CSR curved dash vs flat dash

[Steve Cowley]

I'd value opinions on whether the CSR curved dash or the traditional flat dash is the way to go. I saw a post that said the curved dash interfered with the left leg when operating the clutch if you're 'tall'. I'm no giraffe but what's tall? Anyone else have any opinion on this or anything else, as I spec it.

Thanks

[moosetestbestanden]

While I've not sat (English english) in one w/ a curved dash I've seen them. I'm not a fan of the look - it's a little too hairdresser (English english) for my tastes. Flat CF is the mutts nuts (English english). :-D

[Lucky Dawg]

Aside from a loss of legroom and traditional appearance, its a couple thousand $ that could be spent on other options or modifications later on.

[Croc]

I inherited a curvy dash in the kit I purchased (the original owner ticked every box on the option list). So thank you Chris I guess that makes me a hairdresser. I would not have bought it that way had I spec'ed my kit. The way I see it:

Pluses
- I am 5'11 and my left knee likes to bash the lower curved dash rail from time to time.
- It does come with the lowered floor standard which I really do like. So true cost difference to flat dash/lowered floor is less.
- Momo wheel that comes with the dash is really nice to use.
- Compared to my old flat dash zetec car, all dials are easy to read even when blasting along a track
- Having proper indicator, headlight and wiper stalks is really neat for teasing other local Caterham drivers who manage to get black flagged on a track day from knocking the toggle switch on in their flat dash car.
- The gear stick is better placed relative to the steering wheel for quick driving or track work.

Minuses
- Steering wheel is fixed and not possible to make it a quick fix/detach connection.
- The big minus is heat. The chassis tubes get very hot as they radiate heat from the engine bay into a faired in transmission/propshaft tunnel. Also the footwell vents only ever seem to blow hot air. The twin eyeball vents in the dash are great in winter but useless otherwise as they blow superheated air. On the way to the track 8 days ago in 100 deg F (38 deg C) temps, the chassis tube under my right elbow was reading 120 deg F (50 deg C) which is considered normal for this type of dashboard. If you are in CA then I would say this is a killer to considering it.
- more expensive


On balance, for my next kit I probably would not spec a curvy dash. I would spec a carbon flat dash, removable wheel and probably spec a electronic dash display instead of the standard dials and probably still be cheaper.

[Lucky Dawg]

50 degrees at the elbow doesn't sound so bad. Unless you meant 150, then very very bad.

[Croc]

Sorry- old habits die hard. I was talking 50 degrees celsius which is about 120 dgrees F

[Sean]

I assumed that was what you meant about the temperature, but I'm still puzzled by this one:

Pluses
- I am 5'11 and my left knee likes to bash the lower curved dash rail from time to time.

Was that meant for the other "Minuses" group?

I don't have a CSR, but one thing I like about my flat cf dash is that the suction cup mount for my GPS can be conveniently attached to it, just above and between the water temperature and oil pressure gauges.

[JohnCh]

I took that to mean Croc is into S&M.

-John

[Croc]

I took that to mean Croc is into S&M.

-John

John - Now that is the type of quick witted response I normally expect from Sean. My driving style does have some kinks in it but not quite the type of kinks I noticed you zeroed in on with laser precision. Looking for a "Birkin" partner are you?

You are right Sean - the leg bashing is not a positive but reflects I should not try typing sensible responses to posts on 3 hours sleep!

[JohnCh]

I got lucky, what can I say? As for the Birkin, I was planning to mention it in my post, but didn't want to confuse people here who aren't aware of my alter ego. :)

-John