GaryC

Just got back from the first blat this year in the Megablade (just had to tell someone ....the 'rev limiter' wasn't interested )

Thanks to weeks and weeks, months and months of grotty wet greasy roads, I had forgotten what a goddam lot of fun 330bhp/ton and 13000rpm can be!

Took it quite steadily (first outing for almost 4 months ) but did manage to give a cosworh driver the shock of his life as he saw my little BEC streak past and away up a dual carriageway (Still a scooby-er at heart )

Bring on the sunshine...the boys are back in town

SCREAM IF YOU WANT TO GO FASTER

RichardPON

Sounds quality mate.

Just investigating the 7 replica scene before I make a purchase. Not sure about bike power, but I've driven several Caterhams, and they are the dogs proverbials for fun factor.

GaryC

Bike power makes everything good about a '7' better.

Even lower weight, easier to maintain, far cheaper bang-per-buck, higher/easier PWR plus a 13000 rev range, sequential gearbox and an F1 engine note. Truly awesome

Don't believe the -ve propaganda put around by the CEC boys - they're only jealous

And remember....

SCREAM IF YOU WANT TO GO FASTER

kwakman

Gary,

I've decided, in my quest for the ultimate road car, to get my hands on a blade/busa engined Westie. How do you find it to live with? I'd be interested to get an ex 750MC racer as I expect they'd be a bit cheaper and might well use it to race as well as a weekend toy.

RichardPON

I looked at a Caterham Superlight a while ago. Yeah, the performance was quite good, but for me, the price tag didn't match - not good vfm in my opinion.

I was looking primarily at a Westy with a Rover V8 lump - know them inside out, and I really know nothing about bike engines. I'm doing the build myself, so I wanted to keep within my limits, both spending and mechanical.

Having said that, I've heard bike powered 7s before, and they do sound out of this world. I know they rev , but what's the torque like?

scooby nutter

GaryC
take it over the tops to Devils Bridge and show some Bikes up


Duncan

GaryC

Kwak - living with it is easy. It is as easy to drive as any car - but 10 times as much fun You just have to double the revs compared to a car. Red line at 12k not 6k, power in at 6k not 3k, set off with 2-3k rather than 1-1.5k. Easy.

Richard - All caterhams are stupidly overpriced You pay for 'heritage' I just wanted a fast car The V8 westie is tempting but too heavy and thus misses the point a fair bit. Bike engines are easy to work with, easy to find, easy to repair and worst case, rediculously cheap to replace/upgrade...and above all give awesome PWR and thus VFM.

For £12,700 I got a 5 month old Megablade. 330bhp/tonne (more than any current Ferrari and as much as a top spec Diablo ), only c400kg so corners, stops, goes like nothing else....and you get a sequential gearbox, F1 soundtrack and 12-13000rpm to play with If I get serious engine problems, a complete new engine will cost £1000!!!

Don't beleive the crap about no torque. My blade will pull away from 30mph in 6th gear faster that most cars in 2nd! Granted, keep the revs above 7000 and the thing bloody flies, but they are as driveable as any sports car

Email me off-line of you want more info

cletterridge

So what would be the cheapest options for someone considering getting into the whole big power in a Caterfield type car? Could you get anything, say, for hot hatch money?

RichardPON

Bottom of the rung are the Formula 27/Locost stuff, but it's quite good for very little money.

Middle of the road is Tiger, a well respecte company.

Above that, you're into Dax/Westfield territory

GaryC

Hot hatch money? as in new? ie £14-17k? That will get you a lot in all except caterhams (they charge 25-50% over the odds - you pay for the 'heritage' )

£10k will get you a good k-series/zetec/x-flow.
£12-14k+ will get you in bike engine power.

Below that - real bargain basement stuff can be had from £3-4k in the classified. Check out the back pages in CCC and Kit Car - but be ready to get hands dirty at that end of the market!

F1F3R

my m8 is interested in a similar machine

do u have any pics off the motor too post up ?

sounds great fun

GaryC

Got pics but no 'host'. Tell him to email me.

(praying for a sunny weekend...looking good )


SCREAM IF YOU WANT TO GO FASTER

[Edited by GaryC - 3/23/2002 7:46:56 AM]

zoog

Are these cars viable for tall drivers?
I am 6'2 1/2" and this rules out a lot of stuff like elises etc. Would I fit comfortably? Be overlooking the windscreen?

CraigH

Hippy and I will be joining you soon Gary

GaryC

I know of 6'4 guys that have '7'. If you don't mind paying the extra, caterham do an SV that is bigger (wider/longer), but most I know fit in 'normal' sevens.

Screen-wise - I have an aeroscreen so even at a diminutive 5'6 I look over it when driving!!

Best thing is to get yourself to Westfield or caterham and try a few

GaryC

Craig..welcome to the dark side

...but you had to go one better... (don't forget my passenger ride... )

SCREAM IF YOU WANT TO GO FASTER

SCREAM (then woosh, hiss, chatter) IF YOU WANT TO GO 'REAL NUTTER' eh Craig

RichardPON

And Craig, I call second passenger ride, ya lucky bastid!