Any new supersport owners?
Discussion
Been reading the forum for years and thought I would finally jump in
After years of absence from the brand I am thinking of coming back to Caterham. Went to see them last week-end and had a look round again. I am thinking of potentially a new Supersport, I love the spec and the price is right. Does anyone have experience with them? It's getting great reviews, my only worry is that I might feel a lack of power after a while?
Any input appreciated (haven't driven it yet, they are fitting weather equipment to it for the winter)
After years of absence from the brand I am thinking of coming back to Caterham. Went to see them last week-end and had a look round again. I am thinking of potentially a new Supersport, I love the spec and the price is right. Does anyone have experience with them? It's getting great reviews, my only worry is that I might feel a lack of power after a while?
Any input appreciated (haven't driven it yet, they are fitting weather equipment to it for the winter)
I've driven the race car briefly, earlier in the year which is near enough the same spec. Engine is a lot freer than the standard Sigma and the LSD helps massively. Spec of the road car is pretty much the same as the race car and is something along the lines of:
Plenty quick enough for the road, and enough power to be fun on track.
- Sigma 1.6 with different cams and injectors to standard. Cold air feed from R300 style airbox and higher rev limit (7,200).
- 140bhp
- LSD
- Widetrack
- Bilstein dampers with adjustable spring platforms.
Plenty quick enough for the road, and enough power to be fun on track.
Moonk said:
Thanks, that's what I thought. 13'' and LSD are standard on them as well as wide track suspension I think so all good. I used to have an R400 so my only fear really is the power drop from that...
I cant help thinking that you will find it a bit underpowered. A nice spec car but with many sigmas making around 10% less BHP than the figure quoted....... Its a shame they are no longer selling the Superlight which had 150bhp (quoted) on throttle bodies which must make the upgrade path to 200bhp that much easier/cheaper.
I wonder what the 5 speed is like with the different ratios? Is it going to be as engaging as the 6 speed given that you are not looking for a touring model?
Good luck. Getting back behind the wheel of any 7 is bound to put a big grin back on your face
mic said:
It's a real 140bhp. Don't knock until you've tried it.
I'm not knocking it at all mic. The spec sounds great but will it measure up against an R400?Many engines do not make the manufacturers quoted power outputs. I know of a fair few sigmas and K's, amongst others, that have made less than 90%.
I ordered mine in early October and picking it up early March when the weather improves (hopefully!).
Ive wanted one since I borrowed a mates R300 for a week. In comparison, the Supersport didnt feel as quick but with the 5 speed box it felt a bit less frantic to drive. The R300 was fantastic but I could probably only use 7/10ths of its speed safely on the road - I'm hoping I can drive the Supersport with more vigour without worrying that Im driving too quickly for the road.
Even with 'only' 140 bhp I reckon I'll need some driver training to be able to exploit its full potential.
Ive wanted one since I borrowed a mates R300 for a week. In comparison, the Supersport didnt feel as quick but with the 5 speed box it felt a bit less frantic to drive. The R300 was fantastic but I could probably only use 7/10ths of its speed safely on the road - I'm hoping I can drive the Supersport with more vigour without worrying that Im driving too quickly for the road.
Even with 'only' 140 bhp I reckon I'll need some driver training to be able to exploit its full potential.
Training well worth it, did a full day with Cadence about 5 years ago, braked the hardest I thought I could then tried again with some encourageent and found out I could stop in half the distance. That and a lot more.
Choice looks a bit like the choice between a car that's truly drive-able according to all the reviews vs hard data like 200bhp and 3.5 secs which in a used R400 which just sounds that bit more serious but is not that necessary on the road (Not doing trackdays)
Tricky, something to think about over the holidays
Choice looks a bit like the choice between a car that's truly drive-able according to all the reviews vs hard data like 200bhp and 3.5 secs which in a used R400 which just sounds that bit more serious but is not that necessary on the road (Not doing trackdays)
Tricky, something to think about over the holidays
downsman said:
Unfortunately, Ford have referred to the engine Caterham call the Sigma as Zetec (SE) and Duratec!
Not exactly helpful when there are two other engine families with the same names
Focus ST170 is badged as a Duratec but is a Zetec VVC. At least the side that the exhaust exits gives a clue on this one Not exactly helpful when there are two other engine families with the same names
let me bump this thread as i'm interested in a Supersport.
spec & price seem right for usual reasons: LSD, suspension, seats & harness.
just need to add a cage and i'm set for an ideal road & track car?
i think 140 is fine, i've used Sigma engined cars with Caterham Experience at silverstone and was very impressed.
My other option would be an older Superlight. My use is around 50:50 road:track
Any updates from owners on their experiences?
My one thought is the gearbox. I reckon 5 speed should be fine. In fact the 6 speed on the BaT R300 i used at Donnington had too many gears! Such a light car and so much going on i was trying to avoid changing too much to keep myself smooth and fluid! Maybe 6 speed ideal for hill climbs but for track i enjoy stringing together smooth corners and carrying speed.
Anybody think the R is a must have? or the Sigma 140 better balanced?
spec & price seem right for usual reasons: LSD, suspension, seats & harness.
just need to add a cage and i'm set for an ideal road & track car?
i think 140 is fine, i've used Sigma engined cars with Caterham Experience at silverstone and was very impressed.
My other option would be an older Superlight. My use is around 50:50 road:track
Any updates from owners on their experiences?
My one thought is the gearbox. I reckon 5 speed should be fine. In fact the 6 speed on the BaT R300 i used at Donnington had too many gears! Such a light car and so much going on i was trying to avoid changing too much to keep myself smooth and fluid! Maybe 6 speed ideal for hill climbs but for track i enjoy stringing together smooth corners and carrying speed.
Anybody think the R is a must have? or the Sigma 140 better balanced?
Hi Robert,
Why not try a Supersport with a tuned Sigma? We're offering 155, 175 and 200 horsepower upgrades on the Sigma that not only improves the throttle response and driveability of the engine but also makes it over 20kgs lighter than a 2.0 litre Duratec. Customers that have had these upgrades or purchased engines from us have not been disappointed.
Check out our website;
www.premierpowerengines.com/products/1.6SigmaEngin...
Regards
SKC
Why not try a Supersport with a tuned Sigma? We're offering 155, 175 and 200 horsepower upgrades on the Sigma that not only improves the throttle response and driveability of the engine but also makes it over 20kgs lighter than a 2.0 litre Duratec. Customers that have had these upgrades or purchased engines from us have not been disappointed.
Check out our website;
www.premierpowerengines.com/products/1.6SigmaEngin...
Regards
SKC
Robert Elise said:
let me bump this thread as i'm interested in a Supersport.
spec & price seem right for usual reasons: LSD, suspension, seats & harness.
just need to add a cage and i'm set for an ideal road & track car?
i think 140 is fine, i've used Sigma engined cars with Caterham Experience at silverstone and was very impressed.
My other option would be an older Superlight. My use is around 50:50 road:track
Any updates from owners on their experiences?
My one thought is the gearbox. I reckon 5 speed should be fine. In fact the 6 speed on the BaT R300 i used at Donnington had too many gears! Such a light car and so much going on i was trying to avoid changing too much to keep myself smooth and fluid! Maybe 6 speed ideal for hill climbs but for track i enjoy stringing together smooth corners and carrying speed.
Anybody think the R is a must have? or the Sigma 140 better balanced?
I love the Sigma 140. Great engine, very revvy and plenty of power if you are touring. Great fun on the track too though you'll run out of puff on the longer straights and it can be pretty frustrating when you want to pass someone and don't quite have the power. Especially when most cars don't slow down since they assume you've got the power to get past!spec & price seem right for usual reasons: LSD, suspension, seats & harness.
just need to add a cage and i'm set for an ideal road & track car?
i think 140 is fine, i've used Sigma engined cars with Caterham Experience at silverstone and was very impressed.
My other option would be an older Superlight. My use is around 50:50 road:track
Any updates from owners on their experiences?
My one thought is the gearbox. I reckon 5 speed should be fine. In fact the 6 speed on the BaT R300 i used at Donnington had too many gears! Such a light car and so much going on i was trying to avoid changing too much to keep myself smooth and fluid! Maybe 6 speed ideal for hill climbs but for track i enjoy stringing together smooth corners and carrying speed.
Anybody think the R is a must have? or the Sigma 140 better balanced?
I can't comment on the 5 speed box since I've never driven a Caterham with one, but it feels great with the 6 speed. There's plenty go torque so you can just drive around in the higher gears if you want to, or drop it a few to really go for it
. The only time you will find a 6 speed annoying is on the motorway where the revs get a bit annoying. Ear plugs are usually the solution! I've certainly never felt like I had too many gears!Robert Elise said:
let me bump this thread as i'm interested in a Supersport.
spec & price seem right for usual reasons: LSD, suspension, seats & harness.
just need to add a cage and i'm set for an ideal road & track car?
i think 140 is fine, i've used Sigma engined cars with Caterham Experience at silverstone and was very impressed.
My other option would be an older Superlight. My use is around 50:50 road:track
Any updates from owners on their experiences?
My one thought is the gearbox. I reckon 5 speed should be fine. In fact the 6 speed on the BaT R300 i used at Donnington had too many gears! Such a light car and so much going on i was trying to avoid changing too much to keep myself smooth and fluid! Maybe 6 speed ideal for hill climbs but for track i enjoy stringing together smooth corners and carrying speed.
Anybody think the R is a must have? or the Sigma 140 better balanced?
Hi Robert,spec & price seem right for usual reasons: LSD, suspension, seats & harness.
just need to add a cage and i'm set for an ideal road & track car?
i think 140 is fine, i've used Sigma engined cars with Caterham Experience at silverstone and was very impressed.
My other option would be an older Superlight. My use is around 50:50 road:track
Any updates from owners on their experiences?
My one thought is the gearbox. I reckon 5 speed should be fine. In fact the 6 speed on the BaT R300 i used at Donnington had too many gears! Such a light car and so much going on i was trying to avoid changing too much to keep myself smooth and fluid! Maybe 6 speed ideal for hill climbs but for track i enjoy stringing together smooth corners and carrying speed.
Anybody think the R is a must have? or the Sigma 140 better balanced?
I've just been though the tricky process of deciding between the 2. In the end I went for the R having test driven both down at Cateham. If you read this thread, about half way down I gave a back to back comparison on my thoughts on the 2:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
To answer a couple of your other questions, I think the 5 speed works really well here in both suoersport cars. The Diff is a 3.9 in these so it shortens the standard 5 speed a bit to make the ratios a bit shorter than the norm. I think 6 speed with this diff would be a bit manic, good for hill climbs though probably.
Despite going for the Duratec in the end as I wanted the extra power, the Sigma car is probably slightly better balanced of the 2, the slightly lighter engine probably helps with this. The Sigma sounded the better of the 2 as well in my mind, presumably as a result of the slightly wilder cams that It has compared to the standard sigma whereas the R is pretty much a bog standard Duratec crate engine.
I won't lie, I was ultimately seduced by the extra grunt
If your on Facebook check:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Caterham-7-Superspo...
This is my build diary for my Supersport. 700 miles in and loving every minute I drive it. Enough power to kick the back out and get some really nice balanced slides. Love it!!
Paul.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Caterham-7-Superspo...
This is my build diary for my Supersport. 700 miles in and loving every minute I drive it. Enough power to kick the back out and get some really nice balanced slides. Love it!!
Paul.
great to hear of so much SS happiness! My own circumstances have taken a twist: living in Switzerland my options do not appear to include SS models ;-(
The importer only offers RS, CSR & 485s
So now my question changes to: how important is the wide track suspension??
it's a £1700 option. LSD, seats etc are also options....getting expensive.
i'll be doing track days for sure. I'm now evaluating just how standard a RS i can have before options bill makes this a 40k car!
tempting to get a standard RS (no LSD, wide track etc) enjoy the alps for now and consider a car swap some years down the line when in UK rather than over pay for an 'odd' specced car. Standard RS will not depreciate so much. I really want the SS though...
The importer only offers RS, CSR & 485s
So now my question changes to: how important is the wide track suspension??
it's a £1700 option. LSD, seats etc are also options....getting expensive.
i'll be doing track days for sure. I'm now evaluating just how standard a RS i can have before options bill makes this a 40k car!
tempting to get a standard RS (no LSD, wide track etc) enjoy the alps for now and consider a car swap some years down the line when in UK rather than over pay for an 'odd' specced car. Standard RS will not depreciate so much. I really want the SS though...
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