2002 Caterham 7 Roadsport 1.8 Supersport.
Discussion
So this is a new addition to the garage. It is the Roadsport model with the 1.8 K-series engine with 140bhp and the optional LSD. It has only done 4500 miles since 2002, so it needs a little bit of recommissioning and the tyres are from 2001 for example.
So once I've sorted a few bits and bobs on it, I will be able to start enjoying it. I'm excited about it because I've never had a performance car that has been lighter than 1100kg, so it is definitely something a fair bit different to what I'm used to.
Here is a pic of me collecting it, and a couple of it in the garage too.
I will update when I've moved things forward a bit.
So once I've sorted a few bits and bobs on it, I will be able to start enjoying it. I'm excited about it because I've never had a performance car that has been lighter than 1100kg, so it is definitely something a fair bit different to what I'm used to.
Here is a pic of me collecting it, and a couple of it in the garage too.
I will update when I've moved things forward a bit.
Matt W said:
Very nice. Is it 5 speed or 6? Are you planning to take it on track?
It is the 5 speed T9 gearbox from the Sierra Cosworth I believe, but from what I've been reading the 6 speed gearbox from Caterham is the one to have though. I don't currently have any plans to track it, and I'll mainly just use it to blast around the nice country roads that I have around me. Although these things are made for the track though really in fairness.
Mr Tidy said:
That should b a real blast - assuming you can cope without a turbo-boosted mid-range!
0 to 60 wise it is very similar to the 370Z at 5.3 seconds, but it is the lightness and nimbleness of it that is what I'll really enjoy about it though I think. However the brakes do feel absolutely crap though, and you really need to stand on them big time to get them to do anything!
CABC said:
quite a contrast to everything you've posted about!
K series is a great engine.
looking forward to hearing about this journey.
It is a big change of direction to what I usually go for as you say. K series is a great engine.
looking forward to hearing about this journey.
I do love how pure it is though, and it sounds a bit weird, but I absolutely love the tiny steering wheel in it as well. It is a bit like a go kart!
I'm properly excited to get some new tyres on it, and I'll get the coolant and brake fluid changed as well. However it has at least had a recent oil and filter change, and the cambelt has been done recently too.
cerb4.5lee said:
It is the 5 speed T9 gearbox from the Sierra Cosworth I believe, but from what I've been reading the 6 speed gearbox from Caterham is the one to have though.
I don't currently have any plans to track it, and I'll mainly just use it to blast around the nice country roads that I have around me. Although these things are made for the track though really in fairness.
5 speed is type 9 from pre-89 Sierra. Should have ratios from V6 with longer 1st. Cosworth had a Very different box.I don't currently have any plans to track it, and I'll mainly just use it to blast around the nice country roads that I have around me. Although these things are made for the track though really in fairness.
Richard-D said:
5 speed is type 9 from pre-89 Sierra. Should have ratios from V6 with longer 1st. Cosworth had a Very different box.
You're spot on and the Cosworth had the Borg warner T5 gearbox in it I believe, and that was the same gearbox that was in my Cerbera as well I think. So I got that wrong! I always personally preferred the MT-75 gearboxes in the 2.9 V6 XR4x4s that I had, especially in comparison to the XR4I that I drove with the T9 gearbox.
The T9 gearbox always felt quite crude to me in the XR4i, whereas the MT-75 gearboxes had a lovely action to them I thought in comparison.
First impressions of the gearbox in the Caterham aren't great either to be fair, but with time I imagine that I will get used to it though.
cerb4.5lee said:
I always personally preferred the MT-75 gearboxes in the 2.9 V6 XR4x4s that I had, especially in comparison to the XR4I that I drove with the T9 gearbox.
The T9 gearbox always felt quite crude to me in the XR4i, whereas the MT-75 gearboxes had a lovely action to them I thought in comparison.
First impressions of the gearbox in the Caterham aren't great either to be fair, but with time I imagine that I will get used to it though.
Yes, the MT75 I had in my 1991 Sierra was so much better than the T9 in my mates XR4i. The T9 gearbox always felt quite crude to me in the XR4i, whereas the MT-75 gearboxes had a lovely action to them I thought in comparison.
First impressions of the gearbox in the Caterham aren't great either to be fair, but with time I imagine that I will get used to it though.
Which is handy because with a K Series engine you'll need to use it frequently!
This was my seven a few years back , 1.8k but the VHPD on roller barrel throttle bodies made a great noise ! It was a DVA job and supposedly putting out 190bhp . It had the 6 speed gearbox which was excellent. No lsd but in my time with it never really felt like it needed one . Are you intending to tune your k series ? Great engine in my opinion and Dave is definitely the man to see for power upgrades.
mooseracer said:
Nice, you will thoroughly enjoy that and maybe it'll cure you of your turbo affliction 
I absolutely loved my Westfield years ago, I'm sure you will your Caterham too
Thanks! I absolutely loved my Westfield years ago, I'm sure you will your Caterham too
Yes and I can't wait to start using it properly, although it probably isn't the best time of the year to get one now though!
Neil1323bolts said:
This was my seven a few years back , 1.8k but the VHPD on roller barrel throttle bodies made a great noise ! It was a DVA job and supposedly putting out 190bhp . It had the 6 speed gearbox which was excellent. No lsd but in my time with it never really felt like it needed one . Are you intending to tune your k series ? Great engine in my opinion and Dave is definitely the man to see for power upgrades.
I bet yours felt rapid then for certain.
I will see how I go with it tuning wise, and as you say people do seem to say good things about the engine. Plus I don't think that the notorious headgasket issue is quite as much of a problem in the lighter Caterham from what I've read either.
I keep popping into the garage to either look at it or sit in it, and my missus thinks I'm crazy I reckon!
I've always personally been a big fan of LSDs, but that is just my preference really, plus plenty of car manufacturers don't even bother with them though(Lotus/McLaren etc). I've now currently got 3 RWD cars all with an LSD fitted to them, and that is mad really.
cerb4.5lee said:
mooseracer said:
Nice, you will thoroughly enjoy that and maybe it'll cure you of your turbo affliction
I absolutely loved my Westfield years ago, I'm sure you will your Caterham too
Thanks! I absolutely loved my Westfield years ago, I'm sure you will your Caterham too
Yes and I can't wait to start using it properly, although it probably isn't the best time of the year to get one now though!
Plenty of oppurtunity to get out in it I'm sure!
RS Grant said:
This seems like a huge curveball for you Lee!!
They are cool wee cars, only one I've driven was part of a Palmersport day for my 21st and it was a riot!! That was many years and many stone ago now though, so I won't be re-living that anytime soon.
Yes Grant and historically I've mostly tended to go towards the more brawny engined cars in fairness. Although I do have the occasional moan about the weight of those types of cars though(and in an ideal world I'd prefer the 370Z/M4 to be a bit lighter for example). They are cool wee cars, only one I've driven was part of a Palmersport day for my 21st and it was a riot!! That was many years and many stone ago now though, so I won't be re-living that anytime soon.
I've said for a few years now that I'd like to try something like the Caterham or a Lotus Elise, so I'm excited about getting to know/experience a car that has lightness on its side now though.
I don't look too great getting in and out of the thing now at 50 to be fair either!
My missus was laughing at me getting in and out of it when I brought it back, and I'm not exactly a big chap to be fair either. Can I go back to being 20 again please?! Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff