More reading matter arrived!...
More reading matter arrived!...
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pstruck

Original Poster:

3,525 posts

272 months

Saturday 1st November 2003
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Just received my copy of the Steve Heath 'bible' for the S. :smile: Should keep me busy for a while! (Also have the Chimaera and Griffith edition)

Also have the 1986-94 Performance Portfolio. One of the extracts in here suggests that the V8S has a "dreadfull gearchange" and that "the lever being set so far back that third gear feels like fourth". Now I do intend to get a drive of one as soon as I can so that I can suss this for myself, but would like to know what current V8S owner think of this statement?

Pies

13,116 posts

279 months

Saturday 1st November 2003
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Never noticed it myself

HarryW

15,827 posts

292 months

Saturday 1st November 2003
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Can't see what the fuss is about .
Dreadful gear change, my asss , well its the same as the previous Tivs and come to think of it the griffaera as well, not sure when they changed over to the T5 box, late 96 I think.
Yes the rover box can bulk into third on a quick change but that can be cured by ensuring the box has clean oil in it IMHO.
Not forgetting at the time of said road test, 1991 I think, the V8S was quicker in gear than the 911 turbo and the Tesarossa(sp?).
Most will easily do the 60 dash in 5 secs, without abusing the rubber I can normally get mid/late 4's . Tivs excepted most cars that claim performance like than have to be taken by the neck and the clutch burnt out to achieve those kind of figures . Also the S is apparently lighter than the equivilent Chim/griff by around 100Kgs, work it out .

Harry

GreenV8S

30,999 posts

307 months

Saturday 1st November 2003
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pstruck said:

Also have the 1986-94 Performance Portfolio. One of the extracts in here suggests that the V8S has a "dreadfull gearchange" and that "the lever being set so far back that third gear feels like fourth". Now I do intend to get a drive of one as soon as I can so that I can suss this for myself, but would like to know what current V8S owner think of this statement?


It's rubbish. Gear lever position is fine, gear change is fine. This Vitesse box is the one Rover tried to improve with the R380 and failed. It's got a well-earned reputation for being a very strong box.

keithyboy

1,940 posts

293 months

Sunday 2nd November 2003
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I agree with all three replies!!

pstruck

Original Poster:

3,525 posts

272 months

Sunday 2nd November 2003
quotequote all
Encouraging repsonses. Thanks guys. :smile:
Did find it a bit odd that they were saying such things, yet I'e never come across such 'gripes' about the rover box anywhere else.

S3 Kieran

968 posts

276 months

Monday 3rd November 2003
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Don't know if the comment was referring to the gear lever position? The V6 lever is also weird first time you try. It is set back a little far, and the fore/aft movement (ie 3rd to 4th) is actually uphill rather than flat.

Doesn't bother me in the slightest now, but I can remember it being very odd when I first got it.

HTH

shpub

8,507 posts

295 months

Monday 3rd November 2003
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Pies said:
Never noticed it myself

It's an automatic isn't it. Put it in drive and not bother with anything else.....

Pies

13,116 posts

279 months

Monday 3rd November 2003
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I'll re phrase that for you Steve

Never noticed a "dreadfull gearchange"

z_chromozone

1,436 posts

272 months

Tuesday 4th November 2003
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I all ways find mine fine, with the lever in the perfect position. I am guessing that it depends on how far forward you have the seat though. Gear change is a bit notchy compared to a normal car and some people have trouble getting reverse, but other than that fine.

The position of the accelerator is more of problem for me, I need to go to a few yoga classes to get my heel all the way down there. Some extensions are next on my christmas list.

Z

RichardR

2,905 posts

291 months

Tuesday 4th November 2003
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S3 Kieran said:
Don't know if the comment was referring to the gear lever position? The V6 lever is also weird first time you try. It is set back a little far, and the fore/aft movement (ie 3rd to 4th) is actually uphill rather than flat.
Because the engine is sited as far back as possible, the gear lever ends up emerging from the box somewhere near your elbow. Therefore, TVR welded a flat bit to the top of the stick to bring the shift forward, and the visible gearstick is then attached to this. That's the reason for the unusual movement of the lever.

This is all for the V6 - don't know about the V8.

RichB

55,306 posts

307 months

Tuesday 4th November 2003
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pstruck said:
the V8S has a "dreadfull gearchange" and that "the lever being set so far back that third gear feels like fourth".
On the basis that the V8 shares identical trim with the S3c/S4 it must be in the same position as the V6? Rich...

Pies

13,116 posts

279 months

Tuesday 4th November 2003
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I thought the V8 uses a dirrerent box to the V6

Ren Dao

278 posts

278 months

Tuesday 4th November 2003
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N oproblems on my V8S with regard to position - its not the best gear change in the world - but who wants an MX5 anyway - it does the job wel enough for me

Harry ? - whats this 4.5 second business you mention

shpub

8,507 posts

295 months

Tuesday 4th November 2003
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Pies said:
I thought the V8 uses a dirrerent box to the V6

And a different engine too. The V6 cars are about 100 kg lighter than the V8 ones that come in at around the same weight as a Griff/Chimp. Although the obigatory golf clubs in the Chimaera's boot does make it heavier...

RichardR

2,905 posts

291 months

Wednesday 5th November 2003
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RichB said:

pstruck said:
the V8S has a "dreadfull gearchange" and that "the lever being set so far back that third gear feels like fourth".

On the basis that the V8 shares identical trim with the S3c/S4 it must be in the same position as the V6? Rich...
The gear lever in the cabin may be in the same position, but that doesn't mean that the lever coming out of the 'box is in the same place.