fiddle with that K serie engine. I'm not shy when it comes to do some manual work on a car but I won't try to split it in half just for fun. I do do my own servicing and general maintenance though.
any idea on which model to go with first ? Nothing too unreliable would be good. I don't mind the year of manufacture.
thanks for your help.
JB
Can I add to the clamour for info` as well? I am also strongly considering a Caterham and am bemused by the variety - I have some experience through my father who had a 250BHP BDG powered example but am not sure I wish to replicate the a) expense and b) fear of this particular car!
I need a car primarily for the road that offers a good blend of urge and reasonable maintenance requirements?????
I need a car primarily for the road that offers a good blend of urge and reasonable maintenance requirements?????
I'd recommend a K-Series powered car for general road drivability and occasional track fun. The 1.4 was used in the earlier models and then then 1.6 and 1.8 in various states of tune. I started with (and still have) a standard 1.6 115bhp version - 115bhp might not sound a lot but it feels very quick when coming from a "normal" car. I probably wouldn't go for any less than that though (I'm upgrading to 160bhp shortly with a 1.8 VVC engine).
Do a search on www.blatchat.com (the owners club website) - there's loads of information there.
Do a search on www.blatchat.com (the owners club website) - there's loads of information there.
Still have my first Caterham, 1600 x/f. When I first bought it I thought super but after a short while I then want one with a little more power. Test drive a few, make sure it's what you want. If you don't mind getting your hands dirty opt for a 1.6 or 1.8 K series I think they are about 120 - 140 bhp. I must say though, I have never regretted buying mine, should have done it sooner.
jackal said:
i reccomend a 2.0 duratec engined S3 caterham with all the other bits R500 spec
Thanks guys... but I think my budget won't stretch that far yet! It's going to be my first one so let's start easy. My budget is in the £12k area just for the car.
Now, a truly "beginner" question. What's a X-flow engine and how does it compare to a K serie ?
thanks
"X-Flow" is shorthand for the Ford Kent Crossflow engine. It is a steel block overhead valve engine but by today's standards, it is ancient technology having first appeared in the Ford Cortina back in 1966.
From 1968 through to 1997 they were the most common engine available in the Seven. In Sevens they were available in a number of states of tune. The basic version came with the 84 bhp 1600 cc Single Down-Draught Carb. Much more popular was the 100 - 110 bhp 1600 cc Twin Side Draught Carb version. In the 1980s, Caterham themselves developed a 135 bhp 1700 cc version of the Twin-Carb Crossflow. Non-standard Crossflow versions were bored out to to over 1800 cc with comensurate increases in hp.
Crossflows have appeared in a multitude of cars other than Sevens - Mk1 and Nk 2 Escorts, early Fiesta XR2s, Morgans and a myriad of kit cars. Being basic, they are cheap and easy to maintain with a large quantity of spare parts available. As already mentioned they are eminently tuneable. However, the higher bhp versions begin to show signs of strain and are more fragile. They are notorious for their oil leaks and, by modern standards, their fuel consumption is poor.
However, they make up for some of these drawbacks by sounding wonderful when revved. They pop and bang on the overun and squirt flames as a matter of course - which is huge fun when driving down a country lane at night, watching the hedges light up with the flashes.
I own a 1996 1600cc Crossflow Seven and have no intention of changing it, 100 bhp is fine for me.
These days, you will get a very good Crossflow Seven for under £10,000 and more likely in the £7,000 to £8,000 bracket.
As ever, I strongly recommend anyone who is interested in buying a Caterham to join the Lotus 7 Club. Their website (www.blatchat.com) is an invaluable resource for all things Seven related. You can read the site as a non-member of the club but if you want to post to the various forums you must join.
>> Edited by Eric Mc on Friday 5th May 08:41
From 1968 through to 1997 they were the most common engine available in the Seven. In Sevens they were available in a number of states of tune. The basic version came with the 84 bhp 1600 cc Single Down-Draught Carb. Much more popular was the 100 - 110 bhp 1600 cc Twin Side Draught Carb version. In the 1980s, Caterham themselves developed a 135 bhp 1700 cc version of the Twin-Carb Crossflow. Non-standard Crossflow versions were bored out to to over 1800 cc with comensurate increases in hp.
Crossflows have appeared in a multitude of cars other than Sevens - Mk1 and Nk 2 Escorts, early Fiesta XR2s, Morgans and a myriad of kit cars. Being basic, they are cheap and easy to maintain with a large quantity of spare parts available. As already mentioned they are eminently tuneable. However, the higher bhp versions begin to show signs of strain and are more fragile. They are notorious for their oil leaks and, by modern standards, their fuel consumption is poor.
However, they make up for some of these drawbacks by sounding wonderful when revved. They pop and bang on the overun and squirt flames as a matter of course - which is huge fun when driving down a country lane at night, watching the hedges light up with the flashes.
I own a 1996 1600cc Crossflow Seven and have no intention of changing it, 100 bhp is fine for me.
These days, you will get a very good Crossflow Seven for under £10,000 and more likely in the £7,000 to £8,000 bracket.
As ever, I strongly recommend anyone who is interested in buying a Caterham to join the Lotus 7 Club. Their website (www.blatchat.com) is an invaluable resource for all things Seven related. You can read the site as a non-member of the club but if you want to post to the various forums you must join.
>> Edited by Eric Mc on Friday 5th May 08:41
£12k will get you an early (1996ish) K series car. While the attractions of a crossflow are undoubted, unless you are a "tinkerer" then the fettling such a car will need might not be for you. The K-series is a much more modern engine and, although you may hear horror stories of head gasket failure, is probably a much better bet for you. My biggest piece of advice if looking at a car of that sort of vintage is to check the chassis powder coating very carefully - if it is flaking in places or if you can see much bubbling on the paint along the bottom chassis rail either side of the car then think carefully before buying. At that sort of budget you are unlikely to get any of the fancier options (6 speed, Supersport engine, etc.) but you will enjoy whatever you buy. Oh.. definitely join the L7OC.
I am not plugging the Crossflow really as I recognise its ancient characteristics. However, if you are lucky enough to find a nice tight, well maintained version, the necessity to "tinker" is much reduced. I am definitely not a tinkerer and my Crossflow has behaved pretty much impeccably in the ten years I've owned the car. Admittedly, I've not done huge mileage and I've always had the car maintained by Redline at Caterham, who know the Crossflow like the back of their hands.
If looking at Crossflows you woul'd need to know if the engine has been converted to run on unleaded petrol. Standard Crossflows aren't and will need to have been converted at some point in their lives.
If looking at Crossflows you woul'd need to know if the engine has been converted to run on unleaded petrol. Standard Crossflows aren't and will need to have been converted at some point in their lives.
seriously, teh zetec is stong as an ox, cheap and easily upgradeable
even at 200bhp+ spec it is very robust
i know 2 friends who run them, one in a caterham and one in a westie and between them they've done around 6 years completely trouble free trackdays (at least as far as the engines are concerned)
of course, zetec was sadly never a factory choice but if you do see a used car with a zetec id take a closer look. The small weight penalty comes to nothing as well... 48.48 secs at anglessey for a 190bhp zetec car on acb10's is pretty darn fast !
even at 200bhp+ spec it is very robust
i know 2 friends who run them, one in a caterham and one in a westie and between them they've done around 6 years completely trouble free trackdays (at least as far as the engines are concerned)
of course, zetec was sadly never a factory choice but if you do see a used car with a zetec id take a closer look. The small weight penalty comes to nothing as well... 48.48 secs at anglessey for a 190bhp zetec car on acb10's is pretty darn fast !
JB Newbie said:
sounds interesting !
Any idea between which and which year they were manufactured with the ZETEC engine ?
They never were, as Jackal said it was never a factory engine, but quite a few have been converted from older engines like crossflows to Zetec or Duratec.
I could be wrong but I think the Duratec is newer and lighter than the Zetec (but still heavier than a K series) but agin very durable.
Correct - but it looks like the Duratec will be the engine of choice for the future. The one big cosmetic difference with the Duratec is that the exhaust is now on the driver's side for the first time in Seven history. I'm talking right hand drive of course. European and American Seven drivers have ALWAYS had the exhaust on their side.
jackal said:
jaker, how much do they come out at if you dont mind me asking and what spec ? Oh, and just tell them nicely not to put those horrid avo thingys on your car won't you
Hi Jackal, well price not fully decided yet as spec is still being finalised, but about £30kish, plus I've decided yo go for a dry sump which will add another £grand-ish.
You have me a bit worried by your last comment though, what is wrong with AVOs?
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