Trackday oil surge?

[_Neal_]

Hi all

As I posted on another thread, I'm looking to buy a Caterham for road use and a few trackdays a year. Likely to be a 1.6 or 1.8 k-series. Just wondering what the consensus is (if there is one) on doing trackdays using the standard wet sump? Seems like an Apollo anti-cavitation system is an improvement, with a dry-sump setup being top of the heap, but pricey.

I don't anticipate that the car will be in any way quick around the track in our hands - whilst I and the guy I'm buying it with have some trackday and rwd experience, there'll be a steep learning curve. Is it just a matter of keeping your oil topped up (or over-full?), making sure your (mechanical?) oil pressure gauge works and keeping an eye on it, with any consistent or repeated surge-type symptoms then leading to an attack of upgradeitis?

Thanks

Neal

[johnvthe2nd]

the advice I got from the Caterham 'get to know your caterham' day was to spend your first track day's money on an apollo ..

[VHPD]

What you have written sounds bang on except that I have found overfilling is likely to give issues. I understand that this is caused by 'windage' where the crank is frothing up the oil.

A lot of K series race cars were/are not Dry Sumped but I would have thought that most of those have an Apollo?

[_Neal_]

johnvthe2nd said:

the advice I got from the Caterham 'get to know your caterham' day was to spend your first track day's money on an apollo ..

Interesting, thanks.

I can't find anywhere that sells them though! Perhaps my googling skills aren't up to scratch...

ETA - Cheers VHPD - I'll look into the setup of the race cars.

[johnvthe2nd]

try Andy Belcher tech7 01737 213277, top bloke, in Redhill

[_Neal_]

johnvthe2nd said:

try Andy Belcher tech7 01737 213277, top bloke, in Redhill

Great, cheers

[VHPD]

They do come up for sale now and then as people upgrade to dry sump.
Expect to pay £100 to £120 used.
Caterham sell the kit new for £238 and have them in stock.
Here is the link.

http://www.caterhamparts.co.uk/product.php?id_prod...

[_Neal_]

Brilliant, thanks.

[Tango7]

One has just been advertised on blatchat for £100 after a dry sump upgrade

T

[_Neal_]

Thanks Tango - we'll take a look.

[Harry Flashman]

_Neal_ said:

I don't anticipate that the car will be in any way quick around the track in our hands - whilst I and the guy I'm buying it with have some trackday and rwd experience, there'll be a steep learning curve.

As the co-owner, I'm insulted. It will definitely be quick in my hands. Possibly out of shape and going backwards, but definitely quick.

Given the I once straightlined the OP's car over the chicane at Bedford after melting the brakes, I'm surprised he's agreed to go halves on a Caterham with me. Brave man.

[_Neal_]

I've blanked that from my mind, on the basis that if you own it you may be more careful. I'm having second thoughts now though.

[Z3MCJez]

Ahhh. But you won't melt the brakes on a Caterham

[Noger]

But you can turn them into Wensleydale if you fit Greenstuff pads