Heater and LSD retrofit.

[rotorwings]

I am looking at a car that is missing two things I would like to have.

Could someone please give me some advice on the complexity and options for fitting the following to a 2012 Duratec R300?

A heater
- Are there any problems retrofitting a heater? Do all cars have the same wiring loom and will the wiring loom be ready to accept a heater?

An LSD
- Is it as simple as changing the Centre?
- What LSD would people recommend for road use? Fun, predictability and safety are my priorities - not lap times. The car will likely never see a track.
- What ratio would people recommend for road use (touring) when mated to a 6 speed box?
- Approximately how much time would it take a skilled workshop to complete the change?

thanks in advance!

[downsman]

For the diff, just remove the one you have on the car, take it somewhere like Road and Race transmissions in Sevenoaks and they will fit a Titan plate diff correctly set up for a Seven. It will cost around a £1000 if they rebuild the diff at the same time.

For the road, you'll want a 3.62 ratio with a 6 speed box, but once you've driven the car you can see if you're happy with what is fitted.

I'm sure the loom will have the wires for a heater, it seems unlikely they'd bother removing them, particularly when you consider how keen Cateham have been trying to get just one universal chassis in the past. It isn't difficult to fit the heater, but you'll need some new hoses and also how to connect them for the engine you have. Getting all the air out can be fun

[rotorwings]

thanks for the response.

My rough calculations put the engine RPMs at around 4500 in 6th at 100km/h (62mph). Does that sound right?
Could I possibly get away with an even lower ratio? Or would that make 1st too long?

[cyderbelly]

With the heater you also need the shut off valve, cable and pull/push switch under the dash as well as the fan speed button on the dash. I have an R300 Duretec also with the heater fitted if you need and photos sending of the pipe work etc let me know. Chris.

[rotorwings]

Thanks Chris.
I just bought an R300 and I am picking it up on the weekend. I will need to install the heater in it at some point but I won't trouble you for photos just yet as I might end up getting my workshop to do it.

Do all R300 dashboards have the correct buttons ready for heater installation? Even if they don't currently have a heater?
I have not seen the car up close yet.

Here is what my dash looks like.

[rotorwings]

I assume this pack has everything I need for the installation?

http://www.caterhamparts.co.uk/product.php?id_prod...

[BigCol]

Assuming you have the loom connection and switch, then looks like the kit has what you need...

Note that, contrary to the picture, the "ears" of the panel inside the car should point down.

[BigCol]

Assuming you have the loom connection and switch, then looks like the kit has what you need...

Note that, contrary to the picture, the "ears" of the panel inside the car should point down.

[CTrickle]

We replaced our open diff for an LSD. It was no problem to fit, in fact good fun!

We used Road and Race transmissions in Sevenoaks. The guy there is 'old school' and REALLY helpful.

[CanAm]

rotorwings said:

thanks for the response.

My rough calculations put the engine RPMs at around 4500 in 6th at 100km/h (62mph). Does that sound right?
Could I possibly get away with an even lower ratio? Or would that make 1st too long?

Don't know what size wheels you are running, but that sounds wrong. On a 3.92 diff and 14" wheels mine is making about 17.1mph/1000 revs in 6th. By a lower ratio, I assume you mean a lower numerical ratio, which is actually a higher (or longer) ratio, as it is gearing down.

[rotorwings]

Thanks CanAm.

Yes, I actually mean a higher (longer) ratio.
I am sure my maths is wrong then. The car has 15" wheels with 195 45 tyres.

<out with the calculator again…>

[CanAm]

No need to do hard sums, you can use a gearing calculator. Even with the 3.92 diff 1st gear is a bit of a pain when crawling in traffic, more so with the 3.62 I assume.

[rotorwings]

Thanks everyone for the responses. The car is now officially mine so it's time to get serious with the heater installation! I will leave the diff until I have driven the car for a few months.

Does anyone have any documentation on how to do the heater install with an R300 Duratec? A section out of the build manual perhaps?

I would really like to take a look at some instructions to asses whether I could comfortably do the installation. If anyone could send me a copy I would be very grateful.

[McWigglebum4th]

I don't know if i would bother with a heater

It melts your legs while your top half freezes

Buy a good jacket or some electrically heated clothes

[framerateuk]

McWigglebum4th said:

I don't know if i would bother with a heater

It melts your legs while your top half freezes

Buy a good jacket or some electrically heated clothes

I wouldn't be without mine.... winter blats are made much more pleasant with it. Took it for it's service last Saturday and it was nice and toasty!