david nelson Posted July 12, 2003 Share Posted July 12, 2003 I have seen 2 superlights on with a 1.6 (135BHP) in the other with 1.8 (144 BHP) any segestions to with engine i should go for and why? thanks David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Walker Posted July 12, 2003 Share Posted July 12, 2003 Having run both 1.6 and 1.8 I would now go for a 1.6 as the engine is much smoother and more responsive. The reason being the stroke on the 1.6 is shorter and the crank is much lighter. The only area where the 1.8 wins is torque. Also if you eventually want to tune the engine the 1.6 bottom end is much less stressed, 200 bhp no problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petrolhead Posted July 13, 2003 Share Posted July 13, 2003 Interesting question. Do you mean the cars at Caterham Midlands? I'm back Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david nelson Posted July 13, 2003 Author Share Posted July 13, 2003 yes what do u think? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robmar Posted July 14, 2003 Share Posted July 14, 2003 if you are planning to compete in the l7 sprint series then the 1.6 will put you in a much better class (competitiveness wise)... not sure if there is much difference on track performance wise, alhtough I have seen no actual data to back that up... rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason Plato Posted July 14, 2003 Share Posted July 14, 2003 Yeah ....class 5 with my little 1600 😬 Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robmar Posted July 14, 2003 Share Posted July 14, 2003 assuming on standard plenum than class 3 for 1600, and class 5 for the 1800 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Carmichael Posted July 14, 2003 Share Posted July 14, 2003 Class 5 for my little 1600 too... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason Plato Posted July 14, 2003 Share Posted July 14, 2003 If std plenum 1800's have to go in class 5 , then IMHP this should be changed to class 3 ?? Thoughts ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom7 Posted July 14, 2003 Share Posted July 14, 2003 1800 is class 4, its the tyres that move you into class 5. There was a discussion at the start of the year that plenum 1800's should compete alongside the 1600's, but it was decided they should be separate. Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scooby dooby doo Posted July 14, 2003 Share Posted July 14, 2003 on the road the 1.6 K SS is much nicer. if you're going to spend money on th engine later then get the 1.8 as it'll be better once you add TBs, Emerald, verniers etc. HOOPY R706KGU Hoopylight R Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy. N Posted July 14, 2003 Share Posted July 14, 2003 Dave 1664 - Your original question has already been summed up - 1600 considered by many to be the "sweetest" of the options (esp when paired with the 6 spd 'box) because of smoothness and responsiveness, whereas the 1800 has more torque and is less revvy in nature. Future upgrades (eg Supersport R) may be less expensive if you go 1800 now (rather than pay extra for it later on the 1600). Decide what you want to do with the car and then make your choice - I doubt you'll be disappointed either way. BUT - don't ignore the issue of the sprint class system. At some point you may want to enter a club sprint. As things stand an 1800 on standard plenum will go into class 4 or 5 (depending on tyres), and will be significantly less powerful than most others. This has started an interesting thread. I run an 1800 Supersport on standard plenum in Class 4 and have significantly less power than most in the class. I'll kick off another thread in "Club Speed Events". Andy Nicholls C7 AJN Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david nelson Posted July 14, 2003 Author Share Posted July 14, 2003 well i have gone for the 1.8 as my last car was a 1.6 thought a change would be intresting. I phoned caterham but they were little help when it comes to info on power and torque bands. Does this meen a trip to a RR? or can someone give a rough guess thanks David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old captain slow Posted July 14, 2003 Share Posted July 14, 2003 I think there is some info on the Dave Andrews site, but from what I recall there is hardly any difference between the 1600 and 1800 SS engines regardless of the Caterham advertising. Good uns all seem to give around 140 bhp at around 7000/7300 mark. C7 CDW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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