Caterham Roadsport 1.6 K-Series Remap
Discussion
I'm looking for advice on possibly getting a remap on my Caterham. It is a 2006 1.6 K-Series ex. Roadsport B Race Car.
A local company to me (EJM Prepartion) use a company called DNA Tuning for remapping. Their website says possible gains of 12Bhp and 18nm Torque. Just wanted to know if anyone has had their Caterham remapped? Also which company they used and whether it was worth it?
It would be nice to have a bit of a transformed car to drive this year. Are there any other modifications that may be worth considering? Thanks..
A local company to me (EJM Prepartion) use a company called DNA Tuning for remapping. Their website says possible gains of 12Bhp and 18nm Torque. Just wanted to know if anyone has had their Caterham remapped? Also which company they used and whether it was worth it?
It would be nice to have a bit of a transformed car to drive this year. Are there any other modifications that may be worth considering? Thanks..
So the one listed here on the DNA Tuning website would not work on a standard MEMS? http://www.dnatuning.com/index.php?option=com_cont...
I would just like a bit more power for this year, any suggestions on modifications that are relativity affordable and recommended?
Caterham do the Supersport Kit for around £1000. Also DVA Power do a 135bhp Kit for £565 here: http://www.s262612653.websitehome.co.uk/#135kit. Anyone know if they're any good?
I would just like a bit more power for this year, any suggestions on modifications that are relativity affordable and recommended?
Caterham do the Supersport Kit for around £1000. Also DVA Power do a 135bhp Kit for £565 here: http://www.s262612653.websitehome.co.uk/#135kit. Anyone know if they're any good?
Never heard of DNA nor seen anyone on the sevens club site mentioning having used them. Regarding Caterham, it is a good upgrade but a blind ally if you want to go any further in the future but has the advantage of being acceptable by CC for a trade in.
Can recommend DVA route, which is what I did, as you can use the cams and verniers as a basis for future upgrades. I found this worthwhile and, as many have done, have ported the head and fitted Emerald, Jenveys and upgraded exhaust. I did this over a few years and now have circa 170bhp.
David
Can recommend DVA route, which is what I did, as you can use the cams and verniers as a basis for future upgrades. I found this worthwhile and, as many have done, have ported the head and fitted Emerald, Jenveys and upgraded exhaust. I did this over a few years and now have circa 170bhp.
David
DVA Power is a good route if you envisage further upgrades in the future. If you can, start with the K02 package which gives you a programmable ECU as well as the cams. Verniers would be a good idea as well. This will enable your car to get the best out of what it already has - you would ideally get it rolling roaded (about £250 at Emerald) but DVA will supply you with a good base map. If you can't afford that then the cams are a good start and you can add the ECU later.
hbwold said:
Thanks for the advice. How much power gain do you get from the Caterham Supersport Upgrade? .
Around 20bhphbwold said:
The DVA Power K01 kit seems reasonable as don't want to spend too much, looking at changing the car within a year or two.
Changing the cams changes the character of the powere delivery. Less at the bottom end, more in the mid range, and significantly more at higher revs. The 1600 Supersport and the 6 speed gearbox work very well together. With a 5 speeder, then there is a possibility that you struggle a little to keep it on the boil.If you're looking to sell the car on again, then you won't recoupe much (if any) of the cost of the upgrade.
Will this upgrade really make the car more fun to drive? - Yes I think it will, but I don't think its good value for money. If you were using the car for competition, then I can see that a little here, and a little there can make the difference between finnishing first or not, but for a road car that you're thinking of selling, then I'd hang on to your money!
Incidentally, I'm very sceptical of the improvements offered by the vendor quoted. 12bhp from a standard engine is a significant improvement from a standard engine. 'alamost sounds to good to be true........
Red Seven said:
Will this upgrade really make the car more fun to drive? - Yes I think it will, but I don't think its good value for money. If you were using the car for competition, then I can see that a little here, and a little there can make the difference between finnishing first or not, but for a road car that you're thinking of selling, then I'd hang on to your money!
I am thinking along these lines. I only do maybe 6 track days a year and 500 or so road miles.I was thinking of spending £500 tops just to have a little bit of a transformed car to drive this year, would a de-cat exhaust make much difference? Seems quite an easy fit for not too much money.
Think these DVA Power/Caterham upgrades would be worth it if keeping the car for a few more years but I am hoping to change within two years so probably not worth the money for me.
hbwold said:
would a de-cat exhaust make much difference? Seems quite an easy fit for not too much money.
My car is a lightly modified 1600 supersportish spec (running SS MEMS). I sprint and hillclimb my car, and used to run without a cat. However, from last year I needed to run a cat again. My times have not been noticeably different.... 
Yeah I saw your items on Pistonheads. By the time I have bought the kit and sorted fitting its going to be too much money. Unless I just did the exhaust but not sure on the power gains and whether it will be worth it.
Anyone know if there would be any noticeable gains if I fitted a non-cat exhaust like this one? http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Caterham-Trackday-Exhaust-No...
Anyone know if there would be any noticeable gains if I fitted a non-cat exhaust like this one? http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Caterham-Trackday-Exhaust-No...
hbwold said:
Anyone know if there would be any noticeable gains if I fitted a non-cat exhaust like this one? http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Caterham-Trackday-Exhaust-No...
It's the short 4 branch manifold that is more of an issue than the CAT.There are noticable gains in mid range torque with either a long 4 branch or a 4-2-1 manifold. However, if you buy new, its expensive!
Chris71 said:
Slightly off topic here, but is upgrading the 1.6 the usual route or do people favour the 1.8 for power? Toying with the idea of fettling mine.
Well most of the higher power k's are 1800 (or 19), but you can do a good job on a 1600. Modest head stuff plus Jenveys and emerald 160? More head work up to 180/190?Depends on where you want to end up really. If you want go go higher than that, then best to get it to 1800.
Bert
BertBert said:
Chris71 said:
Slightly off topic here, but is upgrading the 1.6 the usual route or do people favour the 1.8 for power? Toying with the idea of fettling mine.
Well most of the higher power k's are 1800 (or 19), but you can do a good job on a 1600. Modest head stuff plus Jenveys and emerald 160? More head work up to 180/190?Depends on where you want to end up really. If you want go go higher than that, then best to get it to 1800.
Bert
My 1.6 was taken to 190bhp by Dave Andrews (DVA) - This was a totally reliable and solid 190bhp as well, based on a rev limit of 8250rpm (with forged pistons). The 1.6 engine is a far more sweet revving engine than the 1.8, they both have the same bore, but the 1.6 has a shorter stroke and is therefore more "fizzy". Downside is you get a little less torque than with a 1.8, but the drive experience in a light car like a Seven is simply spot-on. At speed my car sounded more like a motorbike than a car...
Tuning a 1.6 is the way to go IMHO - especially aligned with a lightened flywheel...
Tuning a 1.6 is the way to go IMHO - especially aligned with a lightened flywheel...
richyd and others said:
Tuning a 1.6 is the way to go IMHO - especially aligned with a lightened flywheel...
Interesting. I don't want to compromise reliability or driveability hugely and I don't want to spend mega bucks, but I'm leaning more towards keeping the car long term and if I do that a few more bhp might not go amiss.Would definitely agree on the 1.6 Vs 1.8 comments for standard engines. For the standard factory specs (ignoring the various R versions) I quickly came to the conclusion that 1600 Supersport and 6-speed 'box was the way to go. The 1.8's torque delivery didn't have quite the same fizz and the 1.6 struggled a little to stay on the boil with the 5-speed.
On a vaguely relevant topic - how conservative (or otherwise) is the rev limit on standard 1600 internals? I've seen conflicting comments - some say you can drive up to the shift light every time (once warm etc. etc.), others that you should never go there.
Chris71 said:
The 1.8's torque delivery didn't have quite the same fizz and the 1.6 struggled a little to stay on the boil with the 5-speed.
On a vaguely relevant topic - how conservative (or otherwise) is the rev limit on standard 1600 internals? I've seen conflicting comments - some say you can drive up to the shift light every time (once warm etc. etc.), others that you should never go there.
Chris, once I've got the engine back in my car, you can come out for a drive in it On a vaguely relevant topic - how conservative (or otherwise) is the rev limit on standard 1600 internals? I've seen conflicting comments - some say you can drive up to the shift light every time (once warm etc. etc.), others that you should never go there.
Assuming you have std internals (pistons and rods), the factory shift lights should be set with the strength of these in mind. In either case, the hard cut rev limiter (and possibly the soft cut if the factory ECU has one) will be factory set so as not to allow any damage to components.
Once everything is fully up to temp and you have good oil pressure, then shift off the limiter, if you're quick (and your synchros are in good nick), only a slight stab at the clutch is needed!
fergus said:
Chris, once I've got the engine back in my car, you can come out for a drive in it
It's a deal.I hasten to add though, I meant a factory standard 1.8 road car lacks fizz compared to the shorter stroke 1.6 K-Series. Not a nutty 220+hp missile piloted by someone who thinks superstock race bikes are a safe way to travel.
fergus said:
BertBert said:
Chris71 said:
Slightly off topic here, but is upgrading the 1.6 the usual route or do people favour the 1.8 for power? Toying with the idea of fettling mine.
Well most of the higher power k's are 1800 (or 19), but you can do a good job on a 1600. Modest head stuff plus Jenveys and emerald 160? More head work up to 180/190?Depends on where you want to end up really. If you want go go higher than that, then best to get it to 1800.
Bert
Bert
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