Just bought this.......

[hbwold]

LuckyP said:

Just googled and am using 3400mm x 1600mm. Sound about right? Basically means that I can keep the Caterham along side the Ult and still have the work bench at the rear. Was a squeeze with the maser - the lardy electrical disaster on wheels. Ha! She was achingly beautiful (IMHO):

Wow, brilliant choice in cars mate, especially now you are getting a Caterham!

Edited by hbwold on Monday 28th May 19:28

[CanAm]

3380mm with spare wheel (which yours appears to have from the photo) or 3100mm without.
Fine looking car and spec.

[LuckyP]

hbwold said:

Wow, brilliant choice in cars mate, especially now you are getting a Caterham!

Ta very much.

CanAm said:

3380mm with spare wheel (which yours appears to have from the photo) or 3100mm without.
Fine looking car and spec.

Thanks - should have plenty of room at the end of the garage to err...fettle...an that.

Can't wait to see just how the two cars compare!

Lucky

[LuckyP]

Picking it up this weekend hopefully.

The owners was explaining why there was a spare fuse in the gearstick gaiter. He said that he has suffered a few blown fuses and was going to get an auto electrician out. That was a few days ago. Auto Electricuan been and put it down to the starter solenoid which they are replacing from Caterham. Is this a known issue?

Pete

[casbar]

Starters do tend to give problems on some K cars, they get cooked by the heat. Never heard of fuses blowing though. Never blown a fuse on my K, and its a 98 car

[rubystone]

ECU fuses used to blow on my SLR - Caterham rated it at 25amps but that was only just enough. Uprated it to 30 amp and problem disappeared. Worth checking that on your car. Get them to wrap the starter in heat reflective material too.

[LuckyP]

Yeah it was the ECU fuse 20amp though. New starter and solenoid coming from Caterham.

Ta

Pete

[casbar]

Ah, my car has the R300 engine fitted, with the MBE ECU, which isn't the standard MEMS one, probably why I haven't had any issues

[caterhamnut]

Hi P - got the message - well done!! I am sure you will both enjoy it!!
Rubystone has hit the nail on the head as far as the electrical problem - older cars had a 20amp fuse fitted for the ECU - change it to a 30 amp and you will be fine - this is a known problem, we had it a few years ago, and we have subsequently 'rescued' 2 seperate owners who have been stranded on the side of the road - we now carry a few spare 30 amp fuses, although once we changed to 30amp, we have had no repeat of the problem - and we do the miles!!

6 months until upgrade??!! I give it a week after your first track day before the itch starts.....
cheers
angus

[rubystone]

Hi Angus - check out the smilies here - Barry needs some of them - especially these



....and could you imagine what fun Arnie and Norman could have if these existed

[Murph7355]

caterhamnut said:

...angus

How you both doing Angus?

Good to see you over here

[LuckyP]

caterhamnut said:

Hi P - got the message - well done!! I am sure you will both enjoy it!!
Rubystone has hit the nail on the head as far as the electrical problem - older cars had a 20amp fuse fitted for the ECU - change it to a 30 amp and you will be fine - this is a known problem, we had it a few years ago, and we have subsequently 'rescued' 2 seperate owners who have been stranded on the side of the road - we now carry a few spare 30 amp fuses, although once we changed to 30amp, we have had no repeat of the problem - and we do the miles!!

6 months until upgrade??!! I give it a week after your first track day before the itch starts.....
cheers
angus

Hi matey,

Yep - gone an dun it ain't I!

Little birdy (actually a big Bird ) tells me that you have a guest for lunch today!?

I'm trying to drag him to GW this Sunday, with no joy. Can you give it a go.

Hope to see you there maybe?

Pete

[LuckyP]

Went to pick up the Caterham tonight after work. Caterham had supplied a new starter motor (a different one - they said to the seller and upgrade??) And the auto-electrician had fitted it prior to collection.

Had a good look round it, seller showed me the ropes and Lou and I tried the seat for size. Blimey it's small in there!! And what size feet did Mr Chapman have!!?? Even with the brake pedal rubber removed, both Lou and I couldn't fit her 7s and my 9s between brake and rh panel. Must be a fix for this I guess? Does the pedal box slide forward and away from the panel perhaps??

Anyway, Lou drove it home and still needs convincing. She seems to think it doesn't stop as quick as her Rav4 (I've got to prove it tomorrow and explain what assited brakes are and how they feel like they are stopping you quicker.

I've just come back from 1/2 a tank, grinning like a Cheshire cat. It's the 'flickability', blinking great!

I'll get some pics up tomorrow.

Does make the Ultima seemed refined in comparison and very spacious inside. And I do miss the torque.

So all in all, not bad. I can see what you Caterham peeps dig about it.

Anyone going to Brands tomorrow?

[CanAm]

It's all down to the shoes! I wear 91/2 and have no problem, as long as they are proper driving shoes with no welt (if that's the correct technical term). Puma Speedcats/Futurecats are popular as are OMP Competizione Kart boots at half the price from Demon Tweeks, or if you're a real cheapskate Hi-Tec Classic Squash shoes for about £15 are a reasonable alternative.

[LuckyP]

CanAm said:

It's all down to the shoes! I wear 91/2 and have no problem, as long as they are proper driving shoes with no welt (if that's the correct technical term). Puma Speedcats/Futurecats are popular as are OMP Competizione Kart boots at half the price from Demon Tweeks, or if you're a real cheapskate Hi-Tec Classic Squash shoes for about £15 are a reasonable alternative.

You maybe right CanAm. However I've just gotten back from Brands, and a the three Caterhams there all had equidistant pedal spacing, all had a joggle in the brake pedal, giving about 10-15mm spacing.

This MUST be a known issue. It's either a Factory mod since 2001 or a builder's trick to free up some space.

Anyone know?

Pete

[Murph7355]

There are a few settings on the pedals to move them to/from the driver. How many depends on the chassis. Easy to adjust - just a different hole they're secured on.

Also, you can bend the pedals themselves to adjust where they sit.

Race boots are a good idea...

[Lakey]

Lucky P and Little Bill,

Yes I am reading this, and I may be gone, but will return for the British Grand Prix BBQ with the Caterham boys at the Toyota office, if they let me in.

I will send my official regards next week from my new office in Woking.

[LuckyP]

Lakey said:

Lucky P and Little Bill,

Yes I am reading this, and I may be gone, but will return for the British Grand Prix BBQ with the Caterham boys at the Toyota office, if they let me in.

I will send my official regards next week from my new office in Woking.

Do you get a kevlar janitor's coat and a carbon shafted broom with the job?

[Lakey]

No, but I did get a rather fetching carbon fibre trimmed tea urn and the fastest tea trolley in the world

[rubystone]

Lakey said:

No, but I did get a rather fetching carbon fibre trimmed tea urn and the fastest tea trolley in the world

Good to hear that you've joined a REAL Formula 1 team Simon. Please would you work very hard on Martin Whitmarsh for a tour of the facilities for L7Club members?