Potential first time caterham owner

[D7PNY]

Hi guys,

I am hoping to buy my first caterham this winter

I have previously owned a westfield with C20XE on Webber 45's with around 195bhp and 585-590kg.

Budget is the main issue with Caterham ownership for me but my budget appears to be enough for an ex academy car or tidy enough 1.6 k series car.

Car will be doing sprints, track days and weekend blasts so a must for me is a LSD and I'd like 300 odd bhp/tonne to get similar straight line speed to my westfield. Caterham being lighter should ultimately be the quicker car round track though

I've sat in a couple and know I fit (just) so my main question is, should I hold out for a 6 speed box which seems pretty rare in my price range?

Cheers,

Dave

[red_slr]

For sprints and track days I would say yes - although you could get a 5sp car and then put a 6sp box in later.
But for track use the 6sp is a must IMHO.

[coppice]

But a 5 sped box won't stop have you enjoying yourself on track either- you will certainly get a bonus laugh about the loooow first and intergalactic cruising 5th-0 I know i did . But for track days so what frankly ? If you are that bothered about ultimate pace then get an MSA licence.

[petery]

I'd be looking for a reasonably priced ex academy car then doing the upgrades you want, it's unlikely a car will come up for sale that is exactly what you want but getting a cheaper car and upgrading makes a bit more sense.
A 1600 k-series is a good engine and can be upgraded to reasonable power by DVA and will allow it to fit in under 1600 classes in sprints. If you can find one that already has forged Pistons etc. from a minister rebuild that will allow power upgrades to be done at a more reasonable price.

[D7PNY]

Thanks folks.

Car will be used for sprints mostly so perhaps will try and find one with the 6 speed fitted but at the end of the day if the right car comes up without it then its maybe not the end of the world.

Not overly bothered about tenths of seconds here and there at the sprints as I'm just there for fun but have had cars in the past with ratios that just weren't suited and took a lot of the fun out of it. S2000 was a prime example, with standard box I was in second gear for nearly whole tracks sometime!

Cheers,

Dave

[red_slr]

Consider 4.1 diff too - I ran one. Pretty good gains.

[Aeroscreens]

D7PNY said:

Not overly bothered about tenths of seconds here and there at the sprints

Trust me, you will be ......

[D7PNY]

Cheers.

In terms of maybe buying an ex graduate racer...where's best to get a decent lsd? Had a wee look on Google but not having much luck. In my westfield days there was usually a steady enough supply of second hand diffs in the classifieds but wasn't sure what diffs are suitable for the caterham?

An ex racer would suit me well as not overly bothered about the odd mark as let's be honest, I might make my own! Probably better buying one that I can be less previous about and saving a bit of cash in the meantime.

Cheers,

Dave

[petery]

Take your Diff out and send to Road and Race Transmissions in Kent, they will install a Titan lsd in your casing

[D7PNY]

Thanks for that.

On from that...what will a roadsport with say 125 - 140 bhp feel like compared to my old westfield?

My thinking is that owing to being a much lighter car, the caterham will be quicker through the corners and just lack a little straight line punch compared to the westfield but ultimately be pretty well match round the track? (excluding maybe 'power' tracks?)

Seen a nice looking 1996 car in the classifieds with reportedly 160bhp from DVA upgrades but at 12k plus looks a little expensive for a 1996 car?

Speaking to a guy with a 2004 ex supergrad car that is to have an engine refresh prior to sale and could buy that, get the diff swapped and have some change for the price of the 1996 car I mentioned. Granted the supergrad is a bit tatty in comparison though.

Cheers,

Dave

[ghibbett]

The 1996 car you're talking about is this one I take it: http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/c...

The age of the car is irrelevant. Condition is everything however the price is partially (and not necessarily correctly) related to the mileage. One's things for sure on this car - it won't lose any more money!

IMO this looks to be a perfect little Caterham. As long as it's been cared for, and being owned by an L7C member as I understand it, it most likely will be, I reckon it's a cracking buy. DVA'd engine, BGH 'box, LSD, Mech oil pressure gauge, Tillets, FIA bar, Aeroscreen & Full screen and weather gear + a load of spares. The more I look at it, the more I think it's a total bargain!

[D7PNY]

Thanks, I really like the look of it and as you said, has all the right bits on it.

Wasn't sure on the age side of things as I know with westfields age comes in to it slightly more. Condition is key though as you say!

Cheers,

Dave

[D7PNY]

ghibbett said:

The 1996 car you're talking about is this one I take it: http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/c...

The age of the car is irrelevant. Condition is everything however the price is partially (and not necessarily correctly) related to the mileage. One's things for sure on this car - it won't lose any more money!

IMO this looks to be a perfect little Caterham. As long as it's been cared for, and being owned by an L7C member as I understand it, it most likely will be, I reckon it's a cracking buy. DVA'd engine, BGH 'box, LSD, Mech oil pressure gauge, Tillets, FIA bar, Aeroscreen & Full screen and weather gear + a load of spares. The more I look at it, the more I think it's a total bargain!

Gutted...just went to make contact about that one and it has sold!

Never mind, the search goes on. That would've suited me perfectly I reckon.

Dave

[ghibbett]

That's a shame, however I didn't think that one would stick around for long.

Keep an eye on the L7C forum For Sale section (this one started there).