Caterham newbie spec - advice

[anonymous-user]

HardtopManual said:

REALIST123 said:

Haha. I very much doubt CC are fitting the DS at no cost!

Well, I wouldn't say they are, as the 420 is 3 grand dearer than the 360, but a quick browse of https://www.caterhamcars.com/en/models/the-iconic-...
will reveal "Dry sump system as standard".

Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 6th June 13:48

I would suggest half of the £3k is for the DS and the rest for the other engine differences.

Are there any other differences?

[Swampy1982]

A.G. said:

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That's a lovely looking thing... congrats

[KO3]

You probably don't need the ventilated and larger brakes ... the normal brakes are normally more than sufficient for track use especially if you use racing pads and the double master. Too much braking just makes you slower ...

[Wah00]

A slow car with fab brakes is quicker than a fast car with s**t brakes. Of course that’s only my opinion with a little evidence thrown in.

[KO3]

Larger brakes hurt the handling because they add to unsprung weight and the standard brakes are fine even for Caterham race cars. If you are just planning to run occasional track days I don't see shaving seconds by braking super late into every corner, even if you do that the normal brakes should be fine ... the only thing you might experience is brake fade but that is rectified by using high temperature mintex brake pads.

[anonymous-user]

KO3 said:

Larger brakes hurt the handling because they add to unsprung weight and the standard brakes are fine even for Caterham race cars. If you are just planning to run occasional track days I don't see shaving seconds by braking super late into every corner, even if you do that the normal brakes should be fine ... the only thing you might experience is brake fade but that is rectified by using high temperature mintex brake pads.

I doubt anyone would notice the added unsprung weight in all honesty. Many things that never get done by most that would outweigh (!) that difference.

Thing with the big brakes is they stop the car with less effort, don’t get significantly hot or fade and you don’t have to hunt down suitable race spec pads.

[KO3]

With all due respect the Caterham Seven has been in production for 60 years so if it really needed bigger brakes it would have them. If you are talking about a car with 100-200 hp and 500 kg you really don't need that much braking power, and to drive the Caterham fast its all about how little you use the brakes. The biggest advantage of the car on track is that it keeps with a lot faster cars in the corners because of the handling. Once you start to compromise the handling, then you've lost the biggest advantage you have. If you just want to throw money at a new build then go ahead but I would say to take the car on track a few times and see if you really need bigger brakes. Chances are you won't. I thought I might need bigger brakes when doing 12 laps stints around the Spa F1 track because its got alot of flat-out sections followed by fast corners, but nope I've never felt I needed more brakes. More horsepower maybe, but not more brakes. Of course everyone can do what they like with their cars ... cheers, and good luck with the new build!

[GetCarter]

I've owned three from new and a heater should be included!