Some advice please on Caterham purchase

[bertberr]

Good morning all, having read pretty much all relevant posts on here and elsewhere to help broaden my knowledge, I now feel its time to ask a few fairly specific questions in the hope that it will fill in the gaps and allow me to finally press the button!

I've owned a Caterham before, an '87 de-dion 1.7 x-flow, had it a few years, did a few track days, enjoyed it very much, but house renovations and children meant it really had to go.

So, my requirements? Well, I want to have a dabble at sprinting / hill climbing. Not full on, just a few selected local(ish) rounds either through L7C (class 1 or 2) or in the SWSHCC (class B2), purely for pleasure - I'm under no illusions as to my potential for FTD's... It will get very limited road use, literally the odd early Sat/Sun run out over the moor, and perhaps an annual trip to see my mother in the Mayenne.

As such, I feel an ex Academy / Graduate car would be the most sensible option as it will likely come with most if not all of the MSA specific bits and bobs as std. I am not a 'polisher' so the odd scratch/scuff/dent doesn't concern me so long as the price reflects this.

So, over to you guys, and in particular those with experience of K-series super / mega grads and or sigma 125's. I like the idea of a 1.6 K-series, light, revvy, really suits the car by all accounts. But, they are getting on a bit now, and from an ongoing reliability / parts support perspective, would it be advisable to go for the modern(ish) equivalent, the 1.6 Sigma?

Should I want more power in the future I know there are outfits like DVA and Protune that offer a range of upgrade options, for fairly reasonable money. Equally I'm aware the the upgrade path for Sigma's is a little more limited and somewhat more costly (Premier Power, Wilcox etc).

I like the idea of a newer car / more future proof engine, but with many of the 10+ year old academy cars only having 4/5K miles it's not as if they're going to be worn out? And I'd save 3-5K in the process.

What about chassis's? I've read that the post 07 metrics, whilst stiffer, are more costly to repair than the Arch ones due to the change in welding technique? Or is this really of little relevance?

Your thoughts on the above would be greatly appreciated.

[Red Seven]

If competition is "just for fun", then the spec of the car is not particularly important.
If you run non L7C classes, then an unmodified ex academy car could well be at huge disadvantage to the potential entries for the class.
If you were to compete in class 1 of the L7C series, then either a K or Sigma ex academy car is absolutely ideal.
If you want more than the ex academy car offers, then I would suggest selling that car (or not buying it in the first place), and buy a car that already has close to the spec that you're looking for. To upgrade an academy car, a lot needs changing!

[bertberr]

Ok, that's useful to know. I was thinking of either class 1 if unmodified or class 2 if I decided in the future to do some mild tuning to the k or somewhat more involved work to the sigma. Class b2 of the SWSHCC is up to 1800cc with no power limits, so would be at a disadvantage there, but as I said it would be more for fun at this stage. If I really caught the bug, then I guess I'd need to think very carefully before upgrading either engine, as it may not be cost effective.

Re the 1.6 k series v sigma any thoughts on older v newer? Better to save a few quid up front or spend more and have less potential issues going forwards ( not that a k is inherently unreliable)?

[Toaster]

bertberr said:

Ok, that's useful to know. I was thinking of either class 1 if unmodified or class 2 if I decided in the future to do some mild tuning to the k or somewhat more involved work to the sigma. Class b2 of the SWSHCC is up to 1800cc with no power limits, so would be at a disadvantage there, but as I said it would be more for fun at this stage. If I really caught the bug, then I guess I'd need to think very carefully before upgrading either engine, as it may not be cost effective.

Re the 1.6 k series v sigma any thoughts on older v newer? Better to save a few quid up front or spend more and have less potential issues going forwards ( not that a k is inherently unreliable)?

I've had a K series engine for 16 years never had any issues (16K and an R400K)

[Red Seven]

'just checked the non L7C sprint and hillclimb classes.
If you're thinking of Nat B events then the road going classes 2A (up to 1700cc) and 2B (over 1700cc). I think that 2B is better supported these days, so running 2A there may not be much competition at some events. However there are a couple of very quick Westies out there that must have been specifically built to run in 2A.
In 2B, you'd be up against all sorts of quick machinery.

[red_slr]

I did Longton in 2A with a K 1600 running around 150bhp. I plan to try again some point in the future and would enter again with a similar car. I was a newbie but was mid table most of the events taking it fairly steady.

Looking at the times for 2B (at that time - 2001-2) I would have needed serious power and a lot more commitment.

My advice speak to the current runners in the championship you are looking at having a go at.

[bertberr]

Thanks for all your thoughts on this, think it confirms that the more standard the class, eg class 1 of L7C, the more level the playing field. I just need to decide now how much of an effect this will have on my final purchase decision. After all track days will probably play a larger role than competitive events, and the extra grunt of something like a vauxhall 2.0 xe or zetec is quite appealing...