Its official..PORSCHES on Top Gear.!!
Discussion
I was a bedford autodrome on a track day today and Top gear were filming there. Justin Wilson was driving, Short Richard from Top gear around the circuit in a Jaguar Palmersport car.
Got to chat to richard for a minute and asked him why they barely mention or feature Porsche. He said that there was a feature on the gt3 soon and in two weeks JC was reviewing the 996 Turbo S.!!! BTW Richard has a 911 too.
Just a footnote.(this is controversial, i know). I have come to the conclusion that it doesnt matter how fast TVRs are supposed to be (power to weight ratio etc...), either they are driven by hopeless drivers (which I doubt) or just dont handle that well. Whenever Im at Bedford (Ive been 25 times+ ) my 300 bhp standard 996 c2 swallows the lot of em....maybe its just difficult getting all that power down.
Got to chat to richard for a minute and asked him why they barely mention or feature Porsche. He said that there was a feature on the gt3 soon and in two weeks JC was reviewing the 996 Turbo S.!!! BTW Richard has a 911 too.
Just a footnote.(this is controversial, i know). I have come to the conclusion that it doesnt matter how fast TVRs are supposed to be (power to weight ratio etc...), either they are driven by hopeless drivers (which I doubt) or just dont handle that well. Whenever Im at Bedford (Ive been 25 times+ ) my 300 bhp standard 996 c2 swallows the lot of em....maybe its just difficult getting all that power down.
Having both, i can easily say my TVR is far faster bottom-mid end, but the porker feels alot faster top end .. 130+
the 996 is a far easier drive tho, doesnt need as much thought to go fast...
which sometimes is good.. and others ... well
both excellent cars tho, would take the 911 for longer trips i think.. but the tvr for the twisties...
>> Edited by JamieBeeston on Saturday 24th May 21:49
on circuits, they never seem as quick as you would expect them to be.
Ive done so many track days now, its noticable how well some cars go (elises esp. 190s, caterhams, integras, well driven nsxs, boxters,) but TVRS considering their immense Power/weight ratios seem very disappointing.
Ive done so many track days now, its noticable how well some cars go (elises esp. 190s, caterhams, integras, well driven nsxs, boxters,) but TVRS considering their immense Power/weight ratios seem very disappointing.
petepeter said: on circuits, they never seem as quick as you would expect them to be.
Ive done so many track days now, its noticable how well some cars go (elises esp. 190s, caterhams, integras, well driven nsxs, boxters,) but TVRS considering their immense Power/weight ratios seem very disappointing.
Have to say I've come to the conclusion that the older ones (don't have much experience of Tuscans and Tamoras) are just not very well-balanced cars (ie they have more power than the rest of the package can handle). This means you have to spend a lot improving the suspension and brakes in particular, which in a way is better than being under-powered -- that would cost a lot more to put right...
petepeter said...Just a footnote.(this is controversial, i know). I have come to the conclusion that it doesnt matter how fast TVRs are supposed to be (power to weight ratio etc...), either they are driven by hopeless drivers (which I doubt) or just dont handle that well. Whenever Im at Bedford (Ive been 25 times+ ) my 300 bhp standard 996 c2 swallows the lot of em....maybe its just difficult getting all that power down.
I think your probably right! The standard TVR is not that well balanced, on poor shocks, not such good brakes and all in all a bit of handfull. To get the power down you do have to wait unless your confident with sideways
The Tuscan and Tamora are improved, the Tamora quite easy to drive, the Tuscan is 'harsh'. Both could do with improved suspension for better poise and balance. Again the engine is all up front with all that BHP over the rear wheels and no weight there
personally (and i'm no track day ace!!!) I find that although quick between corners, I have to compromise my entry speed so much to take the corner. This is where a lot of other less powerful machines catch up. But then hey, it's probably my driving!!
But you pay for what you get, ok so some poor components that need upgrading, and niggles due to lack of R&D and the like, except that with the TVR there is a priceless element which is something about it being a handbuilt British Sportscar. It feels like a handbuilt car with a very unique look - like it or hate it!
Lets swop somewhere and we can really work it out
simon
Er! Road runner it is the same engine block,pistons inection,ignition etc.. I think you will find mate based off of the GT1 engine.
The reason this engine is used in the GT3 & TT is that it is fully dry sumped unlike the regular 996 block which is semi dry sumped.The regular 996 engine is no suited to intense track work where slicks may be used and oil surge may cause problems.
It was adapted to water cooled heads for fast 996 versions stated,but that is where the lump came from.
Typical Porsche really the engine in the 993 was developed for 40 years gave a relaiable 450bhp with potential to tune ,,,it would have been a shame not to use it.
Please explain how they are not the same at all so that I may satisfy my appetite for knowledge on the Porsche marque.
>> Edited by clubsport on Sunday 25th May 17:15
The reason this engine is used in the GT3 & TT is that it is fully dry sumped unlike the regular 996 block which is semi dry sumped.The regular 996 engine is no suited to intense track work where slicks may be used and oil surge may cause problems.
It was adapted to water cooled heads for fast 996 versions stated,but that is where the lump came from.
Typical Porsche really the engine in the 993 was developed for 40 years gave a relaiable 450bhp with potential to tune ,,,it would have been a shame not to use it.
Please explain how they are not the same at all so that I may satisfy my appetite for knowledge on the Porsche marque.
>> Edited by clubsport on Sunday 25th May 17:15
Basically they have dropped in the old air cooled unit with water cooled heads...That is what i was getting at.
I have been in both Dazren's beauty and 944/68 's 993 S,,both at around 180mph...they both sound more fantastic!
Apart from actual air / water cooling principle there are virtually no interchangeable parts between 996 & 996 TT models engines.
I have been in both Dazren's beauty and 944/68 's 993 S,,both at around 180mph...they both sound more fantastic!
Apart from actual air / water cooling principle there are virtually no interchangeable parts between 996 & 996 TT models engines.
I don't suppose anyone would argue that the NA air cooled engines definately sound the best. Especially with a fruity sports exhaust. They seem to have that something special, which dissapears on the water cooled models, despite sharing a few oily bits. The last few strands of beetle DNA were left with the 993 forever. Some may think that's all for the better I guess, lol.
Roadrunner said: I don't suppose anyone would argue that the NA air cooled engines definately sound the best. Especially with a fruity sports exhaust. They seem to have that something special, which dissapears on the water cooled models, despite sharing a few oily bits. The last few strands of beetle DNA were left with the 993 forever. Some may think that's all for the better I guess, lol.
Mind you, Paul, by 180 mph the only sound left is wind roar! (Although I think the F360 can still be heard screaming away at such hefty velocities.)
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