Match Mazda MX-5 vs Caterham 160S

Not exactly a "VS" but interesting to watch tho,

First ever Caterham 160 meet!

Today was our first 160 get together at The Pot Kiln pub in Frilsham West Berkshire. It took me just under a couple of hours to get down the Fosseway and down through Chipping Norton to get there but once there and meeting up with Peter, Ned, Simon and Martin was so much fun.  Five 160's in a row! A great sight to see and all different in there own way. We all built them them roughly(ish at the same time) swapping notes and photos on blatchat so getting together and seeing the cars and chatting non stop for a couple of hours about all our build problems was great fun.

I look forward to the next meeting, cheers to all.

Just a little note but my little black 160 has been just fantastic over the summer, No problems at all and starts on the button,  I think it's going to be a very reliable car, But with 1/4tank(or less) of fuel and no passenger the 160 really does motor along nicely Although ear plugs are a must on long journeys.

MPG in the 160

Well I'm just going to say it seem's that with most people who buy sevens fuel economy isn't exactly much of a concern and I understand that. Get out and drive it, have fun in it, race it, how much fuel you use having all this fun is of minor concern to most.

I drive my seven in a spirited but safe way and I don't really keep eye on on mpg normally but my last tank of unleaded got me 49. something mpg. I have just filled up with 29.11 litres after 323.2 buzzing miles (from 1 tank) which I think gives me 50.47 miles per gallon, I think is just fantastic.

 Caterham have got the 160 spot on I reckon, Light and small engined perfect balance for road driving with out getting into too much trouble and it's economical, personally I think it's bloody brilliant.

1000 mile service

Well I have just nearly completed the first service on the Caterham 160 which went well, I struggled at first to remove the oil filter but after a quick trip to get an oil filter removal tool from Halfords it came off no problem.

There seems to be a little confusion over reference numbers, bare with me... the genuine filter as above is 16510-81404, however Caterham told me the reference number was fram ph 4997. After a trip to GSF car parts I bought the equivalent filtres purflux ls 896 /1206M0070.

I know that other owners have used different filters, all I know is that this fits a treat. I used 3lts of shell helix pro 5w-30. After a quick engine run to warm it up and make sure that there are no leaks all seems ok and as soon as I started the engine the oil pressure went up to 4 and not just above the red line so that little problem seems sorted as well. :-)

N/B It's a good job I thought I'd take the rear wheels off for a clean up and check around I found that the near side front lower radius arm M12 bolt was spin around loose! I'm going check all the nuts around the car just in case.

I was just about to change the diff oil and realised that it takes 1.3 litres and I only have a 1 litre bottle another trip to halfrauds looms.

Well 1 week later I have finally changed the diff oil, Which went well although if you have glued your boot carpet down I would imagine that it would be a bit of a nightmare, First remove carpet then the wooden shelf this gives great access to remove the metal cap on the top of the diff a little gentle persuasion with a screwdriver did it for me just don't lose the spring inside, then under the diff undo the drain plug/bolt and washer. Once its drained refit bolt then I used a small funnel to pour the 1.3 ltrs of diff oil in this did take a while.

Also today I fitted the door mirrors from the windscreen (to get thru the iva test)to the doors not knowing how far back they go I had a guess at around 5" and got drilling and then found that the holes are all ready pre drilled although covered in vinyl it was just good luck that I drilled thru the holes on the first go! All you have to do is feel along the vinyl and you can feel the holes in the metal framework ,just mark and drill,  They look much better on the doors than on the windscreen time will tell if they work better.

The fashion police

Well I've been using the 160 most days when I can so when my wife asked me to pick up a few things from Morrisons Supermarket after collecting my son from primary school I thought no problem.... my idea of a few bits is rather different from my wife's! only just squeezed it all in but my main problem was my shoes!!

Luminous blue sparco race boots!  I swear everyone looked at them from the second I walked in, all probably thinking what the hell have you got on your feet! personally I couldn't give a monkeys but just in case i'll be popping a spare pair of shoes in the boot to blend in more next time! 

In the garden and a little spin.

last weekend in the sunshine nice and clean (plenty of autoglym polish) although the following day was torrential rain, It still didn't stop me from going out and having some fun although I found out that the roundabout outside the Aston Martin factory is a little slippy when wet:-)' I went into the roundabout a bit to quick and after a perfect 180 spin ended up facing the wrong way! luckily no one else was around no harm done part from to my heart rate!

I have managed to get up to just over a 1000 miles with no problems at all, I'll be changing the oil and filter at the weekend which I'm hoping will resolve a slightly low oil pressure reading.

A few little upgrade's

After seeing the idea on blatchat fitting a high level brake light seem'd to be a very worth while addition, Keeping visible and maybe a bit safer can only be a good thing.

I've mounted it on the r/h side just below the level of the half hood which is on most of the time at the moment(english weather), You need the high level brake loom from caterham which fits easily to the connections already fitted to the r/h side of the fuel tank, just take out the plastic bung behind the wheel where the indicator electrics pass through and fit the new loom, you can't go wrong as they only fit one way.The light is a FIA approved led unit from car builder solutions picked up from the stoneleigh kit car show. I must admit so far i've been impressed with it and its certainly a lot brighter than the main brake lights.

Next up was to fit a power socket for my phone and sat nav which I bought from ALM electrical solutions at the classic car show, Once you have found the cables for the charger ,pre fitted by caterham hidden behind the other cables under the dash its just a case of a bit of wire and crimping on some male & female spade connectors and plug them in, easy.

I have fitted the unit to the passenger knee guard just drilled into the ally panel and screwed the charger in place a quick test to make sure that it works and job done.  :-)

Gaydon Heritage classic car show

I just had to smile at the hinges on this fantastic lotus 7 ss, 1969 and they haven't changed a bit!

These photos where taken yesterday at the classic car show near gaydon although there was a bit of rain around (it didn't stop us from going in the 160)it was a good morning out with plenty of great cars to see.

For a caterham/lotus fan it doesn't get better than this where it all began,

Out enjoying the country side

What a great weekend out and about in the 160 ,having fun is what it's all about.

The 12 volt socket cables

Ned your cars looking great now finished , I found this cable under the dash passenger side which I think is the one, one black cable the other purple and red, It may well be tucked under or behind all the other cables

I hope this this helps, Mike

First Drive!

After a 2 week wait yesterday my v5 came through from the dvla and i couldn't get to halfords quick enough to get the plates made up after a bit of drilling and some double sided tape they were on and I was off down the road!

We even had time to pop down to blue lias pub to meet the Bear 7's at there monthly meet it was great to chat with everyone see you all again next month

Grinning like some cheshire cat and having a blast around the country lanes. I can't wait for the weekend for another blat!

nb Not long back from a wet afternoon drive and thoughts of taking it easy(breaking the engine in)are out of the window with the 160 every minute seems to be at max attack speed! just fantastic.

1, The Oxted Thundersport half hood is worth every penny, it fit's well and looks good and keeps the rain off well even in heavy rain. 

2, The knee guard in the passenger foot well rattles all the time and will be removed this morning.I was thinking of mounting a charger to it but I will now be thinking of a different location.

3, At the stoneleigh kit car show i bought a high level FIA led brake light from car builder solutions ,you do need the high level wiring loom from caterham parts which is on order ,now realising how low you really are compared to other cars(i.e. eyeline is bumper height to most cars!) I think anything that helps being seen is a good thing.

4, The gearing seems quirky at first.1st is very low and most of the time 3rd and 4th is the gear to be in with 5th almost like an overdrive. And changing down to second for say a corner you soon realise that 3rd is the gear to be in as changing down to 2nd just sends the revs soaring. Anyway just listening to the little turbo spin which ever gear puts a good smile on my face:-)

At last it starts!

Well caterham have had the car since just before the Easter break I was getting frustrated that they had not been able to start the car, The ECU had been removed and sent down to the factory to be checked and was tested with no faults found re-fitted it still did not start(or so I was led to believe), After a new ECU was fitted and extended cranking it has drawn the fuel and fired up! It looks like the original ECU would turn the crank but wouldn't draw fuel through.

I'm so pleased that at last the car starts and also my z number has come through and an IVA test has been booked for next thursday, I might have have car back next weekend , I can't wait.

And off it goes

The garage is empty! It feels rather strange with the car not there, As today it was collected by caterham for it's post build check and IVA test. Along with a list of items that need sorting mainly down to either not having the correct parts or parts not fitting but nothing to serious. I think the main thing is the rear axle which is to be replaced due to the top hat brackets not being welded in place to mount the brake line, I ran out of time with trying to start the car which I was really looking forward to doing but I'm just going to have to wait until it comes back for that. I suspect may be the ECU either way just a bit beyond my abilities to sort out.

Out of the garage for the first time. Just rolled it out getting it in position to push it up the ramp was easier than i thought, Mainly due to it's lack of weight.

All loaded up.

The caterham van and trailer I'll be pleased to see it again soon I hope with the car all ready to drive, I can't wait.

Touch Down!

With all the work that I can do done I thought that it was time to lower to car down to the floor,..A few tense minutes followed. I used a length of 3x2 timber to spread the load and inched it down a bit at the back then a bit a the front until touch down great to see it off the axle stands, It seems so low! now that its down.

Sticker time.

The smile is the relief thats it's done!

Wing mirrors on, re mounting the screw to the adaptor was a tricky little job ,I can see that these should work better than door mounted mirrors.

Bonnet on and the rear view mirror fitted

If only I could get the engine to start,...It looks like i'm not the only one with starting up problems. Earth cables on and checked several times ,3/4 of tank of fuel, oil pressure ok , immobiliser off press starter button engine turns over but it just does not start not even a bite. Any ideas?

Keys in the ignition position 2 (orange engine light flashes on and off)

When trying to start oil pressure goes up to just under 4

I got this low profile jack from machine mart and it worked a treat i'm glad that i went for the low version there really is not a lot of room under the car.

Not far off

Its been a good few days in the garage with only a few jobs left to do at least there are no box's left.

I thought I'd put the nose cone on to see what it looks like, Great I think! popped the badge on too.

The hood at first had me baffled (I should have read the manual first) hood sticks in the lowest position first then fit to screen followed by the boot then move the hood sticks into position inside.

At last my key lock/Ignition has arrived! At first I was unsure which cables went where and if i'm honest I'm still not sure if i have it right. The cable on the left is white(I have white cables from the back of the starter button) not black and purple as derek's described 

I found this helpful on 700newtons blog(thankyou) I have put my white wire where the black and purple is, I'll find out later if it has worked.

Keys in time to see if anything works! The dash lights up ta da!

Wipers on ,I got the wrong angle to start with and it took me a while to work out how to remove them its just a screw driver needed under the metal clip ease it out slightly and the wiper comes off.

I still can't believe I got the wiring spot on first go! Switched on the ignition switched the lights on and bingo, I was almost jumping for joy .All working perfectly and a big sigh of relief.

Dash light's up for the first time

With the Lights and indicators tested I was able to fit the radiator in position some of the hose clips were a bit tricky

My trusty side kick charlie

Heat shield on

This is a bit frustrating one of the roof poppers is out by a good 1/2 inch derek assures me this can be looked at the PBC

The tunnel cover was not easy to fit ,The handbrake has to be as high as it goes.

Doors on and clips on ,seats in ,knee panels on rivets etc ,I think i may have missed a few bits out the blog!

Radiator fitted

Amazingly my soldering on the bullit connector has worked!

Cut down 3/8ths spanner to get to the not so easy gearbox plug ,I used a funnel wedged in the top which just about did it If I held on to it whilst looking over the to wait and see when it dribbled out although i put put in a bit to much and used an old can to catch the excess.

Coolant time, Funny I found this quite exiting,...In my excited rush I thought that I would put some fuel in the tank I had 4 or 5 jerry cans in the shed so I grabbed one put the funnel on and poured it in,...(don't laugh) but in my rush I didn't notice the words 2 stroke(faded) I had written on it some time ago. What an idiot 

It took me about an hour to syphon out the red fuel mix flush and it out until I had clear petrol running through.

I'm off to get some more petrol and see if i can get the car started.

Fingers crossed.