New R500. Conventional or Sequential Box?

[fastcello]

I've driven the sequential box on the R500 which is truelly awesome.
I think the box is essential as it makes the whole experience more thrilling.
It sounds like pulling a rifle bolt to load a rifle but you can change it with two finger taps.

I drove it fast and then I poodled about traffic at 20 to 30 mph.
The box is incredibly easy - easier than a 6 speed (which I have also driven on a Cat).

The main and only negative of the box is noise and it is noisy but two things to remember, the limited slip diff is also noisy and it is about a comparable noise. Secondly at 40 mph plus you don't hear the wine anymore as engine noise and wind noise take over.

I have an R500 on order and have specced the box - you will regret it if you don't.

My main problem is deciding what colour or graphics to go for??????? So hard???????

[rubystone]

Why was the LSD noisy? Have they changed the type they fit to Caterhams now?

[fastcello]

I don't know - I have always found the LSD somewhat noisy.
I have had a roadsport and a VHPD Cat and they were both noisy - don't know which LSD they had.

I take it yours is not noisy.

[fergus]

fastcello said:

I don't know - I have always found the LSD somewhat noisy.
I have had a roadsport and a VHPD Cat and they were both noisy - don't know which LSD they had.

I take it yours is not noisy.

I've a ZF plate diff, and if it's low on oil, or the preload on the pinion is out of tolerance it can become noisy. I'd suggest getting your diff serviced if it's noisy... by someone who knows the balck art of setting up the backlash, preload etc on a diff, before it destroys itself.

[fastcello]

Thanks for the advice fergus.
I had always thought that was how they were.

[rubystone]

fastcello said:

I don't know - I have always found the LSD somewhat noisy.
I have had a roadsport and a VHPD Cat and they were both noisy - don't know which LSD they had.

I take it yours is not noisy.

Nope, not on any of the cars I've owned or driven. Some people can mistake a noisy CRB or even a worn bearing in a 6 speed 'box for LSD noise though. Now my 964RS - that had a seriously noisy LSD!

[fergus]

rubystone said:

fastcello said:

I don't know - I have always found the LSD somewhat noisy.
I have had a roadsport and a VHPD Cat and they were both noisy - don't know which LSD they had.

I take it yours is not noisy.

Nope, not on any of the cars I've owned or driven. Some people can mistake a noisy CRB or even a worn bearing in a 6 speed 'box for LSD noise though. Now my 964RS - that had a seriously noisy LSD!

Oooh, now you're talking diff noise Mark!!!

Seriously, I've been through about 5 CRBs on my SLR, until taking it to Dave Ketteridge at Taylors Foundry m/sport. Dave strips the CRB and packs them with grease, then they run quiet as a quiet mouse and don't destroy themselves!!

[Pugsey]

I think they (diffs) ARE noisy - or at least more audible - it's just that regular Caterham users become immune! When I got my R400 last year, after a while away from Caterhams, I genuinely thought that there was something amiss with the diff. WHAT a racket. In reality the proximity of diff, gearbox etc - all wrapped up and magnified in a thin echoing 'tin can' - plus no carpets and thin carbon seats just mean that you hear all the noises that are actually probably going on in your M3 or whathaveyou aswell but that you are well insulated from. That's MHO anyway!

[DoctorD]

I have driven the new sequential box and I joined the first test session for the new Launch Control system along with the Caterham development engineers yesterday.

I've posted a full write up over on DR, but to cut to the chase I would most definitely recommend both the sequential box and the forthcoming LC option. They feel really bomb-proof and complement the R500 experience. Speaking with Chris Weston of Caterham who is the engineer developing the system, they have designed it to require skill to get the most from, so unlike other LC systems it has definitely not dumbed down the driving process.

Autocar will be testing it next week (in their 0-100-0 test) and Sutcliffe will be seeing if he can beat LC, the simple answer is that yes you can beat it, but over 4 or 5 runs the LC system would be quicker and also more fun.

[Pugsey]

I'm sure the LC option will be fun but also as far as I'm concerned pretty pointless. Not really in to drag racing and can't really remember the last time I 'went for' a 0-60 time - racing aside of course and even then only the once each race. That apart I've decided to go sequential on the basis that if I'm going for the ultimate Caterham model I might as well go the whole hog. I'm sure I'll regret it on the odd occasion around town but I'm sure the highs will outweigh the lows!

Thanks for all your views guys.

[John Hayman]

Having driven both the CSR race car and R500 with sequential gearbox's on track - I can honestly say that the box is (in that environment) fantastic.

[nigelpugh7]

Hi Guys,

I have a new R500 on order due for delivery around September. I previously had an R400, which is now owned by another Pistonheads member.

I have gone for the new sequential box and the launch control option too, as someone else on here said, if your going to go for a new R500 you might as well go the whole hog!!

I am not too bothered about the noise of the box, my previous R400 had the noisy diff whine syndrome, and I got used to that.

Also I will use mine for mostly track day fun and weekend blasts, so not to concerned about noise especially when driving with an Aeroscreen!!.

I too had the dilemma about what colour to go for, and settled with the new White as per the Caterham demo, but went for Blue stripes to be different, cant wait to see what it will look like in the flesh!!

Oh one last thing, I should mention is that my new R500 will be delivered in Kit form, so that I can have the fun of building it myself again!!

Cheers,

Nige.

[DoctorD]

Pugsey said:

I'm sure the LC option will be fun but also as far as I'm concerned pretty pointless. Not really in to drag racing and can't really remember the last time I 'went for' a 0-60 time - racing aside of course and even then only the once each race.

Thanks for all your views guys.

That was my initial view also, I can't remember the last time I performed a serious standing start outside of a race, but the LC system is a thoroughly clever piece of engineering that works extremely well. Let's face it, most of us blokes like gadgets and LC is the kind of gadget that first of all does exactly what it says on the tin, and secondly can be adjusted to suit your mood and circumstances. With more conventional systems such as on the M3, we were afraid to use them in case the car broke, whereas Caterham's is fully usable.

I could see myself engaging setting '2' and enjoying the full ferocity of the R500's performance off the line, just because you can. I don't know if I would tire of doing so, but there's something quite intriguing about 'knowing' you've just experienced a 3 second 0-60 launch. Gimmick? I don't think so. Gadget? probably. But if I were in Caterham's shoes I would just bundle LC in with the price of the sequential box as just an interesting feature to add to the 'nutty' R500's repetoire. Try it for yourself when you get a chance and see.

[Pugsey]

DoctorD said:

Pugsey said:

I'm sure the LC option will be fun but also as far as I'm concerned pretty pointless. Not really in to drag racing and can't really remember the last time I 'went for' a 0-60 time - racing aside of course and even then only the once each race.

Thanks for all your views guys.

That was my initial view also, I can't remember the last time I performed a serious standing start outside of a race, but the LC system is a thoroughly clever piece of engineering that works extremely well. Let's face it, most of us blokes like gadgets and LC is the kind of gadget that first of all does exactly what it says on the tin, and secondly can be adjusted to suit your mood and circumstances. With more conventional systems such as on the M3, we were afraid to use them in case the car broke, whereas Caterham's is fully usable.

I could see myself engaging setting '2' and enjoying the full ferocity of the R500's performance off the line, just because you can. I don't know if I would tire of doing so, but there's something quite intriguing about 'knowing' you've just experienced a 3 second 0-60 launch. Gimmick? I don't think so. Gadget? probably. But if I were in Caterham's shoes I would just bundle LC in with the price of the sequential box as just an interesting feature to add to the 'nutty' R500's repetoire. Try it for yourself when you get a chance and see.

Wouldn't argue with any of that and given it's an option that won't exactly break the bank I'm sure I'll spec it. Maybe I'll even use it more than I currently think I will

As an aside - and while we're on gearboxs - I've just tried Porsche's PDK and, for me, felt it was completely out of character with the car (don't know why, just didn't seem to 'fit' with the 911) whereas the F430's F1 box suits the car perfectly. It may be because (again IMHO) the Ferrari feels a much more 'modern' car My point being that I'm going sequential with the R500 because it seems to fit the car. I love slotting home four down shifts for a hairpin while hard on the brakes into what SEEMS like only a couple of yards in the Radical.

[derestrictor]

Pugsey, are you sure that a singular mortal coil can cope with all this epic automotive porn wot you seem to be subjecting yourself to?

[Pugsey]

derestrictor said:

Pugsey, are you sure that a singular mortal coil can cope with all this epic automotive porn wot you seem to be subjecting yourself to?

It's a struggle I can tell you - but I'm giving it a go! Still waiting for that holy grail that will bathe me in the light of understanding and cause me to so "enough, this is it!" I have a feeling I may find it in the shape of a Pitts Special sometime soon................

[fergus]

Pugsey said:

derestrictor said:

Pugsey, are you sure that a singular mortal coil can cope with all this epic automotive porn wot you seem to be subjecting yourself to?

It's a struggle I can tell you - but I'm giving it a go! Still waiting for that holy grail that will bathe me in the light of understanding and cause me to so "enough, this is it!" I have a feeling I may find it in the shape of a Pitts Special sometime soon................

you're not going into aerobatics now are you?

I'll need to feed my wallet with whatever yours is fed with!!!

[Pugsey]

fergus said:

Pugsey said:

derestrictor said:

Pugsey, are you sure that a singular mortal coil can cope with all this epic automotive porn wot you seem to be subjecting yourself to?

It's a struggle I can tell you - but I'm giving it a go! Still waiting for that holy grail that will bathe me in the light of understanding and cause me to so "enough, this is it!" I have a feeling I may find it in the shape of a Pitts Special sometime soon................

you're not going into aerobatics now are you?

I'll need to feed my wallet with whatever yours is fed with!!!

A trifle premature as I'm only just about to get my PPL but yes have already started aerobatics in a small way. Re £s listen, a very nice 'cooking' Pitts can be had for £50k/£60kish. A good serviceable Piper Warrior that will take 4 mates to France and back for lunch - or down to the Italian lakes for a long w/e is only £40k or so. I see my next couple of years being a decent superbike for cheap kicks, decent car for day to day (M3 or similar) and a nice little plane. All for less than a new F430! Went up with a multiple world aerobatics champ the other day - cars? TAME by comparison. And expensive.