Air con & engine rebuild questions ?

[philip600]

Hi again,

I've been looking around at a few Tuscans & have a couple of questions if I may -
Air con - worth it or not ? I have it in my Esprit & I use it, I know you can take the roof & rear screen out of the Tuscan but what about them days when it's humid & raining ? ( I know we don't get many !! )Does it work in the Tuscan or is it more bother than it's worth ?
Also I am thinking of a trip through Europe to the South of France at some point.
Engine - some I've seen have had full engine rebuilds others just top end, is it usually the top end that causes problems, one I'm interested in has had work done by Neil Garner ( who seems to have a good reputation ) but only top end rebuild. Should I be concerned about the bottom end ?

I'd appreciate thoughts from Tuscan owners.
Regards, Phil.

[Englishman]

I went though similar questions when I was looking for a Tuscan in the spring.

After looking at lots of cars with various prices and descriptions (I'm sure you've found, as I did, that some car advertised as top condition with engine rebuilds are far from it!) I bought a good condition one without air conditioning or an engine rebuild.

I'm sure air conditioning works fine, it does in the permanent hardtops, but as I mostly use the Tuscan with the roof off it wasn't an issue for me. Also one less thing to go wrong.

Despite the myths, not all early S6 engines are prone to failure and the dealer I bought my one from got it inspected and warrantied by Dom @ Powers Performance as part of the sale. Seems to be a good one so far and at least I have solid backup should any issues arise.

My advice would be to buy on condition. By that I basically mean four aspects, chassis, body, interior and engine. I personally wouldn't use an inspection company (been burnt that route), but do use a respected dealer like Hexham, Str8Six, Powers Performance etc. to check it over if you can.

[fatjon]

Can't comment on a tuscan but on my Cerbera the aircon is a must. Big engines, hot exhausts and cats and a small cabin are a horrible combination in summer.

[nrick]

philip600 said:

Hi again,

I've been looking around at a few Tuscans & have a couple of questions if I may -
Air con - worth it or not ? I have it in my Esprit & I use it, I know you can take the roof & rear screen out of the Tuscan but what about them days when it's humid & raining ? ( I know we don't get many !! )Does it work in the Tuscan or is it more bother than it's worth ?
Also I am thinking of a trip through Europe to the South of France at some point.
Engine - some I've seen have had full engine rebuilds others just top end, is it usually the top end that causes problems, one I'm interested in has had work done by Neil Garner ( who seems to have a good reputation ) but only top end rebuild. Should I be concerned about the bottom end ?

I'd appreciate thoughts from Tuscan owners.
Regards, Phil.

Hi Phillip

Aircon - First one didn't have it, second one did. Works great when you have it and it is working. Very nice to have not essential in this country if you ask me.

Engine - Can of worms unless you know the car from day 1. The older cars were rebuilt to varying standards with varying parts. Indian rods, chocolate followers, sintered cams, various cranks, some cast, some forged, various designs of blocks are all things to be wary of. The only relatively safe option is an older engine, mine has 62k on the original engine with no rebuild but better internals as later engine.

Search for s6devils car for information that can happen about rebuilds if only the top end is done. The only reliable options are later engine, rebuild from one of the reputable engine builders each has their advantages and disadvantages, but google search is your friend.

Other things to be aware of is half time bearing, mine has had one of those. Clutches last about 20k, some less some more. Valve guides tend to wear. I think it is fair to say that all cars will need a rebuild at some stage given they are a specialist hand built from a small manufacturer. That said they are not impossible to work on, there are some good resources and threads.

Also check throttle bodies that wear and produce inconsistent idle.

If you want something different you could try a FFF head by Racing green, search for M4tti's thread.

Anything else you need just ask.

[philip600]

Thanks for the replies. I forgot to say the Tuscan I'm looking at is an early 2003 model, does this make a difference regarding engine ? I'm unsure about air con, I spent 3 months looking for a van with air con having cursed the last 2 I owned without it every time the sun came out ! I take the point about the roof on the Tuscan but what about warm days when it rains & you can't take the roof off, doesn't it get stuffy ? The roof comes off the Esprit but it's rare I ever get to leave it off the whole journey, it always seems to rain at some point. With the Esprit you can have it fitted but tilted like a Sun roof which helps with air flow but if it rains heavy & I have to close it it soon becomes stuffy in the cab & the air con goes on. my mate has a Cerb though & says his air con is next to useless so was wondering if Tuscan is any better ? Thanks again for your input, keep it coming, much appreciated .

[chris watton]

philip600 said:

Thanks for the replies. I forgot to say the Tuscan I'm looking at is an early 2003 model, does this make a difference regarding engine ? I'm unsure about air con, I spent 3 months looking for a van with air con having cursed the last 2 I owned without it every time the sun came out ! I take the point about the roof on the Tuscan but what about warm days when it rains & you can't take the roof off, doesn't it get stuffy ? The roof comes off the Esprit but it's rare I ever get to leave it off the whole journey, it always seems to rain at some point. With the Esprit you can have it fitted but tilted like a Sun roof which helps with air flow but if it rains heavy & I have to close it it soon becomes stuffy in the cab & the air con goes on. my mate has a Cerb though & says his air con is next to useless so was wondering if Tuscan is any better ? Thanks again for your input, keep it coming, much appreciated .

I have a Tamora, and there are times I wish it had aircon, especially on days like today, when it's pissing down but still humid outside. I cannot have the window down, otherwise I get soaked. Worse when in heavy traffic - you just end up getting slowly baked, and it ain't no fun - it gets to a point where you have no choice but to open the windows and risk soaking the interior.

The complete washout that has been our Summer this year has made me wish (at times) that I did choose an example with aircon, as it can no longer be retrofitted (due to lack of parts)

[nrick]

Aircon is nice to have, when it is hot and you are stuck in traffic the fans direct the air straight at you. When it is working it is first class, at least in the 2006 car. It can be retrofitted though, although it is not cheap.

There was a turning point late in 2000 when some of the suspension/steering was changed, there was an engine update in 2003'ish and then the whole thing was updated for the NS reign. Having had an early Mk1 and a later mk2 vert, the later cars are night and day to the very early ones. Buy the best condition, latest one you can for minimum risk. Try a Mk1, a Mk2 and a later car.

[Tuscan Wil]

philip600 said:

Thanks for the replies. I forgot to say the Tuscan I'm looking at is an early 2003 model, does this make a difference regarding engine ? I'm unsure about air con, I spent 3 months looking for a van with air con having cursed the last 2 I owned without it every time the sun came out ! I take the point about the roof on the Tuscan but what about warm days when it rains & you can't take the roof off, doesn't it get stuffy ? The roof comes off the Esprit but it's rare I ever get to leave it off the whole journey, it always seems to rain at some point. With the Esprit you can have it fitted but tilted like a Sun roof which helps with air flow but if it rains heavy & I have to close it it soon becomes stuffy in the cab & the air con goes on. my mate has a Cerb though & says his air con is next to useless so was wondering if Tuscan is any better ? Thanks again for your input, keep it coming, much appreciated .

Phil
I have got air con in mine. Love it, won't have one without it if i had to buy another Tuscan or a TVR. As everyone has already said here. In my opinions there are lots of occasions you would want your A/C. There are days that the sun are so strong, it will just burn you if you have the top off for the whole journey; there are days that you need to clock some motorway miles wish to have the top on for some civilised environment and there are days that its raining hard outside during the summer months, but of course it is a crime to take your Tuscan out when it is raining!!!

[philip600]

Thanks again for taking time to reply, I suppose it is a personal thing but being someone who spent ages previously looking for a van with air con for the very reasons listed & the fact I do find it advantages in the Esprit I think I may regret going for one without.
I would love a MK2 but unfortunately my budget wont stretch that far, I've ruled out T350T also for that reason
On another note what's the thoughts on Cat D Tuscans ? There seems to be a few around but as I understand it the insurance companies were classifying many as Cat D even though damage was minimal. I presume it would be good to have history of why it was categorised as such but if the price is right should this put you off ?
I like the look of the blue Tuscan S in Junction 17 but so far email requests for further info on the damage have resulted in silence ?! Anyone know the car or it's history ?
I haven't even driven one yet as unfortunately Tuscans for sale near me are thin on the ground.
Phil.

[Tuscan Wil]

I personally won't be put off by the Cat D car, subject to the damage of course and if the remedial was carried properly by someone who does know what they are doing. Also if you intend to keep it for a long long time, just because it will be slightly more difficult and hassle to resell I am only guessing.

I think many here would agree, it is a personally choice about Mk1 and Mk2. I personally prefer the mark1 cheese grater, the brass/ stainless steel dash and the Kylie's bum rear (that is what i call it) with no tail lights on the bum cheek.

[nrick]

all depends on who did the repair