Red Rose vs 4.5 LW

Red Rose vs 4.5 LW

Author
Discussion

washy

950 posts

277 months

Thursday 3rd April 2003
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Danny

I wouldn't say it's wasted on the road at all, though I do agree with your comments re track days and tuition!

I've just swapped my 4.5 LW for a Red Rose with close ratio 'box. The difference is astounding. Throttle response is razor sharp and mid range punch is incredible. I'm still running it in at the moment so I haven't gone over 5500rpm. Goodness knows what it'll be like with a few miles to loosen it up and 7000rpm+ available!

The whole package just leaves the standard car in the shade IMHO. Well worth the extra £3,880 (RR and 'box). I can't be sure whether it's the latest dampers or the slightly taller gearing in the first three gears (probably a combination of both) but traction on this car is much improved too.

Big T this is the way to go when you order your new one I reckon.

big t

Original Poster:

1,337 posts

255 months

Thursday 3rd April 2003
quotequote all

washy said:

Big T this is the way to go when you order your new one I reckon.


Yeah I thought so.

I'm gonna get used to my first Cerbera for a bit before I think about raising the extra cash for a new one. But I will definitley go the whole hog and get one with the CR gearbox and the RR setup.

Even though I didn't push the cars I test drove that hard, I did notice a big difference in the four fives without the RR and CR gearbox.

Sorry if this is a stupid question, but can a CR Gearbox be fitted to an existing car or is this just way too much work and very expensive?

T.

washy

950 posts

277 months

Thursday 3rd April 2003
quotequote all
BigT

I think one of the guys on here fitted a sequential close ratio dog 'box so anything's possible.

Like you I wanted to go the whole hog and thought about upgrading my 2001 car. In the end I thought it made more sense to order a new one and fit all the kit to that.

Washy

big t

Original Poster:

1,337 posts

255 months

Thursday 3rd April 2003
quotequote all
I agree, I haven't even got it yet and I'm going on about upgrading the gearbox already!!

Anyway, I see from your profile that you're in London, are you anywhere near Woodford???

T.

washy

950 posts

277 months

Thursday 3rd April 2003
quotequote all
Sorry BigT my profile's out of date. I'm near Huntingdon now. Still working in London. Cerbie and I will be on the Isle of Dogs on Saturday though.

Washy

dannylt

1,906 posts

285 months

Thursday 3rd April 2003
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The close ratio gearbox is just a T5 with different ratio's in it, so very easy to change. Unless you get a very decent part ex though, better of getting the CR one to begin with.

Agree the red rose mod gives better throttle response -the extra mid range punch you feel is the torque curve having lifted - wait until you reach 5500 to 7000! Still, fairly limited experience on the road, and still outdone by a litre bike in terms of accelerative thrills under 120mph. 4000 is quite a bit of money though! 2k on a new car is definitely good value for money though.

Have the CR boxes stopped breaking these days then?

danny

PS Washy - you just need some decent brakes to round off the package now! :-)

dannylt

1,906 posts

285 months

ro_butler

795 posts

272 months

Friday 4th April 2003
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washy said: Cerbie and I will be on the Isle of Dogs on Saturday though.

Washy


Doh,

I live there but should be picking my car up from TMS so won't be around. Otherwise I would have loved to see the difference all this RR and new suspension makes to a 'normal' cerbie.

Do you come here often? (ooh err)

Rob.

washy

950 posts

277 months

Friday 4th April 2003
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Danny - Brakes look awesome. Trouble is I'd have to go to Nitron dampers and uprated springs to control pitching with that kind of braking power surely? Not going to happen whilst the cars in warranty. Shame!

CR 'box sounded like an early Land Rover transmission for the first few hundred miles. Getting better now though. The gear change is lightning quick once the oil's warmed up which is a bit of a bonus. As for breaking I'm not sure.

Can't wait to get to 5500rpm+ now. I'm doing a track day on 9 May so I'll get to run it in anger then. Once its has a few more miles on I'm of to Joolz for a power run. All being well the torque curve you mention should be very interesting ;-)

Rob - Not around there often no. I hope to make it to some of the PH meets this year though.

dannylt

1,906 posts

285 months

Friday 4th April 2003
quotequote all
I'm sure the brakes would be fine with the standard suspension pitching wise, the limit is definitely the grip of the tyre. However, standard suspension will definitely limit speed on track, so the you won't need to break quite so much. They can still fade though!

danny