K series vs Sigma

K series vs Sigma

Author
Discussion

sailorjerry

Original Poster:

7 posts

105 months

Sunday 2nd August 2015
quotequote all
Yet another question, sorry.

I'm looking at buying a 1.6 roadsport but torn between the k series and the sigma, have driven both and the sigma feels a little more torquey but stretches the budget further.

For a mostly road car with a few track days and the odd hill climb and sprint which engine would I be better off with?



StEVEN7

62 posts

193 months

Sunday 2nd August 2015
quotequote all
I would go Sigma especially in Supersport spec, very track ready!.and huge fun on the road.

Edited by StEVEN7 on Sunday 2nd August 16:00

StEVEN7

62 posts

193 months

Sunday 2nd August 2015
quotequote all
I would go Sigma especially in Supersport spec, very track ready!.and huge fun on the road.

Edited by StEVEN7 on Sunday 2nd August 16:00

BertBert

19,025 posts

211 months

Sunday 2nd August 2015
quotequote all
there's got to be quite a budget difference between k-roadsport and sigma-supersport?

Bert

StEVEN7

62 posts

193 months

Sunday 2nd August 2015
quotequote all
Obviously a 120 k ex race would be cheaper than a 125 Sigma ex race Car, you can upgrade the 125 sigma to 145 Supersport spec for about 4k...a k series to 138 superlight spec would be a little cheaper but the 145 Supersport would be more capable!.... Stiffer chassis, more torque and a little more power, track spec dampers, Supersport is very stiff and very kart like.....if you can afford the Sigma go for it.....the k's are fine but I always found the coil packs breaking down were a pain, I had head gasket failures too... Not an peak of trouble with my Sigma Super sport in 3 years, very cheap to run!.

Edited by StEVEN7 on Sunday 2nd August 23:50

StEVEN7

62 posts

193 months

Sunday 2nd August 2015
quotequote all
Obviously a 120 k ex race would be cheaper than a 125 Sigma ex race Car, you can upgrade the 125 sigma to 145 Supersport spec for about 4k...a k series to 138 superlight spec would be a little cheaper but the 145 Supersport would be more capable!.... Stiffer chassis, more torque and a little more power, track spec dampers, Supersport is very stiff and very kart like.....if you can afford the Sigma go for it.....the k's are fine but I always found the coil packs breaking down were a pain, I had head gasket failures too... Not an peak of trouble with my Sigma Super sport in 3 years, very cheap to run!.

Edited by StEVEN7 on Sunday 2nd August 23:51

Chrisp5782

630 posts

138 months

Monday 3rd August 2015
quotequote all
I've just made the switch from a K -Series to a Sigma and, whilst the K was brilliant, I much prefer the way the Sigma drives.

It feels more sure footed (that could be its just better set up!) and the power feels much more linear.

I'm not sure how but the Sigma car feels more solid when you're driving it - I'm sure its not but that's the impression.

The hydraulic clutch is nice too!

K800 RUM

352 posts

192 months

Monday 3rd August 2015
quotequote all
I agree with what has been said above, but then I would as I have had a 125 sigma for 8 years. smile

re the comment on the hydraulic clutch above, it is very light & smooth but a pain if it gives trouble compared to a cable opperated one as the slave cylinder is inside the bell housing. smash

Edited by K800 RUM on Monday 3rd August 19:52

KRL

121 posts

157 months

Tuesday 4th August 2015
quotequote all
I've owned my 125 Sigma for the past 4 years and I have nothing but praise for it. My main use for the car is track days and it has been totally reliable and has never let me down.

I think its a great engine and combined with the 7 it manages to embarrass much more powerful and expensive machinery.

framerateuk

2,730 posts

184 months

Tuesday 4th August 2015
quotequote all
I've had a Sigma 140 for 3 years and I love it.

It's just as fun on track as it is on the road and if you're driving it properly you'll find you're faster than nearly everything.

Servicing and running costs have been very reasonable. The only expense has been the cambelt change and fixing some cosmetic issues the previous owner didn't bother with!

CharlesElliott

1,996 posts

282 months

Tuesday 4th August 2015
quotequote all
I'm a K series (race car) owner, but would probably buy a Sigma if I could stretch to it. The Sigma will be metric whereas the K series - almost certainly - imperial. That's not a problem but it is nice to have the 'newer' one.

Having said that a 120bhp K series is slightly faster round a circuit than a 125bhp Sigma by 1-2 seconds/lap.

BertBert

19,025 posts

211 months

Tuesday 4th August 2015
quotequote all
CharlesElliott said:
Having said that a 120bhp K series is slightly faster round a circuit than a 125bhp Sigma by 1-2 seconds/lap.
Really? why is that then?
Bert

ghibbett

1,900 posts

185 months

Wednesday 5th August 2015
quotequote all
framerateuk said:
The only expense has been the cambelt change and fixing some cosmetic issues the previous owner didn't bother with!
Hi Andy,

What is the cambelt change frequency?

KRL

121 posts

157 months

Wednesday 5th August 2015
quotequote all
ghibbett said:
What is the cambelt change frequency?
Caterham recommend a changing it at a maximum of 6 year intervals. Make sure when you change the belt that the person carrying out the work is aware of how to setup the cam timing as this differs from the standard ford timing.

CharlesElliott

1,996 posts

282 months

Wednesday 5th August 2015
quotequote all
BertBert said:
Really? why is that then?
Bert
Well, firstly the 120 vs 125 bhp are probably more marketing than scientific. And whilst the Sigma engine has a bit more torque lower down, the K series has more power at the top end so is ultimately quicker.

framerateuk

2,730 posts

184 months

Wednesday 5th August 2015
quotequote all
ghibbett said:
Hi Andy,

What is the cambelt change frequency?
As KRL said it's every 6 years. My car was 4 years old when I bought it so it was done along with the 2nd service and MOT.

Plans for this winter are an aeroscreen and getting it corner weighted.

In 140 tune it's an absolute joy to drive. Lots of top end but still plenty of grunt lower down when you aren't on it (or when the other half is driving!).

ghibbett

1,900 posts

185 months

Wednesday 5th August 2015
quotequote all
Thanks chaps thumbup, still have 3 years on mine then driving

Chrisp5782

630 posts

138 months

Wednesday 5th August 2015
quotequote all
The top chaps at Sevens & Classics did mine as part of the pre sale prep for me. smile