Dropped my Tam off today for final upgrade..

[chris watton]

My Tam is having its final upgrade over the next week, after the 4.3 and other gubbins, Quaife LSD, the final part of the drivetrain, the gearbox, is being changed to close ratio, care of Readman Racing. I dropped the Tam off to CWR (ex David Gerald) this morning, to remove the box and send it up north.

After this, there is nothing else to upgrade, am just going to enjoy it, I cannot think of anything else I could possibly do to make it better!

I started a topic a while ago, 'Do we ever stop, when is enough, enough', well, I think I have finally reached that point!

Strange, the one thing I was convinced I wanted, I never got, the CF airbox.

My stepson followed me to Redditch, to bring me back, and it was so funny, he told me that he thought a load of rocks were hitting his roof when behind me, but it was just my exhaust (with decats) popping and banging!

[chris watton]

billynobrakes said:

Dom's MBE gets rid of crappy stone age electrics

I did ask Dom about that (naturally..), but he did say that benefits would be minimal. The 4.3 is running like a dream right now, and I cannot see how spending another £3k on that could possibly make it noticeably better.

Apparently, that MBE system suits the older TVR's better, so I was told (how these things work is beyond me, so I have to rely on people who know more to advise..)

What I do know however, is that my Tam is now an absolute pleasure to drive.

[chris watton]

KSV said:

I'm sure you will find more things to do it's only a matter of time.

Out of interest how much was the gear box upgrade and can it be done on a standard speed six.

Thanks Colin

Absolutely! it is not a long job to take the gearbox only out (bell housing and clutch remain untouched and stay on the engine). In all the upgrade is around the £1k mark, which includes changing anything else in the gearbox that needs changing (bearings, seals etc.)

I had the CR gearbox on my first (standard 3.6) Tamora, too.

I didn't expect this to be done so soon, I emailed Readman Racing expecting a long wait, perhaps October, so thought I'd book it in now - but they said that, if CWR in Redditch can get the box to them for Anglesey this weekend, they'll take the box, upgrade it and send it back late next week!

[chris watton]

billynobrakes said:

I have spoken to Dom and he says because it gets rid of the stone age electricary it allows much smoother running of the engine and therefore it releases the horses and torque better so makes it faster, also you have traction control so no loss of grip and also launch control so going by that you must get more controllability of the car so it must be an advantage , well that's what I as told

Gary, just stop it!

Maybe one day - but right now, I have ticked off everything I had on my original 'Bucket List', and then some! When I first bought the car, I knew I wanted the 4.3 and CR box, and I bought it fairly cheap with those in mind, a 'blank canvas' to sculpt it into something that was my perfect Tamora

It would be all too easy not to stop, and plough almost the same money again into the car, but for the next year at least, I plan to pile on the miles (and smiles) and enjoy the fruits of all the goodies already installed on/I the car. I have to admit that the Quaife LSD helps a lot in keeping the rear in check, and I never race away at traffic lights (anymore) anyway.

In any case, if I were to spend another £3k on what my wife already calls 'The Money Pit', I would be in serious trouble!

[chris watton]

billynobrakes said:

No chris you have got it all wrong, you must put in Dom's MBE, just so you can report back to me and tell me what you think, just have a nice word with your good wife and I am sure it will be alright

NO!

I really am genuinely happy with the Tam now, I don't think spending another £3k will make me any happier with it, TBH. Anyway, I have a Corp tax bill to pay for next month....

There will always be much faster stuff out there, so chasing ever larger BHP figures is ultimately futile, the car is already too fast for my limited talents, I'm just happy I have 'tailored' the Tam to suit me.

Having said that, I do plan to have a bespoke remap and dyno run at Dom's at some point...

[chris watton]

ChazUwe said:

Final upgrade... We'll see

Anything else would be 'tinkering at the edges', and I think I've done that to death already. (LED's, ICE etc.)

Perhaps little things like SS braided brake hoses when the rears need changing, and I would like my callipers rebuilt and re-painted properly at some point (still smarting from the reality of me spending £360 on having them repainted and they did such a piss poor job ), and it will need periodical front end re-sprays. But nothing else major, it's all been done, mechanically and cosmetically, at least.

Anyway, I have a chimney in need of reinstating, and a new combi boiler before Winter.....

[chris watton]

BuzzBillsberry said:

Finished with your upgrades? You'd best not speak Track v Road about their new trick suspension..... adjustable from inside the car with the press of the button: touring,fast and race settings.....oops said too much already.

Buzz

You having that done, Buzz?

[chris watton]

Zippee said:

Chris - Time to just enjoy it now mate
You have a pretty much perfect car, anything else is just window dressing so get out there and drive...
What have you done to your ICE by the way?

I agree!

When I bought the car (fairly cheap, a blank canvas), I knew exactly what I wanted to have done to it to make it 'mine', as in, if I were to spec a brand new Tam today, this is how I would have it.

It was while researching to see if another Tam was viable, I realised just how healthy the aftermarket scene is now, and it was then, before I even bought it, that I decided I want the following:

4.3 and renewed cooling system (and clutch/flywheel)
If the car has the hideous Bison interior, have it re-trimmed in real leather.
Adjustable suspension, so I can slightly increase the ride height.
CR gearbox (as I loved it in my first Tam)
Quaife ATB LSD (after sampling one in my wife's car)

To me, it is like a new car! I have no idea what the real mileage was because, as with a lot of T cars, the speed transducer was intermittent at best, but now, it doesn't matter regarding mileage/history so much.

I have now done all that, and then some! I have no compulsion to tinker with it any more, if I did feel that way, that would mean that I am still not happy with it, and if I am not happy with it now, I never would be!

For the ICE, I bought a Pioneer single DIN flip out (touch) screen, along with sat nav, DAB and reverse camera. I changed the four speakers for better ones, and had a powered sub added behind the seat, here: (Although that isn't exactly where I asked them to put it..)




This is the unit and associated add ons:
http://caraudiosecurity.com/avh-x7700bt-single-din...

ETA - If I were to change one thing with the benefit of hindsight, I would have chosen a different trimmer, as I was less than happy with some of the work carried out.

Edited by chris watton on Thursday 6th August 10:32

[chris watton]

TVRinBFG said:

Looks good Chris - although nobody believes you've finished upgrading it yet! ;-)
Re the stereo flip out screen, do your knuckles catch it when changing into 1st, particularly 3rd when driving fast, 5th? And have you got the mirror link, so that your phone apps work on the screen - if so, how good?

Cheers

No, I have never even touched the unit when changing gear. I do leave the screen in the open position though, most of the time.

I don't have mirror link, just a small reverse camera fixed to the rear and connected to the reverse switch and screen.

The unit even reads out your texts, I didn't know this until the other week (and I've had it a year!), I wondered what the hell was going on.

I can see that being a problem if you have another woman!

[chris watton]

Andy_mr2sc said:

You'll love the gearbox Chris. I rebuilt mine earlier this year with a Reedman CR kit and uprated synchros and it's awesome. Keeps the engine in the power zone all of the time and hits 60 in first!
I'm sure you will be told this by your garage but make sure you change your gearbox oil after 500 miles. I've just changed mine and it's surprising the amount of bits floating in it!

Cheers

Yes, I was told yesterday that the gearbox oil needs changing after the 500 mile 'run in' period.

Having the titanium gear lever fitted at the same time (only because the original lets the interior down, covered in glue)!

I would have liked to have the new rubber gaiter fitted at the same time, from James Agger, but don't think that'll be ready in time - the original is now well past its sell-by date, more sikaflex than original rubber!

[chris watton]

mr lock pick said:

How about some AP Discs & Callipers

or on a more serious note!!!!


LS7

I have the 322mm fronts, they're good enough for me. As for the LS7, I think that's someone else's perfect Tam, not mine. What I have is already more than enough for my limited capabilities. I think that too much power and too much torque would spoil some of the fun of B-Road hooning, TBH. For me, at least.

[chris watton]

mr lock pick said:

Fair point Chris.

However you do know that part of the love affair with TVR's is the constant tweaks, mods, upgrades.

It never really ever stops.

Hope you are enjoying the car Chris, try and do the Lemans Classic if you can, super event.

I know, I will always 'tinker' with it, whether washing it, cleaning the underside, adding the curved pedals, I am sure that will never stop. I even changed as many of the old bolts and screws as I could for SS versions, and put copper grease on most (especially the rear diffuser!). The mechanics say it's a joy taking my car apart! (although they could just be being nice and humouring me...)

Regarding the big power, 5-600bhp, I can and always will fully understand why you sag, T350 and Tuscan owners want that (The Sagaris especially), being coupes, but for the Tam, I have always enjoyed it most when on the B-Roads, not going full-pelt, just a couple of clicks down from that. Anyway, anything over 160mph and there's a real chance of the roof flying off and/or the windscreen seal undressing itself - how embarrassing would that be!

Sometimes I wish I didn't like the damned car so much, I'd probably be rich - but then again, the money would have gone elsewhere anyway..

[chris watton]

mr lock pick said:

If it makes you feel a little better I have just spent over 20k on a clio 172 cup. However the thing is an epic track day car and honestly embarrasses a lot of exotica on many tracks.
We do it because it is our hobby and we all love it.

I am sure you're right, we don't drink, smoke or gamble, it is like a hobby for me too! I spent around £12k on my wife's MG because she wanted to keep it (It was while sorting out her MG that got me thinking of another Tamora, and upgrading that to how I would want it), and have just bought a new Milltek exhaust system for her Cooper S! I find it so much more fun (and rewarding, if not financially) than buying a new car. Slippery slope!

Edited by chris watton on Thursday 6th August 22:07

[chris watton]

OK, have now got my Tam back, great drive home (mostly in 2nd)! I had the titanium gear lever too, but I don't think they secured the (tatty and admittedly almost un-securable) rubber gaiter, as there's a lot more heat coming up through the leather gaiter. I will have to harass James Agger for one of his upcoming new ones..

My dropped drivers' door was fixed too, at CWR (ex David Geralds), so I don't have to suffer a wet right chin anymore!

Apart from that, I cannot think of anything else to improve my Tamora - it's had a makeover in all of the important areas, and I'm just gonna enjoy it now, and perhaps upgrade the Wife's Mini.

...But that CF airbox.......

[chris watton]

billynobrakes said:

Chris

I looked at the CF airbox and they look so much better than the black plastic thing but are quite expensive, have you thought about carbon dipping, looks exactly the same for about £70

Hmm, not sure about carbon dipping, I do prefer the real thing rather than fake. However, the CF airbox cost more or less the same as my gearbox rebuild and CR gears put in - it was a no brainer on which to choose. I went though this before, choosing the airbox or the big bore exhaust, it lost out that time too, as I figured the larger bore exhaust would suit the 4.3 better and be of more overall benefit to the car.

If my airbox wasn't airtight and looked the worse for wear, then fair enough, but I feel spending so much on something that adds little to no performance advantage (exactly the same size and shape as the original) is a step too far. For now, at least...

The Tam is so drivable now, so much fun, in sound, performance and handling. It is now all the car I ever wanted.

Edited by chris watton on Thursday 20th August 14:29

[chris watton]

ChazUwe said:

But it does look nice

That does look nice! In fact, that looks like my engine bay, sans CF box and black instead of blue silicon hoses.

I even have a brand new PS pump and SS bracket, for when (or if) mine dies!

[chris watton]

You lot are evil!

[chris watton]

ChazUwe said:

Might aswell just finish it off Chris and have the 100% perfect Tamora

Perhaps next year - but every time I have gone to buy it, I stop and buy something more worthwhile instead.

I have just ordered this, though:
http://www.nimbusmotorsport.co.uk/ProdShop2.asp?id...

I have tried to contact James Agger regarding the new rubber gear gaiter, but had no answer. So I will try this and see if it works - the heat emanating from the leather yesterday was quite intense (probably not helped by the cheap running in oil..)

At some point, I would also like the manifolds ceramic coated - but that's not essential..

[chris watton]

ChazUwe said:

Be interested to see how you get on with that heat shield. I managed to improve mine by resealing but the rubber gaiter will no doubt deterior and/or work loose again!

Will let you know, should arrive tomorrow. I knew it was knackered the last time I Sikaflexed it into position. I haven't looked yet, but I have little doubt the guys who took out and re-installed my gearbox did not secure it, or left it off completely, as my centre tunnel has never been so hot!

If what I have ordered fits, at least I shouldn't have to remove it again for a very long time once in place, plus it should do a better job of shielding the transmission heat.

[chris watton]

ChazUwe said:

Is the base rubber or plastic? If it is flexible or trim able you should be able to get it to work in some form. G Varley used an old soldering mat to make one. I have got one floating around so I might give it a go myself!

I don't know, I am hoping whatever it is, it's flexible!