New owner

[hunttheshunt]

New to me anyway, just bought myself an R500 from Steve Clarke, don't all laugh at once

Might need some assistance with various bits and pieces. I'm in NE Hants so wouldn't mind coming along to the next local meet.

[rubystone]

Yep - seems a nicely sorted car, shame Steve had to sell so soon after buying it. Several of us on PH own R500s

[Shaun_E]

Some details here about the Hants (North) and Berks meet. I would check on BlatChat for the location as it seems to vary from that published.
As ever, if you haven't already, I'll suggest joining the owners club here

Edited by Shaun_E on Friday 30th June 09:20

[LRdriver II]

Wow.. big huevos!!

I was just pondering buying an R500 also as an upgrade to my roadsport. Big respect to you as I was pondering if I'd kill myself with that kind of Bhp-weight ratio. I sold my Exige and am just waiting for the dosh to show up next week... then its also off to classifieds for me! Caterham dont want to sell me a new Arch chassis SL, but a Caged one..bollox to that I told'em! so 2nd hand for me then

[fergus]

LRdriver II said:

Wow.. big huevos!!

I was just pondering buying an R500 also as an upgrade to my roadsport. Big respect to you as I was pondering if I'd kill myself with that kind of Bhp-weight ratio. I sold my Exige and am just waiting for the dosh to show up next week... then its also off to classifieds for me! Caterham dont want to sell me a new Arch chassis SL, but a Caged one..bollox to that I told'em! so 2nd hand for me then

What do you think is the diff between Caged and Arch, other than the fact that caged use Finite Element Analysis software to optimally design the chassis around stress points, and Arch use a plumb bob....

[Eric Mc]

Hants and NE Berks have just this week started meeting again at their old haunt, The Phoenix Inn (on the A30 on the Hook side of Hartley Wintney).

Keep an eye on Blatchat (you can still read Blatchat even if you are not an L7 Club member)for updates.

[lord summerisle]

fergus said:

What do you think is the diff between Caged and Arch, other than the fact that caged use Finite Element Analysis software to optimally design the chassis around stress points, and Arch use a plumb bob....

An interesting read

I'd be like that chap - i'd want my chassis built by the guys who have been building the chassis for longer than its had Caterham's name on it. That has the quirks of a handbuilt car - with a stamp to say which jig it was built on and by who.

If the chassis gets bent, the joints can be melted and new ones done - hence why i believe Arch are still making the race chassis

[g7t]

welcome aboard!

[hunttheshunt]

Had it a few weeks now and really enjoying it...especially the performance. Closest thing to a bike.

Can someone give me an idea of what the oil pressure should read at certain points. Also, had a good run around the A272 but when I got back found a small pool of what look, smelt and felt like water. Is this just from the overflow.....because it sure isn't the airconditioning.

Few minor mods to do in the next few days...much bigger sunglasses/goggles being one of them!

[g7t]

hunttheshunt said:

Had it a few weeks now and really enjoying it...especially the performance. Closest thing to a bike.

Can someone give me an idea of what the oil pressure should read at certain points. Also, had a good run around the A272 but when I got back found a small pool of what look, smelt and felt like water. Is this just from the overflow.....because it sure isn't the airconditioning.

Few minor mods to do in the next few days...much bigger sunglasses/goggles being one of them!

I'll second the bike comment my ZX6r is now going into retirement. I'm a newish owner too.

Check out the blatchat forum for specifics like this - loads on there even if you aren't a member.

On the water front BEWARE K-series are a bit touchy to temperature so I've read. I had an issue recently with temperature - Hopefully I've solved it by just bleeding the rad - but an air bubble somewhere was causing issues I think... No overhaeting evidedent until the cap on the expansion bottle starts spitting, then shortly after, spewing fluid.

If you ingnore problems like this the dreaded head gasket issue will raise its ugly head.

gt

[clarkey]

Hi Paul

Glad you're enjoying it.

Keep a VERY close eye on coolant. Make sure that you never let it run low, and that you check for air locks when you top it up. If you keep it topped up with the correct antifreeze mixture you'll be fine..

Details on oil pressure ranges are here: www.minister-power.com/support/engine_data_pages/cat_r500_data_page.htm

As far as I remember, you'll see over 60 psi when it is under load. Water temperatures should settle around 80 deg when you're moving, and may reach 90 ish in traffic. If you're regularly exceeding this it'll be worth investigating the larger radiator and ECU controlled fan which I don't think your car has. Depending on how you drive it (how hard, how much track use) oil temperatures may get high too - if so investigate an oil cooler and/or an apollo tank.

So... to avoid an expensive mistake make sure oil and water are topped up and make sure that the coolant is bled properly.

P.S Bike is damn hot in this weather. Boil in the bag plums.