1992 supersprint Lowered Floorplan?

[LRdriver II]

Hiya,

Thanks to Blatchat and the inane(& stupid) "members only" posting rule, I thought this is the second best place to ask this.

I am going to look at a 1992 dedion supersprint xflow Caterham tomorrow and was curious to know what changes caterham made to the chassis when they became "standard" in the later 90's. I fit in the standard chassis but want a lowered floorpan to get further down to clear my thighs on the wheel. Anybody done this to an early car?

Also How much should I budget for a zetec conversion?

[rmac]

I think the earlier cars have a diagonal bracing type tube under the drivers seat which would get in your way for lowering the floor.

I would think the zetec thing must set you back over £4k to get done.

TBH - wouldn't you just be better off finding a later completed duratec or a krap series instead. I have also seen a few zetec powered ones available fully built for well under £10k.

[scalper]

I have 1990 live axle and there's no diagonal tube under the driver's seat.
I might be wrong, but I think that only cars built on a race chassis have a diagonal tube under the driver's seat.

[rubystone]

LRdriver II said:

Thanks to Blatchat and the inane(& stupid) "members only" posting rule, I thought this is the second best place to ask this. Also How much should I budget for a zetec conversion?

If you were to budget an extra £35 (i.e. a tank of petrol or 6 beers at Corney & Barrows) on the Zetec conversion, you'd then be able to afford to join the L7CLub and post your request on Blatchat. Tell you what, I'll organise a whip-round for you if you really can't afford to stump up the cash - actually, you owe me - I was probably subsidising your use of the bandwidth on Blatchat for several years before it went members only.

[rubystone]

me, I check your profile and its you, Carsten - you should know better you stingy git - if you can afford to buy a Reverie carbon wheel, you can definitely bloody well afford to pay for L7 Club membership...if you're still in the Stansted area, also please feel free to drop round and chuck a brik through my window

[LRdriver II]

Eh..? where did all this aggression come from? I remember gong to Blatchat to ask the odd question and enjoyed it as a wanna-be caterfield owner, but now that they have closed ranks I cant be bothered with paying 35£ to ask one question. I am seriously looking at getting a poxy caterham and then signing up for membership. Its almost like the wscc site where they tell newbies to piss of and join the club before answering the question.. Maybe they should let one forum be open for potential buyers bedfore being asked to commit prior to buying

Anyway, I am looking at this car tomorrow, and just to piss you all off , I will buy and join the club and ask soooooo many questions so you will be begging me to leave

[LRdriver II]

Ok.. job done, and the rollingchassis 1993 dedion bought..It doesnt have a diagonal under the seats so is good for a lowered floorpan. Question is now : Zetec or Duratec?

PDF for membership printed, filled out and posting tommorrow with cheque

my apologies for the stupid remark but still beleive it needs at least one forum open to potential newbies to ask Q's.

Rubystone, you lost me here, have we met? (crap with names but relate to cars)

[bertie]

Getting back to the original question I believe the differnces on later chassis are as follows....though I by no means claim it's a total list.......

Extended passenger footwell is standard
different mounting of de-dion tube radius arms and A frame
More bracing at the front crucifix in the chassis
Double wishbone fron suspension rather than using the anti roll bar as part of the top link
Honeycombe stiffening in cockpit sides
new design of pedal box
further bracing in centre tunnel and diff mounts.

[fergus]

Today, I have just fitted the lowered floorpan to a 98 SLR which has the extra diagonal bracing section fitted tothe chassis. To get round this, I have just cut a diagonal slot in the foam seat I've installed (60 odd mm rebate slot). Easy. +60mm lower than the standard setup. You will have to drill and fit a LOT of rivets (approx 100). The steel rivets are also best fitted with a air-rivet gun. Fits in seconds. You ideally need the car up on either a hoist, or raise one side about 60cms to tip the car for access underneath - this is what I've done.

Note that the caterham part (lowered floor pan) is NOT pre drilled, no matter what the muppet who runs the parts dept tells you, and it also needs slightly modifying (again contrary to their lack of knowledge about the products they sell) to accomodate the earlier chassis. Budget on about 3 hours for fitting. Good luck.

>> Edited by fergus on Tuesday 20th December 22:22

[rubystone]

Carsten, I think we met at one or two SELOC runs in Essex - I wasn't being serious mate, just having a bit of a larf at your expense

Glad you've joined the Caterham fold and I'll look out for you on Blatchat