I have replaced the battery as I got fed up having to keep charging it up before every trip. It is difficult to reach down the bottom of the footwell to undo the clamps and it is quite heavy to remove. There are a lot of wires to work around as well, but I think that is due to a previous owner not tidying up after themselves.
Fitting the new battery has made the starter turn quicker and the alarm operate more reliably, but the stuttering on light throttle has not been cured. This kind of engine problem can be caused by so many things but hopefully I will be able to track it down before too long, as it makes the car annoying to drive in traffic.
Apart from that the TVR is running very well and every time I take her out now I am glad I had the Tornado chip fitted. Instead of just lumping along in 5th at motorway speads I can now use the gearbox a lot more as the power is spread higher up the rev range.
Showing posts with label TVR. Show all posts
Showing posts with label TVR. Show all posts
Tuesday, 5 February 2008
Friday, 1 February 2008
First Improvements
I got the TVR home with my mate Will following in his Honda S2000 ( Top Bloke) with the car running badly on part throttle. I went to Wilco and got new leads and coil and rotor arm and distributor cap for about £42 quid and fitted them and the misfire was almost gone and the car at least driveable in traffic.
There were a few other bits to do, the Mirror glass fell out, but sticky fixers mended that. I cleaned up the leather interior with Hydrate from Simple Solutions who do all kinds of professional car valeting stuff and it smelt great. I gave the exterior a clean and polish and apart from 1 small stone chip she looked beautiful and a good buy.
The car also came with an Accumate fitted battery charger/conditioner so I figured the battery would be duff. Sure enough one cold night (Batteries really hate the cold) I could not start the car. Even the alarm would not work, or even the dash lights. I thought it would be a TVR gremlin, but I checked the battery voltage and it was only 10.42, so a cell had died. Being a true engineer and firmy believing in a "if it ain't broke don't fix it" philosophy I plugged the accumate in and it did bring the battery up to 12.78 volts after 12 hours or so, but it's little LED light should go Green and it stayed Amber, so I knew the battery was toast.
There were a few other bits to do, the Mirror glass fell out, but sticky fixers mended that. I cleaned up the leather interior with Hydrate from Simple Solutions who do all kinds of professional car valeting stuff and it smelt great. I gave the exterior a clean and polish and apart from 1 small stone chip she looked beautiful and a good buy.
The car also came with an Accumate fitted battery charger/conditioner so I figured the battery would be duff. Sure enough one cold night (Batteries really hate the cold) I could not start the car. Even the alarm would not work, or even the dash lights. I thought it would be a TVR gremlin, but I checked the battery voltage and it was only 10.42, so a cell had died. Being a true engineer and firmy believing in a "if it ain't broke don't fix it" philosophy I plugged the accumate in and it did bring the battery up to 12.78 volts after 12 hours or so, but it's little LED light should go Green and it stayed Amber, so I knew the battery was toast.
Driving Impressions
The TVR drives like a traditional English sports car should. It feels older than its 12 years, but comfortable.
There are some great country roads near where I live and I know them pretty well. I took the TVR for a nice long drive in early January 2008. Coming home I overtook a Citroen Saxo on the inside of a 2nd gear right hand hairpin bend and accelerating smartly away I just about shat myself as the rear end let go and I opposite locked it up the road for about 50 yards. That was fun I thought with my heart pounding from almost taking both me and the Saxo out into the fields. I had heard tales of people not taking their TVRs out in the wet and started to appreciate why.
To tell the truth I was a bit underwhlemed by the power delivery of the TVR. I also own a 1967 Camaro, which seemed a lot more refined and less how shall I put it "Agricultural" than the TVR. The 327 is a lovely free revving engine (much, much nicer than a 350) and by comparison the TVR felt more like a lorry all low down power and not much in the mid-range. The problem with a standard TVR is that the Rover V8 engine in 3.9L injected form was designed for a large off-road vehicle that needed plenty of pulling power. A light sports car does not need all that torque, in fact it is detrimental to rapid progress in the fact that the rear end breaks away unexpectedly (as above) under acceleration.
Personally I find the gear box notchy and difficult to engage gears under hard acceleration and the handbrake awkward to pull on hard. The pedals feel about right though and the steering wheel is adjustable, though the driving position is "long legged and short armed" and I am the opposite. The Steering wheel looks naff as do the column stalks, ash trays and heater outlets. Leven do some stick on aluminium trim items, which will make it look a lot better inside.
The TVR noise is addictive though and I find I want to keep driving just to hear that glorious V8 on song. The suspension is too harshly damped for the pot-holed Norfolk roads but fine on smoother A roads and so I feel one of the next upgrades will be some adjustable dampers. The rear end in particular skips and hops over sharp bumps and if the tyres aren't in contact with the road then you are in deep, deep pooh. The car has done 50,000 so is probably due new dampers anyway.
For the price, this really is a wonderful car to drive and I would recommend all petrol heads to at least blag a go in one if they get the chance.
There are some great country roads near where I live and I know them pretty well. I took the TVR for a nice long drive in early January 2008. Coming home I overtook a Citroen Saxo on the inside of a 2nd gear right hand hairpin bend and accelerating smartly away I just about shat myself as the rear end let go and I opposite locked it up the road for about 50 yards. That was fun I thought with my heart pounding from almost taking both me and the Saxo out into the fields. I had heard tales of people not taking their TVRs out in the wet and started to appreciate why.
To tell the truth I was a bit underwhlemed by the power delivery of the TVR. I also own a 1967 Camaro, which seemed a lot more refined and less how shall I put it "Agricultural" than the TVR. The 327 is a lovely free revving engine (much, much nicer than a 350) and by comparison the TVR felt more like a lorry all low down power and not much in the mid-range. The problem with a standard TVR is that the Rover V8 engine in 3.9L injected form was designed for a large off-road vehicle that needed plenty of pulling power. A light sports car does not need all that torque, in fact it is detrimental to rapid progress in the fact that the rear end breaks away unexpectedly (as above) under acceleration.
Personally I find the gear box notchy and difficult to engage gears under hard acceleration and the handbrake awkward to pull on hard. The pedals feel about right though and the steering wheel is adjustable, though the driving position is "long legged and short armed" and I am the opposite. The Steering wheel looks naff as do the column stalks, ash trays and heater outlets. Leven do some stick on aluminium trim items, which will make it look a lot better inside.
The TVR noise is addictive though and I find I want to keep driving just to hear that glorious V8 on song. The suspension is too harshly damped for the pot-holed Norfolk roads but fine on smoother A roads and so I feel one of the next upgrades will be some adjustable dampers. The rear end in particular skips and hops over sharp bumps and if the tyres aren't in contact with the road then you are in deep, deep pooh. The car has done 50,000 so is probably due new dampers anyway.
For the price, this really is a wonderful car to drive and I would recommend all petrol heads to at least blag a go in one if they get the chance.
Taking the Plunge
I never intended to purchase a TVR but things tend to transpire in mysterious ways - cue twilight Zone music (dooo, dooo, do, do - dooo, dooo, do, do)
I had decided to give up motorcycling after an eventful 40 years and originally was going to purchase a Rat-Rod.
I looked on E-Bay.com at many suitable vehicles in the states, which were all available for a very low price compared to what is available in the UK. I looked at Model T's and Model A's and 32 Fords etc, etc. I placed bids on several, but in the end the thought of getting them through the SVA test, the cost of importation (around £2000) and the fact they would have to be on a ship for 2-3 months put me off.
I then thought I would build a Westfield Kit Car and do a few track days, but the spec I wanted came to around £14K and to be frank I am not that fond of the "Lotus 7" look. Having built a Kit-car or two before I could do without the inevitable hassle and SVA test tribulations as well.
The idea of building an Ultima also sprang to mind, but again a circa £50K price tag and the practicalities of the project started to do my head in.
I like to do a lot of research before I buy a car and to me that aspect of the hobby is very pleasing. The internet really is a great place for car related hobbies and there is a mine of very useful information if you know how to phrase the question correctly. Buying a new car from a dealer is a soulless experience and is over far too quickly. On the other hand I find improving older cars of character such a long term rewarding experience.
I was looking on Ebay for cars when the thought of a TVR just sort of struck me. I had a look and the prices were very reasonable, expecially as many of them seem to exit the road stage left through a hedge backwards and can be purchased as damaged repaired. Only £5700 for a 1998 low mileage example, for instance.
The price of a TVR looked good and the performance seemed good (0-60 in under 6 and 150mph top end), there was no SVA or build time to consider and I would have the bonus of a comfortable interior. The cars have the prerequisite V8 and so sounded good and looked good too, they handle well and there was a good owners club. The TVR can be tuned in many ways and provided much scope for "Tinkering". There were also specific TVR track days organised and even the Ace Cafe had a TVR day. The Insurance wasn't too bad at £400 (Though my 67 327 Camaro is only £98 as I can get a classic policy for it).
Soooo it seemed like a good plan all round. The only downside was the infamous TVR build quality - mmm oh well I am a qualified Automobile Engineer and Electrician and an experienced bodger, so "why didn't I just knock myself out" - as they say.
I had often considered purchasing a TVR over the years but they are in my opinion a "Kit Car" and use many parts from many production vehicles. I would never pay £35K for such a car new or even £13K, which was how much they were a few years ago, however if I could get a nice one for around £7K then I would consider that a whole lot of vehicle for Kit-Car money.
Now some people may be figuring at this point how can a guy who wanted a rat-rod end up with a TVR.? You know kind of go from tatoos and piercings to cloth cap and driving gloves? Well to me they are both V8 fibreglass open top cars and I would leave the cultural differences to those who care.
I wanted to sell my motorcycle before purchasing a new car but happened upon a 1996 TVR Chimaera in my favourite navy blue at a fairly local motorcycle dealer. I have purchased a lot of cars over the years and I know the fickle hand of fate when I feel her tap me on the shoulder, so just before Xmas 2007 I phoned up the geezer (he happened to be a mate of a mate it transpired) and did a pretty good deal trading in the bike. The car had a full TVR history had been HPI'd and was also fitted with power steering (a must for the wife). a good 6CD changer and seemed in pretty good condition, even the clock worked. I took it for a drive... it had a nasty misfire, but the guy had dropped the price £1500 so I figured I would risk it. I wanted to tune the engine anyway. I guess it cost me £6500, so I was happy - a lot of performance for a few quid.
I had decided to give up motorcycling after an eventful 40 years and originally was going to purchase a Rat-Rod.
I looked on E-Bay.com at many suitable vehicles in the states, which were all available for a very low price compared to what is available in the UK. I looked at Model T's and Model A's and 32 Fords etc, etc. I placed bids on several, but in the end the thought of getting them through the SVA test, the cost of importation (around £2000) and the fact they would have to be on a ship for 2-3 months put me off.
I then thought I would build a Westfield Kit Car and do a few track days, but the spec I wanted came to around £14K and to be frank I am not that fond of the "Lotus 7" look. Having built a Kit-car or two before I could do without the inevitable hassle and SVA test tribulations as well.
The idea of building an Ultima also sprang to mind, but again a circa £50K price tag and the practicalities of the project started to do my head in.
I like to do a lot of research before I buy a car and to me that aspect of the hobby is very pleasing. The internet really is a great place for car related hobbies and there is a mine of very useful information if you know how to phrase the question correctly. Buying a new car from a dealer is a soulless experience and is over far too quickly. On the other hand I find improving older cars of character such a long term rewarding experience.
I was looking on Ebay for cars when the thought of a TVR just sort of struck me. I had a look and the prices were very reasonable, expecially as many of them seem to exit the road stage left through a hedge backwards and can be purchased as damaged repaired. Only £5700 for a 1998 low mileage example, for instance.
The price of a TVR looked good and the performance seemed good (0-60 in under 6 and 150mph top end), there was no SVA or build time to consider and I would have the bonus of a comfortable interior. The cars have the prerequisite V8 and so sounded good and looked good too, they handle well and there was a good owners club. The TVR can be tuned in many ways and provided much scope for "Tinkering". There were also specific TVR track days organised and even the Ace Cafe had a TVR day. The Insurance wasn't too bad at £400 (Though my 67 327 Camaro is only £98 as I can get a classic policy for it).
Soooo it seemed like a good plan all round. The only downside was the infamous TVR build quality - mmm oh well I am a qualified Automobile Engineer and Electrician and an experienced bodger, so "why didn't I just knock myself out" - as they say.
I had often considered purchasing a TVR over the years but they are in my opinion a "Kit Car" and use many parts from many production vehicles. I would never pay £35K for such a car new or even £13K, which was how much they were a few years ago, however if I could get a nice one for around £7K then I would consider that a whole lot of vehicle for Kit-Car money.
Now some people may be figuring at this point how can a guy who wanted a rat-rod end up with a TVR.? You know kind of go from tatoos and piercings to cloth cap and driving gloves? Well to me they are both V8 fibreglass open top cars and I would leave the cultural differences to those who care.
I wanted to sell my motorcycle before purchasing a new car but happened upon a 1996 TVR Chimaera in my favourite navy blue at a fairly local motorcycle dealer. I have purchased a lot of cars over the years and I know the fickle hand of fate when I feel her tap me on the shoulder, so just before Xmas 2007 I phoned up the geezer (he happened to be a mate of a mate it transpired) and did a pretty good deal trading in the bike. The car had a full TVR history had been HPI'd and was also fitted with power steering (a must for the wife). a good 6CD changer and seemed in pretty good condition, even the clock worked. I took it for a drive... it had a nasty misfire, but the guy had dropped the price £1500 so I figured I would risk it. I wanted to tune the engine anyway. I guess it cost me £6500, so I was happy - a lot of performance for a few quid.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
