Must have options on a new R500?
Discussion
I've ordered a new r500 today with a temporary option list. I'm curious to hear from existing owners or caterham experts as to what would be considered must have options both for enjoyment and resale. I've never had a 7 based car before so am completely in the dark. The car will be mainly used for trackdays and the odd sunday morning hoon.
Regards
Martin Thomas
Regards
Martin Thomas
thinfourth2 said:
dsl2 said:
Well what with you coming from a namby pamby supercar back ground, I would firstly suggest a pair of brown trousers!
All joking apart, the number one must have option is the sequential box (I wouldn't bother with the gimmicky launch control, thats what your feet are for) after that if I was ordering it for myself I would spec a race brake master for a lovely solid pedal then change the pads to (Ferodo ds2500 for road tyres or ds3000 for slicks on the front only!) (that master does require a bit more pedal pressure tho) & I would have a quick rack too (not sure if Caterham will fit that for the road though) can be a PITA if your mainly using it on the road but sure helps gathering up the slides on track!
Another thing for me would be a full cage for track use, or as a minimum the track day roll bar rather than the standard fit one.
Now assuming you can drive a bit, you will want to get it set up properly by someone who knows what they are doing, as out of the factory they tend to be set up to be safe (ie understeer quite a bit)
After that you can look at upgrading the suspension to something better, Nitrons are popular & perform well enough, don't be tempted by the Caterham upgraded suspension for road use as the spring rates were on the high side (unless they have reappraised them in the last few years?)
A much better resource for Seven info is www.blatchat.com although you do have be a club member to post!
Oh and you know that stuff like paint and a windscreen are also optional extrasAll joking apart, the number one must have option is the sequential box (I wouldn't bother with the gimmicky launch control, thats what your feet are for) after that if I was ordering it for myself I would spec a race brake master for a lovely solid pedal then change the pads to (Ferodo ds2500 for road tyres or ds3000 for slicks on the front only!) (that master does require a bit more pedal pressure tho) & I would have a quick rack too (not sure if Caterham will fit that for the road though) can be a PITA if your mainly using it on the road but sure helps gathering up the slides on track!
Another thing for me would be a full cage for track use, or as a minimum the track day roll bar rather than the standard fit one.
Now assuming you can drive a bit, you will want to get it set up properly by someone who knows what they are doing, as out of the factory they tend to be set up to be safe (ie understeer quite a bit)
After that you can look at upgrading the suspension to something better, Nitrons are popular & perform well enough, don't be tempted by the Caterham upgraded suspension for road use as the spring rates were on the high side (unless they have reappraised them in the last few years?)
A much better resource for Seven info is www.blatchat.com although you do have be a club member to post!
And if this is your first very silly car i would suggest driving lessons as it is quite different from slightly silly cars
The gallardo is probably the tamest car i have had for a long time/Hence the reason i sold it after a few months. I'm no colin mcrae but i can peddle a car ok!Martin
I'm buying this car because i just can't get a kick out of road cars anymore. I had a gen2 gt3 on order that i have cancelled as i've realised it will just be the same old thing. I've had a 997 rs that was nice but still not the adrenalin buzz that i seek. If this car does not provide the buzz i want i will be truly gutted. I'm hoping for yamaha r1/gsxr1000 bike type acceleration but on 4 wheels.
martin
martin
The man at caterham said the box is built for flat shifting! I've specced it.
Here is my spec list so far...
R500 superlight
sequential box
12v socket
carbon airbox
decat pipe
trackday silencer
black aero filler cap
pearl white paint(Same as launch colour)
orange stripes
lowered floorpans
The price started going a little crazy so i stopped ticking boxes then!!lol
Would apreciate any opinions on this spec.
Martin
Here is my spec list so far...
R500 superlight
sequential box
12v socket
carbon airbox
decat pipe
trackday silencer
black aero filler cap
pearl white paint(Same as launch colour)
orange stripes
lowered floorpans
The price started going a little crazy so i stopped ticking boxes then!!lol
Would apreciate any opinions on this spec.
Martin
fastcello said:
I have one of the first R500's and as most have said the sequential is a must.
I had the standard dampers and hated them but have changed to the race dampers which are miles better.
On the standard dampers I found it bottomed out on some country roads and had lots of rear end squat under acceleration/out of corners. Harder to notice on the road but on the track it was not nice. The new set up is a must as it just handles right and suits the car. The top gear lap was done on race dampers.
I also have a race exhaust for trackdays which has a drive by of about 87.5db and a static of arround 101. I have subsequently taken the baffle out of the standard road exhaust and that sounds great.
Have fun.
I'm a little worried about your 101db reading. I do a lot of days at combe and they are strict 99..100db. I've specced mine with trackday silencer and airbox and was told i'd have no problems at combe.??I had the standard dampers and hated them but have changed to the race dampers which are miles better.
On the standard dampers I found it bottomed out on some country roads and had lots of rear end squat under acceleration/out of corners. Harder to notice on the road but on the track it was not nice. The new set up is a must as it just handles right and suits the car. The top gear lap was done on race dampers.
I also have a race exhaust for trackdays which has a drive by of about 87.5db and a static of arround 101. I have subsequently taken the baffle out of the standard road exhaust and that sounds great.
Have fun.
martin
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