1.4K Series 7

[Mabbs9]

Hi All, my Caterham has the 1.4 K engine. Having been driving boring cars for a few years the return to a "real" car is great fun despite only having 105bhp.

My question is, has anyone done any mods to raise the bhp on this engine and would like to share their thoughts? I know there are a few options, including removing liners and increasing to 1600cc. I love the car but suspect over the next year I may want a bit more from it!

Chris

Ps, thanks to Dave at DVA for the very helpful pm sent a few weeks ago.

Edited by Mabbs9 on Sunday 13th February 19:57

Edited by Mabbs9 on Sunday 13th February 20:37

[Incorrigible]

You can replace the 1400 unit with an 1800 fairly easily. There are, as you would expect, about a million options, all budget dependant

Cheapest option is to put a standard 1800 in, change the injectors, but use the standard ECU

A few more quid, use the VVC engine as it has bigger valves, but you'll need to either, change the cams or use a different ECU to run the VVC system

and on you go.......

[Mabbs9]

Thanks Incorrigible, I may have a look at some prices and consider it. I'm still thinking about some head and cam work and making do with a slight improvement.

[pikeyboy]

Mabbs9 said:

Thanks Incorrigible, I may have a look at some prices and consider it. I'm still thinking about some head and cam work and making do with a slight improvement.

Personally I wouldnt waste money trying to make a 1.4 faster, you'd be much better of doing an engine swap to a 1.6 or 1.8. I bet good used engines will cost not much more than a set of new cams for your current engine.

[BertBert]

I agree, they come up quite often on BC.
BErt

[Fishy Dave]

Yes, bigger engine would seem to be most sensible. The alternative would be to advertise a wanted advert on Blatchat for a Supersport kit (cams, ECU and intake). It always amazes me how much stuff hangs around in members garages!
You can't go wrong with advice from Dave Andrews.

[Mabbs9]

Good advice, thanks for your time. I'm going to see how I enjoy the summer and come up with a plan for the winter if I'm feeling the need for bigger BHP. I'll let you know what I end with!

Thanks again all

Chris

[BadgerBill]

I'd strongly recommend a supersport cam, ecu and intake upgrade. I had a 1.4 supersport and it went fine with 128bhp. I enjoyed the higher rev limit and general personality of the motor really suited the car. I certainly didn't feel the need for more torque, which is all a std 1.6/1.8 would give you. After that I would be looking to change the wheels out for 13"x6 anthracites or CRX's, with some proper rubber (A021R's or CR500's), then getting some track/hillclimb time!

For a real upgrade, stick a Bike engine in!!!

BB