Pierre Gillet Posted August 13, 2000 Share Posted August 13, 2000 Another way to improve performance is obviously to improve the Cx. I saw somewhere that it is actually very high (0.6?).But there is probably very little that we can do. I changed the side mirrors and put a small motorbike licence plate on the front. That is about all. Other ideas? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Johnson Posted August 14, 2000 Share Posted August 14, 2000 I do not know the legalities of it, but the guys at work who are into motorbikes & specifically streetfighters suggest I should replace the headlights with motobike style twin ones (don't know what they are called) I have not, I'm too addicted to looking in the reflections of my lovely shiny ones at night Geoff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simos Posted August 14, 2000 Share Posted August 14, 2000 The coefficient of drag for a 7 is roughly the same as dutch barn (with good sized cow shed on the side). About the biggest change you can make is to change to an aeroscreen. Everything else is just cumulative small changes such as changing you headlights to smaller ones to reduce frontal area, taping up loose wites and bonnet springs etc to give a smoother air flow, cleaning up the underside (cut off protruding bolt heads), make the rollbar into a more airfoil shape (round is one of the worst shapes you can use) etc etc. However unless you put in some serious work and possibly seriously change the look of your seven I doubt you'd see much advantage below 80-100mph... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glen Posted August 14, 2000 Share Posted August 14, 2000 Although reducing drag is obviously going to make a difference (not withstanding it being difficult to actually change this without altering the classic appearance of the car) the other, just as fundamental, factor in aerodynamic efficiency is the total frontal area - from which point of view a Seven is better than almost any other car. So the coefficient is woeful, the frontal area wonderful and the net package fairly poor without being completely useless. One reason that Sevens feel like a parachute is because the effect of engine braking is roughly doubled because of the halving of the momentum due to weight. And I very much agree with Geoff about the headlights - what else is there to do when stuck behind traffic but admire the length of one's bonnet. Or something. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pierre Gillet Posted August 16, 2000 Author Share Posted August 16, 2000 Thank you for your thoughts. Well, I am curious to explore the "smaller headlights" track. How do they suit the car? Does it still look like a Seven? Cheers, Pierre Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graeme Smith Posted August 16, 2000 Share Posted August 16, 2000 I've seen smaller headlamps on some Caterhams - can look a bit West*****-ish... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simos Posted August 17, 2000 Share Posted August 17, 2000 I know that james Whiting does a headlight replacement package with smaller lights 44 (0) 1784 241 466 or Europa (specialist spares) do a whole range (which may or may not be suitable) 44 (0) 1283 815609 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pierre Gillet Posted August 17, 2000 Author Share Posted August 17, 2000 OK. I have the James Whiting catalogue, and the price for a pair seems to be very reasonable ( less than 100 £ for a pair).But it may look like a Donk..... Cheers, Pierre Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simos Posted August 18, 2000 Share Posted August 18, 2000 There was a 7ish kit car I recall seeing once which had retractable headlights, they popped out of the side of the nose cone on stalks to give them legal height etc. Just a thought. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ross Posted August 18, 2000 Share Posted August 18, 2000 - light car company "rocket" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pierre Gillet Posted August 18, 2000 Author Share Posted August 18, 2000 Really high tech! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHRIS CLARK Posted August 19, 2000 Share Posted August 19, 2000 There is/was a 'Rocket' for sale at Caterham HQ. Info. still on website? Very neat car! If aerodynamics is 'your thing' then don't buy a 7. I too love the look of the car from the headlight shell reflection. Poor Superlight owners with those black blobs; serves 'em right bah!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marius Posted August 19, 2000 Share Posted August 19, 2000 Fitted small Harley-headlights to my seven. Find photos at www.mospeed.de Cheers ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pierre Gillet Posted August 19, 2000 Author Share Posted August 19, 2000 Marius, have visited your site. It is great! The harley head lamps look fine. Did you lower the mounting bracket also? Cheers, Pierre Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now