Which Lotus 7 derivative?
Discussion
I'm looking to buy a lotus 7 derivative, but am unsure what to go for. I'm looking for a used car and have a budget of around £6k - £7k.
I'm 6'2" and 16 stone and find the regular Caterham a little too small. I'm thinking a Westfield could be the best option. Can anyone advise me of there's I should be looking at??
Thanks,
Will.
I'm 6'2" and 16 stone and find the regular Caterham a little too small. I'm thinking a Westfield could be the best option. Can anyone advise me of there's I should be looking at??
Thanks,
Will.
You should be able to fit into a westfield wide body ok, but your budget may limit your engine choices. In my opinion go for the newer Zetec or Vauxhall engines if at all possible. At a guess average one will cost you 8k, and a nice one 9k to 12k.
>> Edited by markda on Wednesday 27th November 11:50
>> Edited by markda on Wednesday 27th November 11:50
If your after opinions, go for a Sylva Genre car. If you definately want a 7esque car, then the Striker. I am 6'2" as well and I fitted my old Striker like a glove. They will run rings round Westies and Caterhams and you'll pick up an excellent car for £6k, if you can find one.
Also, being on the 'heavier' side yourself (I am also 16 ish stone) the Strikers weigh less than typical Westies and caterhams so power to weight will still be good, giving you the acceleration you are after.
Only an opinion, but that's what your after.
Also, being on the 'heavier' side yourself (I am also 16 ish stone) the Strikers weigh less than typical Westies and caterhams so power to weight will still be good, giving you the acceleration you are after.
Only an opinion, but that's what your after.
Mark B said: If your after opinions, go for a Sylva Genre car. If you definately want a 7esque car, then the Striker. I am 6'2" as well and I fitted my old Striker like a glove. They will run rings round Westies and Caterhams and you'll pick up an excellent car for £6k, if you can find one.
Also, being on the 'heavier' side yourself (I am also 16 ish stone) the Strikers weigh less than typical Westies and caterhams so power to weight will still be good, giving you the acceleration you are after.
Only an opinion, but that's what your after.
I hadn't really thought about the Striker. I don't think I've seen one in the flesh; but my perception of them is that they look a little "rougher around the edges" than the Westies or Caterhams. I appreciate that with my budget, that might be how it has to be though.
And I'm not some massive porker! Just find the standard Caterhams a little too cosy in the elbow room and foot-well departments.
Wildew,
No offence meant, being 6'2" 16 stone and I wouldn't describe myself as a heffa.
Re the Striker - They can be a little rough around the edges but for the money you're looking to spend you would get a very good car, well built and with a good motor/transmision. Well worth a try out though.
No offence meant, being 6'2" 16 stone and I wouldn't describe myself as a heffa.
Re the Striker - They can be a little rough around the edges but for the money you're looking to spend you would get a very good car, well built and with a good motor/transmision. Well worth a try out though.
Mark B said: Wildew,
No offence meant, being 6'2" 16 stone and I wouldn't describe myself as a heffa.
Re the Striker - They can be a little rough around the edges but for the money you're looking to spend you would get a very good car, well built and with a good motor/transmision. Well worth a try out though.
No, I'm only kidding!
I've just had a look at [url]www.findit.co.uk/cars/kitcar/cars.htm[/url] and they have a few things under their Kit Car section that look interesting. There's a CBR engined Striker there for £6500 built by a Sylva engineer. Are the bike engined cars a good option? I've got a little technical knowledge, but not with bike engines and would fear about it's reliability.
>> Edited by willdew on Wednesday 27th November 13:42
I havent driven a motorcycle powered car myself, but have spoken to a few owners and even more ex-owners. They didnt complain about relyability. But unless your going to track the car, the impression I was given is that although extreamly quick. The lack of torque is just not ideal for overall road use.
All that said, it could be just personal preference. Personally the idea really appeals to me, could just imagine it to be a real involving drive.
Any other PHers have any expierences in these cars?
>> Edited by markda on Wednesday 27th November 13:59
All that said, it could be just personal preference. Personally the idea really appeals to me, could just imagine it to be a real involving drive.
Any other PHers have any expierences in these cars?
>> Edited by markda on Wednesday 27th November 13:59
Wildew,
That car is supposedly very well built. If you want to chat with the guy who built it try Sulva Autokits - Jeremy on 01526 399 401. Great guy, very knowledgeable. If he built it, it will be excellent.
Re driving them, I have heard good and bad. They are supposedly very involving, but fantastic fun and all that power with less than 500kg - got to be good.
For info, use this site, go to Kits - Bike Engined - and surf around, theres loads of info out there, also a few Striker builds. also look at www.striker1.plus.com this guy is building a fantastic toy!
That car is supposedly very well built. If you want to chat with the guy who built it try Sulva Autokits - Jeremy on 01526 399 401. Great guy, very knowledgeable. If he built it, it will be excellent.
Re driving them, I have heard good and bad. They are supposedly very involving, but fantastic fun and all that power with less than 500kg - got to be good.
For info, use this site, go to Kits - Bike Engined - and surf around, theres loads of info out there, also a few Striker builds. also look at www.striker1.plus.com this guy is building a fantastic toy!
The car's only for "fun" use. I'd intend to do a few track days, but weekend road use is all I really have it in mind for.
The motorcycle engines appeal to me as they seem to be so quick and sound amazing. I don't think I'll be doing much town driving so I'm not too worried about driving in traffic or pulling away from a stand still.
The motorcycle engines appeal to me as they seem to be so quick and sound amazing. I don't think I'll be doing much town driving so I'm not too worried about driving in traffic or pulling away from a stand still.
I'm going to be biased and say Westfield SEi,
BUT, being an honest and kind chap like I am, I'd say AVOID Robin Hoods. Try a Striker, there was one at a Sprint I went to, 1300cc engine and was knocking spots off the Westfields there, I was told that they tend to be narrower but presume this is just a myth.
As someone already said try findit, I found my Westi on there after narrowing it down to about 20 ads.
You should be able to pick up a nice kit, whether it be westfield or striker for your price range, I got mine for £4,500 and it was immaculate.
Happy hunting
Graham
Edited to add: Carefull with bike engine's, there amazing I agree and incredibly light, but they do tend to go bang quite often.
>> Edited by Graham.J on Wednesday 27th November 15:46
BUT, being an honest and kind chap like I am, I'd say AVOID Robin Hoods. Try a Striker, there was one at a Sprint I went to, 1300cc engine and was knocking spots off the Westfields there, I was told that they tend to be narrower but presume this is just a myth.
As someone already said try findit, I found my Westi on there after narrowing it down to about 20 ads.
You should be able to pick up a nice kit, whether it be westfield or striker for your price range, I got mine for £4,500 and it was immaculate.
Happy hunting
Graham
Edited to add: Carefull with bike engine's, there amazing I agree and incredibly light, but they do tend to go bang quite often.
>> Edited by Graham.J on Wednesday 27th November 15:46
have a look at fisher/slyva fury's too, not quite the seven shape but a seven underneath. as the opthers have said a westfield is easily your best bet in terms of club support www.wscc.co.uk , parts availability and the number of cars available and their prices.
bike engines dont go bang half as often as people think they do, the matter is usually solved by dry sumping the engine and a look at the "yahoo bike engined group" (dont know the url but it shouldnt be too easy to miss!) will help dispell any continuing rumours!.
bike engines dont go bang half as often as people think they do, the matter is usually solved by dry sumping the engine and a look at the "yahoo bike engined group" (dont know the url but it shouldnt be too easy to miss!) will help dispell any continuing rumours!.
Westfield SEW or SEiW (Live axle or independent rear suspension).
You'll struggle in a SE or SEi if you're over 5'11". Caterhams are slightly longer in the cockpit and ever so slightly wider but you'll be struggling for anything beyond an X-Flow classic or an ex-graduate car at that price. Caterham SV's, which are MASSIVE, are way too new and expensive.
Sylva's are as narrow as an SE or SEi but have a slightly longer cockpit in the drivers side (though not in the passenger side).
I'm 5'11" and 16st and fit in my SE ok but in all honesty, it could do with being about an inch longer and for comfort about an inch wider. I fit in my brothers SEW like a glove and there is plenty more room to push the seat back further so you will have no problems whatsoever. The Striker is in between the two. More comfy than my SE as it has more legroom but just as narrow.
Personally if I was doing it again and I wanted to drive the thing on a road as well it would be a wide Westie without hesitation (unless I was minted then it'd be a Caterham). Otherwise as a track car it would be a Sylva every time.
You'll struggle in a SE or SEi if you're over 5'11". Caterhams are slightly longer in the cockpit and ever so slightly wider but you'll be struggling for anything beyond an X-Flow classic or an ex-graduate car at that price. Caterham SV's, which are MASSIVE, are way too new and expensive.
Sylva's are as narrow as an SE or SEi but have a slightly longer cockpit in the drivers side (though not in the passenger side).
I'm 5'11" and 16st and fit in my SE ok but in all honesty, it could do with being about an inch longer and for comfort about an inch wider. I fit in my brothers SEW like a glove and there is plenty more room to push the seat back further so you will have no problems whatsoever. The Striker is in between the two. More comfy than my SE as it has more legroom but just as narrow.
Personally if I was doing it again and I wanted to drive the thing on a road as well it would be a wide Westie without hesitation (unless I was minted then it'd be a Caterham). Otherwise as a track car it would be a Sylva every time.
As for engines, again it depends what you're going to do with it.
My opinions have changed slightly of late and I'd veer away from anything too expensive unless you are planning to compete in some form of motorsport in which case it goes with the territory. If you are wanting it for trackdays and road use my advice would be to get something cheap and as stock as possible. This means for car engines I'd be looking at; Vx 2.0 XE, Zetec 2.0 or Toyota 4AGE. For a BEC it'd be a Fireblade or if I was pushing the boat out, a R1 both of which you can get away without dry sumping.
My opinions have changed slightly of late and I'd veer away from anything too expensive unless you are planning to compete in some form of motorsport in which case it goes with the territory. If you are wanting it for trackdays and road use my advice would be to get something cheap and as stock as possible. This means for car engines I'd be looking at; Vx 2.0 XE, Zetec 2.0 or Toyota 4AGE. For a BEC it'd be a Fireblade or if I was pushing the boat out, a R1 both of which you can get away without dry sumping.
juansolo said: As for engines, again it depends what you're going to do with it.
My opinions have changed slightly of late and I'd veer away from anything too expensive unless you are planning to compete in some form of motorsport in which case it goes with the territory. If you are wanting it for trackdays and road use my advice would be to get something cheap and as stock as possible. This means for car engines I'd be looking at; Vx 2.0 XE, Zetec 2.0 or Toyota 4AGE. For a BEC it'd be a Fireblade or if I was pushing the boat out, a R1 both of which you can get away without dry sumping.
That's the main reason my budget's at the £6k - £7k bracket. I don't see the need to spend more for what I'm looking for. It's for me to have some fun in. Otherwise I'd happily pay a bit more as I know it won't depreciate much.
I'm looking for something with 140-180 bhp and would rather it wasn't too stressed, so a 1.8 or 2ltr lump sounds right. I don't know any of the engines well enough to have a preference which engine I go for at present.
A Vauhall XE is the engine that was fitted to the old Astra GTE 16v and later things like the Cavilier GSi2000 and Calibra's. It's a Cosworth designed lump that is well over engineered. Basically meaning it's very strong but heavy with it. Standard they came in at 150bhp. Fit some ARP rod bolts and Weber/Del'orto 45's and you'll be putting out in the region of 180bhp. They're pretty much bullet proof in this configuration. Ours is exactly this and we're not touching it.
The Zetec's I don't know so much about but you're looking at the same thing. To keep it cheap a pair of 45's and some Cosworth bolts. It'll be a bit lower on power than the XE but again, in this configuration, pretty bullet proof. If you can get one on Throttle Boddies then go for that. This is sort of the middlewieght of the three car engines I suggested.
The Toyota lump comes from the Mr2 amongst other things and is the lightweight as it's only as heavy as an old X-flow. About 150ish bhp on carbs but with the weight advantage this should even out with the others. In fact all three engines will give pretty similar performance overall because of the power to weight differences. Have a wonder over to the Raw Engineering site as these are the main supplier and fettler of these.
Personally if it's mainly a road car I'd stick with the car engines. They're far easier to live with. However the BEC's are great track machines and in their element they take some beating for bang per buck.
The Zetec's I don't know so much about but you're looking at the same thing. To keep it cheap a pair of 45's and some Cosworth bolts. It'll be a bit lower on power than the XE but again, in this configuration, pretty bullet proof. If you can get one on Throttle Boddies then go for that. This is sort of the middlewieght of the three car engines I suggested.
The Toyota lump comes from the Mr2 amongst other things and is the lightweight as it's only as heavy as an old X-flow. About 150ish bhp on carbs but with the weight advantage this should even out with the others. In fact all three engines will give pretty similar performance overall because of the power to weight differences. Have a wonder over to the Raw Engineering site as these are the main supplier and fettler of these.
Personally if it's mainly a road car I'd stick with the car engines. They're far easier to live with. However the BEC's are great track machines and in their element they take some beating for bang per buck.
re.your dilemma .try and find a formula 27 wide-body car .these are now owned and marketed by ykc sports cars(www.ykcsportscars.co.uk).they are huge in comparison to caterhams etc.i am a bit of a fat bar steward and use a kawasaki zx-12r engined one every day in the wilds of scotland
I've had a V8 Striker and a crossflow live axle (narrow boidied) westie. The striker was slightly weighty but boy did it shift (3.5 to 60 and 150+), I also know of a chap who installed a mazda rotary engine in one and it was about as quick as mine accelerating and faster round corners... The westie looked really pretty and handled fairly well, you can't go to far wrong handling wise in a 7 rep anyway. Honestly, value for money wise and handling wise it takes a lot to beat the Strikers. To prove that I'm a man of my word I'm now building a Phoenix which is pretty much the same chassis as the stiker just a different body.
The striker is narrower that the live axle westie but I'm no slim jim and the overall effect of the standard seats is to provide a well held but comfortable ride. I'm 6ft and can easily fit in but I think it would be a westie if you were more than 6ft4". If you go for a westie make sure you get the IRS or the strikers will drive around the outside of you, they might anyway... Have a look at the 750 motorclub race results page on their website to see which of the cars handle.
Really though, the best way to check is to drive both and see what you think. You will have fun in a 7 no matter which one you buy, Jeremy is a very nice and knowledgable man and the chap that runs the Sylva Register is Mac(Mad Mac)Allardyce. Mac bulds and rebuilds sylva's to sell, he usually has a couple in stock too - try him on 07867 501534 or visit the website at www.ssr.co.uk. £8k would see you in a well sorted striker...
2L 16v vauxhall engine is a very good choice too, reliable, loads of spare and easily tuned.
Others to consider might include the 2.0L pinto engined live axled DAX Rush - they're big, heavy, but really well designed and they look tremendous. If you fall for the look you've just gotta have one, there's also a few around at £7-8k.
Good luck, you won't look back...
Just a quick question, has anyone else noticed that Caterhams don't really race against any other manufacturers - why is that?
The striker is narrower that the live axle westie but I'm no slim jim and the overall effect of the standard seats is to provide a well held but comfortable ride. I'm 6ft and can easily fit in but I think it would be a westie if you were more than 6ft4". If you go for a westie make sure you get the IRS or the strikers will drive around the outside of you, they might anyway... Have a look at the 750 motorclub race results page on their website to see which of the cars handle.
Really though, the best way to check is to drive both and see what you think. You will have fun in a 7 no matter which one you buy, Jeremy is a very nice and knowledgable man and the chap that runs the Sylva Register is Mac(Mad Mac)Allardyce. Mac bulds and rebuilds sylva's to sell, he usually has a couple in stock too - try him on 07867 501534 or visit the website at www.ssr.co.uk. £8k would see you in a well sorted striker...
2L 16v vauxhall engine is a very good choice too, reliable, loads of spare and easily tuned.
Others to consider might include the 2.0L pinto engined live axled DAX Rush - they're big, heavy, but really well designed and they look tremendous. If you fall for the look you've just gotta have one, there's also a few around at £7-8k.
Good luck, you won't look back...
Just a quick question, has anyone else noticed that Caterhams don't really race against any other manufacturers - why is that?
I've just seen the bike engined Striker for sale on here, very tempting... this is a good choice if you like the idea of a bike engine because it has more torque than many of the other popular offerings. The only things to bear in mind are the clutch which as far as I know wears quicker on a car than on a bike, and the reverse mechanism which can range from a fancy mod on the gearbox to an electric motor engaged on the rear axle. Others will know more and perhaps can help with these points.
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