k2rum

[andytommo]

My names' Andy Tomkins. Ive got a Caterham7. I know this is forbidden in the vally of the MGF..

..However, I have been invited into the Knitting club because i know Tim and can russle up a loose knit arran sweater in a couple afternoons!

Andy

[TimW]

Good to see you aboard the board andy.

We know that the Caterham is in a different class to our cars but at least we share a power plant.

Now for the others it might be nice to list a bit of the history of the car and your dealings with Mr Dave (we're not worthy) Andrews.

can you do a nice cable knit...?

Tim

[Rob Bell]

ROFL Andy - and welcome aboard.

Hope you mind mingling with us lowly MG knitters!

[andytommo]

cough, cough

well tim,

Its a 1995 1400cc k series supersport.It was a sealed race engine. This means that it had the Caterhams own aluminium plenum-giving about 135hp.

i bought it from Caterham directly, and as it had been stripped and raced to within an inch of its life, needed lots of TLC.

It has a FIA race roll cage which allows you to put the hood over the top of it if if you have the finger strength of a mature silverback gorilla.

It ate its alternator and had a dodgy wiring. The 1400 was a great engine but I wanted more torque and effort less low down pulling power-(you had to rev it crazily to get power)


I aproached our spiritual leader (Sir David of Andrews) through the medium of Peter Carmicheal. I bought a 1800cc (non VVC ex crashed MGF ) engine from Dave and Peter and i spent many a night fitting it. I was the chief grease monkey as i was technically inept.(i'm better now)

essentially the engine didnt work- (please note that it was not daves fault but one of his suppliers not tightenin gup some widget or another.

we took it back to dave, he fixed it quickly and we put it back in again. Dave threw in some vernier pulleys for free!

Final spec- 1800cc K with Caterham superlight flywheel. Piper Vernier pulleys, Piper Cams ('quite hairy but not the hairiest ones'') 4 into 1 race exhaust, aluminium radiator, new engine wiring loom, ECU and immobiliser from the superlight.

result= we think the horse power to be slightly improved over the 1400k but torque is noticably stronger.

Mr dave suggests bolting on Emerald and Throttle bodies to see 180hp.

the caterham is off the road to save pennies at the moment.

[TimW]

Andy,

As you may know from your darling wife, I'm off to Emerald on the 6th March for the mapping, there may be a chance to stick you car on the rollers to see what kind of bhp you actually have. I'd be mighty miffed if it were any where near 160bhp with the mere inclusion of a decent 4-2-1 race manifold. In essence that is the biggest problem with the MGF and elise

Tim

[Rob Bell]

I'm seriously jealous! Sounds as though you have an awsome car there Andy

Any naughty DVA head work?

One day I'll build my own Caterham. It's one of those things that I've always promised myself. Almost got one 8 years ago, but lack of space/time/tools (at that time) scuppered the project. But one day, a Caterham will be mine, oh yes, one day a Caterham will be mine... ;D (And apologies to Mike Myers for badly paraphrasing one of his Wayne's World catchphrases!)

[andytommo]

No, Rob its a pleasure and honour to be invited to click needles with you guys.

The MGF is also a cool British sports car too with lots of potential for upgrades. It is also vastly more practical to live with than a Caterham.

I know You will get your Caterham-and when you do, it sounds like you will have lots of people to help you build it!

Tim, the car is not developing anything like 160hp. Thanks for the invitation to emerald, but the little orange roller skate is nestled in its garage like a hibernating doormouse! Have a great time, that thing will be spining its wheels in all gears!



Andy

[dave]

Hi Andy,

Welcome to the magic circle.

""I was the chief grease monkey as i was technically inept.(i'm better now)"

That's my ambition (even a lowly grease monkey) I'm hoping to learn a lot from all this.

I'd also love to build a Caterham, but ...wife, four daughters, mortgage, about to become a Grandad ... need I say more

[Neil Loud Fer and Labrat]

well I have a very lowly Rover 214 aka the LabRat

(as well as the F)

So I have a safe environment for ze experiments

[ScarletFever]

Welcome Andy, sounds like you have a bit of a gem of a motor there - i'm not jealous really!

This is shaping up to be a good little forum - a bit like the 'inner sanctum' for K owners! LOL ;D