Looking at a Supersport R

[rotorwings]

…long time reader, first time poster.

I am looking into purchasing a used 2011/2012 Supersport R and would like to know the following:

If a Supersport R has a full weather pack and roadsport leather seats, what is left that makes it a 'Supersport' as apposed to a 'Roadsport'?

The only other things that seem to be different is that a Supersport R has an LSD and a 'black pack' as standard. Is there anything else?

I remember something about the suspension being different, but cannot find this information easily. If the suspension is different, how would I tell when looking at the car that it has 'supersport' suspension?

Are there differences between the supersport and roadsport dash layouts as standard?

[Mach 7]

Looks like a sprint LSD and suspension and 13" wheels.

http://uk.caterhamcars.com/cars/roadsport-175

http://uk.caterhamcars.com/cars/supersport-r

Edited by Mach 7 on Saturday 18th January 15:27

[ghibbett]

I have the official Caterham bumpf here in front of me. According to it the differences are as follows:

Supersport R vs Roadsport 175
Engine:
180bhp vs 175bhp
143lbsft vs 139lbsft
130mph vs 138mph

Suspension:
Fr: Widetrack with Supersport dampers vs Adjustable double wishbones with anti-roll bar
Rr: De Dion with Supersport dampers vs De Deon

Wheels:
Alloy wheel (not mention of size) with CR500s vs 6Jx14" with ZV3 185/60R14

Weight:
535kg vs 550kg

Transmission:
3.91:1 final drive with LSD vs 3.6:1 open diff

Brakes & Steering = Same

Supersport R std equipment:
Lightweight flywheel
Track-optimised cooling package
Composite race seats & aero screen
4 point race harness
Push button start
Black pack
Bespoke Supersport half doors, tunnel top & boot cover
Immobiliser
Integrated change up light

Roadsport std equipment:
Full windscreen & weather gear
Heater
Cloth adjustable seats
14" allow wheels
Immobiliser

HTH

[nigelpugh7]

And the LSD is the biggest factor in making that car have bags more character and progressive chuck ability too!

I personally would never buy build or specify any Caterham without an LSD!

[rotorwings]

Thanks for the great info!

Can I ask where you got it from? I haven't seen anything about the flywheel before…

I intend to use the car exclusively on the road. Would the 3.91 diff be to high a ratio with the 5 speed box for road use?

Is the 'track optimised cooling' going to be any problem on the road? I presume it should be fine. Does anyone know what was 'optimised'?

[mic]

Caterham Duratec flywheels are are all the same unless you have a supercharged engine, and/or a Sadev gearbox

[ghibbett]

rotorwings said:

Can I ask where you got it from? I haven't seen anything about the flywheel before…

The Caterham 'sales brochure' from when I signed up for their drift experience last year. If you PM me I will happily scan the relevant pages and email over to you

rotorwings said:

I intend to use the car exclusively on the road. Would the 3.91 diff be to high a ratio with the 5 speed box for road use?

Although I've just bought one, I do not yet have it and thus cannot give you any information through the benefit of experience. According to research through other owners, I believe it's absolutely fine and still better than the 6 speed for touring (clarifying better as lower revving).

rotorwings said:

Is the 'track optimised cooling' going to be any problem on the road? I presume it should be fine. Does anyone know what was 'optimised'?

My understanding of 'track optimised' means using the alloy radiator from the R400 rather than the standard plastic - and prone to leaking - Roadsport radiator.

[tomwoodis]

ghibbett said:

rotorwings said:

Can I ask where you got it from? I haven't seen anything about the flywheel before…

The Caterham 'sales brochure' from when I signed up for their drift experience last year. If you PM me I will happily scan the relevant pages and email over to you

rotorwings said:

I intend to use the car exclusively on the road. Would the 3.91 diff be to high a ratio with the 5 speed box for road use?

Although I've just bought one, I do not yet have it and thus cannot give you any information through the benefit of experience. According to research through other owners, I believe it's absolutely fine and still better than the 6 speed for touring (clarifying better as lower revving).

rotorwings said:

Is the 'track optimised cooling' going to be any problem on the road? I presume it should be fine. Does anyone know what was 'optimised'?

My understanding of 'track optimised' means using the alloy radiator from the R400 rather than the standard plastic - and prone to leaking - Roadsport radiator.

I've just built one and have had it on the road a few times before the winter kicked in. The ratios are great for the road. One of the main complaints on past cars has been that the 6 speed has been too 'buzzy' and the 5 speed a little too relaxed fpr road use. The change to the 3.9 diff makes the 5 speed feel closer ratio than it would ordinarily. It's a great compromise without requiring the additional spend on the 6 speed. 5th gear will still be great for touring with I feel.

With regards to the track optimised cooling. I could be wrong as I can't compare to a roadsport but my car did come with a Modine oil cooler. This simple but clever device routes the oil and coolant through a heat exchanging device. Speaking
With Caterham about this, it apparently has the desired effect of heating the oil more quickly when the car is warming up but then also cooling the oil when really pressing on, keeping it within manageable levels. The coolant, despite being very hot itself is still a bit below where the oil temps can peak and is thus still effective at cooling the oil when its very hot.

Could this be what they are referring too + the additional alloy radiator?

Also, one other extra that is on mine which I'm unsure about being on a roadsport is the rear anti roll bar. Is that on a roadsport?

Think the dash could well be the same as you have suggested. It's certainly not like the Rxxx series cars of old.

Tom

[ghibbett]

Does the Supersport R have the Supersport dash layout I.e. All the switches located together in the middle of the dash with the fuel and oil pressure over on the passengers side?

[nigelpugh7]

tomwoodis said:

I've just built one and have had it on the road a few times before the winter kicked in. The ratios are great for the road. One of the main complaints on past cars has been that the 6 speed has been too 'buzzy' and the 5 speed a little too relaxed fpr road use. The change to the 3.9 diff makes the 5 speed feel closer ratio than it would ordinarily. It's a great compromise without requiring the additional spend on the 6 speed. 5th gear will still be great for touring with I feel.

With regards to the track optimised cooling. I could be wrong as I can't compare to a roadsport but my car did come with a Modine oil cooler. This simple but clever device routes the oil and coolant through a heat exchanging device. Speaking
With Caterham about this, it apparently has the desired effect of heating the oil more quickly when the car is warming up but then also cooling the oil when really pressing on, keeping it within manageable levels. The coolant, despite being very hot itself is still a bit below where the oil temps can peak and is thus still effective at cooling the oil when its very hot.

Could this be what they are referring too + the additional alloy radiator?

Also, one other extra that is on mine which I'm unsure about being on a roadsport is the rear anti roll bar. Is that on a roadsport?

Think the dash could well be the same as you have suggested. It's certainly not like the Rxxx series cars of old.

Tom

Hey Tom do you mean a Mocal Laminova Heat exchanger?

Like this one in a Caterham:




If so that's great, it's nice to see Caterham spending them as standard!

[tomwoodis]

Not nearly as posh as that one Nigel but similar idea.

Here it is on the Caterham parts site.

http://caterhamparts.co.uk/product.php?id_product=...

It Attaches directly to the engine just beneath the starter motor. How effective it is I couldn't tell you but I like the idea!

Tom

[nigelpugh7]

tomwoodis said:

Not nearly as posh as that one Nigel but similar idea.

Here it is on the Caterham parts site.

http://caterhamparts.co.uk/product.php?id_product=...

It Attaches directly to the engine just beneath the starter motor. How effective it is I couldn't tell you but I like the idea!

Tom

Oh I see Tom, thanks for that, did not know about this device on new builds!

Where does it attach too out of interest?

The mocal solution was always nice but very expensive, and I was never sure it was really that essential!

[TeflonT]

It attaches to the engine Nigel.

[nigelpugh7]

TeflonT said:

It attaches to the engine Nigel.

You are a funny boy aren't you!

I was just wondering. If it attached to the water pump, or some where else on the block?

Never mind, carry on!

[tomwoodis]

On the block, very close to where the starter motor is/ engine mount attaches. It's mounted quite low down so sits just above the bottom chassis rail.

[TeflonT]

And you thought I was being funny......


So did I.... and now Tom's ruined it.

[tomwoodis]

sorry about that

[framerateuk]

tomwoodis said:

Also, one other extra that is on mine which I'm unsure about being on a roadsport is the rear anti roll bar. Is that on a roadsport?

You need to spec the widetrack/superlight suspension and then you get the anti roll bar in the back.

The only thing you can spec higher on the Roadsport than the Supersport is the Superlight suspension - which gives you the watts linkage gear. The setup you get with the Supersport lacks that so it a little lighter, but arguably worse on bumpy roads. On a track, I don't think there's meant to be any difference really.

[nigelpugh7]

TeflonT said:

And you thought I was being funny......


So did I.... and now Tom's ruined it.

Rofl! At least we know it's just for fun!

Of course we could spend our time worrying about correcting all of our spelling mistakes too!

Edited by nigelpugh7 on Sunday 19th January 18:44

[rotorwings]

Some great information here!
Thanks all.