Discussion
The one word to describe the car now....fantastic!
So if you don't have any previous knowledge of TVR's, how do you know what they are supposed to drive like, and if you have a good one? If you've got no reference point to use, then you just assume your car is the way they are and leave it at that. Well my eyes are now opened!!
I had no issues with the previous garage that worked on the car, always thought they did a good service and treated me fairly. But this last time because of staff shortages they were unable to work on my car and I had to find another garage. The one I now use apparently used to do alot of the TVR services when TVR was in business in Japan and did indeed know my car. Well a rather hefty bill for the Japan MOT and other work on the car and I was finally able to pick it up yesterday. It is a completely different car to drive!
They did a full wheel alignment setup for me - ok it cost a fair bit, but has transformed the car. He said the alignment was so far out it should have been dangerous to drive. My experience was always heavy steering, even though it has power steering, and you grabbed on tightly to the wheel as any road bump would cause a sharp change in direction. Now it drives very relaxed, one handed, ney even 2 fingers lightly on the wheel is possible. Bumps? It now soaks them up and stays straight! I think not just from the wheel alignment setup he did but also all the worn suspension bushes he replaced.
I got stuck in Tokyo traffic and a little highway queue in some hot weather. It never over heated, it stayed constantly in the 85-88 range. It makes a fantastic burble from about 2,500rpm that has other driver looking over at the tiny car with the husky voice. The wife says it sounds quieter (as under 2,500 rpm when I took her out in it). The new colour interior looks great - although not able to do the carpets yet as this bill emptied the pockets for now. Now even with the roof up and windows closed, we no longer get the engine smells in the cabin, looks like the boot vent adapters I printed really do work.
Yes it's great to have her back and wonderful that she has now become a much better TVR and a real pleasure to drive. She will be driven alot this year.
So if you don't have any previous knowledge of TVR's, how do you know what they are supposed to drive like, and if you have a good one? If you've got no reference point to use, then you just assume your car is the way they are and leave it at that. Well my eyes are now opened!!
I had no issues with the previous garage that worked on the car, always thought they did a good service and treated me fairly. But this last time because of staff shortages they were unable to work on my car and I had to find another garage. The one I now use apparently used to do alot of the TVR services when TVR was in business in Japan and did indeed know my car. Well a rather hefty bill for the Japan MOT and other work on the car and I was finally able to pick it up yesterday. It is a completely different car to drive!
They did a full wheel alignment setup for me - ok it cost a fair bit, but has transformed the car. He said the alignment was so far out it should have been dangerous to drive. My experience was always heavy steering, even though it has power steering, and you grabbed on tightly to the wheel as any road bump would cause a sharp change in direction. Now it drives very relaxed, one handed, ney even 2 fingers lightly on the wheel is possible. Bumps? It now soaks them up and stays straight! I think not just from the wheel alignment setup he did but also all the worn suspension bushes he replaced.
I got stuck in Tokyo traffic and a little highway queue in some hot weather. It never over heated, it stayed constantly in the 85-88 range. It makes a fantastic burble from about 2,500rpm that has other driver looking over at the tiny car with the husky voice. The wife says it sounds quieter (as under 2,500 rpm when I took her out in it). The new colour interior looks great - although not able to do the carpets yet as this bill emptied the pockets for now. Now even with the roof up and windows closed, we no longer get the engine smells in the cabin, looks like the boot vent adapters I printed really do work.
Yes it's great to have her back and wonderful that she has now become a much better TVR and a real pleasure to drive. She will be driven alot this year.
Did they give you a print-out of the final alignment specs they used? The guys who I use never really know exactly where to set mine. Would be good to hand them some known good road settings next time I have it done.
One thing they seem to go for is more caster on the right front than the left to counter the veering left that the cambered road produces. I have multiple caster shims to achieve this. People who know these cars probably have their own settings they use which may be subtly different to "factory" settings. Good to here you are happy with yours, it makes such a difference when a car is set up right.
One thing they seem to go for is more caster on the right front than the left to counter the veering left that the cambered road produces. I have multiple caster shims to achieve this. People who know these cars probably have their own settings they use which may be subtly different to "factory" settings. Good to here you are happy with yours, it makes such a difference when a car is set up right.
Just checked the paperwork and don't see any print out of the settings in there. I will ask him, looks like they document everything and take photos of the work too. Got 4 pages of itemized billing and set of actual photos with the paperwork - no digital cameras in that shop 
Gave me the option of keeping the parts that were taken off, but in this case I saw no point.
Guy is right in the middle of upscale area of Tokyo with his little shop. Had a Griff in there being worked on when I picked the car up, a Lotus Elise and what looked like a WWII German staff car. I will go back there, when I can afford to.
I can see me taking a day off from work this week just to get out and drive some more.
Gave me the option of keeping the parts that were taken off, but in this case I saw no point.Guy is right in the middle of upscale area of Tokyo with his little shop. Had a Griff in there being worked on when I picked the car up, a Lotus Elise and what looked like a WWII German staff car. I will go back there, when I can afford to.
I can see me taking a day off from work this week just to get out and drive some more.
NZ fan said:
Did they give you a print-out of the final alignment specs they used? The guys who I use never really know exactly where to set mine. Would be good to hand them some known good road settings next time I have it done.
One thing they seem to go for is more caster on the right front than the left to counter the veering left that the cambered road produces. I have multiple caster shims to achieve this. People who know these cars probably have their own settings they use which may be subtly different to "factory" settings. Good to here you are happy with yours, it makes such a difference when a car is set up right.
Here you go Neville / Daz (Fast road/track settings):One thing they seem to go for is more caster on the right front than the left to counter the veering left that the cambered road produces. I have multiple caster shims to achieve this. People who know these cars probably have their own settings they use which may be subtly different to "factory" settings. Good to here you are happy with yours, it makes such a difference when a car is set up right.
and corner weights:
These are all for 1998 450 Supercharged Chimaera on Nitron Racing Red shocks, 325lb rear springs & 400lb fronts, 245/45/16 rears & 225/45/16 fronts, Toyo T1Rs and 16" Imolas.
Hope these help.
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