Caterham Superlight 1.6 K-Series

Caterham Superlight 1.6 K-Series

Author
Discussion

Darren-2000

Original Poster:

23 posts

93 months

Monday 22nd August 2016
quotequote all
I have recently test driven a 2002 Caterham 7 Superlight (with the 1.6 K-Series engine). It's a potential purchase and one thing I wanted confirmation of is that a) they all have heavy clutches (well, relative to new, more modern cars) and that b) the clutch bites high in the clutch travel. I think it will take me a bit of time before I calibrate to the difference with my main car, such is the tight pedal box, higher force needed for the pedals and high clutch bite point. If a Caterham owner can confirm all this is normal, it would put my mind at rest.
The car has an Stack oil pressure gauge. What would be the normal cold/no load, hot/high load operating pressures?

Shropcat

78 posts

160 months

Monday 22nd August 2016
quotequote all
The clutch can be heavier than modern hydraulic ones, it's a cable operated affair and the bite point can be adjusted by nuts at both end of the cable.

Synchromesh

2,428 posts

165 months

Monday 22nd August 2016
quotequote all
Clutch shouldn't be too heavy, perhaps only slightly heavier than a modern car. Bite point shouldn't be high either, although it can be quite 'sharp' to engage.

Sounds like the clutch might be on the way out on the one you tested. Wouldn't put me off the car, but I'd try and negotiate the price down by the cost of having the clutch replaced.

rubystone

11,252 posts

258 months

Monday 22nd August 2016
quotequote all
Synchromesh said:
Clutch shouldn't be too heavy, perhaps only slightly heavier than a modern car. Bite point shouldn't be high either, although it can be quite 'sharp' to engage.

Sounds like the clutch might be on the way out on the one you tested. Wouldn't put me off the car, but I'd try and negotiate the price down by the cost of having the clutch replaced.
Totally agree. Does the CRB make a noise too? How much is the car priced at? Mileage?

radical78

398 posts

143 months

Monday 22nd August 2016
quotequote all
clutch on mine is a lot heavier than a modern car

superlighty

1 posts

91 months

Monday 22nd August 2016
quotequote all
Go for it I have the 1.6K Original Superlight and it is the ideal 7 for road a few trackdays. The 1.6K and the 6 speed is sublime. The clutch on mine is quite heavy compared to my daily driver.

ForzaGilles

557 posts

223 months

Tuesday 23rd August 2016
quotequote all
From memory, the OP on my 1.6k Superlight was:

3 bar-cold idle,
5 bar-cold running
2 bar-warm idle
4 bar-warm running.

tin duck dave

167 posts

127 months

Tuesday 23rd August 2016
quotequote all
Heavy clutch can be spigot bearing on the way out. Good negotiating lever, engine out to sort. Ideal seven in my book, and prime to upgrade over time as well. Don't fear a k series, set up right it's a great match with a seven

BertBert

18,953 posts

210 months

Wednesday 24th August 2016
quotequote all
Just out of interest, how does the spigot bearing affect the clutch feel?
tin duck dave said:
Heavy clutch can be spigot bearing on the way out. Good negotiating lever, engine out to sort. Ideal seven in my book, and prime to upgrade over time as well. Don't fear a k series, set up right it's a great match with a seven

one eyed mick

1,189 posts

160 months

Wednesday 24th August 2016
quotequote all
? I dont know !!!

battered

4,088 posts

146 months

Wednesday 24th August 2016
quotequote all
Dry or wet sump? Different clutch arm. Same bearing. CRB is a bodge on a k series 7. Great car though.

BertBert

18,953 posts

210 months

Wednesday 24th August 2016
quotequote all
presumably tdd means crb

Darren-2000

Original Poster:

23 posts

93 months

Wednesday 24th August 2016
quotequote all
I have read editorial that the clutch will be heavy, but it’s not unmanageably heavy. It’s certainly was not light like modern machinery. I was always told (or perhaps thought) that a late bite point was a sign of age and wear. Although, of course I notice differences between cars, and my main car is at the opposite end of the spectrum – it bites very early. Used to balancing equal input of clutch out, accelerator in. On test drive this approach leads to clutch engaging with a few thousand revs in the 7!

No noise from the CRB as far as I can tell. Plenty of differential noise (and other engine, wind, gear noise maybe drowning it out!). Surprised that my left foot reaches the angled bulkhead but the clutch still has further travel, and at 5’10 my leg is at full stretch with seat apparently fully forward.

It’s 2002 and 13k miles. How much is a fitted new clutch?

Engine out. Never considered that but then I guess it would have to. I have been read all the negatives about the K series in other cars in the past, but have become a convert after reading up and experiencing what it will do. I had wondered whether 140 bhp would feel enough as there are those 1.8 Ks with plenty more, but it pulls all gears similarly with no real pause / build up, and plenty of exhaust, induction and wind noise adding to the feeling of speed.

It’s a wet sump with Apollo tank.

It seems the ideal 7 spec for road and occasional track day.

battered

4,088 posts

146 months

Wednesday 24th August 2016
quotequote all
Good spec. No way has anyone buggered a clutch in 13k unless it's ex race. If the crb is silent, no problem. In a 7 you have a moveable pedal box and a clutch cable with an adjuster. The bite point can be absolutely anywhere. With lever adjustment the travel can be changed.

rubystone

11,252 posts

258 months

Wednesday 24th August 2016
quotequote all
Differential noise would worry me. Stick your foot on the clutch and if that noise disappears, it's the CRB. I can't see how a clutch would be needed at 13k miles. Apollo is standard spec for a Superlight. How much are they charging for the car? Shouldn't be more than £16k at the very top end by one of the recognised specialists.


Darren-2000

Original Poster:

23 posts

93 months

Wednesday 24th August 2016
quotequote all
Could the differential be noisy/noisier since it has been replaced by a 3.9:1? I only noticed it more when off throttle. It don't think it was constant. I would need to test it again to check if the noise went away when depressing the clutch. It's 17k. So high then. Difficult to compare when there is no direct comparison and there is no such thing as a standard 7. I see that most have been upgraded with features from another model. This one has had some comfort added back and hence not strictly standard Superlight. Is is unusual or usual to only lower the driver floor pan? And (on a Superlight) no mesh for the radiator -- just the 7 logo in the nose cone? Reassured that pedal box and clutch can be adjusted to suit.

HustleRussell

24,602 posts

159 months

Wednesday 24th August 2016
quotequote all
Has anyone ever worn out a clutch in a Caterham road car?

If the clutch is unusually heavy / high for a Caterham it'll just need an adjustment or a new cable at worst.

It will be generally heavier than the clutch in a modern road car and as you are sat on the floor with legs outstretched it will feel heavier still.

HustleRussell

24,602 posts

159 months

Wednesday 24th August 2016
quotequote all
Ford diffs do whine particularly on the overrun, not necessarily a cause for concern.

BertBert

18,953 posts

210 months

Wednesday 24th August 2016
quotequote all
I don't think I've ever had a caterham that doesn't do that. The input shaft/crb chatter is always there and goes away with a foot on the pedal.


rubystone said:
Differential noise would worry me. Stick your foot on the clutch and if that noise disappears, it's the CRB. I can't see how a clutch would be needed at 13k miles. Apollo is standard spec for a Superlight. How much are they charging for the car? Shouldn't be more than £16k at the very top end by one of the recognised specialists.

battered

4,088 posts

146 months

Wednesday 24th August 2016
quotequote all
HustleRussell said:
Ford diffs do whine particularly on the overrun, not necessarily a cause for concern.
LSD s moan like he'll, and the UJs chatter on a light throttle at low speed. TADTS. The cure is to put your foot down.