R400 Options and Spec

[Pugsey]

rubystone said:

Pugsey said:

rubystone said:

Update! Order number 1 delivered today at 11.30.

Yes - a year later than originally promised, the man who placed the first order for the Duratec R400 is taking delivery of his kit at 11.30 today.

I'm confused (easily done I admit). I spoke to Caterham today who said no cars being delivered for a good few weeks yet?

....didn't I warn you that you may not get your car when you expect to get it?....

.........But I'm hoping you were wrong! Caterham quoted me May build/June delivery or a tad earlier when I placed my order and they are still saying that so currently I'm happy.

[rubystone]

To be fair, TVRTED thinks that they may have caught up by then....

[mikee]

and the demo/press car is with Evo magazine at the moment, apparently they've said it's the best handling road/trackday they've driven, should be a good review I reckon

[finchy172]

If it was my money on a new build i would go for

1 - stack dash
2 - buy a second hand set of bilstein adjustables off a race car from a race team and a set of eibach springs will be so much cheaper than £1000
3 - dont bother with a heater its a caterham for gods sake.

And with 35k in mind i think i would spend that wisely on a R400 ex race car.

[Pugsey]

finchy172 said:

If it was my money on a new build i would go for

1 - stack dash
2 - buy a second hand set of bilstein adjustables off a race car from a race team and a set of eibach springs will be so much cheaper than £1000
3 - dont bother with a heater its a caterham for gods sake.

And with 35k in mind i think i would spend that wisely on a R400 ex race car.

Can't agree re. heater. Was up and about at 6am this morning - beautifully crisp and clear and wished my Caterham had arrived for a blat round the local lanes. Would have wanted a heater though. Frankly if they did heated seats I have those too. Nothing can beat driving home in the wee hours of a summers night either - again a heater helps. Don't give me the old weight thing either - if you really think a heater is going to make a scrap of difference to your trackday lap times good luck to you.

[rubystone]

Pugsey said:

if you really think a heater is going to make a scrap of difference to your trackday lap times good luck to you.

but having a heater does make siting the catch tank difficult though!

[murph7355]

rubystone said:

Pugsey said:

if you really think a heater is going to make a scrap of difference to your trackday lap times good luck to you.

but having a heater does make siting the catch tank difficult though!

Behave

[Pugsey]

rubystone said:

Pugsey said:

if you really think a heater is going to make a scrap of difference to your trackday lap times good luck to you.

but having a heater does make siting the catch tank difficult though!

Really??............. But not impossible.

[Pugsey]

Quick update - had been told end May build for early June delivery. Spoke to Caterham today who said now that production has started they anticipate that will prob. move forward a little - in any event certainly not moving back. Good news.

[Pugsey]

Apparently the new engine, which has better low down grunt than the K series, is making the new car feel quite 'short' geared - sub 20mph per 1000rpm in sixth. Caterham are offering the option of 'touring' ratios which might be worth considering if you're going to be using the car predominantly on road.

Edited by Pugsey on Tuesday 20th March 16:02

[subirg]

Excellent news re production getting up to speed! Role on June/July!

Re gears - the fact that it gets through the gears quickly is exactly what I want! Stirring up the gear box is all part of the fun - if I'd wanted a cruising car I would get a V12 with tons of torque and an auto box...! Re the touring gear set vs the standard gear set - are there any stats re acceleration figure and top speed impact?

[Pugsey]

subirg said:

Excellent news re production getting up to speed! Role on June/July!

Re gears - the fact that it gets through the gears quickly is exactly what I want! Stirring up the gear box is all part of the fun - if I'd wanted a cruising car I would get a V12 with tons of torque and an auto box...! Re the touring gear set vs the standard gear set - are there any stats re acceleration figure and top speed impact?

I feel the same but I'm trying to get the figs. anyway and will post if I do. It may be that it's grunty enough that you might be quicker coming out of a tight corner in third with the touring gearing rather then screaming in second with the standard set up. Although, just a taller sixth would probably be perfect for me.

[Pugsey]

Right. Spoken to Caterham. Of course it's the dif. not the gearbox so the effect will be felt in every gear. They have no figs. but say the touring dif. takes a bit of the feeling of instant go out of the car (although I guess it's all relative!) but does improve cruising on motorway - say 3500rpm 80mph/sixth instead of 4000rpm. Given that I'm buying the car for what I believe it was designed for - to be the sharpest tool in the box - I see no good reason to blunt it and will stick with 'standard' dif. I've got other cars for cruising!

Edited by Pugsey on Wednesday 21st March 10:59

[subirg]

I agree re the gear ratios - I'll keep with the standard diff.

Did you see the budget announcement re road tax tied to emissions? Anyone know what the R400 is chucking out emissions wise and which road tax bracket it falls into?

Ta

[Pugsey]

subirg said:

I agree re the gear ratios - I'll keep with the standard diff.

Did you see the budget announcement re road tax tied to emissions? Anyone know what the R400 is chucking out emissions wise and which road tax bracket it falls into?

Ta

I did. Afraid I don't know the answer to that but I hope the exhaust will be good enough to frighten woman and small children and ideally, gas a few tree huggers along the way too. I'll happily pay extra for that.

Edited by Pugsey on Thursday 22 March 10:24

[subirg]

Good news! The demo cars are now pounding the circuit! Refer to Blatchat for the R400 launch thread if you haven't already seen it. Can't wait to read the right ups.

Does anyone know if the press cars have fixed or trackday adjustable suspension? If not, could someone please post the question on Blatchat as I don't have access yet...!

Thanks all! Roll on summer!!!!!

[Pugsey]

subirg said:

Good news! The demo cars are now pounding the circuit! Refer to Blatchat for the R400 launch thread if you haven't already seen it. Can't wait to read the right ups.

Does anyone know if the press cars have fixed or trackday adjustable suspension? If not, could someone please post the question on Blatchat as I don't have access yet...!

Thanks all! Roll on summer!!!!!

Great news, thanks. Suddenly - if Caterham's latest promise of end May comes off - I'm only looking at two more months!!
EVO have tested the car - I think it will appear in their next issue. I'll ask them about the suspension. Last time I spoke to them they were deeply impressed - and they know their Caterhams.

Edited by Pugsey on Wednesday 28th March 15:48

[Bafty_Crastard]

Gear ratio's !!!!

this may be of interest, it originally came from CC..................

[url]www.r300.net/downloads/MPHcalculator.xls[/url]

Bafty

Edited by Bafty_Crastard on Wednesday 28th March 16:23

[Bafty_Crastard]

Have you seen the photo’s of the engine bay?

Not wishing to be over critical but it all looks a little tight, may be scope for a little more tidying up. What do you think Jackal??

The induction I’m afraid looks a little duff compared to Cosworth’s rollers, but I guess it’s all down to getting approval

[url]www.cosworth.com/shop_item.php?productid=77[/url]

Bafty

Edited by Bafty_Crastard on Wednesday 28th March 16:38

[Pugsey]

Bafty_Crastard said:

Have you seen the photo’s of the engine bay?

Not wishing to be over critical but it all looks a little tight, may be scope for a little more tidying up. What do you think Jackal??

The induction I’m afraid looks a little duff compared to Cosworth’s rollers, but I guess it’s all down to getting approval

[url]www.cosworth.com/shop_item.php?productid=77[/url]

Bafty

Edited by Bafty_Crastard on Wednesday 28th March 16:38

Interesting points Bafty - however, although I'm sure these things will eventually become of more interest to me once ownership unfolds, for a while to be frank the view from behind the wheel looking under the 'Ring ticket barrier is far more likely to catch my imagination this summer!