Duratec Engine

[Mkindy]

Been out of a Caterham for over a year now and have just started thinking about building a new 420r but that got me thinking about the Duratec engine. I had an early Duratec powered Caterham what now feels like an age ago does anyone know or has heard any rumours of any planned engine changes/updates to the range?

Thanks Andrew

[griffchris]

Given the 100bhp gap between the 420 and 620, you'd think another model to replace the r500 would be imminent, but I've been thinking this for the last couple of years without signs of anything. The rest of the world get the 485, I'm not sure why this has never been available in the UK?

Sorry, doesn't help answer your question.....

[radical78]

ford eco boost very small light powerful and modern engine Caterham surely must be looking at this

[Tazio77]

Re the Ecobost.

There are a number of people developing conversion 'packages' for transplanting aa Ecoboost into a &, Dave Gemoze being one, and Simon Rogers of Meteor Motorsport has one running and has taken it to the 7s, 60th Anniversary Meet at Donington this weekend.

SBD have been developing the engine, and I think I am right when I say they have seen 300bhp, and 300ft lbs of torque on standard internals.

The torque will require serious thought on gearbox choice though....

[Equus]

radical78 said:

ford eco boost very small light powerful and modern engine Caterham surely must be looking at this

There was an Ecoboost prototype back in 2012.

It got very lukewarm reviews from the press who drove it.

It isn't actually very light, especially when you take into account the turbocharger, intercooler and associated gubbins, It's also very tall, and the power delivery doesn't really suit a Caterham: it's designed to be economical, by pulling tall gearing with the low-end torque of the turbo.

[anonymous-user]

griffchris said:

Given the 100bhp gap between the 420 and 620, you'd think another model to replace the r500 would be imminent, but I've been thinking this for the last couple of years without signs of anything. The rest of the world get the 485, I'm not sure why this has never been available in the UK?

Sorry, doesn't help answer your question.....

Is the 485 still available? I thought that was the 'foreign' R500.

[Amris]

I always thought the new 1.5 Nissan race engine would be the perfect next move for Caterham.

400hp from 40kg!

http://www.autoblog.com/2014/01/28/nissan-three-cy...

[sundance002]

Personally, I prefer the power delivery of N/A Caterhams, Imo the Honda K20 is still a great combo with the Cat, never misses s beat, cheap to maintain, revs to 9k and is just as quick as a 620r, and much smoother, can achieve 310bhp with 200ftlb torq

[griffchris]

REALIST123 said:

griffchris said:

Given the 100bhp gap between the 420 and 620, you'd think another model to replace the r500 would be imminent, but I've been thinking this for the last couple of years without signs of anything. The rest of the world get the 485, I'm not sure why this has never been available in the UK?

Sorry, doesn't help answer your question.....

Is the 485 still available? I thought that was the 'foreign' R500.

http://int.caterhamcars.com/cars/seven-485

485 still seems to be available in Europe, though not in the US. I'm pretty sure it only came out around 3 years ago.

[subirg]

Not much point having an engine with much north of 250hp as the performance limit is then traction controlled. The duratec is so long lived because its power band fits perfectly, its good value, simple, and plentiful. Ideal in other words. The only reason I can see to replace is emissions regs.

[HustleRussell]

radical78 said:

ford eco boost very small light powerful and modern engine Caterham surely must be looking at this

I really hope not, turbochargers have no place in a 7 IMO (yes, I realise the 160 has one...)

Petrol engines are making a last gasp comeback and Mazda, for example, are investing a lot of money in making naturally aspirated petrol engines lighter and more fuel efficient than ever. Mazda are associated with Ford (or at least they used to be) and Mazda are already supplying gearboxes.

Caterham has also made noises about collaborating with Renault via the Alpine brand although this project might have been mothballed.

I have a Sigma 140 which is competent but as an overall package I loved the K-series- it had the power potential, the noise and the revvs.