Any 7/kitcar clubs in Norfolk/Suffolk
Discussion
Evening all,
I'm currently in the process of deciding whether to finally give the whole catefield/7 thing a go. I came close a few years ago but bottled it in the end and ended up buying the VX. Having owned it for a few years I can't remember too many occasions that the VX has done anything that a 7 wouldn't have managed. It's still just at the idea stage but the idea of spending a winter tinkering really appeals.
I've been reading up on what's around and what sort of costs are involved with a build but there's nothing like a hands on view but I've not come across any info on local clubs that would allow me to have a nosey at the different kits. Any info/experiances would be very much appreciated.
I'm currently in the process of deciding whether to finally give the whole catefield/7 thing a go. I came close a few years ago but bottled it in the end and ended up buying the VX. Having owned it for a few years I can't remember too many occasions that the VX has done anything that a 7 wouldn't have managed. It's still just at the idea stage but the idea of spending a winter tinkering really appeals.
I've been reading up on what's around and what sort of costs are involved with a build but there's nothing like a hands on view but I've not come across any info on local clubs that would allow me to have a nosey at the different kits. Any info/experiances would be very much appreciated.
You've got a couple of choices. There are regular meetings for the westfields, you can find out the details via http://boardroom.wscc.co.uk/. There's also the Caterham lot but as a club they can have a bit of a sniffy attitude although the local groups, particularly the Cambridge one are very open and embracing.
If you get seriously into 7x then there's always cam7 but reinforce your inbox first.
If you get seriously into 7x then there's always cam7 but reinforce your inbox first.
Hi there, Definately worth giving the local Westfield club above as mentioned,
http://www.wscc.co.uk/ The Westfield forums are a great place for banter and help, may also be worth poppong along to a meeting of the East Anglian Kit Car Club
http://www.eastangliankitcars.co.uk/ they meet once a month at Diss and have a good selection of 7s turn up if the weather is good
http://www.wscc.co.uk/ The Westfield forums are a great place for banter and help, may also be worth poppong along to a meeting of the East Anglian Kit Car Club
http://www.eastangliankitcars.co.uk/ they meet once a month at Diss and have a good selection of 7s turn up if the weather is good
Well bugger me!!
I might be able to make it over. I have to be in Norwich first thing to have the windscreen replaced in the vx but should be home mid afternoon. Do you know how long you will be there?
If I make it over and you didn't mind, I'd love to just have a sit and see how I fit. If I end up going down the 7 route it would probably be in the lower end of the market but it would be really interesting to just have a poke around to get an idea. I could sling the bash hats in the car and if you have time, a little pootle round might also be quite interesting;)
I'll try to get over before 3, if that's too late then don't worry and thanks for the offer, it'd be good to catch up and have a natter if it works out.
I might be able to make it over. I have to be in Norwich first thing to have the windscreen replaced in the vx but should be home mid afternoon. Do you know how long you will be there?
If I make it over and you didn't mind, I'd love to just have a sit and see how I fit. If I end up going down the 7 route it would probably be in the lower end of the market but it would be really interesting to just have a poke around to get an idea. I could sling the bash hats in the car and if you have time, a little pootle round might also be quite interesting;)
I'll try to get over before 3, if that's too late then don't worry and thanks for the offer, it'd be good to catch up and have a natter if it works out.
It's all very much up in the air at the moment. We really like the vx but after doing a track day on Saturday I just feel like getting something that is a bit more fun and basically a change of scenery. If we sell the vx then a few k's will be going towards a new car for my wonderful wife, that means that what's left would be the 7 fund. It would mean that I'd be looking at something like the MK Indy or MNR VortX kit and when funds allowed complete it. In reality I'd like to do it over winter and have something finished by next summer. And is a bike engine a really bad idea? I'm thinking that for general driving the lack of torque and tricky clutch could be a nightmare?
Anyway, i'll keep looking and reading and hopefully get over to snett tomorrow
Anyway, i'll keep looking and reading and hopefully get over to snett tomorrow
and its got carpets . roof ....err well its got a bit of canvas with some clear plasticky bits Ha ha A properly set up bike engined car is a thing of great joy. If you're going to be sitting in traffic lots then irrespective of whether your 7 is bike or car engined you've either taken the wrong car or have taken the wrong route.
The clunks of low speed gear changes are somewhat disconcerting and pulling away needs getting used to but once you're moving the a bike engine is just mega smiles whether you are on the road or the track. For track use you will need a beefy silencer (or two) with the noise limits at most circuits being what they are these days but other than that there is little to worry about.
The engines aren't particularly fragile - I know of a Honda Blackbird engine that has done something like 50k miles in a car and is still going strong but if your lubrication system is set up wrong they will let go straight away. Which engines need extra baffles vs overfilling vs dry sumping is well understood these days so lubrication isn't an issue unless somebody has been a numpty. In the unlikely event that the engine does go pop for any reason you can remove the old one and fit a new one in about 90 minutes and because they are so light you can just lift the whole thing out with your bare hands. The commonly used engines such as the honda fireblade and kwaka ninja engines are available for peanuts - the latest 08/09 engine might cost you a grand but an early 2000s engine is probably only going to cost £300
Clutches do wear if your starting technique is wrong but fortunately the plates and baskets are cheap, readily available and are about a hundred times easier to change than a car clutch. In broad strokes the bike cluctch change process is 1) drain oil 2) pop off cover plate 3) pull out complete clutch assembly 4) inspect/replace plates/basket 5) insert assembly 6) fasten allen bolts on the cover 6) fill with oil.
The clunks of low speed gear changes are somewhat disconcerting and pulling away needs getting used to but once you're moving the a bike engine is just mega smiles whether you are on the road or the track. For track use you will need a beefy silencer (or two) with the noise limits at most circuits being what they are these days but other than that there is little to worry about.
The engines aren't particularly fragile - I know of a Honda Blackbird engine that has done something like 50k miles in a car and is still going strong but if your lubrication system is set up wrong they will let go straight away. Which engines need extra baffles vs overfilling vs dry sumping is well understood these days so lubrication isn't an issue unless somebody has been a numpty. In the unlikely event that the engine does go pop for any reason you can remove the old one and fit a new one in about 90 minutes and because they are so light you can just lift the whole thing out with your bare hands. The commonly used engines such as the honda fireblade and kwaka ninja engines are available for peanuts - the latest 08/09 engine might cost you a grand but an early 2000s engine is probably only going to cost £300
Clutches do wear if your starting technique is wrong but fortunately the plates and baskets are cheap, readily available and are about a hundred times easier to change than a car clutch. In broad strokes the bike cluctch change process is 1) drain oil 2) pop off cover plate 3) pull out complete clutch assembly 4) inspect/replace plates/basket 5) insert assembly 6) fasten allen bolts on the cover 6) fill with oil.
KarlosFandango said:
and finding the apex,
Not even close I'm afraid. At Russells the inside wheels are very light and the curbs so insignificant that the best line is using the majority of the curb. Just stay off the green tarmac or the CoC or Head marshall will get rather upset with you.In terms of line this is as about as good as it gets:
Personally I found the Snetterton curbs pretty bumpy in the Tuscan!
I guess a 7 just "floats" over them??
I would recommend a 7 as due to the aforementioned weightlessness, tyres, pads etc, etc, last a lot longer, which can cost a fortune on other types of track day bolide, preventing you from enjoying yourself as often.
I guess a 7 just "floats" over them??
I would recommend a 7 as due to the aforementioned weightlessness, tyres, pads etc, etc, last a lot longer, which can cost a fortune on other types of track day bolide, preventing you from enjoying yourself as often.
Intersting thread KF as I'm considering a MK Indy/Locost for track days next year . . torn between a bike engined one or a car engined one. . .
Only wanted for track days, if it's road legal then that's a bonus but I have the Griffith for that and as much fun as a TVR is on track, without further significant modding making it less road friendly it's not the beast for multiple trackdays in a year.
Only wanted for track days, if it's road legal then that's a bonus but I have the Griffith for that and as much fun as a TVR is on track, without further significant modding making it less road friendly it's not the beast for multiple trackdays in a year.
Had an interseting reply to a similar thread posted on another forum. Someone mentioned that a 'cheap' seven alternative would be a world away from an R300. I appreciate that they might not be quite the same but surely it's going to be 90% of the driving experience a Caterham gives??
Gassing Station | East Anglia | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff