Where to go next?
Discussion
Hi there. I've a VVC engined Caterham Road sport which I've given to DVA for his K06a, ~170BHP upgrade. I had forged pistons while I was there.
I used to use the car daily, but now I've a work van so it gets more of a rest now.
I mention the above, as when I first had the work done I was quite concerned for reliability.
I'm now hankering for more power. I'm tempted by the next upgrade, which I'm told, that combined with the engines current state, would see me to ~210BHP. Yippee.
Talking to a Lotus specialist today, he has roughly 220BHP with his K Series engine and tracks it hard. His engine quite often goes pop.
Not wanting to be in this problem area, what is a reliable limit for K series power wise if there is such a thing. Do Caterhams prove to be better with their layout vs. Lotus's?
So if I decide to keep the current BHP. My other idea was to maybe fit an LSD.
Also, the engine upgrade would have brought with it an Emerald ECU. I plan to move country in a year or two, so the idea of a ECU that I could personally plug into and maybe help diagnose any issues appealed. Also with a programmable ECU, I guess that optimising my current setup would improve what I currently have anyway??
So they are my thoughts. It's got 13" wheels reduced from the original 15"/16" jobs. The rear wheel has been removed. I've fitted a 4-2-1 exhaust.
Are lightened fly wheels worth a shout or does it just make town driving a pain?
I used to use the car daily, but now I've a work van so it gets more of a rest now.
I mention the above, as when I first had the work done I was quite concerned for reliability.
I'm now hankering for more power. I'm tempted by the next upgrade, which I'm told, that combined with the engines current state, would see me to ~210BHP. Yippee.
Talking to a Lotus specialist today, he has roughly 220BHP with his K Series engine and tracks it hard. His engine quite often goes pop.
Not wanting to be in this problem area, what is a reliable limit for K series power wise if there is such a thing. Do Caterhams prove to be better with their layout vs. Lotus's?
So if I decide to keep the current BHP. My other idea was to maybe fit an LSD.
Also, the engine upgrade would have brought with it an Emerald ECU. I plan to move country in a year or two, so the idea of a ECU that I could personally plug into and maybe help diagnose any issues appealed. Also with a programmable ECU, I guess that optimising my current setup would improve what I currently have anyway??
So they are my thoughts. It's got 13" wheels reduced from the original 15"/16" jobs. The rear wheel has been removed. I've fitted a 4-2-1 exhaust.
Are lightened fly wheels worth a shout or does it just make town driving a pain?
Have a look at the car in my profile. Mine is a 2002 Roadsport 1800 SS (i.e. non-VVC) that first went to DVA for the K016 160 bhp kit then last year went back for the K05 180 bhp plus kit - made 201.7bhp at Emerald who also found a mass of mid range power hiding in there. It's pretty damn fast now and the noise and overall drivability is fantastic, I certainly don't need any more power (the cost would be crazy anyway) but it is totally reliable - anymore and Dave said it would need constant refreshing, so I'm finally satisfied with the power. Now just a new clutch to cope (slips right on max power!!!)
By the way just to clarify the clutch has never been right from the day that I bought the car - i thought it was mainly down to the way I was driving it as it only takes the lightest of touches on the pedal to release it at high revs but since the latest power upgrade it's clearly wearing out.
I'd see how you get on with 200 bhp first - after that Dave Andrews says things get expensive and are likely to fail/need constant attention. There's not much that can live with my car up to 80 mph now and even a short A road duel with a 1200cc bike was a bit of a surprise to the rider who thought I was easy meat. Speak to Dave, he has all the answers, generally.
HustleRussell said:
What gearbox are you using?
I assume you're asking me?Standard issue 5 speed - i wanted a 6 speed after testing a 1600 roadsport with it fitted but obviously the car I eventually bought came with a 5 speed. However, even in standard 140 spec the car was both faster and more relaxing to drive on the road and is plenty good enough for me and the torque is so wide it's generally always in the powerband. 3rd is really the only gear you need once moving
My old 226bhp engine was still in good condition when we took it apart after 5 years of sprints/hillclimbs/trackdays and 20,000+ miles. It was running BP285H cams (hydraulic lifters) and red lined at 8000rpm. I think this is probably as far as you want to go if you want a fit and forget engine. After that you will need a higher rev limit and therefore mechanical lifters, steel rods, etc. and the stresses on the engine start to get more extreme. The engine I replaced that with was never right due to the 1900 block I used - one bore/piston had a very poor leak down test result. If you stick with an 1800 you should be able to get a 210-220bhp engine that will be relatively trouble free for a number of years.
My cams and lifters are the same, as is the Redline (8200 I think, but the clutch slips around 7600 in 3rd, 4th & 5th - I say 5th, I'm guessing of course - just as the power reaches full whack). Going solid lifters (as I understand it) is when the constant attention element comes in to play.
Yes - Emerald for me too. Any programmable ECU will do (MBE are standard on many Caterhams) but there are lots of maps and knowledge out there for Emerald which is why it is so popular with Caterham owners.
Oh and it is plug compatible with the MEMS as well so you don't have to rewire.
Oh and it is plug compatible with the MEMS as well so you don't have to rewire.
Edited by Shaun_E on Friday 12th April 11:11
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