Rob's 2001 TVR Tuscan
Discussion
2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:
Rob-c33sg said:
Andy665 said:
I will check the toolkit tomorrow, mine came with a totally unused one
Did you find out what mine's missing?
A few minor updates!
I have discovered the wonder of a magic sponge. I have been using some from Flash - £1 each (B&M) and I went through about 6 of them to do all the vinyl on the car and also have a small go at the seats (backs and the leather). These have surprised me. I don't normally believe these 'magic' products. After I'd used some vinyl care and interior shampoo and seeing it have little effect, I thought it'd be worth a go. They are pretty close to magic!
Here's a couple of before and after shots. I was surprised just how grubby the interior was. Being creme you'd think it'd show it up and I was surprised how much came off even on clean looking areas.
The interior is now looking much fresher. I did all around the stereo (took out the stereo to get it all) and also took the leather strips out from around the stalks which were very dirty too. A satisfying job.
While doing the back of the seats I found this:
A gigantic pool of water both sides. This wasn't long after the storms we experienced. I imagine when I put the roof / rear screen back on, it must have been slightly out and so it leaked like a sieve. The good news is that it's a TVR (how often do we say that!). Under that bit of carpet is just fibreglass. If this was my 987 Boxster, an ECU would have been fried. As it was, a lot of microfibre clothes soaked it all up and then the car was aired to dry it out. A lot of water came out! It's rained a few times since and down the seats has been OK. The rear parcel shelf gets a wet patch though so I'll try and find the source of that one.
The Accumate has continued to do a fine job charging the battery. Especially considering I drove off with it still attached (got very lucky there it seems, no damage anywhere). The Tuscan also keeps starting without issue, gives a voltage warning for a second, but hasn't failed to start yet or sound sluggish.
I've finally sorted the oil level, so will now keep an eye on it as it needed 1.75 litres, which feels like an awful lot to be out by. I've got it booked in with Sportmotive a bit north of me in August for it's overdue 12k service and a general look over.
Lastly, I painted the rear hubs and top of the discs. They were really letting the rear down so a quick wire wheel off, some Hammerite, and all was well. I think the Tuscan looks almost as cool on Axle stands.
While the rear wheels were off I took them to get some new rubber - Eagle Asymmetric 5s in this case in 245/40 guise. They have some serious tread.
The only other thing to report is that it seems very nervous at national limit speeds. It feels like it pulls to the right if I come off the accelerator after a squeeze and doesn't always feel planted under braking. I'll ask Sportmotive's thoughts. Might also take it for alignment see if that helps / is off. Any suggestions welcome, as it's spoiling the owning experience right now to not fully 'trust' the car. I know they're not known for being the best handling car the world has ever seen, but that's different to being unpredictable in my eyes.
Thanks for reading!
PS one thing I didn't do was check the speed sensor while the wheels were off! I was reminded of this as I was (apparently) going 150mph earlier being an old clio.
I have discovered the wonder of a magic sponge. I have been using some from Flash - £1 each (B&M) and I went through about 6 of them to do all the vinyl on the car and also have a small go at the seats (backs and the leather). These have surprised me. I don't normally believe these 'magic' products. After I'd used some vinyl care and interior shampoo and seeing it have little effect, I thought it'd be worth a go. They are pretty close to magic!
Here's a couple of before and after shots. I was surprised just how grubby the interior was. Being creme you'd think it'd show it up and I was surprised how much came off even on clean looking areas.
The interior is now looking much fresher. I did all around the stereo (took out the stereo to get it all) and also took the leather strips out from around the stalks which were very dirty too. A satisfying job.
While doing the back of the seats I found this:
A gigantic pool of water both sides. This wasn't long after the storms we experienced. I imagine when I put the roof / rear screen back on, it must have been slightly out and so it leaked like a sieve. The good news is that it's a TVR (how often do we say that!). Under that bit of carpet is just fibreglass. If this was my 987 Boxster, an ECU would have been fried. As it was, a lot of microfibre clothes soaked it all up and then the car was aired to dry it out. A lot of water came out! It's rained a few times since and down the seats has been OK. The rear parcel shelf gets a wet patch though so I'll try and find the source of that one.
The Accumate has continued to do a fine job charging the battery. Especially considering I drove off with it still attached (got very lucky there it seems, no damage anywhere). The Tuscan also keeps starting without issue, gives a voltage warning for a second, but hasn't failed to start yet or sound sluggish.
I've finally sorted the oil level, so will now keep an eye on it as it needed 1.75 litres, which feels like an awful lot to be out by. I've got it booked in with Sportmotive a bit north of me in August for it's overdue 12k service and a general look over.
Lastly, I painted the rear hubs and top of the discs. They were really letting the rear down so a quick wire wheel off, some Hammerite, and all was well. I think the Tuscan looks almost as cool on Axle stands.
While the rear wheels were off I took them to get some new rubber - Eagle Asymmetric 5s in this case in 245/40 guise. They have some serious tread.
The only other thing to report is that it seems very nervous at national limit speeds. It feels like it pulls to the right if I come off the accelerator after a squeeze and doesn't always feel planted under braking. I'll ask Sportmotive's thoughts. Might also take it for alignment see if that helps / is off. Any suggestions welcome, as it's spoiling the owning experience right now to not fully 'trust' the car. I know they're not known for being the best handling car the world has ever seen, but that's different to being unpredictable in my eyes.
Thanks for reading!
PS one thing I didn't do was check the speed sensor while the wheels were off! I was reminded of this as I was (apparently) going 150mph earlier being an old clio.
A full Geo is a must to get the handling as good as it can be. There will still be a tendency to tramline on imperfect surfaces but it shouldn't be wandering to one side.
Having just had a wallet lightening £2,600 12k service on mine (which has been fastidiously looked after), be prepared for a lot of age related items starting to appear. Apart from a new rad (£600) that bill compromised a whole host of minor pipework, unions and bushings in the suspension, fuel and brake lines.
Having just had a wallet lightening £2,600 12k service on mine (which has been fastidiously looked after), be prepared for a lot of age related items starting to appear. Apart from a new rad (£600) that bill compromised a whole host of minor pipework, unions and bushings in the suspension, fuel and brake lines.
Speed 3 said:
A full Geo is a must to get the handling as good as it can be. There will still be a tendency to tramline on imperfect surfaces but it shouldn't be wandering to one side.
Having just had a wallet lightening £2,600 12k service on mine (which has been fastidiously looked after), be prepared for a lot of age related items starting to appear. Apart from a new rad (£600) that bill compromised a whole host of minor pipework, unions and bushings in the suspension, fuel and brake lines.
I hope mine doesn't come to that! Soon going to find out. I'll get a geo sorted. Will give them a call first make sure they have the Tuscan on their list!Having just had a wallet lightening £2,600 12k service on mine (which has been fastidiously looked after), be prepared for a lot of age related items starting to appear. Apart from a new rad (£600) that bill compromised a whole host of minor pipework, unions and bushings in the suspension, fuel and brake lines.
M22s said:
Lovely car OP & a nice little read too.
Thanks very much!I recognised the car straight away.. I've just bought the house which has the sold board around the corner on Stag (small world), When me and Mrs. 20v6 went for the viewing we seen your collection and I said "seems like the neighbours will be used to louder cars" looks absolutely fantastic sir.
Nic20v6 said:
I recognised the car straight away.. I've just bought the house which has the sold board around the corner on Stag (small world), When me and Mrs. 20v6 went for the viewing we seen your collection and I said "seems like the neighbours will be used to louder cars" looks absolutely fantastic sir.
Superb - looking forward to you moving in - come and say hello!Rob-c33sg said:
Superb - looking forward to you moving in - come and say hello!
Awesome! looking at around 5/6 weeks at present need to work out a plan of attack for getting the cars over... the gtis in bits and the scoob is sorn at the father-in-law's in Wolverhampton (a excuse too stick some tax and test on it I think so!) will certainly say Hello nice to have a fellow ph'er and petrol head close by.
Andy665 said:
I like the idea of still being able to jump start the car so bought a new set of leads and Anderson connector and mounted in the engine bay. Also got a C-Tek and have run the connector through to under the service bonnet so its a 5 second job to put on charge
Was the original jump lead connector removed? (couldn't see reference to it earlier in the thread)Andy665 said:
It was still there, less than 2 years old but already showing signs of corrosion so I removed it
Good plan, I think that's where fires have been known to start.I've not had a Tuscan for 20 years. Still can't bring myself to part with the tool kit or the 2 x Anderson jump lead sets.
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