Brake Rotor Specs - De Dion

[Michael Murphy]

Going through the California registration process - the brake/lamp inspection station tells me that they need to know the minimum thickness specification for the front and rear rotors. Does anyone know the answer or, better, can you refer me to the definitive reference manual? I need to show these guys proof of what the spec is and why it relates to my car (1999 de dion with wide track)

As the guy at the station said... "Cater-what?"

[magnusfeuer]

Hmmm.

Nothing in the assembly guide.

I would contact Caterham USA and ask them to mail you a formal looking paper with the minimum disc thickness. Worst case, you can probably get it from Caterham UK.

/Magnus F.

[moosetestbestanden]

Think about all the clapped out pos vehicles out there, and you have to provide your min. rotor thickness spec. That fairly pegs the wtf-o-meter.

This whole process seems to be a moving target. For example:

I did the smog referee thing and the guy wrote me down for a 2004 replica on the paperwork. When I questioned him about it he stated that the fact that I have a sequence number will make me smog exempt 'when it gets to the DMV'. This runs counter to everything I've read or heard about - essentially that you choose either the year of the engine or the year of the car that is being replicated - I told the guy 1964 but evidently he didn't use it. He didn't even put the car on the spinners either. He just filled in the paperwork, tapped at the computer for a while, printed everything out and sent me on my way, after assuring me that I will in fact be smog exempt.

Anyone (Tom, Michael) out there who has gone to the referee this year please relate your experience. I think I got jobbed but I have no way to know. Until I arrive at the DMV that is. You can bet I'll ask.

Also, anyone who has gotten past the CHP please relate what they've looked for / at, to the best of their knowledge. I've got my paperwork together & so on, but who knows...

Thanks!

[Michael Murphy]

I have my smog inspection scheduled for next week, so I can't compare notes on that yet. However, I strongly suspect that your smog guy got it wrong and you'll be screwed if you complete the registration as a 2004. I would call the DMV and ask them to clarify - worst case, I would find another smog inspector and go through the process again.

I did the CHP VIN inspection last week. All went smoothly. The inspector called the Caterham dealer (autocourse) to ask about the origins of the chassis number plate in the engine bay. Once he was satisfied that the plate was attached by the manufacturer, he decided to use that number as the VIN number and did not require a separate VIN plate. This was nice - avoided the need to rivet a plate to the scuttle. You might try to persuade your inspector to do the same.

[moosetestbestanden]

Michael, at what location is your smog check? Mine was done in the Valley.

[Elv15]

CHP and smog

Unfortunatly, I had to reschedule my smog for this coming Friday, so I have not gone through it yet.

The CHP just looked at the chassis number and signed the paperwork and sent me on my way. NOTE: I do not have the rectangular Caterham plate with the chassis number on it mounted yet, he just used the number stamped into the chassis on the side of the pedal box.

Somebody mentioned that this may not be sufficent, but I suspect that it depends on the smog inspector you get. Overall there seems to be lots of variabilty to what they require. One last item I need to deal with is a breather catch tank...

Cheers,

Tom

[Michael Murphy]

Chris, I have been sent to El Camino College in Hawthorne for the smog test.

What does moosetestesbestanden mean?

[slomove]

Breather Tank

Hi Tom, I don't know if that is of any help for you but I installed a catch tank a few weeks ago. You can see a picture http://home.earthlink.net/~slomove/id1.html somewhat down the page. It was not for smog requirements but because the engine splattered oil all over the place when track driving. The tank has a hose each to the crankcase PCV valve and the valve cover vent. It is very small and attached to the passenger footwell front wall. The drain cock can be accessed from below.

Gert

[Michael Murphy]

Gert,

I destroyed my zetec on the first drive by hitting a rock. I imagine this is a constant risk in dry canyon country. So I was intrigued by the oil pan guard shown on your website. Did you build it yourself, or source it from somewhere?

[Elv15]

catch tank

Gert,

That looks great! Did you make the tank yourself or source it from someone?

Cheers,

Tom

[slomove]

Sump Guard

Michael, yes and no.

I bought the car (used) with a steel sheet metal sump guard installed. Don't know exactly where it came from but I believe it is a stock Birkin accessory. When I hit the rock on the Mt. Wilson road that you can see in the video (I happened to have the camera running), it punched a fist size dent in the guard and made the car jump half a foot. But the guard saved the engine's butt, only a rib of the Raceline sump broke off.

After that I hammered out the dent and welded the side reinforcements and the front teeth to the sheet metal. Just cut it from Home Depot strip steel. It comes with 4 or 5 pounds (?) of weight penalty but also some peace of mind when crossing a bump. I scrape the ground quite often (<3" clearance) but I don't care anymore. I could remove it when track driving but was too lazy so far. Although, it takes only a few minutes (4 bolts).

Gert

P.S.: This tought me also not to tailgate an SUV :roll:

[slomove]

Breather Tank

Tom,

I bought the tank from a racer supply shop in El Monte. Just found it sitting on a shelf (last piece). The filter was a little crushed and I got it at 1/2 price. If you want I can try to identify the manufacturer (unfortunately I did not keep the box). It holds maybe 8 ounces of oil and is heavy duty black plastic. Came complete with 2 hose nipples, drain cock, filter and mounting hardware. Maybe you can check also with Pegasus Racing, Summitracing or similar mail order companies.

Gert

[moosetestbestanden]

What does moosetestesbestanden mean?

See the 'Forum names' thread under the Idle Talk area of the message board. All is revealed.

I was sent to Pierce College in the valley, so we'll be getting different results no doubt. Please post as soon as you know what your ref does. I'll be heading to the DMV shortly thereafter.

Oh, and btw, what happened w/ the brake rotor spec? Do you know it now? IF you have the Big Brakes do tell because I may need it. My B&L check is soon.

Thanks!

[Michael Murphy]

anwer to the brake rotor spec question

Simon Lambert of Caterham UK ([email protected]) advises:

"Assuming the discs are the same front and rear (which is likely), then the minimum thickness is 8.3 mm".

With some nudging he has agreed to send a letter confirming this. There is no official manual or reference guide that he can point to.

[moosetestbestanden]

I may ask you to fax a copy to me when it arrives Michael, should I need it.

Thanks!