Converting an SR3 for the road
Discussion
It's around 2 years since I last looked at buying a Radical (ended up with a TVR, which was great fun). Back then, I viewed a very tidy SR4 but, as I wanted to run it on the road also for short blasts between track days...I decided against it (zero help from Radical and a feeling it would cost quite a lot to do).
I've sold the TVR now and over the past year I've been using a Clio 172 Cup I've track prepared to great effect on various track days in the UK and the Ring.
I definitely want a car that is more for track than road, but still want the option to take it on the road every once in a while so an SR3 is now on the shopping list as my understanding is they're easier to convert to road use and better suited to it than the 4s etc.
There are a few on the classifieds within budget(ish) so can anyone offer advice on my thoughts to buy a race spec SR3 and convert it? Costs, insurance etc..and general feedback on owning an sr3 as a track car, good and bad?
I'll be doing any maintenance work on the car myself and would also do any conversion work myself. I'd even take on the engine rebuild myself when it was required...I'm handy with the spanners so to speak.
I've sold the TVR now and over the past year I've been using a Clio 172 Cup I've track prepared to great effect on various track days in the UK and the Ring.
I definitely want a car that is more for track than road, but still want the option to take it on the road every once in a while so an SR3 is now on the shopping list as my understanding is they're easier to convert to road use and better suited to it than the 4s etc.
There are a few on the classifieds within budget(ish) so can anyone offer advice on my thoughts to buy a race spec SR3 and convert it? Costs, insurance etc..and general feedback on owning an sr3 as a track car, good and bad?
I'll be doing any maintenance work on the car myself and would also do any conversion work myself. I'd even take on the engine rebuild myself when it was required...I'm handy with the spanners so to speak.
if i were you and you wanted a radical track car, id get a clubsport and a trailer and a westfield etc for the road.you could get both of these for less than an sr3 rs (which would not be at all good on the road)and neither of them would be compromised or need setups altering each time you use it.both are very very good fun and agile!
cant imagine an sr3 rs on a race track with road settings! good luck.
cant imagine an sr3 rs on a race track with road settings! good luck.
If you want to race a road going radical I would agree with the above, but otherwise all the compromises made to drive an SR3 on the road, i.e. springs, damper settings and ride height make little difference to how much fun you'll have on a track day or on the road.
I run an SR3 on the road and track and its great fun. The only change I make going on track are the damper settings and that's all you need to do. The question you need to ask is can you live without a windscreen and roof? Obvious I know but there are days I look out of the window and might have gone out if I had a caterfield, as I could have put a roof on if it rained. The days I do go out I never regret my choice though. After driving my car, a mate described his Superlight R as "feeling a bit blunt" in comparison. And I only have the cheap dampers.
The downside is running costs. They are racing cars and whilst they don't take anywhere near the punishment on the road, they do need bits replacing from time to time but on the flp side I have had fewer issues than my mates with caterfields.
If you do this, may I recommend split glass goggles and a sheepskin helmet, available from your nearest Imperial War museum and far better than a helmet. A neoprene skiing face mask for the clear winter mornings does the trick.
I run an SR3 on the road and track and its great fun. The only change I make going on track are the damper settings and that's all you need to do. The question you need to ask is can you live without a windscreen and roof? Obvious I know but there are days I look out of the window and might have gone out if I had a caterfield, as I could have put a roof on if it rained. The days I do go out I never regret my choice though. After driving my car, a mate described his Superlight R as "feeling a bit blunt" in comparison. And I only have the cheap dampers.
The downside is running costs. They are racing cars and whilst they don't take anywhere near the punishment on the road, they do need bits replacing from time to time but on the flp side I have had fewer issues than my mates with caterfields.
If you do this, may I recommend split glass goggles and a sheepskin helmet, available from your nearest Imperial War museum and far better than a helmet. A neoprene skiing face mask for the clear winter mornings does the trick.
Thanks for the feedback. I don't like the Caterfields...not my thing (too homebrew). I want the best possible performance and the most fun for the limtied time I'll spend in the car, hence the Radical itch.
What sort of costs do you encounter annually? Was your car road legal when you bought it and what age is it? I'm thinking of a 2010 car.
No screen etc doesn't bother me
actually look forward to it...my Clio doesn't see wet weather anyway so I'm used to that too!
What sort of costs do you encounter annually? Was your car road legal when you bought it and what age is it? I'm thinking of a 2010 car.
No screen etc doesn't bother me
actually look forward to it...my Clio doesn't see wet weather anyway so I'm used to that too!Bit earlier car that seems to have been registered previously, http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/r...
Also just found this one. http://www.radicalownersclub.com/view-classified/3...
Not sure if available still tho.
Also just found this one. http://www.radicalownersclub.com/view-classified/3...
Not sure if available still tho.
Edited by Steve57 on Tuesday 22 October 11:34
Steve57 said:
Bit earlier car that seems to have been registered previously, http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/r...
Also just found this one. http://www.radicalownersclub.com/view-classified/3...
Not sure if available still tho.
Steve, you are a star!!Also just found this one. http://www.radicalownersclub.com/view-classified/3...
Not sure if available still tho.
Edited by Steve57 on Tuesday 22 October 11:34
Mailed and called the earlier car (hope it's still available). The one on ROC unless it's for sale again has been around a bit on the classifieds. It's more than I really want to spend if possible, although I appreciate buying a cheaper race car and converting will end up costing more (possibly...can anyone confirm?) it will be less noticeable to the bank manager/wife.
I know the guy (Noel)and have seen his yellow car that's currently advertised on Racecars direct, really well looked after road registered car that's had money spent on it. If I hadn't bought mine 4 months ago I would have seriously considered this one.
good luck with your purchase you wont be disappointed,
PS: have you experienced one on track yet?
good luck with your purchase you wont be disappointed,
PS: have you experienced one on track yet?
The advice I got from Radical was to buy a road registered car. Converting one to pass the SVA is expensive and involved apparently. There aren't that many pre SL road registered cars either.
As for running costs it depends on your view of wear and tear compared to Radical's inspection / replacement schedule for parts on a car used for racing. As for the engines, I would like more power than my 1299 cc engine but the 1500 does seem to need regular tlc. I change the oil very regularly but beyond that, despite regular "once overs" on the car, I haven't had to do a thing. I think the clutch is getting worn but that may be as much me as the road use.
Overall it's been a great buy. Replacing parts is expensive so check how old the fatigue lifed parts are. The SR3 has been developed over the years and updating or upgrading an older car is expensive but in my view mostly unnecessary.
As for the criticism that it must be permanently frustrating or too fast, that just makes it the same as every other decent performance car out there.
Good luck and happy shopping!
As for running costs it depends on your view of wear and tear compared to Radical's inspection / replacement schedule for parts on a car used for racing. As for the engines, I would like more power than my 1299 cc engine but the 1500 does seem to need regular tlc. I change the oil very regularly but beyond that, despite regular "once overs" on the car, I haven't had to do a thing. I think the clutch is getting worn but that may be as much me as the road use.
Overall it's been a great buy. Replacing parts is expensive so check how old the fatigue lifed parts are. The SR3 has been developed over the years and updating or upgrading an older car is expensive but in my view mostly unnecessary.
As for the criticism that it must be permanently frustrating or too fast, that just makes it the same as every other decent performance car out there.
Good luck and happy shopping!
Just browsing through and spotted this.
Find myself about to move house and having problems finding new property with enough garages, so my road-registered SR3 might be available for the right price. Early Supersport car converted to road by factory, pics in my profile, not really been used enough (only 1 track day this year). Didn't intend to sell, as it doesn't really owe me anything, and if it wasn't for house move, I'd just keep it for the odd occasional high day or track day...
If you're seriously looking, then do feel free to email me via profile, and we can maybe speak over weekend?
S.
Find myself about to move house and having problems finding new property with enough garages, so my road-registered SR3 might be available for the right price. Early Supersport car converted to road by factory, pics in my profile, not really been used enough (only 1 track day this year). Didn't intend to sell, as it doesn't really owe me anything, and if it wasn't for house move, I'd just keep it for the odd occasional high day or track day...
If you're seriously looking, then do feel free to email me via profile, and we can maybe speak over weekend?
S.
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