Ground Clearance + Parts Availability + New Boy

[perksy]

Hi All

Been lurking in the background for awhile and learning as much as possible from you lads

I come from a background of Westfield's and I'm currently rebuilding a 1979 RS 2000 engine for a mate who is restoring one, so i know my way around a set of spanners : )


Have a couple of queries regarding Wedges, What are they like for ground clearance ? I've had a measure up and don't think the exhaust system on a TVR 'S' will clear the lead-up to my driveway, hence the question about the Wedge.

Also what is the part supply for Wedges like ? Eg Chassis etc

Just wandering of there is anybody with a Wedge in Shropshire that I might be able have a meet up with a perhaps try their car for size ?

Thanks in advance for any help

[mrzigazaga]

Hi mate

Ground clearance?...Whats that

Its around 5-6 inches...Even then you have to watch the tailpipe and front spoiler....Parts for both the V6 & V8 are available..Some are getting scarce and need a modern equivalent.

Chassis is repairable to a competent welder if need be.

Hope this helps....


Ziga

[KKson]

perksy said:

Hi All

Been lurking in the background for awhile and learning as much as possible from you lads

I come from a background of Westfield's and I'm currently rebuilding a 1979 RS 2000 engine for a mate who is restoring one, so i know my way around a set of spanners : )


Have a couple of queries regarding Wedges, What are they like for ground clearance ? I've had a measure up and don't think the exhaust system on a TVR 'S' will clear the lead-up to my driveway, hence the question about the Wedge.

Also what is the part supply for Wedges like ? Eg Chassis etc

Just wandering of there is anybody with a Wedge in Shropshire that I might be able have a meet up with a perhaps try their car for size ?

Thanks in advance for any help

Hi. I'm based just outside Leominster but office is Ludlow so just in Shropshire - where abouts are you? There was a great Midlands breakfast club meeting last Sunday at the Oswestry Iron Works so a good collection of TVR's were there. The 350i has good ground clearance on the chassis and exhaust only low spot really is the chin spoiler which prevents you driving it on to a normal ramp. I use a couple of floor boards then a small ramp extension to get the car up without chinning it.

Chassis wise the outriggers are the one area to watch out for. On the 350i's the sills are held on with pop rivets so can be removed and the outriggers easily repaired. Spares wise most items are available. There's a good parts guide at the top of the Wedges page. As the cars are made from an assortment of different sources there's usually always a way around a problem and someone on the forum will have resolved it previously so it's just a matter of asking.

Fun/smiles/noise and performance per pound you wont get anything better for your money in my opinion. There is NOTHING like the noise of a V8 at full chat. Cheers. Keith

[RCK974X]

Some notes around ground clearance....

The earlier wedges with trailing arm rear suspension (pre 86, more or less) can 'sag' and reduce ground clearance - you can tell by looking for quite noticeable negative camber. It just needs new springs, the ones on the car will be tired, it's not a design defect. Might be a bargaining chip if you spot this !

Some of the exhaust systems get a bit close to the road too, as the rear floor has a low spot just behind the seats - some exhausts tuck in under the propshaft tunnel here, but some don't. I have a stainless system on mine (pipes not in tunnel). It has the pipes flattened at the low point but it still rubs on some speed ramps. (yep - I need new road springs...).

Other than this point on the exhaust pipes, I've not had any ground clearance problems, and I think my springs are original (1982).

So have a look under with a good torch .... you should anyway to see what the chassis looks like ...

There are a few bits getting harder to find, but most are OK. I can even get bits out here in New Zealand without too much hassle, even though the 2.8 Cologne V6 was never officially imported here. Rover bits are easy, lots of Landies and Discos. With a bit of ingenuity, you can often find something.

Edited by RCK974X on Friday 29th April 00:29

[B@man]

Ground clearance of my wedge is better than my alfa 159 "sensible" car !

[Number 7]

Just measured mine: 100mm under the exhaust centre box and 85mm at the outer edges of the front under spoiler - these are unladen measurements, and the latter won't apply to non-400/450 models.

[jon haines]

Lets see a picture of your driveway with some measurements that might help

[perksy]

Thanks for all the replies

My last 2 Westfields managed to get on the driveway ok with only me and no passengers

When I measured the underside of a TVR 'S' it became pretty clear that the exhaust box wouldn't clear
Going by the measurements kindly supplied above it looks fine as they are similar to the Westfields I had

So it looks like the search can now begin, I'm kicking myself as I enquired about the 3.9 SE in Staffordshire (not one of the 25)
but chose to view an 'S' instead
That Wedge has now been sold...

[drak ula]

ooooh i'd love a westfield/caterham, ultimate road toy. i have had an S for years and just bought a wedge few weeks ago, yes the S has f-all ground clearance and scrapes exhaust on any driveway to road way dip or sleeping policeman no matter how slowly or carefully you creep over them, wedge much better for clearance over sleeping policeman and much more forgiving suspension in general over pot holes etc, more like a normal car compared to the S which is like a go-kart!

perksy said:

Hi All

Been lurking in the background for awhile and learning as much as possible from you lads

I come from a background of Westfield's and I'm currently rebuilding a 1979 RS 2000 engine for a mate who is restoring one, so i know my way around a set of spanners : )


Have a couple of queries regarding Wedges, What are they like for ground clearance ? I've had a measure up and don't think the exhaust system on a TVR 'S' will clear the lead-up to my driveway, hence the question about the Wedge.

Also what is the part supply for Wedges like ? Eg Chassis etc

Just wandering of there is anybody with a Wedge in Shropshire that I might be able have a meet up with a perhaps try their car for size ?

Thanks in advance for any help

[drak ula]

have to say my 2.9 v8 s2 sounds much better than my wedge 3905 v8!!!!

KKson said:

Hi. I'm based just outside Leominster but office is Ludlow so just in Shropshire - where abouts are you? There was a great Midlands breakfast club meeting last Sunday at the Oswestry Iron Works so a good collection of TVR's were there. The 350i has good ground clearance on the chassis and exhaust only low spot really is the chin spoiler which prevents you driving it on to a normal ramp. I use a couple of floor boards then a small ramp extension to get the car up without chinning it.

Chassis wise the outriggers are the one area to watch out for. On the 350i's the sills are held on with pop rivets so can be removed and the outriggers easily repaired. Spares wise most items are available. There's a good parts guide at the top of the Wedges page. As the cars are made from an assortment of different sources there's usually always a way around a problem and someone on the forum will have resolved it previously so it's just a matter of asking.

Fun/smiles/noise and performance per pound you wont get anything better for your money in my opinion. There is NOTHING like the noise of a V8 at full chat. Cheers. Keith

[perksy]

Have to say I think the 'S' I tried rode a lot harder than both the Westfields I've had and there seemed little if ant compliance going over a rough surface road
So I can see what you mean by "Go cart"


The next Breakfast club meeting is definitely on my list and I have the money sat waiting if anybody hears of a Wedge in the meantime..

I know the SE's are rare but I do like the look of them

My last 220 BHP Westie took 6 months to find, So We'll see....