Supersport R Spec ??
Discussion
Im contemplating a new factory built car and have downloaded the spec sheet, but I was looking a bit of advice on spec and answers to a few questions.
spec as follows:
6 speed box - needed or not? difference in driving? and at 3k not cheap!
dry sump system - handy if upgrading engine at some point?
vented disc, quad callipers
8" rear wheels/tyres - how does this compare to 6" front and rear
weather equipment
lowered floors
quick release column
heater
trackday roll bar
uprated master cylinder
colour undecided - was thinking bright red/ white decals
Im totally new to caterhams so any advice is welcome.
thanks in advance
logie
spec as follows:
6 speed box - needed or not? difference in driving? and at 3k not cheap!
dry sump system - handy if upgrading engine at some point?
vented disc, quad callipers
8" rear wheels/tyres - how does this compare to 6" front and rear
weather equipment
lowered floors
quick release column
heater
trackday roll bar
uprated master cylinder
colour undecided - was thinking bright red/ white decals
Im totally new to caterhams so any advice is welcome.
thanks in advance
logie
I asked a not dissimilar query 18 months or so ago...
see:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
I suspect most opinions won't have changed!
see:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
I suspect most opinions won't have changed!
I asked a not dissimilar query 18 months or so ago...
see:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
I suspect most opinions won't have changed!
see:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
I suspect most opinions won't have changed!
Looks like a nice spec, big front brakes not essential unless you are doing a lot of serious track driving. I would go for the uprated master cylinder though as the current standard ones are a bit iffy (based on the experience of lots of us in last years Academy). Personally I've never been bothered by not having a 6 speed box (it is expensive!), but I do have a 5 speed built by SPC with ratios much better suited than the standard ones and at half the price of a 6 speed box.
hi - i built a supersport r last august and for what its worth heres my thoughts if i was going back to the showroom today:
6 speed box - needed or not? difference in driving? and at 3k not cheap!
- not - i have 5 speed and even that feels a bit short geared at times - the 2l engine is plenty torquey for the low weight its pulling.
dry sump system - handy if upgrading engine at some point?
- maybe but i asked similar and got a credible response that not really necessary to preserve the duratec engine (oil starvation etc), unless maybe if you are going to be chasing massive power figures later and using slicks
vented disc, quad callipers
- standard are plenty strong enough really
8" rear wheels/tyres - how does this compare to 6" front and rear
- 8's looks better proportioned to my eye - more slidey on 6" rear but you'll still have sideways fun with 8's!
weather equipment
-if you want to use outside summer months, yes
lowered floors
yes
quick release column
yes - good for security and easier access with roof on
heater
yes as with weather equipment
trackday roll bar
yes
uprated master cylinder
not sure its necessary - my standard one doing its job quite adequately, so low cost/benefit unless you're concerned about reliability issues mentioned
colour undecided - was thinking bright red/ white decals
youre on your own with that one!
have fun choosing...
6 speed box - needed or not? difference in driving? and at 3k not cheap!
- not - i have 5 speed and even that feels a bit short geared at times - the 2l engine is plenty torquey for the low weight its pulling.
dry sump system - handy if upgrading engine at some point?
- maybe but i asked similar and got a credible response that not really necessary to preserve the duratec engine (oil starvation etc), unless maybe if you are going to be chasing massive power figures later and using slicks
vented disc, quad callipers
- standard are plenty strong enough really
8" rear wheels/tyres - how does this compare to 6" front and rear
- 8's looks better proportioned to my eye - more slidey on 6" rear but you'll still have sideways fun with 8's!
weather equipment
-if you want to use outside summer months, yes
lowered floors
yes
quick release column
yes - good for security and easier access with roof on
heater
yes as with weather equipment
trackday roll bar
yes
uprated master cylinder
not sure its necessary - my standard one doing its job quite adequately, so low cost/benefit unless you're concerned about reliability issues mentioned
colour undecided - was thinking bright red/ white decals
youre on your own with that one!
have fun choosing...
I am currently building mine, take a look at www.caterham-capers.blogspot.co.uk. :-)
At the order stage I opted for the following:
5 Speed box - I liked the idea of it being well suited for the road with a longer 5th for touring! Having not driven a 6 speed, i didn't feel it was slow! and it is an extremely expensive! I would potentially look at a rebuild of the 5 speed as Grubbster has done if I was to change my mind!
Dry Sump - I considered this, but was informed that duratec has a modine which circulates the oil (for cooling) and that unless I was doing a lot of track work I would not require it. Looking at prices there are lots of options out there after market that are about the same price as Caterham's offering so thought I could upgrade at a later date if required.
Ordered with standard brakes and master cylinder, but purchased the uprated from parts as the prices were nigh on the same! I took the approcah that I could sell the standards and recoup some of the uprated costs back. I plan to advertise them shortly.
6" rears for me, the 8's look much better, but I like the idea of having a more slidey car with the option to change the fronts and rears around! I decided that I could always purchase a set of 8's if I wanted! That said they have changed the design now so may well have missed the boat! :-(
I was planning to use a half hood from the off having hired a car with a full hood and my wife and I wanted the windscreen and Caterham won't sell the kit without the roof so ended up buying the lot.
Lowered floors - I sat in an S3 with tillets and loved how it felt and it has the added benefit of lowering the centre of gravity. :-)
QR Steering Column - After lots of research i didn't order the Caterham one but ordered the following: http://www.worksbell.co.jp/en/products/rapfix/rapf...
Heater - Not originally ordered, but I ordered knowing how cold my wife gets and want to make sure that we spend time out in it together after all that was the idea of purchasing the Caterham and moving from motorbikes where our ideas of a great ride out differed somewhat. :-)
Trackday roll bar - I was informed by the local owners that this was a must have and they didn't see why Caterham offered the standard one.
Hope that helps a bit.
Gregs
At the order stage I opted for the following:
5 Speed box - I liked the idea of it being well suited for the road with a longer 5th for touring! Having not driven a 6 speed, i didn't feel it was slow! and it is an extremely expensive! I would potentially look at a rebuild of the 5 speed as Grubbster has done if I was to change my mind!
Dry Sump - I considered this, but was informed that duratec has a modine which circulates the oil (for cooling) and that unless I was doing a lot of track work I would not require it. Looking at prices there are lots of options out there after market that are about the same price as Caterham's offering so thought I could upgrade at a later date if required.
Ordered with standard brakes and master cylinder, but purchased the uprated from parts as the prices were nigh on the same! I took the approcah that I could sell the standards and recoup some of the uprated costs back. I plan to advertise them shortly.
6" rears for me, the 8's look much better, but I like the idea of having a more slidey car with the option to change the fronts and rears around! I decided that I could always purchase a set of 8's if I wanted! That said they have changed the design now so may well have missed the boat! :-(
I was planning to use a half hood from the off having hired a car with a full hood and my wife and I wanted the windscreen and Caterham won't sell the kit without the roof so ended up buying the lot.
Lowered floors - I sat in an S3 with tillets and loved how it felt and it has the added benefit of lowering the centre of gravity. :-)
QR Steering Column - After lots of research i didn't order the Caterham one but ordered the following: http://www.worksbell.co.jp/en/products/rapfix/rapf...
Heater - Not originally ordered, but I ordered knowing how cold my wife gets and want to make sure that we spend time out in it together after all that was the idea of purchasing the Caterham and moving from motorbikes where our ideas of a great ride out differed somewhat. :-)
Trackday roll bar - I was informed by the local owners that this was a must have and they didn't see why Caterham offered the standard one.
Hope that helps a bit.
Gregs
Price up how much it will cost you to upgrade the parts afterwards. Anything where the net difference is small, leave for now if budget is a concern. Anything where it is large, tick the option.
The priority needs to be ensuring you fit properly and safety (so lowered floors if you're over about 5'10" and a FIA bar).
I don't recall the 6spd being that expensive at build time before, but haven't looked for a loooooong time. Not only are the ratios more neatly stacked in a 6spd (though note this was done to match the K series) but the shift action is very good. And I think the box might be lighter (that could be rubbish though). The only box I'd consider in a 7 other than the 6spd is a decent sequential.
The priority needs to be ensuring you fit properly and safety (so lowered floors if you're over about 5'10" and a FIA bar).
I don't recall the 6spd being that expensive at build time before, but haven't looked for a loooooong time. Not only are the ratios more neatly stacked in a 6spd (though note this was done to match the K series) but the shift action is very good. And I think the box might be lighter (that could be rubbish though). The only box I'd consider in a 7 other than the 6spd is a decent sequential.
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