21 Aug 2026 / 2 MIN
A new generation
So I ended up as a gokart dad. For some years now, my son and I have been busy competing in karts. Or, he has been competing and I've been w…
SINCE 2011
Caterham CSR
Trackday toy
A blog about my experiences with a Caterham CSR trackday toy.
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CATERHAM CSR CSR / 2005 ↗The latest entry
Titan LSD Rebuild
Last time I was on track, I felt I was struggling with traction when accelerating out of corners. Curiously, much of that grip seemed to return when I ignored my instincts and simply floored the throttle. My…
Read post ↗8 MIN READEarlier posts
10 Dec 2017 / 3 MIN
Brake pressure sensor
Logging driver inputs is a way to get quicker, they say. I don't doubt that for a second. For me though, more frequent driving would probabl…
03 Dec 2017 / 1 MIN
Front suspension travel sensors
For a while I've had suspension travel sensors on my rears . Now finally I have sensors on the fronts as well. The rears with 3D printer mou…
03 Mar 2017 / 5 MIN
Airbox static flow CFD analysis
I did back to back testing on a rolling road with and without my Pipercross PX600 airbox. It turned out with the airbox fitted the engine lo…
17 Feb 2017 / 2 MIN
Cool spark plugs
From recommendations I've always used NGK BR7EFS spark plugs - with heat range 7. After a rolling road session I was told to use a cooler sp…
09 Dec 2016 / 1 MIN
DIY Duratec balance shaft delete
Some Duratec blocks are equipped with a balance shaft . As most sports car owners are more concerned with weight and rotary mass than ride c…
26 Nov 2016 / 1 MIN
VCT Delete
Using aftermarket cams on a VCT Duratec head requires that the VCT valve is removed. Unfortunately this opens up an oil passage which must b…
29 Oct 2016 / 2 MIN
Duratec Front Pulleys
Some of the more recent Duratec versions uses a larger front pulley trigger wheel than before. The trigger wheel diameter must match the sty…
15 Mar 2016 / 2 MIN
Damper position sensors
I've written before - I have a thing for measuring things. I also have a new set of adjustable Penske dampers and wanted to see how their be…
30 Jan 2016 / 2 MIN
Penske dampers
When I bought my car it was equipped with Caterham CSR race spec dampers, non-adjustable Bilsteins. They're now 10 years old and not service…
20 Dec 2015 / 3 MIN
Pushrod strain gauges
As I have a thing for measuring things, this summer I did an attempt to put a strain gauge on one of the push rods. A strain gauge is like a…
24 Nov 2015 / 2 MIN
New LSD from Titan
My car was fitted with a limited slip differential when I bought it. I've never known what kind of LSD I had, and I've never had any problem…
11 Nov 2015 / 1 MIN
Rear wheel bearings
I was told the bearings had this number printed on it: "4EO 407 625 A SKF BAF-0076 C ITALY A 23 3 3347". Which after some Google magic indic…
26 Oct 2015 / 1 MIN
Unsprung weight
In order to get an estimate of the chassis unsprung weight, I weighted some parts. First I tried to put the wheel on a scale with the push r…
31 Aug 2015 / 1 MIN
3D printed GoPro mount
I've tried various generic GoPro mounts over the years but they all have had problems with vibrations and wind in high speeds, and I've alwa…
22 Aug 2015 / 1 MIN
Bronze bushing
Another try with the front lower rear a-frame bush. Now in oil filled bronze bush, thrust washers and a custom made crush tube. This solutio…
11 Aug 2015 / 2 MIN
3D-printed moulds for polyurethane bushes
For a couple of years ago I bought Powerflex polyurethane bushes and replaced the rubber bushes in the front suspension. I was never really …
15 Jul 2015 / 1 MIN
Bad earth troubleshooting
My engine has been a bit "moody" when idling. It can idle smooth, and then suddenly change idling speed. Some of the dash gauges has also be…
05 Jul 2015 / 2 MIN
Custom moulded ear plugs
I hate ear plugs. The sensation of being inside a bubble playing a video game has got me avoid them except when using power tools in the gar…
16 Mar 2015 / 3 MIN
3D printed cold air intake
Intake temperature has a direct correlation with engine power. For every 10°C rise in air intake temperature, engine power will be reduced b…
24 Jan 2015 / 2 MIN
Rear bump steer
Bump/roll steer check on the rears for the first time, using a laser level on the brake disc and a mirror. I don't know why I haven't done t…
02 Jan 2015 / 1 MIN
Airfoil behind roll cage CFD analysis
Does an airfoil generate downforce when placed behind a roll cage? Since I'm starting to get along with the CFD analysis software I did some…
25 Dec 2014 / 2 MIN
Engine bay undertray aerodynamics
Some time ago I started to do some CFD analysis to see if I could do any simple changes that improved the aerodynamic properties of the car,…
18 Oct 2014 / 1 MIN
MOT, autumn and nothing much
The yearly MOT was a bit different. First attempt they refused to inspect the car as the guy said he'd not manage to get into the car as he …
21 Sep 2014 / 3 MIN
My wheel fell off on a trackday
At 137 km/h coming into a long right turn, my inner rear wheel fell off. A loud clonk and I could see how the inner rear wheel was bypassing…
26 Aug 2014 / 1 MIN
New rims with stickers on
New 13" rims from Force Racing, 7" and 9" wide with brand new Dunlop slicks - "stickers". I bought the rims directly from Force Racing this …
21 Aug 2014 / 2 MIN
Gearbox disaster
My gearbox failed with a bang on on the King of Mantorp TA-event . Totally unexpected on the day's last cooldown lap. Looking at the log fil…
06 Jul 2014 / 1 MIN
TimeAttack - "King of Mantorp"
Valtonen Motorsport RX-8 Normally I don't like to compete but somehow I participated a Time Attack competition this weekend. Seven type cars…
02 Jul 2014 / 2 MIN
Intake cone filter and air pressure
The Pipercross airbox I bough was supplied with a built in air-filter rated up to 200 hp. As don't want to strangle my engine I now have fit…
25 Jun 2014 / 1 MIN
Attempt to redirect exhaust noise
As I previously wrote my noise levels are now down to 94-96 dbA on the intake side and 101 dbA on the exhaust side. In an attempt to reduce …
22 Jun 2014 / 1 MIN
Intake airbox
As I wrote in the previous post the track noise regulations in Sweden has become much harder lately. The current limit is 95 dBA drive-by me…
14 Jun 2014 / 2 MIN
Raceco silencer
The track noise regulations in Sweden has become much harder lately. The current limit is 95 dBA drive by measured from a 10 m distance. Thi…
30 May 2014 / 2 MIN
Rear diffusor and front splitter inspiration
I more or less gave up on my CFD simulations . At least for a while. I could not get consistent results and the obstacles were just too many…
07 Apr 2014 / 3 MIN
Aerodynamics - CFD simulations
After some vacation reading of the book " Race car aerodynamics " I have had lots of thoughts of how to improve the car's aerodynamics, espe…
10 Mar 2014 / 4 MIN
Fuel system with Swirlpot
It was not long ago I uprated my fuel pump and since then I only used my car once. But I never felt satisfied with the new system. I feared …
06 Jan 2014 / 1 MIN
Oil filler cap lock
It has happened more than once that the oil filler cap jump loose and spew oil on the exhaust primaries. Hopefully this will fix…
04 Jan 2014 / 3 MIN
Oil temperature sender
I'm reading a book right now that among other things has a lot to say about oil. One of the things it says is: "An engine should never be dr…
23 Dec 2013 / 2 MIN
Race Technology DL1 + Dash4Pro
Early Christmas this year when I got myself a Race Technology DL1 Club logger and Dash4Pro dash to go with it. I've been using a Racelogic P…
02 Nov 2013 / 1 MIN
Fuel filter
MANN WK612/2 or MAHLE KL158. Available in your local car parts store. Must be one of the parts on this car that is hardest to remove, and ev…
29 Oct 2013 / 2 MIN
Uprated fuel pump
In my search for a more robust fuel system the time has come to the fuel pump. According to Cosworth a 280hk Duratec engine need 1.4L/min re…
06 Oct 2013 / 1 MIN
Tierp Arena
Great day! Great fun racing with some other sevens. Probably the last outing for the season. My car is both wonderful and terrifying at the …
13 Sep 2013 / 2 MIN
Finally some driving!!
A "test drive a Radical SR3" event at Mantorp. I was also invited but drove my own car. The engine runs great! The car handles great! Even t…
10 Sep 2013 / 1 MIN
Brise starter
This is the second time my starter solenoid has broken. It is a mechanical failure where the plastic actuator arm inside the coil has broken…
09 Sep 2013 / 1 MIN
Thermal camera
Embedded media (external) During the last F1 race they've equiped some of the cars with thermal cameras. How cool is that?? Notice how fast …
24 Aug 2013 / 3 MIN
Head job
The previous engine damage was not fixed. The car was lacking power, and another compression test still gave low figures on the middle two c…
10 Aug 2013 / 1 MIN
Roll cage padding article
Photograph unavailable in the original archive Not SFI approved. If you are confused what padding to use on your roll cage, don't be any lon…
23 Jul 2013 / 1 MIN
Engine rebuilt
I spent the first part of my summer vacation to rebuild the damaged engine. New block and new pistons, and a new built loom. Started without…
11 Jul 2013 / 1 MIN
New engine block
New Cosworth pistons. I reuse the rods as they're not damaged. Finally, here it is! I couldn't find a replacement Duratec 2.3 block in Europ…
04 Jul 2013 / 1 MIN
New engine loom
Last time I rebuilt the engine I bought a generic Duratec loom from SBDev . Very nice quality and well made loom. But as it only had wiring …
26 Jun 2013 / 3 MIN
Cranks and rpm limit
A Duratec 2.3 engine can safely be revved up to 7200 rpm with the standard valve springs. With uprated springs it the limiting factor is the…
26 May 2013 / 1 MIN
Engine damage
Bad start this year. The fuel surge on last trackday caused more damage than I initially thought. Damaged spark plugs. These are from cylind…
07 May 2013 / 3 MIN
Mantorp first time 2013
This years first trackday was a warm day with blue skies on Mantorp and a huge mix of different types of cars. Things didn't go that well. I…
13 Apr 2013 / 1 MIN
Cornerweight, for real
Last attempt to weight my car using bathroom scales failed miserably , so I took a trip to Speedlab Racing and got help so set up the corner…
07 Apr 2013 / 3 MIN
Does wider tyres equals more grip?
On a thread on Pistonheads someone claimed that wider tyres doesn't mean more grip. Theoretically, the tyre size does not change grip as Amo…
05 Mar 2013 / 1 MIN
Nose cone aero whiskers
Mega downforce nose cone whiskers for less understeer in fast corners. These beasts will add at least 50g of downforce even at low speeds. I…
23 Feb 2013 / 1 MIN
Supercharged CSR for sale
There is a supercharged CSR for sale at PistonHeads with some interesting technical solutions. Photograph unavailable in the original archiv…
20 Feb 2013 / 2 MIN
Exhaust manifold leak
Last summer I bought new exhaust manifold because the old EU4 manifold was warped and had a crack in the collector. The new ones has been le…
11 Feb 2013 / 1 MIN
DIY Cornerweight
I've been looking for corner weight scales for rent at a reasonable price for some time now without success. At the local Biltema store 130 …
10 Feb 2013 / 2 MIN
Full rollcage
A couple of YouTube clips ( here and here ) made start thinking about getting a full roll-cage for my car. When a found one second hand in U…
16 Jan 2013 / 1 MIN
Oil catch tank
After my engine rebuild I changed the oil system to an open system and needed a catch tank. Until now I've been using a temporary solution w…
12 Jan 2013 / 2 MIN
Front damper spherical bearing play
There was a play in the joint between the rocker arm and damper in the front suspension, noticeable when I jack the car up, removed the whee…
09 Jan 2013 / 2 MIN
Replacing front bushings
I've noticed that my front wings move quite a lot when I brake, and that have become worse over time. I also have a brake judder on the fron…
23 Dec 2012 / 1 MIN
Front cover oil leak
Since I rebuilt the engine I've had an small oil leak somewhere around the front cover. It has not been any problems at all with normal stre…
18 Dec 2012 / 1 MIN
Dry sump blanking cap
New vs old On the EU4 CSR 200 there is a hose between the external dry sump oil tank and the dry sump. When I rebuilt my engine I changed to…
13 Oct 2012 / 1 MIN
Gelleråsen end of season
Beautiful crisp autumn day at Gelleråsen. Crisp indeed. In the morning the temperature was -4 degrees C and there was frozen water on the pu…
06 Oct 2012 / 2 MIN
Mantorp wear and tear
An humid day at Mantorp with rain in the morning and dry after lunch. One of those days when nothing felt good. I pushed harder and harder b…
27 Sep 2012 / 1 MIN
Exhaust gasket leak
It seems I can't get the exhaust manifold to seal against the head no matter what I do. I have even bought new primaries . It still leaked. …
17 Sep 2012 / 2 MIN
Min Stora Dag charity event
Min Stora Dag, or in english something like "My Special Day", is a non-profit charity organisation that tries to fulfil wishes from very sic…
04 Sep 2012 / 1 MIN
Yearly MOT - No problems, no worries!
Did two changes to the engine before the test: Put a hose from the catch tank into the airbox (closed oil ventilation system) Changed target…
02 Sep 2012 / 1 MIN
Progress
Sometimes it is fun to look back and see how much progress has been made over the years. I'll never forget my first track day with my Cater…
28 Aug 2012 / 1 MIN
Mantorp - slicks vs CR500
Mantorp, again. A new personal best, again - 1.21,8!!! That is 1.5 seconds faster than last time, and I haven't changed anything except put …
23 Aug 2012 / 2 MIN
OptimumLap simulation software
I got an invite to test a new software for simulation of how fast a car can run one lap on a race track, called OptimumLap. It uses a simpli…
17 Aug 2012 / 1 MIN
Paddle shift
Here is a can't miss video of a CSR 260 with Geartronics Paddle shift and a straight cut Quaife 60G 6 speed sequential gearbox. Embedded med…
18 Jul 2012 / 1 MIN
Mantorp and two new sets of slicks
Back to Mantorp. It may appear as it is the only track I go to, and yes, that is sadly true. I wish I could go to more tracks but Mantorp i…
25 Jun 2012 / 2 MIN
Fuel injector voltage compensation
I've noticed that the engine sound changes when the cooling fan kicks in. Not a big deal, I thought, but now I understand it is something wo…
21 Jun 2012 / 1 MIN
Mantorp
Very windy, sunny day. The wind kept the top speed down on the long straight. Used 13" Radical slicks . Started with ~20 psi hot, but it got…
05 Jun 2012 / 1 MIN
Inertial switch
Who said highway driving isn't exciting? Fortunately it was only the inertial switch that cut off the fuel pump. Never happened before and t…
27 May 2012 / 1 MIN
New exhaust primaries and collector
I could no longer ignore the fact that my exhaust flanged was warped and leaked, and I also found something that looked like a small crack o…
15 May 2012 / 3 MIN
Wideband lambda
I've installed an Innovate LC-1 wideband Lambda controller connected to my MBE 9A4 ECU. A wideband lambda output a linear 0-5V AFR ( air/fue…
07 May 2012 / 1 MIN
Flat tyre
The missing screw found...…
05 May 2012 / 1 MIN
Air temp sender location
The Cosworth carbon air box is supplied with a combined MAP and air temp sender, which measures temp and pressure inside the air box. After …
17 Apr 2012 / 1 MIN
Trackday slicks part #4 - how did it go?
During the winter I modified the rear calipers to fit 13" rims , and this weekend was the first test how it worked out. Well.. First impress…
16 Apr 2012 / 2 MIN
Mantorp graduation
A big day today, I have done so many modifications since last track day before the winter. In short I have Fitted 13" rims and modified the …
12 Apr 2012 / 1 MIN
Camber calculator
An easy way to measure camber is to use a spirit and a ruler. It is really important that the car is standing on a completely flat surface f…
11 Apr 2012 / 1 MIN
Rear hub nuts
Both sides loose - scary! Left side so much I could turn it with my fingers. 41 mm socket. 270 Nm (yes that is a…
06 Apr 2012 / 3 MIN
Engine upgrade - part #9 - final results
So far the engine have behaved extremely well and almost no problems at all. A bad battery connector, small coolant leak because of a loose …
12 Mar 2012 / 2 MIN
Engine upgrade - part #8 - first start!!!
Finally it was time for the first start of the engine. The whole family was excited and my wife would help me with operating the throttle pe…
12 Mar 2012 / 3 MIN
Engine upgrade - part #7 - electrical and fuel
My old Ford BlackOak ECU is locked so I needed a new after market ECU. My choice was MBE 9A4, because it already was proved to be working go…
07 Mar 2012 / 3 MIN
Engine upgrade - part #6 - putting it together
Head and block now back together with new ARP bolts and new gasket. 60 lb/ft in three stages and ARP lube. A dab of sealant on marked spots …
05 Mar 2012 / 2 MIN
Engine upgrade - part #5 - head
The head is back, ported nice and smooth, valve seats refurnished and the old valves grinded. Refurnished valve seats Smooth inlet Fitted ne…
31 Jan 2012 / 4 MIN
Engine upgrade - part #4 - block assembly
The block is back from the workshop, clean as a silver plate, and finally I could start to assemble the engine. Torques are taken from the F…
02 Jan 2012 / 3 MIN
Engine upgrade - part #3 - parts
Now the larger parts of the engine are nicely packed into plastic bags for travel to the local engine workshop for a head port and cleaning.…
28 Dec 2011 / 3 MIN
Engine upgrade - part #2 - disassemble
Engine out Bell-housing off Clutch off Flywheel off Mounted engine on stand using bell-housing bolt holes (M10x75 bolts. Use washers to prot…
22 Dec 2011 / 2 MIN
Engine upgrade - part #1 - intro
So I want more power - and have decided to copy Cosworth's 280 crate engine. 13:1 compression ratio Forged pistons and rods New cams Uprated…
30 Nov 2011 / 1 MIN
CSR Assembly Guide and other manuals
CSR Assembly Guide and other manuals can be found here:…
03 Nov 2011 / 3 MIN
Trackday slicks part #3 - Fitting 13" rims
The rear brakes on road CSR's are to big to fit inside 13" rims, which makes the availability of tyres a bit limited. Most suitable slicks a…
27 Oct 2011 / 1 MIN
Supercharged!
I got myself a new book! Nothing good can come out of this... Some inspiration: Rotrex superchargers Supercharger kit from Caterham Austria …
15 Oct 2011 / 1 MIN
Mantorp, last time this year
A sunny but very cold day started with below zero degrees Celsius. The cold asphalt made the car both oversteering and understeering in diff…
07 Oct 2011 / 1 MIN
MOT test
No problems this year! Last time the poor guy was too big to fit into the…
24 Sep 2011 / 2 MIN
Adjusting Camber
Adjusting rear Camber Rear camber is really easy to adjust, and can be done in just a few minutes. Remove the wheel. Loosen the four small b…
20 Sep 2011 / 2 MIN
Trackday slicks part #2
I emailed Avon asking for recommendations regarding slicks on the CSR. Hi Niclas, As you probably know, the racing CSR run 9”X13” front whee…
11 Sep 2011 / 2 MIN
Gotland Ring
A nice autumn trip to Gotland together with my family. Two full days on the track with nice sunny weather. Gotland Ring is located on an isl…
01 Sep 2011 / 2 MIN
Limited rear droop travel
I noticed my rear droop travel was way too limited and suspected that could explain some of the rear inner wheel spin I have been troubled w…
01 Sep 2011 / 1 MIN
Handbrake cable warning!
My handbrake cable was routed so it was in contact with the fuel tank. As a result, it the cable has dug itself into the aluminium and creat…
20 Aug 2011 / 1 MIN
Cracked exhaust manifold
Last time on Mantorp one of the exhaust primaries cracked completely. I left the car to a Ferrari race team who tried to weld it together in…
05 Aug 2011 / 1 MIN
The engine is out
Engine out due to a cracked exhaust primary. Easier the second time - I followed my step-by-step list from last time , and took it out only …
30 Jun 2011 / 2 MIN
Trackday at Mantorp - test of slicks
A very hot day at Mantorp Park again - with slicks for my first time! The lap times where not that much better, only about a second. A bit d…
23 Jun 2011 / 2 MIN
Trackday slicks part #1
Photograph unavailable in the original archive I've bought a set of 15" Avon crossply slicks! For a while I've been tempted to try slicks. 1…
15 Jun 2011 / 1 MIN
Wheel alignment check
My current wheel alignment, measured in my garage. Cross-ply setup. Front Rear Toe 0.5° out 0.7° in Camber -1.25° -0.25° ARB Hard setting - …
13 Jun 2011 / 2 MIN
New front discs and pads
Photograph unavailable in the original archive Pagid RS14 Apparently I didn't change the front pads in time, so one of the discs had some ug…
28 May 2011 / 2 MIN
Another lonely day at Mantorp
A nice and sunny day at Mantorp Park! The day started out well being the faster of the two cars on the track. Photograph unavailable in the …
27 Apr 2011 / 1 MIN
Mantorp
Photograph unavailable in the original archive It was pretty lonely this day, three cars total This years first track day was on Mantorp Par…
05 Apr 2011 / 1 MIN
New battery
Photograph unavailable in the original archive My previous battery was a cheap Biltema gel battery. It worked ok in the beginning, even if I…
25 Mar 2011 / 1 MIN
Spring!
Photograph unavailable in the original archive This years first drive! Still very chilly outside and the tyres never got temperature, but wh…
18 Mar 2011 / 2 MIN
Front bump steer
There is plenty of information about bump steer to be found on the internet. Basically bump steer is when the toe alignment changes during b…
10 Mar 2011 / 1 MIN
Cross-ply rear camber
Crossply tyres such as Avon ACB10 don't need as much negative camber as radial tyres, CR500, 888 etc. On the CSR you adjust the rear camber …
10 Mar 2011 / 1 MIN
Brake fluid change
Replaced the brake fluid. Used the same fluid as last time - ATE Blue racing. Because I accidentally got some air into the system I had to r…
10 Mar 2011 / 2 MIN
Cracked clutch disc - engine out!
I always had troubles downshifting at high RPM. Always when trying to engage second gear when going into an hairpin I had to struggle until …
10 Mar 2011 / 2 MIN
Differential support
There are reports on broken differential mounts on the CSRs, so I have mounted support brackets to avoid a future disaster. Some say they'r…
25 Feb 2011 / 1 MIN
Mantorp trackday movie
Embedded media (external) Movie clip from Mantorp this summer. Personal best 1:27.94! Avon ACB10 tyres Filmed with a GoPro…
25 Feb 2011 / 2 MIN
About using nitrogen in tyres
There are different opinions about using Nitrogen in tyres instead of ordinary air. I did some research and here are my conclusions regardin…
25 Feb 2011 / 1 MIN
Silencer mounting bracket
When I bought my Caterham it was equiped with a big heavy rear silencer. Last winter I decided to remove it and modify the side silencer. Af…
25 Feb 2011 / 1 MIN
Spark plugs
Finally I changed the spark plugs. About time I'd say! Photograph unavailable in the original archive NGK BR7EFS Gap 0,64mm 12…