I never really got Caterhams...
Discussion
...till I grabbed a ride on the way to the LeMans Classic - Awesome!! 
www.youtube.com/watch?v=TE2bPmNokFU
www.youtube.com/watch?v=TE2bPmNokFU
Loonster,
Not wishing to rub salt, etc but I feel utter meld with my old tin: a thrash went down yesterday so violent that it can only be a matter of time before MI6 come a-knocking at the door.
The thing's so small that multiple overtaking lunges are an almost default M.O.
The lsd must be perfectly set up because the low speed pendulum is now so deliciously measurable.
I love it so emphatically that I'm even sending it off to Caterham for it's first service nexy week (slightly overdue
) which apparently will provide some kind of quick removal/refittment kit for the windshield/aeroscreen.
Now the engine's bedding in and the trucculence abating (although 3rd still invokes the funky grasshopper), I cannot wait to revisit the sublime hyper rawness of helmeted velathrustation.
My only criticism is that the thing doesn't feel mind alteringly quick so an R500 could be on the cards.
Ozric's Shambolic Tentacle.
Not wishing to rub salt, etc but I feel utter meld with my old tin: a thrash went down yesterday so violent that it can only be a matter of time before MI6 come a-knocking at the door.
The thing's so small that multiple overtaking lunges are an almost default M.O.
The lsd must be perfectly set up because the low speed pendulum is now so deliciously measurable.
I love it so emphatically that I'm even sending it off to Caterham for it's first service nexy week (slightly overdue
) which apparently will provide some kind of quick removal/refittment kit for the windshield/aeroscreen. Now the engine's bedding in and the trucculence abating (although 3rd still invokes the funky grasshopper), I cannot wait to revisit the sublime hyper rawness of helmeted velathrustation.
My only criticism is that the thing doesn't feel mind alteringly quick so an R500 could be on the cards.
Ozric's Shambolic Tentacle.
dazren said:
derestrictor said:
My only criticism is that the thing doesn't feel mind alteringly quick so an R500 could be on the cards.
You are insane.
No, my Lord, an Atom 300, now that is insane.
I'd have one tomorrow if I thought I'd live to see the dawn but we both know that would be an impossibility!
The great charm of the 'ham is it's fullsome repertoire: noise, poise, quaint style & passable velocity.
When I've finished a hoon in the tin, I always leave it outside a while with the doors flipped up an' over, the near exploded K-series ticking away to compliment the bug eyes like some ruddy great mechanical insect.
Marvellous.
derestrictor said:
When I've finished a hoon in the tin, I always leave it outside a while with the doors flipped up an' over, the near exploded K-series ticking away to compliment the bug eyes like some ruddy great mechanical insect.
Marvellous.
The sooner you get rid of those acceleration and top-speed sapping 'screen and doors the better, oh padowan ..... Marvellous.
Good work on actually using the pilchard tin though.
Oh, Jezhoondo, you were right, you were so right! 
It be difficult to know where to begin but this is one of the only cars where speed per se is entirely irrelevant: it is all about feel and my God, does it dollop that out!
Still way off even thinking about slipping the ice in your Perno, old bean but ito completely excessive anvil abuse, I think you'd quietly approve!
Do you think I should get them to decat it during the service? (It does the overrun thing already but you can rarely have a surfeit of Cerb huting pop & growl, eh?)
Btw, how long will the clutch last?
Oinklemann.
It be difficult to know where to begin but this is one of the only cars where speed per se is entirely irrelevant: it is all about feel and my God, does it dollop that out!
Still way off even thinking about slipping the ice in your Perno, old bean but ito completely excessive anvil abuse, I think you'd quietly approve!
Do you think I should get them to decat it during the service? (It does the overrun thing already but you can rarely have a surfeit of Cerb huting pop & growl, eh?)
Btw, how long will the clutch last?
Oinklemann.
derestrictor said:
Do you think I should get them to decat it during the service? (It does the overrun thing already but you can rarely have a surfeit of Cerb huting pop & growl, eh?)
Once you have the requisite parts it is very easy to do yourself (simply unbolt the cat section, bolt in replacement pipes). Bear in mind you'll have to replace said feline at MOT time (or have a very friendly test station ). derestrictor said:
Btw, how long will the clutch last?
Depends how you use/abuse it, but you should have many thousands of miles in it yet: what I believe was the original on mine was still going strong at 12,000 miles ....
derestrictor said:
Oh yes, the other thing with this thing is the truly appalling fuel habit.....I know it's pff from a 535d Touring but this little b'stard needs a trip to the fuel variant of AA!
DeR,
Are you still running the factory ECU? It may be worth a trip over to Norwich to see Dave Walker @ Emerald. He can have your car running sweeter than a can of condensed milk. He's able to iron out any kangaroo type shenanigans and improve transient throttle response, and low speed running. As the fuel map will be spot on, you should also notice improvements in the consumption of shell's finest.
He eeked another 9hp out of my SLR purely through some laptop tomfoolery.
Worth a call to discuss at the very least? www.emeraldm3d.com
PS also one of the most passionate & honest (& knowledgable) people you will ever meet in the world of modified cars
That's extremely kind of you, Fergus, many thanks indeed.
The wee blackie was collected today for it's first service so I'll see what it's like on return...
Reckon the default mode thereafter will be aeroscreen but I'm still in a quandry about helmets to ameliorate lift > ahem mph...
Brett at Caterham Midland reckoned one partial solution involves adjusting the tillet seat so as to compensate for the exaggeraed 'head forward' posture caused by the said tillet/helmet interface.
A sort of 'reclined' angle might encourage slightly better air flow when blatting for Queen & country, maybe...
Whatever, I'm resolved to breach the car's claimed top speed asap, it will be surely an experience of profound exposure.
Helmut D Frazzleclutch.
The wee blackie was collected today for it's first service so I'll see what it's like on return...
Reckon the default mode thereafter will be aeroscreen but I'm still in a quandry about helmets to ameliorate lift > ahem mph...
Brett at Caterham Midland reckoned one partial solution involves adjusting the tillet seat so as to compensate for the exaggeraed 'head forward' posture caused by the said tillet/helmet interface.
A sort of 'reclined' angle might encourage slightly better air flow when blatting for Queen & country, maybe...
Whatever, I'm resolved to breach the car's claimed top speed asap, it will be surely an experience of profound exposure.
Helmut D Frazzleclutch.
derestrictor said:
Reckon the default mode thereafter will be aeroscreen but I'm still in a quandry about helmets to ameliorate lift
Brett at Caterham Midland reckoned one partial solution involves adjusting the tillet seat so as to compensate for the exaggeraed 'head forward' posture caused by the said tillet/helmet interface.
A sort of 'reclined' angle might encourage slightly better air flow when blatting for Queen & country, maybe...
Brett at Caterham Midland reckoned one partial solution involves adjusting the tillet seat so as to compensate for the exaggeraed 'head forward' posture caused by the said tillet/helmet interface.
A sort of 'reclined' angle might encourage slightly better air flow when blatting for Queen & country, maybe...
DeR, I'm 6'5" and in my aeroscreened SLR, I don't notice any helmet lift at all. I have the -50mm lowered floor fitted, and effectively sit on the floor, with a minimal amount of custom foam moulded seat (this is approaching 135 mph on the approach to Schwedencreuz at the 'Ring). However, other who have been in the car often complain of helmet lift. I guess it's a case of getting an a/screen fitted and seeing how bad the problem is. Alternatively go for a ride in a car with one fitted with same seating spec as your car and see whether it is indeed a problem?
You may need to junk the tillets and go for a cusotm moulded seat. You can acheive whatever position you like then. My 19st frame never fitted Tillets anyway!
However, still got an all up weight, with half a tank, plus me of 621kgs. As an aside, you may be better speaking to Hyperion, Freestyle, etc or poeple who support the race cars rather than the factory service centre, the race teams often come up with more innovative solutions.
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