Is close ratio and hydratrak a worthy upgrade????
Discussion
Hi guys, im new to this wonderfull forum so please be gentle with me.
Just ordered my 1st Tuscan, cant wait, but is close ratio and hydratrak gonna make it any better overall or have i blown my dough un neccessarily?
I would also like to know the answer to that? Good Question
>> Edited by v8tvr on Wednesday 30th April 22:32
I think you ought to go for the aircon, I've only had my Tuscan since January (so haven't had many warmer days yet) but... even then it does get quite hot inside with the roof on and no aircon. I tend to use the aircon most of the time when the roof isn't off (I believe it is also a significant negative on the car's second hand value if it hasn't got it).
No idea about close ratio box, but I did go for hydratrak purely for peace of mind (this is my first TVR and wasn't quite sure what to expect). I think it probably was worth it (and let's face it in the context of the total price it is not THAT expensive an option), unless I really push it the car still feels pretty stable on wet/slippery roads.
No idea about close ratio box, but I did go for hydratrak purely for peace of mind (this is my first TVR and wasn't quite sure what to expect). I think it probably was worth it (and let's face it in the context of the total price it is not THAT expensive an option), unless I really push it the car still feels pretty stable on wet/slippery roads.
Guess you have ordered an S ?? Nice one !!
Aircon = essential.
Close Ratio box should be standard with the S, if it's not an S then I guess you should test drive one with and one without. Obviously it will be quicker with the CR box.
Hydratrack, I would not bother, there has been many detailed explanations of the differences between it and a LSD over the years on here and egroups lists, I cannot explain it in detail, if someone who can does not reply then do a search. I think though a LSD will give you more progressive breakaway of the rear end, whereas Hydratrak will hang on longer but when it goes it is much more sudden.
So what's the full spec you have gone for ?
Cheers
Whitey
Aircon = essential.
Close Ratio box should be standard with the S, if it's not an S then I guess you should test drive one with and one without. Obviously it will be quicker with the CR box.
Hydratrack, I would not bother, there has been many detailed explanations of the differences between it and a LSD over the years on here and egroups lists, I cannot explain it in detail, if someone who can does not reply then do a search. I think though a LSD will give you more progressive breakaway of the rear end, whereas Hydratrak will hang on longer but when it goes it is much more sudden.
So what's the full spec you have gone for ?
Cheers
Whitey
I have both aircon and hydratrak - the latter being more difficult to justify, however the car does seem to handle very well, certainly better than the one I test drove about three years ago which didn't have hydratrak, though suspension has changed significantly since then, so this might just be wishful thinking. The aircon is essential and, contrary to popular belief does work quite well.
demonseed,
I have an 'S' and the close ratio gearbox & aircon are standard. If you get a normal Tuscan I suggest that you get the aircon as this would be key to any re-sale value.
As for hydratrak I did not bother on my 'S'. Luckily I was able to get advice from Michael Caine the factory driver for Le Mans as he is based at Castle TVR in Essex. He strongly advised not too, he felt as racing driver would, that it takes away the fun factor! His advice was get to learn how the car truly handles at speed as the only machine that can really tame a Tuscan is the person driving it - and thats much more fun! He felt that it takes away the feel of the car.
So saved my pennies for other TVR related activities
Alan.
I have an 'S' and the close ratio gearbox & aircon are standard. If you get a normal Tuscan I suggest that you get the aircon as this would be key to any re-sale value.
As for hydratrak I did not bother on my 'S'. Luckily I was able to get advice from Michael Caine the factory driver for Le Mans as he is based at Castle TVR in Essex. He strongly advised not too, he felt as racing driver would, that it takes away the fun factor! His advice was get to learn how the car truly handles at speed as the only machine that can really tame a Tuscan is the person driving it - and thats much more fun! He felt that it takes away the feel of the car.
So saved my pennies for other TVR related activities
Alan.
C/R boxes are still not in production, as far a I am aware. A few cars have had them, but these are not the "final" version as TVR are still having longevity problems with them.
Had one on my old R/R though before it gave up at 7K miles. Bl#@dy brilliant. Been waiting 1 year, today in fact, for one on my S.....
Had one on my old R/R though before it gave up at 7K miles. Bl#@dy brilliant. Been waiting 1 year, today in fact, for one on my S.....
tuscanyes said: C/R boxes are still not in production, as far a I am aware. A few cars have had them, but these are not the "final" version as TVR are still having longevity problems with them.
Had one on my old R/R though before it gave up at 7K miles. Bl#@dy brilliant. Been waiting 1 year, today in fact, for one on my S.....
Which is odd as the normal T-5 gearbox is amde by TTC Automotive, see www.ttcautomotive.com/English/products/T-5.asp
So different ratios shouldn't be much of an issue, in fact they do a selection of ratios anyway.
I suspect TVR are trying to make their own gearbox totaly to reduce costs and increase profits, hence the problems.
Don't understand what the fuss is all about on the close ratio gearboxes. I asked Castle TVR to ensure that I had mine on my 'S' because I had read some threads on PH! The factory informed me that they had no problems now and mine has it. So surprised that these threads are still ongoing......!
Alan.
Alan.
Alf, the fuss is that when I bought my 'S' in March 02 the spec included the c/r box. It was only sometime later that I discovered that it had the standard box, TVR 'forgetting' to tell me this. I have, just in the last week, had the latest version of the c/r box fitted, apparently with new design gears to reduce likelihood of breakage and also to reduce noise (though it is still noisy in 1st on the overrun)I have been told that this is the first ever example of the the second generation 'enhanced' c/r box. My point is, how many 'S's are there with the standard non c/r box? BTW the work was done at Dreadnought in Callander, true TVR enthusiasts.
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