ICE, head units and speakers
Discussion
Hope you don't mind but I have another question for the mighty S forum! I really like having an iPod in my car and I'd like it in the TVR but my head unit and speakers suffer from a few problems.
Left speaker is about to explode, or perhaps has and just emits a crackling voice or whooomph noise so I put the balance over to the right speaker - this is okay, at best.
The head unit does work but is obviously original and only has a tape deck. So, I bought one of those tapes with an aux cable connected so I can plug into the ipod and play through the tape deck...I've done this before in a Golf and it was sufficient. However, this one plays for a bit then doesn't recognise any sound so keeps stopping the tape and trying to switch sides, back and forth, back and forth - is very irritating. Even more annoying is when I accelerate a squeal gets louder through the speakers!
So, I'd like to put new speakers in and a new head unit with an aux connector for my ipod (yes, I know I should be having the roof fixed first but I hope to have that sorted in a couple of weeks). Halfords have some good deals and fit the stuff for you but I'm concerned because there are no TVRs in their compatible search lists. Should I even dream of having someone fit this into a TVR if they don't know them? Could it destroy the whole electrical system? Are there any types you guys have fitted or would recommend (if you are allowed to?). Finally, will fitting this destroy the originality of my car?
Thanks guys,
Pierce
P.S. I spoke to a certain TVR dealer down in Hampshire to find out if they could service my S and they told me they haven't seen one for 15 years!
"Of course," he said, "We all learnt on them and we know what to do. We're releasing a new engine this Saturday, you're more than welcome to come down and look at our facilities and let everyone see your car!"
Wouldn't have happened with the Audi I had, nice to be different!
Left speaker is about to explode, or perhaps has and just emits a crackling voice or whooomph noise so I put the balance over to the right speaker - this is okay, at best.
The head unit does work but is obviously original and only has a tape deck. So, I bought one of those tapes with an aux cable connected so I can plug into the ipod and play through the tape deck...I've done this before in a Golf and it was sufficient. However, this one plays for a bit then doesn't recognise any sound so keeps stopping the tape and trying to switch sides, back and forth, back and forth - is very irritating. Even more annoying is when I accelerate a squeal gets louder through the speakers!
So, I'd like to put new speakers in and a new head unit with an aux connector for my ipod (yes, I know I should be having the roof fixed first but I hope to have that sorted in a couple of weeks). Halfords have some good deals and fit the stuff for you but I'm concerned because there are no TVRs in their compatible search lists. Should I even dream of having someone fit this into a TVR if they don't know them? Could it destroy the whole electrical system? Are there any types you guys have fitted or would recommend (if you are allowed to?). Finally, will fitting this destroy the originality of my car?
Thanks guys,
Pierce
P.S. I spoke to a certain TVR dealer down in Hampshire to find out if they could service my S and they told me they haven't seen one for 15 years!
"Of course," he said, "We all learnt on them and we know what to do. We're releasing a new engine this Saturday, you're more than welcome to come down and look at our facilities and let everyone see your car!"
Wouldn't have happened with the Audi I had, nice to be different!
In principle any unit will fit with the right connectors, but check the depth of the unit as the one i currently have fouls at the back and therefore sits a few mm proud of the surround. So take the old one out and check against any new one first before buying. Also my speakers were totally shot, they were the original soft card units and had absorbed all the moisture possible - terrible sound. I also made up a small "tray" for the back shelf containing the two rear channel speakers which provides much better reproduction being closer to the ears. I covered it in similar material as the shelf so it looks ok.
Sacrilege! He wants to listen to something other than the exhaust?! 
When you commute daily in it like I do as your primary car, it can sometimes become a little bit tedious when sitting in traffic that doesn't move for 20 mins. An hour in a TVR that grumbles along at a maximum speed of 30 mph but mostly is at 3-5 mph is tough. I suppose it shows how good the car is that it doesn't over-heat but I do get bored sitting there. I intend to buy speakers that will allow me to hear them. I'll take the measurements and see what can be done. Until then, I'll just have to blip the throttle on occasion...
Cheers
Pierce
When you commute daily in it like I do as your primary car, it can sometimes become a little bit tedious when sitting in traffic that doesn't move for 20 mins. An hour in a TVR that grumbles along at a maximum speed of 30 mph but mostly is at 3-5 mph is tough. I suppose it shows how good the car is that it doesn't over-heat but I do get bored sitting there. I intend to buy speakers that will allow me to hear them. I'll take the measurements and see what can be done. Until then, I'll just have to blip the throttle on occasion...
Cheers
Pierce
I fitted 13inch Kenwood speakers into mine and replaced the head unit with a face off Clarion unit which has a jack point for an MP3 player. At full volume you can barely hear it so it really requires an amp and some rear speakers. I did use it going down thru France on a long run and it was just about OK when the roof was up (it was raining OK) but any quiet tracks just couldn't be heard.
I bought the speakers from Halfrauds but there's no way on earth I'd let them touch my car. Assuming you are not replacing the cables then its a reasonably easy job to do I had to drill some new holes for the speakers and redo the wiring connectors to fit the head unit. Took an hour or so to complete. As for originality I'm not big on keeping things as they were the original speakers were crap and the head unit was crap why keep crap in the car.
I bought the speakers from Halfrauds but there's no way on earth I'd let them touch my car. Assuming you are not replacing the cables then its a reasonably easy job to do I had to drill some new holes for the speakers and redo the wiring connectors to fit the head unit. Took an hour or so to complete. As for originality I'm not big on keeping things as they were the original speakers were crap and the head unit was crap why keep crap in the car.
I did actually mean 13cm. Carl Bakers the man to speak to. Have a fancy head unit in mine and decent speakers also got an Ipod connector in the rear center pocket.
Previous owner had it all fitted, rarely use it myself but it gives swmbo something to do while I'm driving.
http://www.tvruk.tv/events.cfm
Previous owner had it all fitted, rarely use it myself but it gives swmbo something to do while I'm driving.
http://www.tvruk.tv/events.cfm
Edited by wiz 1 on Wednesday 25th February 18:57
wiz 1 said:
Carl Bakers the man to speak to. Have a fancy head unit in mine and decent speakers also got an Ipod connector in the rear center pocket.
Previous owner had it all fitted, rarely use it myself but it gives swmbo something to do while I'm driving.
http://www.tvruk.tv/events.cfm
Yeap! I'll second that! Considering I was the previous owner and had it ALL fitted by Carl, sound man, sound job and sound system!Previous owner had it all fitted, rarely use it myself but it gives swmbo something to do while I'm driving.
http://www.tvruk.tv/events.cfm
Edited by wiz 1 on Wednesday 25th February 18:57
The Stiglet said:
Sacrilege! He wants to listen to something other than the exhaust?!
When you commute daily in it like I do as your primary car, it can sometimes become a little bit tedious when sitting in traffic that doesn't move for 20 mins. An hour in a TVR that grumbles along at a maximum speed of 30 mph but mostly is at 3-5 mph is tough. I suppose it shows how good the car is that it doesn't over-heat but I do get bored sitting there. I intend to buy speakers that will allow me to hear them. I'll take the measurements and see what can be done. Until then, I'll just have to blip the throttle on occasion...
Cheers
Pierce
I know what you mean Pierce When you commute daily in it like I do as your primary car, it can sometimes become a little bit tedious when sitting in traffic that doesn't move for 20 mins. An hour in a TVR that grumbles along at a maximum speed of 30 mph but mostly is at 3-5 mph is tough. I suppose it shows how good the car is that it doesn't over-heat but I do get bored sitting there. I intend to buy speakers that will allow me to hear them. I'll take the measurements and see what can be done. Until then, I'll just have to blip the throttle on occasion...
Cheers
Pierce
When my first S was my only car I did listen to music/traffic alerts etc when crawling through town. It only had door speakers and at anything over 40mph with the roof off you couldn't hear it, but by then the exhaust orchestra had taken over! My 2nd S came with a better head unit and additional rear speakers, not mounted on a shelf as mentioned above, but actually cut into the rear panel. This meant that they protruded into the boot space a bit, but not enough to be a big problem. Sound was MUCH better if (and only if!) you wanted music at speed!!
Current S only has front speakers that don't work and the covers have gone missing - not a problem though cos it's only a "toy" car now and I don't use the music but I will fit something soon even if it is only to improve the appearance of the interior!!
Longers
Hi
Ive got an iPod classic with 80GB so basically every bit of music I own is on it some 7000+ tracks.. when I replaced my head unit I went for the Alpine IDAX100 Digital Media Receiver, it has no CD drive but is designed for the iPod.. once the iPod is plugged in you navigate your music using the head unit. Anyhow I highly recommend if you are a total iPod freak like me.. it even displays the artwork from the iPod.
Cheers
Damian
Ive got an iPod classic with 80GB so basically every bit of music I own is on it some 7000+ tracks.. when I replaced my head unit I went for the Alpine IDAX100 Digital Media Receiver, it has no CD drive but is designed for the iPod.. once the iPod is plugged in you navigate your music using the head unit. Anyhow I highly recommend if you are a total iPod freak like me.. it even displays the artwork from the iPod.
Cheers
Damian
Guys, thanks for all the help there. I should give Carl a ring, see what he thinks and how much 
It might be too early to get it done if it is too expensive because I have a feeling the S is about to cost me quite a bit of dosh. I think I need some new front springs and dampers, new roof, a better fan or another one, tracking and I'm certain the doors drop more everyday. I'm supposed to have a sorted car but I think it's only sorted if you use it once a week. Oh yeah, and get it up on the ramp for some waxoil...if it has holes in the outriggers that I can't see it may well fall off Beachy Head 
Fly baby, fly!
Of course, I could just be being precious.
Cheers guys!
It might be too early to get it done if it is too expensive because I have a feeling the S is about to cost me quite a bit of dosh. I think I need some new front springs and dampers, new roof, a better fan or another one, tracking and I'm certain the doors drop more everyday. I'm supposed to have a sorted car but I think it's only sorted if you use it once a week. Oh yeah, and get it up on the ramp for some waxoil...if it has holes in the outriggers that I can't see it may well fall off Beachy Head Fly baby, fly!Of course, I could just be being precious.
Cheers guys!
paul.deitch said:
In principle any unit will fit with the right connectors, but check the depth of the unit as the one i currently have fouls at the back and therefore sits a few mm proud of the surround. So take the old one out and check against any new one first before buying. Also my speakers were totally shot, they were the original soft card units and had absorbed all the moisture possible - terrible sound. I also made up a small "tray" for the back shelf containing the two rear channel speakers which provides much better reproduction being closer to the ears. I covered it in similar material as the shelf so it looks ok.
I have a Sony one with an ipod lead, and it fouls at the back too. I'm sure it will fit flush with a bit of fettling thoughThe TVR is on the back of a low loader heading down to Austec Racing...I lost my gears this morning on the way to work. So much tension in the cogs I couldn't engage gear then all pressure went so now you can put the stick into any gear without the clutch. I didn't force it, I pulled over after copying another recent post on the forum - arm straight out the roof 1960's F1 style! I'm thinking the gearbox has become loose and the selector cannot reach/find the cogs - I mean this in layman's terms by the way as I've no experience of anything more. I'm thinking it is going to cost a fortune on top of the work I wanted to do on her. We'll see. For a moment I hoped it would go up in flames and consume the madness of my purchase until the loader came over and told me, "Nice S mate, looks in really good nick."
Wasn't sure whether to laugh or cry. I'm hoping for better things from this car, I just hope the previous seller didn't know about this issue becasue I thought he was a decent guy. Now I wonder why it only did 900 miles in 6 years...gotta stop that type of thinking though. To have this happen in week 2 truly takes the *&%^$£"
Right, that's it, another weekend ruined!
Wasn't sure whether to laugh or cry. I'm hoping for better things from this car, I just hope the previous seller didn't know about this issue becasue I thought he was a decent guy. Now I wonder why it only did 900 miles in 6 years...gotta stop that type of thinking though. To have this happen in week 2 truly takes the *&%^$£"
Right, that's it, another weekend ruined!
Sorry to hear that - you never know when a gearbox is going to give out really. Don't get disheartened : everything is very, very straightforward on the S. Parts are dirt cheap and freely available. You'll be glad you stuck with it. I ran a mint TR6 before my S and had to shell out £2k for a gearbox and overdrive recon. The S could be done for a tenth of that, i'm sure, if you source a secondhand box. Could be a clutch problem, of course. In which case, you can rest easy for a couple of years at least knowing it's been done.
The Stiglet said:
The TVR is on the back of a low loader heading down to Austec Racing...
As your profile does not allow PM's you should be made aware that a Compulsory Winding Up Order was issued by the High Courts Of Justice on the 28th January 2009 against this company, so it legally does not exist.For your own protection you need establish who, legally speaking, you have just handed your car over to.
Bodders
neil240970 said:
had to shell out £2k for a gearbox and overdrive recon. The S could be done for a tenth of that
Full refurb on mine cost £400, this included mainshaft, layshaft, all bearings and oil seals, all synchros replaced and one new cog (can't remember which). The box is so much better now - money well spent. I thought about a second hand box but finding one with the electronic speedo pickup is difficult and you don't know how long that will last either.Alternatively if you look on fleabay there is a company that refurbs them to racing spec for £600 (IIRC) with a 12 month guarantee - I thought about that but my initial estimate had been £250 until we found the main shaft and a gear wheel damaged so the additional did not seem worth it.
Bear in mind though I did all the labour for the box out and in and just took the box itself to the mechanic. If you get them to do that part I reckon you can add a full days labour charge coz it ain't easy.
When the box is out change the spigot bearing though as the £10 for the new part pales into insignificance when you have to take the box out later again to replace it (another poster on here learnt this one the hard way). Also check the clutch for wear and change if low.
Mark
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