I enjoyed this v. much. I owned a Vegantune-engined Lotus Seven S3 as a young man back in the 1980s. Played about on the hillclimb circuit for a spell. Ownership wasn't only about driving; it was also an apprenticeship in maintenance and tweaking. I'm tempted to scratch the itch again.
Nice video. I've got a 420 and have just had the engine upgraded to 275 bhp by a company called Premier Power here in England (I presume you're in the US). It's basically their take on an R500 engine. No disrespect to Caterham, but they're still building to a price even though they're a small scale specialist manufacturer. I could have probably got a 620 for the same money but they're not without their problems but the naturally aspirated engine is absolutely amazing. It now revs to 8,500rpm and goes absolutely ballistic above 5,000 RPM. We call it "upgraditis" and I've got it bad!
I very much like the sound of that. What upgrades did they do? My car seems to be able to put all the power down on to the road ... the car has not been on the dyno but my guess is the power curve is very smooth. Best wishes
@@cinnabarproductions8542 It keeps the crank and block but pistons, rods, cams, springs are all new. The standard ECUs are locked so very difficult to properly maps them whereas with the upgrade comes a programmable ECU and a proper run-in and power runs on the dyno. As they say, power sells engines, torque wins races. The torque curve on my engine is beautifully smooth and climbs from 5,000 rpm to 180lb-ft all the way to the limiter. It's basically as far as you can sensibly go without seriously sacrificing driveability. It pootles round town just as it did before but when you put your foot down, it goes bananas (spins up the rears in second as it comes on cam!)
Interesting video 🤙🏻 You hear everyone complaining about the 620r 'issues', however as a 620r owner I believe these are predominantly found when they are used on the road. My car is tracked only and pushed incredibly hard and has not missed a beat. Looking forward to see how the 450HPR progresses 🏎
Not that I am in any way disappointed with this car but I still wonder if I should have waited for the 620 ...but it just seemed way to long. However, Josh, from RMC, was spot on with the power delivery of the 450 ...it puts it all down on the road and throttle control is excellent. I'm looking forward to next spring (long winters here in Wisconsin) and getting it on the track.
I love anything in relation Caterham cars. Yours look great by the way. I have tried one out and I´m still putting money aside and trying to find a good enough argument to get one and there in lays the problem. There are no good reason or argument to spend that kind of money on a car that offers no creature comfort but try one and you will find that reason. I think it is in the way that you suddenly feel that you are driving the car because it has no driver aids do stuff for you. Except make you SMILE!
The car is very single minded. I have a little over 600 miles on it now - but never driven for more than 60 miles at most (and often less), at any one time, and not to go anywhere ... but just to drive it. It's an expensive toy, but as you say ... once you drive one then it's all you want.
Robert, thanks for the suggestion. Ididn't build the car, that was done by Rocky Mountain Caterham, and I only have a handful of photos of the event. I have been thinking of doing a video close up of the mechanics and enhancements ... with commentary giving my (humble) opinions
I had a Lotus Elise Club R modded was a beautiful car and have love for the 7. Unfortunately my circumstances had changed and had to sell thr Lotus, even been through so many car mostly Japanese modded vehicles. I bought the lotus coz of thr Japanese Toyota engine.
Further to my last comments i be following your videos find them cool. In the near future ill be getting one of these and was trying to decide between the two models.
@@cinnabarproductions8542 450 or 620 but looks like maybr 450 im gonna take my time its not going to be for a few years lol. Usually i get cars stright away but i would like to wait out on this one lol. Let us know what you think of this and any issues you get. The lotus i had quite abit problems like i the lacquer on da headlights and the roof been 5 times the 5 one i got for free from lotus the finally admitted fault lol. I hope your all well. The engine no problems.
At 7:23 re: brakes. Remember due to the low centre of gravity and firm suspension that the 7 doesn't pitch very much under braking, so you're not experiencing the normal sensation that you are accustomed to in a regular, taller more softly sprung car.
Yes, you are spot on ... but one gets so accustomed to pitch and tire squeal on regular cars it is a little disconcerting at first ... as if nothing much is happening and the car is not shedding enough speed. Several times I arrived at the corner way to slow and realized I had over braked. Just don't want to get too cocky and miss the corner altogether lol.
I enjoyed this v. much. I owned a Vegantune-engined Lotus Seven S3 as a young man back in the 1980s. Played about on the hillclimb circuit for a spell. Ownership wasn't only about driving; it was also an apprenticeship in maintenance and tweaking. I'm tempted to scratch the itch again.
Thanks for the comments Duncan. Watch that itch ... it can become an obsession!
Nice video. I've got a 420 and have just had the engine upgraded to 275 bhp by a company called Premier Power here in England (I presume you're in the US). It's basically their take on an R500 engine. No disrespect to Caterham, but they're still building to a price even though they're a small scale specialist manufacturer. I could have probably got a 620 for the same money but they're not without their problems but the naturally aspirated engine is absolutely amazing. It now revs to 8,500rpm and goes absolutely ballistic above 5,000 RPM. We call it "upgraditis" and I've got it bad!
I very much like the sound of that. What upgrades did they do?
My car seems to be able to put all the power down on to the road ... the car has not been on the dyno but my guess is the power curve is very smooth.
Best wishes
@@cinnabarproductions8542 It keeps the crank and block but pistons, rods, cams, springs are all new. The standard ECUs are locked so very difficult to properly maps them whereas with the upgrade comes a programmable ECU and a proper run-in and power runs on the dyno. As they say, power sells engines, torque wins races. The torque curve on my engine is beautifully smooth and climbs from 5,000 rpm to 180lb-ft all the way to the limiter. It's basically as far as you can sensibly go without seriously sacrificing driveability. It pootles round town just as it did before but when you put your foot down, it goes bananas (spins up the rears in second as it comes on cam!)
Interesting video 🤙🏻
You hear everyone complaining about the 620r 'issues', however as a 620r owner I believe these are predominantly found when they are used on the road. My car is tracked only and pushed incredibly hard and has not missed a beat.
Looking forward to see how the 450HPR progresses 🏎
Not that I am in any way disappointed with this car but I still wonder if I should have waited for the 620 ...but it just seemed way to long. However, Josh, from RMC, was spot on with the power delivery of the 450 ...it puts it all down on the road and throttle control is excellent. I'm looking forward to next spring (long winters here in Wisconsin) and getting it on the track.
@@cinnabarproductions8542 Looking forward to seeing some flat action on the track 🤙🏻🏎
I love anything in relation Caterham cars. Yours look great by the way. I have tried one out and I´m still putting money aside and trying to find a good enough argument to get one and there in lays the problem. There are no good reason or argument to spend that kind of money on a car that offers no creature comfort but try one and you will find that reason.
I think it is in the way that you suddenly feel that you are driving the car because it has no driver aids do stuff for you. Except make you SMILE!
The car is very single minded. I have a little over 600 miles on it now - but never driven for more than 60 miles at most (and often less), at any one time, and not to go anywhere ... but just to drive it. It's an expensive toy, but as you say ... once you drive one then it's all you want.
Very nice car. I'm scratch building a similar one, called Locost, using a Ford Duratec 2.5L engine with a MX5 6 speed manual transmission.
Thanks! Is yours a Caterham chassis?
@@cinnabarproductions8542 No, it is a scratch built Locost. I'm building the chassis as well.
Ok...send photos if you can, I would be interested in seeing it.
@@cinnabarproductions8542 Do a YT video of the build. I have a 25yo RobinHood Exmo ( similar design to Locost ) that I built there was no YT then.
Robert, thanks for the suggestion. Ididn't build the car, that was done by Rocky Mountain Caterham, and I only have a handful of photos of the event. I have been thinking of doing a video close up of the mechanics and enhancements ... with commentary giving my (humble) opinions
I had a Lotus Elise Club R modded was a beautiful car and have love for the 7.
Unfortunately my circumstances had changed and had to sell thr Lotus, even been through so many car mostly Japanese modded vehicles. I bought the lotus coz of thr Japanese Toyota engine.
Further to my last comments i be following your videos find them cool. In the near future ill be getting one of these and was trying to decide between the two models.
Thank you for all of your comments.
Which models were you considering?
@@cinnabarproductions8542 450 or 620 but looks like maybr 450 im gonna take my time its not going to be for a few years lol. Usually i get cars stright away but i would like to wait out on this one lol. Let us know what you think of this and any issues you get. The lotus i had quite abit problems like i the lacquer on da headlights and the roof been 5 times the 5 one i got for free from lotus the finally admitted fault lol. I hope your all well. The engine no problems.
At 7:23 re: brakes. Remember due to the low centre of gravity and firm suspension that the 7 doesn't pitch very much under braking, so you're not experiencing the normal sensation that you are accustomed to in a regular, taller more softly sprung car.
Yes, you are spot on ... but one gets so accustomed to pitch and tire squeal on regular cars it is a little disconcerting at first ... as if nothing much is happening and the car is not shedding enough speed. Several times I arrived at the corner way to slow and realized I had over braked. Just don't want to get too cocky and miss the corner altogether lol.
I really enjoyed this video, hot my sub and like