Making it faster

[Robert Cadiz]

So I have a 2008 duratec r400 that has been upgraded to 240 bhp.  It has a BGH sporting close 5 speed gearbox.  It is by no means slow, I just want it to go faster!

Not just corner or stop faster, I want it to accelerate and go down the straights faster. 

In the words of Walter Rohrl:
"A car is just fast enough when you stand in front of it in the morning and are afraid to unlock it."

So apart from selling it and getting a 620r, what are my options?  I still want it driveable and reliable.  I feel like a 2.3 or 2.5 would suit the gearbox well but without the obvious "throw loads of money at the engine" what else is there?

Different diff?  Top speed is not that important.

Six speed gearbox?

Thanks :)

Robert

 

[Bottrill]

If that's not fast enough, buy a superbike. 

[ECG1000]

Fit an aeroscreen?

[Wrightpayne]

Driver tuition

[mike150]

Not helpful when the Op stated he wants is to go faster in a straight line.

 

A 620 is the logical step imo.

[Wrightpayne]

He did mention corners as well! 

Its a genuine suggestion as many who have had the tuition on L7 trackdays will testify. At one time a days driver training was included with the high power cars (HPC)

Ian

[Robert Cadiz]

So, buy a super bike. I race bikes for a hobby with ThunderSportGB​ and Bemsee. I have raced in superstock 1000 on an ex 2011 Padgett's fireblade with top 10 finishes. I have a 2006 blade which is built to hrc endurance spec. I currently race a minitwin and have podium and race wins in that class. I know what fast is on a superbike and buying one won't make my Caterham go any faster.

As for driver training i have two IAM qualifications. I have taken numerous instructor sessions at trackdays. I have also booked days with CAT and carlimits. I know there is loads of room to improve my skill as a driver and that i am working on. I'd race cars and bikes if i had the time and money. I have little of either.

I know the car is fast. At trackdays it is brilliant but i have to work hard on the brakes and in the corners. Which is also a lot of fun.

But i also want to launch down the straights with an OMG! From the passenger.

So an aero screen, less drag. Seems a sensible cost effective option. Maybe gearing, I've seen just over 144 on the gps so can afford to loose a little top speed.

The car tips the scales at 565 kg. What are the options to make it lighter. Im not a fatty but at 83 kg losing a few pounds would always help.

Or on the scale of diminishing returns am i on a loosing battle?

 

Thanks,

Robert

 

[ChrisC]

I think if you want OMG in the straights its got to be a 620R.  The rest is just going to be marginal gains. 

[mike150]

An aeroscreen makes a big difference but after that I'd say it gets very expensive very quickly to get any more power or make the car significantly lighter. Lithium battery, carbon panels, titanium exhaust and fasteners but you're into a few thousand pounds to loose 20-30kgs.

[Shaun_E]

144 at what RPM? Sounds like the gearing is too tall to me and I'm not convinced a 5 speed really works with a 2.0 Duratec. I run a 3.9 diff with a 6 speed box and 260 bhp at 8500rpm. Maxes out at 130mph but it gets there pretty quickly 

Aeroscreen is a good bet too.

[John Vine]

If a 620 is not an option, I'd suggest a 6-speed box.  I find it suits my 220bhp R400D very well. OK, so it makes the car comically undergeared, but helps it to accelerate like the wind.  I use an aeroscreen for trackdays.

JV

[Robert Cadiz]

Limiter cuts in at 8200. Could run higher but there were no real power gains on the dyno. I will look into gearbox and diff options.

A clear aero screen and half doors will be the first purchase.

 

Thanks

Robert

[CycleSi]

Hi Robert,

I hope you're well?

I would look at four key things:

1) Fit an Elite or Sadev sequential 6 speed box.

2) Fit an aero screen.

3) Fit a 4:2:1 manifold & exhaust fabricated by somebody who really understands exhausts and pipe & silencer sizing.

4) Then get it mapped by somebody like Troy at Northampton Motorsport or at Track n' Road in Rainham.

Regards, Simon

[DougBaker]

You could buy a Nissan Micra to drive during the week. The Seven would then certainly feel faster when you got in at the weekends

Aeroscreens are going to be the best first step as others have said.

[Paul McKenzie]

I can sell you a set of beautiful newly powder coated rims on crack tested Barnby mags with almost new Kumho supersofts, but I would want a good price for them ie £1500 . That's the wheels dept taken care of !

[JNC]

I would not recommend a Nissan Micra  !!! We took both rag tops in today for a small service and was given a Micra pool car to use for the day , I don't know if other road users think they are a joke or old persons car ! But in less than ten miles we had cars pull out in front of us cut in and generally we felt bullied, I was pleased to give it back .

[Robert Cadiz]

Nissan Micra? I think you guys are crazy! I have a Mazda 2 for the shopping run but still prefer the Caterham unless it's snowing ;)

 

[Robert Cadiz]

Car always feels fast the first day home. But after a day, just not fast enough.

Cycle Si, hope you're still happy with the lights​ :) car has been mapped at Northampton Motorsports, Troy says I'm limited buy the age of the engine as it's an early duratec.

 

Checked the build report, car has a quaife 3.92 LSD.

[Robert Cadiz]

So I'm looking for 6 speed gearbox​ options. Not a sequential. Seen options for 6 speed H pattern from quaife, Caterham and Drenth that are direct replacement for ford type9.

What ratios? What about straight cut gears?

[elie boone]

You could try and lose as much weight as you can, Avon ACB 10 tyres on all corners will save you about 15kg compared to radial tyres, then try to lose another 50kg. Staight cut gears are noisy but has less loss of power than a normal gearbox. 

[Piers300]

Get a Supercharger fitted !!!!!

Piers

[Gnockoff]

Put Academy wheels and tyres on the thing. You will spend all your time trying to keep it on the road so you won't have to worry about the speed. 

[Robert Cadiz]

I did look at a supercharger option.  And initially the cost looks very good.  But then the engine needs to be rebuilt with low compression pistons and the cost no longer looks so good.

I tried I sequential gearbox today and was surprised by how useable it was when in traffic.  

Robert

[jimh]

I had a CSR260 with six speed box and found it very low geared for road use. I was looking into changing the diff but sold it and got a 620R instead as I wanted a more track focused car anyway. I use aeroscreen for track days and it does make an amazing difference to the car. It is probably the most cost effective performance upgrade I have made.

The 620R does feel a bit faster than the CSR but not massively so. I would not describe it as OMG fast like a bike can feel. The sequential box is great though and no problem on the road despite what some will say.

[Simon.Rogers]

Robert. You had better bring a big notepad and some sandwiches ​tomorrow.

It's going to be a long day