Tuscan LS7 evo 2
Discussion
...well more like evo 5 or 6 given previous mods (harness and harness bar, wheel and tyre changes, seats, interior, ice, cameras, brakes etc) but lets not split hairs 
In summary:
- Change from TKO600 to new T56 g/box
- Install Fidanza performance lightweight flywheel
- Exhaust, propshaft mods to accommodate
- Move to AD08r from R888
Reason for the change to 6 speed box was that a majority of my mileage these days is on euro trips to decent driving roads, an element of which include some fairly long motorway slogs. I had no problems with the action on the TKO600 and did consider installing a longer 5th but took advice (thanks Brummie) that the step between 4th and 5th would feel a little too long. Wanted to try out a lighter flywheel partially out of interest, but also too see if I could make the engine a little more 'wieldy' at high revs. Exhaust and propshaft changes were necessary for packaging reasons. Decided to give the Yokahamas a go again as I wanted more of an all weather tyre and was happy to forego a bit of absolute grip. I also felt like a break from the R888 whine!
The car needed to go in for new diff bushes and damper rebuild at the end of last year anyway so decided the time was right to start the project. Helpfully, a fellow TVR owner needed a TKO600 so project costs became acceptable (thanks Macdeb!)
I picked the car up all completed a while back but have only recently had the opportunity to put some miles on it. Initial thoughts.....loving the T56. Having the extra gear is a real bonus for cruising as the car sits on the motorway at very reasonable revs, and the theoretical top speed is now quite amusing...It will also tick over in 6th gear at just over 30mph so handy cruise control for going through villages. Right now, the action also feels really nice - very quick and quite 'snicky' after the TKO600 but a little unfair to draw any conclusions until it has loosened up fully. Still getting used to the idea of reverse sitting next to 5th/6th even though it has a lockout...
Liking the flywheel change also...TBH not a night and day difference and of course difficult to assess in isolation given the change to box at the same time but there is definitely more flexibility and more of a bark than a growl now if that makes sense. It's also now possible to stall the car in a busy car park
.
The exhaust changes haven't made a difference to how the car sounds from the outside but have interestingly changed the sound inside the car in a positive way. Have also been pleasantly surprised by the Yokahamas - I had a set before and couldn't get on with them but this latest set seem to hold the temps better so maybe the compound has changed.
All in all I'm very pleased with the project and I think the upgrades work well together.
A special mention again to Topcats Racing who did all the work (I'm not going to claim I am even vaguely equipped to do these mods myself!)....I think it says something when I can drop the car off and pick it up a few weeks later with some fairly fundamental changes and be absolutely confident everything will be 100%. They know what they are doing, make sure everything is fully researched and planned, and if there is anyone out there more obsessive than me, it is Warren
In summary:
- Change from TKO600 to new T56 g/box
- Install Fidanza performance lightweight flywheel
- Exhaust, propshaft mods to accommodate
- Move to AD08r from R888
Reason for the change to 6 speed box was that a majority of my mileage these days is on euro trips to decent driving roads, an element of which include some fairly long motorway slogs. I had no problems with the action on the TKO600 and did consider installing a longer 5th but took advice (thanks Brummie) that the step between 4th and 5th would feel a little too long. Wanted to try out a lighter flywheel partially out of interest, but also too see if I could make the engine a little more 'wieldy' at high revs. Exhaust and propshaft changes were necessary for packaging reasons. Decided to give the Yokahamas a go again as I wanted more of an all weather tyre and was happy to forego a bit of absolute grip. I also felt like a break from the R888 whine!
The car needed to go in for new diff bushes and damper rebuild at the end of last year anyway so decided the time was right to start the project. Helpfully, a fellow TVR owner needed a TKO600 so project costs became acceptable (thanks Macdeb!)
I picked the car up all completed a while back but have only recently had the opportunity to put some miles on it. Initial thoughts.....loving the T56. Having the extra gear is a real bonus for cruising as the car sits on the motorway at very reasonable revs, and the theoretical top speed is now quite amusing...It will also tick over in 6th gear at just over 30mph so handy cruise control for going through villages
. Right now, the action also feels really nice - very quick and quite 'snicky' after the TKO600 but a little unfair to draw any conclusions until it has loosened up fully. Still getting used to the idea of reverse sitting next to 5th/6th even though it has a lockout...Liking the flywheel change also...TBH not a night and day difference and of course difficult to assess in isolation given the change to box at the same time but there is definitely more flexibility and more of a bark than a growl now if that makes sense. It's also now possible to stall the car in a busy car park
. The exhaust changes haven't made a difference to how the car sounds from the outside but have interestingly changed the sound inside the car in a positive way. Have also been pleasantly surprised by the Yokahamas - I had a set before and couldn't get on with them but this latest set seem to hold the temps better so maybe the compound has changed.
All in all I'm very pleased with the project and I think the upgrades work well together.
A special mention again to Topcats Racing who did all the work (I'm not going to claim I am even vaguely equipped to do these mods myself!)....I think it says something when I can drop the car off and pick it up a few weeks later with some fairly fundamental changes and be absolutely confident everything will be 100%. They know what they are doing, make sure everything is fully researched and planned, and if there is anyone out there more obsessive than me, it is Warren
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