Caterham 360 Build Reference
This section brings together technical information and useful resources gathered during the build of my Caterham Seven 360S SV. It includes torque settings, specifications, measurements, fluids, lubricants, assembly manuals, IVA requirements, build costs and links to other useful sources of information.
I’ll continue adding to these references as the build progresses, both for my own future use and in the hope that they will be helpful to other Caterham builders.
Torque Settings
| Component/Fastener | Torque (Nm) | Source | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Assembly Manuals
Caterham Assembly Guide – Duratec Edition 2.4
The latest edition identified for the Duratec-engined Caterham Seven 360 and 420, covering both S and R variants. This supersedes Edition 2.3, which was supplied with my kit in September 2026.
Caterham Assembly Guide – Duratec Edition 2.3
The printed assembly guide supplied with my Caterham Seven 360S SV kit in September 2026. Although superseded by Edition 2.4, this is the manual supplied with the kit and the one I intend to use initially for reference during assembly.
Caterham Assembly Guide – Seven 270, 360, 420, and Academy (Version 02.2015.c)
An earlier, more detailed written assembly manual covering the Caterham Seven 270, 360, 420 and Academy models. Although superseded by newer assembly guides, it remains a useful supplementary reference, particularly for its explanations, technical information and torque settings.
Important: Some components, assembly procedures and specifications may have changed. Information in this manual should be checked against the latest applicable Caterham documentation before use.
IVA Requirements
This section brings together information relating to the Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) process for my Caterham Seven 360S SV, including Caterham’s IVA preparation instructions, relevant DVSA guidance and practical details encountered during preparation for the inspection.
I’ll update this section as the build progresses, including any issues identified during the IVA test and how they were resolved.
Note: This Caterham IVA checklist dates from January 2015 and is provided as a supplementary reference. Some requirements may have changed, so the latest applicable DVSA IVA requirements and Caterham guidance should take precedence.
Technical References
This section records technical information gathered during the build, including component specifications, measurements, fluid capacities, recommended lubricants, assembly materials and other useful reference information.
Where appropriate, I’ll include the source of the information and any observations made during assembly, particularly where the instructions supplied with the kit are incomplete or differ from earlier Caterham documentation.
Build Costs
This section will provide a running record of the costs involved in building my Caterham Seven 360S SV, including the kit itself, optional extras, additional components, consumables and miscellaneous expenses.
I’ll also record expenditure on tools and workshop equipment separately, distinguishing between items purchased specifically for the build and equipment that can be used again.
The aim is to provide a realistic picture of the overall cost of completing a Caterham self-build project.
| Expenditure Category | Amount (£) |
|---|---|
| Caterham 360S SV Kit | £48514.70 |
| Additional Accessories | £603.95 |
| Workshop Equipment | £440.58 |
| Consumables | £32.44 |
| Total Expenditure | £49591.67 |
All costs shown include VAT where applicable. The figures represent expenditure incurred to date and will be updated periodically as the build progresses. Workshop equipment is included in the total expenditure, although some items may be retained for future use.
Useful Links
This section contains links to websites and resources that I’ve found useful while researching and preparing for my Caterham Seven build.
These include other builders’ diaries, Caterham owners’ forums, specialist suppliers and technical information sources. I’ll continue adding links as I discover resources that may be helpful to other builders.
Caterham Build Diaries
A detailed and well-illustrated Caterham 310R SV build diary, covering the assembly process, practical advice, tools and useful technical information.
A Caterham 420R build diary documenting the assembly process, technical challenges, IVA preparation and experiences following completion, including the installation of a SADEV sequential gearbox.
An extensive and well-illustrated Caterham 420R build diary covering the assembly process, technical challenges, IVA preparation, modifications and subsequent ownership.
Caterham 420 Detailed Build Blog
Chris Collins’s comprehensive Caterham 420R build diary, providing detailed, illustrated assembly instructions, practical technical advice, modifications and IVA preparation. An excellent supplementary reference to the official assembly guide.
A comprehensive Caterham 420R SV build diary covering assembly, upgrades, maintenance and practical technical information. Includes a useful build index for locating individual assembly tasks.
PurpleMeanie – A Caterham Seven Blog
An exceptionally detailed Caterham 420R build diary covering assembly, technical challenges, modifications and IVA preparation, with extensive photographs and videos. Includes an excellent build index for locating individual topics.
Acknowledgement
I have found all of these build diaries extremely helpful in anticipation of starting my own Caterham build. They have highlighted useful tips, likely problem areas and various “gotchas” that I might otherwise only have discovered the hard way. I am very grateful to each of these builders for the time, effort and care they have taken in creating and sharing their diaries.