2002 Caterham 7 Roadsport 1.8 Supersport.
Discussion
That’s very cool Lee and a big departure from the stuff that you usually like; it’s very much the opposite of the M4!
A friend of mine is a big Caterham fan boy. He had one with a K series that had spent a lot of time on track which he sold when Covid hit. That one was way too low for road use though and he struggled with speed bumps quite a bit. He had a few HG issues too.
He’s now bought this
It’s pretty bloody swift and is very easy to provoke on roundabouts. The main issue he’s battling is hot feet; the manifold is very close to the pedal box and apparently longer drives. He’s wrapping the manifold at the moment to see if that helps before considering a ceramic coating.
Will you get stuck in yourself?
A friend of mine is a big Caterham fan boy. He had one with a K series that had spent a lot of time on track which he sold when Covid hit. That one was way too low for road use though and he struggled with speed bumps quite a bit. He had a few HG issues too.
He’s now bought this
It’s pretty bloody swift and is very easy to provoke on roundabouts. The main issue he’s battling is hot feet; the manifold is very close to the pedal box and apparently longer drives. He’s wrapping the manifold at the moment to see if that helps before considering a ceramic coating.
Will you get stuck in yourself?
Countdown said:
Looks great OP - enjoy!
Thanks. 
Court_S said:
That’s very cool Lee and a big departure from the stuff that you usually like; it’s very much the opposite of the M4!
A friend of mine is a big Caterham fan boy. He had one with a K series that had spent a lot of time on track which he sold when Covid hit. That one was way too low for road use though and he struggled with speed bumps quite a bit. He had a few HG issues too.
He’s now bought this
It’s pretty bloody swift and is very easy to provoke on roundabouts. The main issue he’s battling is hot feet; the manifold is very close to the pedal box and apparently longer drives. He’s wrapping the manifold at the moment to see if that helps before considering a ceramic coating.
Will you get stuck in yourself?
Cheers Sam. A friend of mine is a big Caterham fan boy. He had one with a K series that had spent a lot of time on track which he sold when Covid hit. That one was way too low for road use though and he struggled with speed bumps quite a bit. He had a few HG issues too.
He’s now bought this
It’s pretty bloody swift and is very easy to provoke on roundabouts. The main issue he’s battling is hot feet; the manifold is very close to the pedal box and apparently longer drives. He’s wrapping the manifold at the moment to see if that helps before considering a ceramic coating.
Will you get stuck in yourself?
I have read/heard about the hot pedal box thing on some of them too, and I'll let you know if it is an issue on this one going forward.
I won't do much to it myself to be fair, and I'll let my local mechanic mate do stuff on it for me. Although I did have the bonnet off it yesterday, and I do like how relatively simple it all looks(well simple for most people...but not so much me though!
). It is funny that you mention the lowness of them, and the sump on this one looks properly low too. So I will have to be aware of that I reckon.
cerb4.5lee said:
Cheers Sam.
I have read/heard about the hot pedal box thing on some of them too, and I'll let you know if it is an issue on this one going forward.
I won't do much to it myself to be fair, and I'll let my local mechanic mate do stuff on it for me. Although I did have the bonnet off it yesterday, and I do like how relatively simple it all looks(well simple for most people...but not so much me though!).
It is funny that you mention the lowness of them, and the sump on this one looks properly low too. So I will have to be aware of that I reckon.
Yeah, my mate caught his sump a fair few times. I have read/heard about the hot pedal box thing on some of them too, and I'll let you know if it is an issue on this one going forward.
I won't do much to it myself to be fair, and I'll let my local mechanic mate do stuff on it for me. Although I did have the bonnet off it yesterday, and I do like how relatively simple it all looks(well simple for most people...but not so much me though!
). It is funny that you mention the lowness of them, and the sump on this one looks properly low too. So I will have to be aware of that I reckon.
As already pointed out, it makes getting in and out ungraceful!
Has yours got the sensible seats? Richard had the carbon buckets in his which were comfy once your were in but a ball ache to squeeze into. He’s now sold them for the regular leather ones.
Court_S said:
Has yours got the sensible seats? Richard had the carbon buckets in his which were comfy once your were in but a ball ache to squeeze into. He’s now sold them for the regular leather ones.
Yes and they are the regular leather ones(although I think the leather bit was an option though), and they are comfortable to be fair. Those carbon buckets do look well smart/cool, but I'm not sure if they would suit my bony arse though! Don’t quote me on this but I reckon the hot pedal box is not a problem on K engine cars as the exhaust goes to the passenger side , I definitely never had any issues with that . Oh and getting in /out is a lot easier than my vx220 , no massive side sill to negotiate and I never ever used the roof in my caterham but I do in my vx all the time . I do miss my caterham but I wouldn’t swap it back for the vx although the N/A aspirated K is a peach and was an absolute pleasure to ring its neck ! Enjoy its all very addictive.
Neil1323bolts said:
Don’t quote me on this but I reckon the hot pedal box is not a problem on K engine cars as the exhaust goes to the passenger side , I definitely never had any issues with that . Oh and getting in /out is a lot easier than my vx220 , no massive side sill to negotiate and I never ever used the roof in my caterham but I do in my vx all the time . I do miss my caterham but I wouldn’t swap it back for the vx although the N/A aspirated K is a peach and was an absolute pleasure to ring its neck ! Enjoy its all very addictive.
I looked earlier with the bonnet off and the manifold/exhaust is on the passenger side as you say on the K engined cars. The VX220 has always been a car that I've really admired too.
Thanks.
911Spanker said:
K Series cars are brilliant. Love my 2002 Superlight - such a fantastically well balanced package. It rocks!
[1url]
|https://thumbsnap.com/C6gHPjEw[/url]
That looks lovely and thanks a lot for sharing. [1url]
|https://thumbsnap.com/C6gHPjEw[/url]I'm definitely liking the black headlight caps too from what I'm seeing(in comparison to the chrome ones I've got). I reckon that will be something that I'll look at doing for sure.
cerb4.5lee said:
Yes Grant and historically I've mostly tended to go towards the more brawny engined cars in fairness. Although I do have the occasional moan about the weight of those types of cars though(and in an ideal world I'd prefer the 370Z/M4 to be a bit lighter for example).
I've said for a few years now that I'd like to try something like the Caterham or a Lotus Elise, so I'm excited about getting to know/experience a car that has lightness on its side now though.
I don't look too great getting in and out of the thing now at 50 to be fair either! My missus was laughing at me getting in and out of it when I brought it back, and I'm not exactly a big chap to be fair either. Can I go back to being 20 again please?! 
To be fair I've always had more brawny and therefore heavier cars too, but I still quite fancy trying a VX220 for the lightness and drivetrain simplicity.I've said for a few years now that I'd like to try something like the Caterham or a Lotus Elise, so I'm excited about getting to know/experience a car that has lightness on its side now though.
I don't look too great getting in and out of the thing now at 50 to be fair either!
My missus was laughing at me getting in and out of it when I brought it back, and I'm not exactly a big chap to be fair either. Can I go back to being 20 again please?! But sadly you can't go back to 20 Lee, so just make the most of it now while you can.
I'm really looking forward to seeing how you get on with it!
cerb4.5lee said:
911Spanker said:
K Series cars are brilliant. Love my 2002 Superlight - such a fantastically well balanced package. It rocks!
[1url]|https://thumbsnap.com/C6gHPjEw[/url]
That looks lovely and thanks a lot for sharing. [1url]
|https://thumbsnap.com/C6gHPjEw[/url]I'm definitely liking the black headlight caps too from what I'm seeing(in comparison to the chrome ones I've got). I reckon that will be something that I'll look at doing for sure.
Chrome headlamp bowls are great though - you can see the reflections in the back of them when driving which you don't with the black ones.
cerb4.5lee said:
So this is a new addition to the garage. It is the Roadsport model with the 1.8 K-series engine with 140bhp and the optional LSD. It has only done 4500 miles since 2002, so it needs a little bit of recommissioning and the tyres are from 2001 for example.
I think that's a great find! Being the 1.8 140hp it should have decent torque and midrange punch.As well as the brake pedal you've already mentioned, I think the sensitivity and immediacy of the throttle will shock you a bit and it will take a bit of practice to drive smoothly. No throttle-by-wire here! Brilliant fun cars.
braddo said:
cerb4.5lee said:
So this is a new addition to the garage. It is the Roadsport model with the 1.8 K-series engine with 140bhp and the optional LSD. It has only done 4500 miles since 2002, so it needs a little bit of recommissioning and the tyres are from 2001 for example.
I think that's a great find! Being the 1.8 140hp it should have decent torque and midrange punch.As well as the brake pedal you've already mentioned, I think the sensitivity and immediacy of the throttle will shock you a bit and it will take a bit of practice to drive smoothly. No throttle-by-wire here! Brilliant fun cars.
It is definitely something that I'm really looking forward to get to know for sure.
braddo said:
I think that's a great find! Being the 1.8 140hp it should have decent torque and midrange punch.
As well as the brake pedal you've already mentioned, I think the sensitivity and immediacy of the throttle will shock you a bit and it will take a bit of practice to drive smoothly. No throttle-by-wire here! Brilliant fun cars.
Nah, 1800 supersport, super easy to drive, no practice needed!As well as the brake pedal you've already mentioned, I think the sensitivity and immediacy of the throttle will shock you a bit and it will take a bit of practice to drive smoothly. No throttle-by-wire here! Brilliant fun cars.
Mr Tidy said:
cerb4.5lee said:
Yes Grant and historically I've mostly tended to go towards the more brawny engined cars in fairness. Although I do have the occasional moan about the weight of those types of cars though(and in an ideal world I'd prefer the 370Z/M4 to be a bit lighter for example).
I've said for a few years now that I'd like to try something like the Caterham or a Lotus Elise, so I'm excited about getting to know/experience a car that has lightness on its side now though.
I don't look too great getting in and out of the thing now at 50 to be fair either! My missus was laughing at me getting in and out of it when I brought it back, and I'm not exactly a big chap to be fair either. Can I go back to being 20 again please?!
To be fair I've always had more brawny and therefore heavier cars too, but I still quite fancy trying a VX220 for the lightness and drivetrain simplicity.I've said for a few years now that I'd like to try something like the Caterham or a Lotus Elise, so I'm excited about getting to know/experience a car that has lightness on its side now though.
I don't look too great getting in and out of the thing now at 50 to be fair either!
My missus was laughing at me getting in and out of it when I brought it back, and I'm not exactly a big chap to be fair either. Can I go back to being 20 again please?! But sadly you can't go back to 20 Lee, so just make the most of it now while you can.
I'm really looking forward to seeing how you get on with it!
I also remember being properly excited for you when you got your Z4M too.
Looks an excellent find to me, nicely done! Looks very standard too.
I found the biggest adjustment I had to make when first driving a Caterham was the speed of turn, initially found that I was taking two bites at every corner as the car dived in!
I've had two k-series Caterhams (a mint 1.6 Supersport and then a far rougher more modified DVA-tuned 1.8 (185bhp on throttle bodies etc). Biggest difference between the two (apart from the power) was that the second one had the 4 pot front brake upgrade - I found that gave a far firmer and more confidence-inspiring pedal. So maybe worth a look if you're finding the brakes an issue a bit down the line - they do stop fine though, just sometimes don't feel it!
Anyway enjoy - I'm sure you're on it already but Blatchat is an excellent forum. Also you should track it - they are so good, the light weight means you don't get through consumables hardly at all, and when you do they are cheap to replace as everything is tiny!
I found the biggest adjustment I had to make when first driving a Caterham was the speed of turn, initially found that I was taking two bites at every corner as the car dived in!
I've had two k-series Caterhams (a mint 1.6 Supersport and then a far rougher more modified DVA-tuned 1.8 (185bhp on throttle bodies etc). Biggest difference between the two (apart from the power) was that the second one had the 4 pot front brake upgrade - I found that gave a far firmer and more confidence-inspiring pedal. So maybe worth a look if you're finding the brakes an issue a bit down the line - they do stop fine though, just sometimes don't feel it!
Anyway enjoy - I'm sure you're on it already but Blatchat is an excellent forum. Also you should track it - they are so good, the light weight means you don't get through consumables hardly at all, and when you do they are cheap to replace as everything is tiny!
Looks cracking. I've had a couple of sevens and loved them both. Couple of thoughts if I may:
Red hides the brake-lights and these cars stop so swiftly it can catch out the inattentive driver who is following you - worth considering upgraded LED lights and/or a high level brake-light.
They're quite tyres sensitive. I expect you'll have 6" wheels all round. 8" rears will add a bit too much grip for 140bhp IMHO - it's a more involved drive with 6" all round. I found the Yokohama A539 to be an excellent choice - comfy and quiet on the road, but still capable of taking a few cheeky laps on track with the right pressure dialled in. Getting pressures right is also key to comfort! They don't need 32psi for sure. I also used Rainsports for a while as they came in a 14", but I would feel the blocks moving around and it numbed the steering.
They are sensitive to alignment - if the car feels squirrely, having that checked is no bad thing. Essentially, Caterhams magnify everything, so you become more aware of slight oddities!
On the gearbox front, a fluid change will probably help with the feel, as would installing a bronze saddle bush, which is very cheap and very easy to do and firms things up nicely. Even a new plastic one would probably help: https://www.burtonpower.com/catalogsearch/result/?...
Also on the gearbox front, be aware that the ratios are quite odd between five and six speed. From memory, the six speeder has the same ratio for sixth as fourth in the five speed box - ie much lower. Great on track but tiresome on the road I found. It'll also depend on the final drive of your LSD. If that's too low, then a six speed box will be almost unlivable with - so speaks a man who was doing 4000 odd RPM at 70 on the M4 to get to a trackday.
I dailied my 1.4 Roadsport for 8 months and loved it. Getting in with a full roof in place was a spectacle and I'm small.
Red hides the brake-lights and these cars stop so swiftly it can catch out the inattentive driver who is following you - worth considering upgraded LED lights and/or a high level brake-light.
They're quite tyres sensitive. I expect you'll have 6" wheels all round. 8" rears will add a bit too much grip for 140bhp IMHO - it's a more involved drive with 6" all round. I found the Yokohama A539 to be an excellent choice - comfy and quiet on the road, but still capable of taking a few cheeky laps on track with the right pressure dialled in. Getting pressures right is also key to comfort! They don't need 32psi for sure. I also used Rainsports for a while as they came in a 14", but I would feel the blocks moving around and it numbed the steering.
They are sensitive to alignment - if the car feels squirrely, having that checked is no bad thing. Essentially, Caterhams magnify everything, so you become more aware of slight oddities!
On the gearbox front, a fluid change will probably help with the feel, as would installing a bronze saddle bush, which is very cheap and very easy to do and firms things up nicely. Even a new plastic one would probably help: https://www.burtonpower.com/catalogsearch/result/?...
Also on the gearbox front, be aware that the ratios are quite odd between five and six speed. From memory, the six speeder has the same ratio for sixth as fourth in the five speed box - ie much lower. Great on track but tiresome on the road I found. It'll also depend on the final drive of your LSD. If that's too low, then a six speed box will be almost unlivable with - so speaks a man who was doing 4000 odd RPM at 70 on the M4 to get to a trackday.
I dailied my 1.4 Roadsport for 8 months and loved it. Getting in with a full roof in place was a spectacle and I'm small.
Smitters said:
Looks cracking. I've had a couple of sevens and loved them both. Couple of thoughts if I may:
Red hides the brake-lights and these cars stop so swiftly it can catch out the inattentive driver who is following you - worth considering upgraded LED lights and/or a high level brake-light.
They're quite tyres sensitive. I expect you'll have 6" wheels all round. 8" rears will add a bit too much grip for 140bhp IMHO - it's a more involved drive with 6" all round. I found the Yokohama A539 to be an excellent choice - comfy and quiet on the road, but still capable of taking a few cheeky laps on track with the right pressure dialled in. Getting pressures right is also key to comfort! They don't need 32psi for sure. I also used Rainsports for a while as they came in a 14", but I would feel the blocks moving around and it numbed the steering.
They are sensitive to alignment - if the car feels squirrely, having that checked is no bad thing. Essentially, Caterhams magnify everything, so you become more aware of slight oddities!
On the gearbox front, a fluid change will probably help with the feel, as would installing a bronze saddle bush, which is very cheap and very easy to do and firms things up nicely. Even a new plastic one would probably help: https://www.burtonpower.com/catalogsearch/result/?...
Also on the gearbox front, be aware that the ratios are quite odd between five and six speed. From memory, the six speeder has the same ratio for sixth as fourth in the five speed box - ie much lower. Great on track but tiresome on the road I found. It'll also depend on the final drive of your LSD. If that's too low, then a six speed box will be almost unlivable with - so speaks a man who was doing 4000 odd RPM at 70 on the M4 to get to a trackday.
I dailied my 1.4 Roadsport for 8 months and loved it. Getting in with a full roof in place was a spectacle and I'm small.
Good points - mine were both 5 speed (and I drove to track days) and that was noisy enough! Also I'd be looking at a "trackday" roll bar with the cross-strut. I had a high level brake light (F1-style "rain light" which looked pretty good I thought) mounted to that bar on mine.Red hides the brake-lights and these cars stop so swiftly it can catch out the inattentive driver who is following you - worth considering upgraded LED lights and/or a high level brake-light.
They're quite tyres sensitive. I expect you'll have 6" wheels all round. 8" rears will add a bit too much grip for 140bhp IMHO - it's a more involved drive with 6" all round. I found the Yokohama A539 to be an excellent choice - comfy and quiet on the road, but still capable of taking a few cheeky laps on track with the right pressure dialled in. Getting pressures right is also key to comfort! They don't need 32psi for sure. I also used Rainsports for a while as they came in a 14", but I would feel the blocks moving around and it numbed the steering.
They are sensitive to alignment - if the car feels squirrely, having that checked is no bad thing. Essentially, Caterhams magnify everything, so you become more aware of slight oddities!
On the gearbox front, a fluid change will probably help with the feel, as would installing a bronze saddle bush, which is very cheap and very easy to do and firms things up nicely. Even a new plastic one would probably help: https://www.burtonpower.com/catalogsearch/result/?...
Also on the gearbox front, be aware that the ratios are quite odd between five and six speed. From memory, the six speeder has the same ratio for sixth as fourth in the five speed box - ie much lower. Great on track but tiresome on the road I found. It'll also depend on the final drive of your LSD. If that's too low, then a six speed box will be almost unlivable with - so speaks a man who was doing 4000 odd RPM at 70 on the M4 to get to a trackday.
I dailied my 1.4 Roadsport for 8 months and loved it. Getting in with a full roof in place was a spectacle and I'm small.
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