supersprint info
Discussion
Hello wonder if you guys can help.
What type of performance could I expect from a 1700 xflow 1990 Supersprint with a 4 speed box?
If it has a short cockpit how tight will it be if I'm 6 feet 1 inch?
Any other info on what to look out for when buying one this age would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Ben
What type of performance could I expect from a 1700 xflow 1990 Supersprint with a 4 speed box?
If it has a short cockpit how tight will it be if I'm 6 feet 1 inch?
Any other info on what to look out for when buying one this age would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Ben
Hi
The 1700 supersprint has 135 bhp so isn't exactly show in a car that weighs that little. My car was a supersprint when I first built it, and I drove it for 10 years at that spec. I think Caterham quoted 0-60 in 5.5 seconds. Top end will depend on if you get flared or cycle wings (Cycle are faster...). As the car is all about being numble, in real world situations a supersprint will humble most things on the road. Top fun.. and you can upgrade when you get used to it.. (Zetec is the easiest and works well)
Things to look for.. errr, corrosion, stuffed dampers and bushes.. plus all the stuff that you need to look out for in a car of that age.
The engines are generally OK - though they do leak a bit of oil. If you have any doubts, get someone to have a look at it for you and do a compression test. Setting up the twin 40s is a bit of a fiddle to begin with.. don't let them put you off as it soon becomes easy, and they sound great.
Is the car de dion or live axle?? Both have their plus points... de dion rides better and can take loads of power. the live axle is lighter and works well on track.
Have fun
The 1700 supersprint has 135 bhp so isn't exactly show in a car that weighs that little. My car was a supersprint when I first built it, and I drove it for 10 years at that spec. I think Caterham quoted 0-60 in 5.5 seconds. Top end will depend on if you get flared or cycle wings (Cycle are faster...). As the car is all about being numble, in real world situations a supersprint will humble most things on the road. Top fun.. and you can upgrade when you get used to it.. (Zetec is the easiest and works well)
Things to look for.. errr, corrosion, stuffed dampers and bushes.. plus all the stuff that you need to look out for in a car of that age.
The engines are generally OK - though they do leak a bit of oil. If you have any doubts, get someone to have a look at it for you and do a compression test. Setting up the twin 40s is a bit of a fiddle to begin with.. don't let them put you off as it soon becomes easy, and they sound great.
Is the car de dion or live axle?? Both have their plus points... de dion rides better and can take loads of power. the live axle is lighter and works well on track.
Have fun
I've got almost exactly that car and I'm almost exactly that build!
My car is a short-cockpit crossflow. I'm 6'1" with size 12 feet, and drive without shoes - at which point it fits me entirely. I have concerns over track days, since I wouldn't be suprised if they don't let me drive barefoot, but I haven't succumbed to the trackday bug yet. Note that this is with bench seats; I would imagine that bigger leather S-type style seats would make things a bit tighter. It's probably worth hanging on for a long-cockpit version to become available; unfortunately my heart won over my head and I purchased regardless!
Performance-wise (and mine is an 1800, so possibly a wee bit quicker): acceleration up to 60mph is fantastic. I've had the car for 3 years, and I've not wanted for more acceleration. Acceleration-wise, it keeps up with modern "normal" Caterhams with no worries.
Top-speed is the only thing I'd like more of - probably aleviated with a 5-speed box. 70mph comes at 4000 revs, 5000 revs is a shade under 90mph, and I'm unwilling to consistently travel at over 5000 revs. (although that's my own personal concern for the engine, and could well be unjustified).
Reliability-wise: it's been fantastic. Being a 17-year old car I'm continually concerned for its wellbeing, but it's never let me down or missed a beat. Can't fault it. (touch wood!)
Hope that's helped. If you fancy an spin out in one one weekend, and fancy popping down to Kent, I'll happily oblige.
Richard
My car is a short-cockpit crossflow. I'm 6'1" with size 12 feet, and drive without shoes - at which point it fits me entirely. I have concerns over track days, since I wouldn't be suprised if they don't let me drive barefoot, but I haven't succumbed to the trackday bug yet. Note that this is with bench seats; I would imagine that bigger leather S-type style seats would make things a bit tighter. It's probably worth hanging on for a long-cockpit version to become available; unfortunately my heart won over my head and I purchased regardless!
Performance-wise (and mine is an 1800, so possibly a wee bit quicker): acceleration up to 60mph is fantastic. I've had the car for 3 years, and I've not wanted for more acceleration. Acceleration-wise, it keeps up with modern "normal" Caterhams with no worries.
Top-speed is the only thing I'd like more of - probably aleviated with a 5-speed box. 70mph comes at 4000 revs, 5000 revs is a shade under 90mph, and I'm unwilling to consistently travel at over 5000 revs. (although that's my own personal concern for the engine, and could well be unjustified).
Reliability-wise: it's been fantastic. Being a 17-year old car I'm continually concerned for its wellbeing, but it's never let me down or missed a beat. Can't fault it. (touch wood!)
Hope that's helped. If you fancy an spin out in one one weekend, and fancy popping down to Kent, I'll happily oblige.
Richard
As far as top speed is concerned on my supersprint (flares and aero) I saw 6400revs at monza before braking for the first chiacane: with a 4 speed box, 3.64 diff, and 185/70R13 yokos that should equate to an actual speed of 195 km/h
There are many faster cars around, but even as far as top speed is concerned the supersprint isn't bad at all.
There are many faster cars around, but even as far as top speed is concerned the supersprint isn't bad at all.
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