New Caterham owner checking in!

[Mike_C]

Afternoon all,

Just checking in as a new Caterham owner, wanted to say hi! Picked up my first Caterham at the weekend, a 2009 Roadsport SV. It’s a late K-Series car, and the engine has already been uprated to R300 spec with cams, roller-barrel carbs, a Powerspeed free-flow exhaust and an Emerald ECU, so is pushing around 160-165bhp I believe. It also has the 6-speed box, big brake kit and quite a few other lovely bits and pieces to enjoy!

I’m located in Bucks, so are there any other Caterham owners in the area? I know the Penn 7’s meet on the last Saturday of every month so will try and get along to those meets.

Any advice and tips on Caterham ownership are welcome

Edited by Mike_C on Monday 23 April 15:08

[fergus]

I'm near Great Missenden in South Bucks.

[CycleSi]

I’m in Hazlemere. Can’t get to the Penn 7 meets as l usually work on Saturdays.

[Mike_C]

fergus said:

I'm near Great Missenden in South Bucks.

I'm only in Wendover! What have you got? Will keep an eye out!

[CycleSi]

A grey R300K Superlight converted to a R400.

[Mike_C]

CycleSi said:

A grey R300K Superlight converted to a R400.

Nice! What is involved in an R300 - R400 upgrade on a K-Series engine?

[forest07]

Mike_C said:

CycleSi said:

A grey R300K Superlight converted to a R400.

Nice! What is involved in an R300 - R400 upgrade on a K-Series engine?

A different cylinder head (VHPD casting) and camshaft profiles.
Tuftrided crank and forged pistons
Dry dumped as standard, I recall it was an option on the SLR's.
Stack dash and more carbon as standard, as the R300 had less carbon as standard as compared with the original Superlight.

[DVandrews]

forest07 said:

A different cylinder head (VHPD casting) and camshaft profiles.
Tuftrided crank and forged pistons
Dry dumped as standard, I recall it was an option on the SLR's.
Stack dash and more carbon as standard, as the R300 had less carbon as standard as compared with the original Superlight.

Engine wise there are other routes to R400 output that dont involve the now very difficult to source VHPD/MS casting, R400s do not have tufftrided cranks, only very early SLR engines had these. Later SLRs and R400 engines had stock cranks with selected rods.

Dave

[Mike_C]

DVandrews said:

Engine wise there are other routes to R400 output that dont involve the now very difficult to source VHPD/MS casting, R400s do not have tufftrided cranks, only very early SLR engines had these. Later SLRs and R400 engines had stock cranks with selected rods.

Dave

Hi Dave, my Roadsport started off as a 1.8 K-Series 140bhp X-power, but now has (what I'm told) is an R300-spec engine with cams, Caterham roller barrel throttle bodies, a Pipercross air filter, Powerspeed de-cat exhaust and an Emerald ECU. I'm told it is running around 160bhp now, sound about right? Is there much else to do whilst still retaining usability/drivability? Thanks!

[DVandrews]

You are at the limit of your existing pistons so any further upgrades would need to encompass a bottom end upgrade, additionally the cylinder head is still pretty much standard and will ultimately be the power limiter. If these two areas are properly addressed there is plenty you can do without sacrificing too much flexibility/drivability.

Dave

[Mike_C]

DVandrews said:

You are at the limit of your existing pistons so any further upgrades would need to encompass a bottom end upgrade, additionally the cylinder head is still pretty much standard and will ultimately be the power limiter. If these two areas are properly addressed there is plenty you can do without sacrificing too much flexibility/drivability.

Dave

OK, thanks Dave - something to think about for the future! I work in MK, whereabouts are you? Might pop round one day!

[RobGT81]

Not Bucks but I am just outside Towscester with a 1.8 k series.