BEC? 'Blade or 'Busa in Sussex?

[DarkHorseTerence]

Having never tasted the thrills of a Caterham/7 until recently, I now realise I have been living in an alternate universe and one which misses out on a huge amount of fun to be had at legal speeds on our busy roads!!

Given it would only be a sunny/dry day toy, I am most tempted by a bike engine version with sequential box - the engine noise is intoxicating!!

Is there a meet anywhere in sussex where I might have chance to see/experience one up close? or praps a friendly local owner who can share their experiences? There are so few for sale - scattered all about the country.

Any pointers gratefully accepted!

Thanks

[Wanchaiwarrior]

You may not find a Caterham with a bike engine in, its not a normal fitment.

Try asking the same over on Locostbuilders.co.uk.
Most other 7 types are discussed there.

HTH

[Turn7]

Caterham did an official Blackbird install IIRC.....

[neil-935ql]

You don't need a bike engine version , the k series is a perfect match for the car , just put it on RBTB then listen to that noise , I never get bored of that . The newer ford engines all get very good reviews also , but I have not experienced these personally , could not afford a 620 r ! Also gearbox wise I have the 6 speed caterham box , what a great gearbox 10/10 go try it .

[KN02LEY]

James Whiting built the 'official' Blackbird engined cars but there were only 24 built I think.

[downsman]

There are members of Southern Kit Car Club with bike engines who do runs in Sussex. I think they are all Westfields, but you can join the forum for free here

[scubadude]

neil-935ql said:

You don't need a bike engine version , the k series is a perfect match for the car , just put it on RBTB then listen to that noise , I never get bored of that . The newer ford engines all get very good reviews also , but I have not experienced these personally , could not afford a 620 r ! Also gearbox wise I have the 6 speed caterham box , what a great gearbox 10/10 go try it .

Agreed- I have almost the opposite, a carbed Zetec engine on the 5spd box and its sensational compared to anything "normal" also it spits out fire- surely that should also be a requirement for all 7-type cars?

The speed and handling are wonderful but for me the Theatre of them is the most enjoyable part, being open to the elements, hearing/smelling the engine and exhaust crack and bang and suck is brilliant, plus you get that at 10mph as much as 100.

[919cc]

James Whiting built the Fireblades - think there were 26 official cars including the two pink demonstrators I believe. I owned one for a few years, fantastic handling due to the low weight (sub 400 kg wet) and good fun, especially on hillclimbs and twisty tracks.

Blackbird Motorsport and Caterham built the Blackbirds - even less of these built though.

There are a fair few Hayabusa powered sevens often used for hillclimbing and similar, the R1 engine has been put in a couple too.

[SteveJL]

Happy to take you out in my Busa (shh its a Westfield) as Downsman says ( hi Duncan) get over to the SKCC we are a friendly lot.

Drop me a PM if you want to meet up - I have a couple of spare crash helmets so will probably find one that fits you if you don't own one.

[tankplanker]

919cc said:

James Whiting built the Fireblades - think there were 26 official cars including the two pink demonstrators I believe. I owned one for a few years, fantastic handling due to the low weight (sub 400 kg wet) and good fun, especially on hillclimbs and twisty tracks.

Blackbird Motorsport and Caterham built the Blackbirds - even less of these built though.

There are a fair few Hayabusa powered sevens often used for hillclimbing and similar, the R1 engine has been put in a couple too.

I think those were some of the lightest BECs made, weren't they sub 400kg?

BEC vs. CEC is an old rivalry, drive a well sorted example of both and see which you prefer. I wouldn't dismiss either till you have actually driven both.

I prefered a BEC as it revs far higher (over 11.5krpm at present, may go higher with some work), its lighter, but the noise is unmistakably a Fireblade. I'm reasonably sure you can't fit a traditional H pattern selector to them as well as the bike gearboxes are sequential. Personally I prefer sequential, mine is a clutchless paddleshift, and its far cheaper to achieve this in a BEC over a CEC.

[DarkHorseTerence]

Thank you all for your supportive suggestions! I have been away hence the delay in responding. I will check out the links you mention..
Steve - shall PM you! thanks!

[pikeyboy]

Darkhorse pm me if you're interested I have one of the jw fireblade cars which I'm thinking of letting go to fund a 620r purchase. It's not advertised anywhere yet