K-series and or Duratec
Discussion
As some of you may have read I am looking to become a new Caterham owner having been converted from my 911.
I have been looking for an R300 or R400 Duratec but these are few and far between.
My main reason is I have driven an R300 and R500 Duratec.
Should I have any concerns if I opted for a K-Series instead (so I can get one quicker!!) or should I hold out for a Duratec.
I have been looking for an R300 or R400 Duratec but these are few and far between.
My main reason is I have driven an R300 and R500 Duratec.
Should I have any concerns if I opted for a K-Series instead (so I can get one quicker!!) or should I hold out for a Duratec.
Just about to open up a can of worms but Personally, I'd take my time and hold out for a duratec, it will pay off in the long run. Start off with an SLR either 300 or 400, learn the ropes and then upgrade the engine when you're ready and have mastered it. The beauty of the duratec is it's reliability and nice and tuneable. Take your time, there will be more coming up soon and you can choose.
SLR400 said:
Just about to open up a can of worms but Personally, I'd take my time and hold out for a duratec, it will pay off in the long run. Start off with an SLR either 300 or 400, learn the ropes and then upgrade the engine when you're ready and have mastered it. The beauty of the duratec is it's reliability and nice and tuneable. Take your time, there will be more coming up soon and you can choose.
That's just silly talk 
Quite a few people bought quite a lot of k-series caterhams for quite a few years. To suggest that the only way is to wait for a D is madness. The time is now. The weather is great. Get a brilliant k caterham to drive and change it when you have got all you can out of it.Bert
Dind ding round 2
No but seriously I've had both K and D and they've been great, but in terms of higher power 7's, duratec is the way forward. If you go and buy a high power K now, you know what will happen, several ideal duratecs will miraculously appear overnight. Maybe give it until the end of May, there'll be more available then.
The other option is to buy a much cheaper K now, say superlight spec (which will hold it's value) for £14-£15k with lsd, 6speed, widetrack etc to make sure you "like" 7's then when you're sure you do part ex for an R3/400D. There seems to be quite a few people coming straight into 7's, R400's and particulalrly R500's and then selling them within a short space of time, as if they haven't really gel'd with them. I think the the R500D on top gear had alot to do with this. The other thing driving the D choice is residuals. High power K's are and will fall in value as more D's become available. All in my opinion of course.
No but seriously I've had both K and D and they've been great, but in terms of higher power 7's, duratec is the way forward. If you go and buy a high power K now, you know what will happen, several ideal duratecs will miraculously appear overnight. Maybe give it until the end of May, there'll be more available then.
The other option is to buy a much cheaper K now, say superlight spec (which will hold it's value) for £14-£15k with lsd, 6speed, widetrack etc to make sure you "like" 7's then when you're sure you do part ex for an R3/400D. There seems to be quite a few people coming straight into 7's, R400's and particulalrly R500's and then selling them within a short space of time, as if they haven't really gel'd with them. I think the the R500D on top gear had alot to do with this. The other thing driving the D choice is residuals. High power K's are and will fall in value as more D's become available. All in my opinion of course.
Edited by SLR400 on Sunday 2nd May 09:01
150bhp is nice on the road, that's pretty much what my VVC K has before I converted it to R400 spec and it went really well, but you will want more power, especially if you venture onto track, with a Sigma there is limited easy tuning potential, if you can afford a Duratec then I would hang on, I really would, unless of course you are happy to settle for 1 year then upgrade in which case something like a superlight as suggested makes perfect sense, if you buy right you won't lose a penny
To buy a Duratec now you may have to wait a while.... But at least once you have it you wont have to have it off the road while the head gaskets being done!
Now waits for a load of posts from people with a K series trying to justify their purchase...
The K series is simply an inferior engine on all levels...
Now waits for a load of posts from people with a K series trying to justify their purchase...
The K series is simply an inferior engine on all levels...
Edited by buzzer on Sunday 2nd May 14:03
buzzer said:
To buy a Duratec now you may have to wait a while.... But at least once you have it you wont have to have it off the road while the head gaskets being done!
Now waits for a load of posts from people with a K series trying to justify their purchase...
The K series is simply an inferior engine on all levels...
Correct. The D wasn't around 15 years ago. Surprisingly technology has moved on. I've got a K, but would happily upgrade to a D if I wanted big power. I'm not justifying anything here btw!Now waits for a load of posts from people with a K series trying to justify their purchase...
The K series is simply an inferior engine on all levels...
Using your knowledge of engines, why will the head gasket *have* to be done on a K? Are you aware of what generally tends to cause the HG to go on a K?
The D *is* a more advanced engine design and for a given power output will be under a lower state of tune, which suggests increased reliability....
fergus said:
The D *is* a more advanced engine design and for a given power output will be under a lower state of tune, which suggests increased reliability....
...plus it has been engineered correctly with the correctly specified materials out of the box....I don't hear of (m)any hgfs on Ks that have the later gaskets and dowels....I love the revvy nature of the K - it really suits these cars...but after driving that DR300 I have to say that you really can have your cake and eat it now.
I didnt want to start a K vs Duratec row so thanks for all the comments.
As a newbie seems to be all things progress over time and the Duratec is a progression.
The K-series obviously has been there a long time and continues to have many satisfied customers.
I think I will hang on for a Duratec or Cosworth (any views on Duratec vs Cosworth?).
The next things is to find one so if anyone sees an R300 or R400 Duratec for sale please let me know - maybe I should offer a finders fee!!
As a newbie seems to be all things progress over time and the Duratec is a progression.
The K-series obviously has been there a long time and continues to have many satisfied customers.
I think I will hang on for a Duratec or Cosworth (any views on Duratec vs Cosworth?).
The next things is to find one so if anyone sees an R300 or R400 Duratec for sale please let me know - maybe I should offer a finders fee!!
rubystone said:
fergus said:
The D *is* a more advanced engine design and for a given power output will be under a lower state of tune, which suggests increased reliability....
...plus it has been engineered correctly with the correctly specified materials out of the box....I don't hear of (m)any hgfs on Ks that have the later gaskets and dowels....I love the revvy nature of the K - it really suits these cars...but after driving that DR300 I have to say that you really can have your cake and eat it now.
huwdm said:
I think I will hang on for a Duratec or Cosworth (any views on Duratec vs Cosworth?).
Huw,If by Cosworth you mean the 2.3l Duratec in the CSR 200 and 260, then my guess is that you would be looking for the CSR260 Superlight. The 2.3l is a great engine, but with a slightly different delivery to the 2.0l. You'd want to try one to see if you liked the way it works, but the double wishbone rear end is rather potent on track.
I'm 7 + years on a K/VHPD and have been thinking on and off last year/two on doing to a Big D....
the plusses:
- i have a very good VHPD to sell
- mates right onto my Caterham 6 spd box
- just have to have the spare dosh (note to self, book wife on spa holiday now!)
- my frame, etc are in great shape so i don't have to buy a new car
the minuses:
- going to skin front of car when cut hole in drivers side
- won't be able to continue to disprove K reliability stories any more
- will leave a hole in my wallet for a while (unless buy wrecked Mazda6 and move engine over)
- heavier engine
I know my list is longer than that, but above is how i'm either going to home in on the mother of all CSR's, or just upgrade our SV. frankly i don't see the sense in a new car to one who's frame, etc are all in great nick and work well. after using our car on 4 of the 5 continents over 7 years she needs a respray, so new skin, engine, and spray pretty much all need to be done at once....
ph well, enough dreaming for now, back to work on the BH
the plusses:
- i have a very good VHPD to sell
- mates right onto my Caterham 6 spd box
- just have to have the spare dosh (note to self, book wife on spa holiday now!)
- my frame, etc are in great shape so i don't have to buy a new car
the minuses:
- going to skin front of car when cut hole in drivers side
- won't be able to continue to disprove K reliability stories any more
- will leave a hole in my wallet for a while (unless buy wrecked Mazda6 and move engine over)
- heavier engine
I know my list is longer than that, but above is how i'm either going to home in on the mother of all CSR's, or just upgrade our SV. frankly i don't see the sense in a new car to one who's frame, etc are all in great nick and work well. after using our car on 4 of the 5 continents over 7 years she needs a respray, so new skin, engine, and spray pretty much all need to be done at once....
ph well, enough dreaming for now, back to work on the BH
huwdm,
I can't offer much opinion on the Duratec vs K series as I've never been in a K. I would say think carefully about what you want though... I bought a new car and it started off as an R300, then order changed to R400 and it ended up being an R500 with sequential box. It was definitely the right decision for me... probably spends half its time on the track.
If you get an R300 will you always have that niggling thought you need more power?
I can't offer much opinion on the Duratec vs K series as I've never been in a K. I would say think carefully about what you want though... I bought a new car and it started off as an R300, then order changed to R400 and it ended up being an R500 with sequential box. It was definitely the right decision for me... probably spends half its time on the track.
If you get an R300 will you always have that niggling thought you need more power?
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