Newbie Questions...
Discussion
Great thoughts so far. One thing I disagree with is whether the 6speed box is bad for touring. It's perfectly fine.
There's nothing wrong with a few more revs. You need very good ear protection anyway in a 7, so you don't hear the revs. If it's worrying, tape over the rev counter and you won't notice.
The 6 speed box is so brilliant it should be compulsory.
And when I'm in charge I'll ban two things:
1 Brexit
2 the nonsense thought that a high torque caterham is a good idea. Revs is what you want.
Does anyone remember the guy with the Westie V8 auto? James someone? So if a high torque caterham is banned when I'm in charge, having a rover V8 with a slush box will be a capital offence!
Off topic, sorry.
Bert
There's nothing wrong with a few more revs. You need very good ear protection anyway in a 7, so you don't hear the revs. If it's worrying, tape over the rev counter and you won't notice.
The 6 speed box is so brilliant it should be compulsory.
And when I'm in charge I'll ban two things:
1 Brexit
2 the nonsense thought that a high torque caterham is a good idea. Revs is what you want.
Does anyone remember the guy with the Westie V8 auto? James someone? So if a high torque caterham is banned when I'm in charge, having a rover V8 with a slush box will be a capital offence!
Off topic, sorry.
Bert
I did 100k miles in my Sevens . less than some but more than many , so on that experience -
- don't compare a Seven to anything else as they are so very different .Any other car I've driven feels like overweight , half asleep grey porridge
- you won't believe how fast a Seven can go on the right road in the right conditions . You also won't believe how slowly you have to go in the wrong conditions - typically heavy rain and/or very bumpy roads
- range anxiety is not the exclusive province of Nissan Leaf owners ....
- they are ludicrously , hilariously unrefined . Crazy wind and exhaust noise, driveline shunt , whining gears, random noises off . Yow will think yours is broken .But it won't be
- everybody loves you. You get to meet lots of people who want to talk to you but to begin with you will feel achingly self conscious
- every journey is an adventure . And bloody use it ! I took mine, both 5 and 6 speed , to NW Scotland many times, doing up to 12 hours drive time a day. I have never, ever enjoyed myself more in a car .
- Lotus 7 Club is a wealth of experience and help . I'm not a club sort of person but still belong to it after twenty years, have made many good friends and back problems mean I don't even own a Seven any more
- half hood is brilliant. I never used full one after getting HH
- 5 speed is sensible but 6 is a riot . It feels like a long first and five second gears at first but suits the car superbly. So what if 70mph is 4000 revs ? So was a Ferrari Dino ....
- I went from 130bhp (brisk ) via 160bhp (fast ) to 220bhp (insane ) . But even the lowest power Seven has the right DNA and feels more like a big power one than any other car you drive
- be careful . Really , really careful to begin with . They can bite . Gravel , spilled diesel and puddles can make a Focus wriggle - but will bounce your heart off its rev limiter in a Seven.
- don't compare a Seven to anything else as they are so very different .Any other car I've driven feels like overweight , half asleep grey porridge
- you won't believe how fast a Seven can go on the right road in the right conditions . You also won't believe how slowly you have to go in the wrong conditions - typically heavy rain and/or very bumpy roads
- range anxiety is not the exclusive province of Nissan Leaf owners ....
- they are ludicrously , hilariously unrefined . Crazy wind and exhaust noise, driveline shunt , whining gears, random noises off . Yow will think yours is broken .But it won't be
- everybody loves you. You get to meet lots of people who want to talk to you but to begin with you will feel achingly self conscious
- every journey is an adventure . And bloody use it ! I took mine, both 5 and 6 speed , to NW Scotland many times, doing up to 12 hours drive time a day. I have never, ever enjoyed myself more in a car .
- Lotus 7 Club is a wealth of experience and help . I'm not a club sort of person but still belong to it after twenty years, have made many good friends and back problems mean I don't even own a Seven any more
- half hood is brilliant. I never used full one after getting HH
- 5 speed is sensible but 6 is a riot . It feels like a long first and five second gears at first but suits the car superbly. So what if 70mph is 4000 revs ? So was a Ferrari Dino ....
- I went from 130bhp (brisk ) via 160bhp (fast ) to 220bhp (insane ) . But even the lowest power Seven has the right DNA and feels more like a big power one than any other car you drive
- be careful . Really , really careful to begin with . They can bite . Gravel , spilled diesel and puddles can make a Focus wriggle - but will bounce your heart off its rev limiter in a Seven.
Edited by coppice on Friday 16th August 07:58
coppice said:
I did 100k miles in my Sevens . less than some but more than many , so on that experience -
- don't compare a Seven to anything else as they are so very different .Any other car I've driven feels like overweight , half asleep grey porridge
- you won't believe how fast a Seven can go on the right road in the right conditions . You also won't believe how slowly you have to go in the wrong conditions - typically heavy rain and/or very bumpy roads
- range anxiety is not the exclusive province of Nissan Leaf owners ....
- they are ludicrously , hilariously unrefined . Crazy wind and exhaust noise, driveline shunt , whining gears, random noises off . Yow will think yours is broken .But it won't be
- everybody loves you. You get to meet lots of people who want to talk to you but to begin with you will feel achingly self conscious
- every journey is an adventure . And bloody use it ! I took mine, both 5 and 6 speed , to NW Scotland many times, doing up to 12 hours drive time a day. I have never, ever enjoyed myself more in a car .
- Lotus 7 Club is a wealth of experience and help . I'm not a club sort of person but still belong to it after twenty years, have made many good friends and back problems mean I don't even own a Seven any more
- half hood is brilliant. I never used full one after getting HH
- 5 speed is sensible but 6 is a riot . It feels like a long first and five second gears at first but suits the car superbly. So what if 70mph is 4000 revs ? So was a Ferrari Dino ....
- I went from 130bhp (brisk ) via 160bhp (fast ) to 220bhp (insane ) . But even the lowest power Seven has the right DNA and feels more like a big power one than any other car you drive
- be careful . Really , really careful to begin with . They can bite . Gravel , spilled diesel and puddles can make a Focus wriggle - but will bounce your heart off its rev limiter in a Seven.
Well said ! - don't compare a Seven to anything else as they are so very different .Any other car I've driven feels like overweight , half asleep grey porridge
- you won't believe how fast a Seven can go on the right road in the right conditions . You also won't believe how slowly you have to go in the wrong conditions - typically heavy rain and/or very bumpy roads
- range anxiety is not the exclusive province of Nissan Leaf owners ....
- they are ludicrously , hilariously unrefined . Crazy wind and exhaust noise, driveline shunt , whining gears, random noises off . Yow will think yours is broken .But it won't be
- everybody loves you. You get to meet lots of people who want to talk to you but to begin with you will feel achingly self conscious
- every journey is an adventure . And bloody use it ! I took mine, both 5 and 6 speed , to NW Scotland many times, doing up to 12 hours drive time a day. I have never, ever enjoyed myself more in a car .
- Lotus 7 Club is a wealth of experience and help . I'm not a club sort of person but still belong to it after twenty years, have made many good friends and back problems mean I don't even own a Seven any more
- half hood is brilliant. I never used full one after getting HH
- 5 speed is sensible but 6 is a riot . It feels like a long first and five second gears at first but suits the car superbly. So what if 70mph is 4000 revs ? So was a Ferrari Dino ....
- I went from 130bhp (brisk ) via 160bhp (fast ) to 220bhp (insane ) . But even the lowest power Seven has the right DNA and feels more like a big power one than any other car you drive
- be careful . Really , really careful to begin with . They can bite . Gravel , spilled diesel and puddles can make a Focus wriggle - but will bounce your heart off its rev limiter in a Seven.
Edited by coppice on Friday 16th August 07:58
and yes be really careful. Did a wet track day at Brands in my last 7, an ex academy race car with rain tyres and I lost it round Padock Hill Bend and got black flagged . Car "only" had 118 bhp. Luckily no damage done and lesson learnt.
coppice said:
.... I went from 130bhp (brisk ) via 160bhp (fast ) to 220bhp (insane ) . But even the lowest power Seven has the right DNA and feels more like a big power one than any other car you drive
- be careful . Really , really careful to begin with . They can bite . Gravel , spilled diesel and puddles can make a Focus wriggle - but will bounce your heart off its rev limiter in a Seven.
Absolutely about the last bit, had been driving mine for 8 years, all weathers and decided to go out on a Boxing day as the roads would be empty. They were, trouble was they were also damp and cold, went out around the steel works at Port Talbot. For those that don't know it, nice open dual carriageway with well sighted roundabouts, seems little known about at the best of times. - be careful . Really , really careful to begin with . They can bite . Gravel , spilled diesel and puddles can make a Focus wriggle - but will bounce your heart off its rev limiter in a Seven.
Edited by coppice on Friday 16th August 07:58
However, cold, damp roads with old diesel from the steel works LGVs and a roundabout taken many time before ends up as a spin and trip over the central reservation. Was surprised how quickly it lost it. 4 new wheels, De Dion and steering rack later and was back for the summer. Bit of a lesson not to be a tit in the future.
Anyone mentioned the importance of getting the right tyres yet? Still miss A021s...
coppice said:
I did 100k miles in my Sevens . less than some but more than many , so on that experience -
- don't compare a Seven to anything else as they are so very different .Any other car I've driven feels like overweight , half asleep grey porridge
- you won't believe how fast a Seven can go on the right road in the right conditions . You also won't believe how slowly you have to go in the wrong conditions - typically heavy rain and/or very bumpy roads
- range anxiety is not the exclusive province of Nissan Leaf owners ....
- they are ludicrously , hilariously unrefined . Crazy wind and exhaust noise, driveline shunt , whining gears, random noises off . Yow will think yours is broken .But it won't be
- everybody loves you. You get to meet lots of people who want to talk to you but to begin with you will feel achingly self conscious
- every journey is an adventure . And bloody use it ! I took mine, both 5 and 6 speed , to NW Scotland many times, doing up to 12 hours drive time a day. I have never, ever enjoyed myself more in a car .
- Lotus 7 Club is a wealth of experience and help . I'm not a club sort of person but still belong to it after twenty years, have made many good friends and back problems mean I don't even own a Seven any more
- half hood is brilliant. I never used full one after getting HH
- 5 speed is sensible but 6 is a riot . It feels like a long first and five second gears at first but suits the car superbly. So what if 70mph is 4000 revs ? So was a Ferrari Dino ....
- I went from 130bhp (brisk ) via 160bhp (fast ) to 220bhp (insane ) . But even the lowest power Seven has the right DNA and feels more like a big power one than any other car you drive
- be careful . Really , really careful to begin with . They can bite . Gravel , spilled diesel and puddles can make a Focus wriggle - but will bounce your heart off its rev limiter in a Seven.
As has been said, this is just about it!- don't compare a Seven to anything else as they are so very different .Any other car I've driven feels like overweight , half asleep grey porridge
- you won't believe how fast a Seven can go on the right road in the right conditions . You also won't believe how slowly you have to go in the wrong conditions - typically heavy rain and/or very bumpy roads
- range anxiety is not the exclusive province of Nissan Leaf owners ....
- they are ludicrously , hilariously unrefined . Crazy wind and exhaust noise, driveline shunt , whining gears, random noises off . Yow will think yours is broken .But it won't be
- everybody loves you. You get to meet lots of people who want to talk to you but to begin with you will feel achingly self conscious
- every journey is an adventure . And bloody use it ! I took mine, both 5 and 6 speed , to NW Scotland many times, doing up to 12 hours drive time a day. I have never, ever enjoyed myself more in a car .
- Lotus 7 Club is a wealth of experience and help . I'm not a club sort of person but still belong to it after twenty years, have made many good friends and back problems mean I don't even own a Seven any more
- half hood is brilliant. I never used full one after getting HH
- 5 speed is sensible but 6 is a riot . It feels like a long first and five second gears at first but suits the car superbly. So what if 70mph is 4000 revs ? So was a Ferrari Dino ....
- I went from 130bhp (brisk ) via 160bhp (fast ) to 220bhp (insane ) . But even the lowest power Seven has the right DNA and feels more like a big power one than any other car you drive
- be careful . Really , really careful to begin with . They can bite . Gravel , spilled diesel and puddles can make a Focus wriggle - but will bounce your heart off its rev limiter in a Seven.
Edited by anonymous-user on Friday 16th August 07:58
I have 220bhp and run ZZRs so rain is best avoided!
I’ve never felt 220 was too much, it’s enough for the track and I don’t find it too hard to be restrained on the road.
Not sure I agree with earlier comments about torque. The Duratec with the 6 speed is amazingly easy to potter along with. It’ll creep away in 1st on a shut throttle and you can go to third, then 6th by 40mph if you wish, or just use 2/4/6.
On the other hand 7600 red line is hardly low revving, and is easily reached if you want to.
Gulf7 said:
My car will be coming with Avon ZZS as standard. I'd been using Yokohama AD08R on my Elise, so how do they compare?
Ive only used AD07 and not Avons, but the ZZS is very highly regarded.I have 888R's on mine, and couldnt get them to let go in the soaking wet at the Dunsfold handling day,
ZZS is best tyre I used on Sevens - on track I used AO32/48Rs but were not great on road (tramlining , wear, wet grip ). CR500s were fine but ZZS best- and offer slightly more compliant ride as higher profile . Not that the ride is bad in first place - it is 'busy' but not a bonecrasher , unlike the car it is most commonly mistaken for ...
They do - but most tyres are designed for cars weighing twice or three times as much as a Seven .
My first had Michelin MXVs which were probably great on a 1700kg Mercedes 300E or whatever but were hilariously rubbish on a Seven. They'd grip a bit then let go hugely , causing me rather too many embarrassing moments . They were impossible to wear out too , but I binned them with loads of tread left for Yokohamas and the difference was immense - and I stopped spinning too...
My first had Michelin MXVs which were probably great on a 1700kg Mercedes 300E or whatever but were hilariously rubbish on a Seven. They'd grip a bit then let go hugely , causing me rather too many embarrassing moments . They were impossible to wear out too , but I binned them with loads of tread left for Yokohamas and the difference was immense - and I stopped spinning too...
johnwilliams77 said:
What is the best all round tyre for wet trackdays and dry days? (does it exist?!)
Doesn’t really exist. Any tyre which is designed to clear a lot of water is either a rock hard road car tyre or a racing wet, both pretty hopeless in the dry. Semi slicks aren’t going to dig in on a wet surface because they don’t have the edges, and have limited water clearance.
However what I’m always saying in here is that at 185mm wide, aquaplaning isn’t much of an issue at all so you can use semi slicks and just deal with an overall lack of grip. It’s not ‘dangerous’, it’s just not that quick.
I was surprised how good Yokohama A048s are in the wet, provided you haven’t chewed them up on a dry track already.
As for tyres, most of Le BOG Club have moved over to R888Rs
Even in the horrendous rain/hail we had in northern Span, in the Picos Mountains, they still performed amazingly well.
You can get some idea here: https://youtu.be/OtOy9zxgSy8
Even in the horrendous rain/hail we had in northern Span, in the Picos Mountains, they still performed amazingly well.
You can get some idea here: https://youtu.be/OtOy9zxgSy8
REALIST123 said:
As has been said, this is just about it!
I have 220bhp and run ZZRs so rain is best avoided!
I’ve never felt 220 was too much, it’s enough for the track and I don’t find it too hard to be restrained on the road.
Not sure I agree with earlier comments about torque. The Duratec with the 6 speed is amazingly easy to potter along with. It’ll creep away in 1st on a shut throttle and you can go to third, then 6th by 40mph if you wish, or just use 2/4/6.
On the other hand 7600 red line is hardly low revving, and is easily reached if you want to.
It was mainly a tongue in cheek comment, but having been all the way up to 230bhp, the most enjoyable 7 I had was when I went down to a lowly 135bhp K series. My least enjoyable 7 was the 2.0 VXI which I'm sure Jez Coates described in LF as the least inspiring 7 they'd ever built! Mind you even though I've not done the mega miles, I did do 32k miles in 18 months in it!I have 220bhp and run ZZRs so rain is best avoided!
I’ve never felt 220 was too much, it’s enough for the track and I don’t find it too hard to be restrained on the road.
Not sure I agree with earlier comments about torque. The Duratec with the 6 speed is amazingly easy to potter along with. It’ll creep away in 1st on a shut throttle and you can go to third, then 6th by 40mph if you wish, or just use 2/4/6.
On the other hand 7600 red line is hardly low revving, and is easily reached if you want to.
Bert
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