2001 front end revision and handling

[TimJM]

Is there an easy way (easy for anyone with eyes) to tell if a car has the newer revised front end with regard to handling. I believe they were changed in 2001 at some point but don't know when or how to tell by just looking.

Was it just wishbones that changed or was the rack lifted too?

Finally, is it possible to make a Tuscan (with moderate funds) handle well on a track? I have heard they are one of the worst handling TVR's in standard form although I think this statement applies to the early ones. I am currently having my 500 Grif handling sorted and previously had a 4.5 Cerbera. The Cerbera handling was amazing and that's what I would be aiming for out of a Tuscan.

(if any Grif members are on here - no, I am not selling up...just thinking of a stable mate).

Cheers

Tim.

[Basil Brush]

The longer, later top wishbones have a hole drilled in the top and bottom surfaces of the front arm next to the inner balljoint bolt holes, whereas the early ones don't. I'm not sure if this applies to all but certainly is on the 3 versions of the wishbone I have at the moment and on the pics I've seen on supplier's websites.

This is the early, shorter version.
http://www.thetvrshop.com/pop_image.asp?image=PTVR...

Later version with hole
http://www.thetvrshop.com/pop_image.asp?image=PTVR...

Edited by Basil Brush on Monday 9th July 19:29

[TimJM]

Basil Brush said:

The longer, later top wishbones have a hole drilled in the top and bottom surfaces of the front arm next to the inner balljoint bolt holes, whereas the early ones don't. I'm not sure if this applies to all but certainly is on the 3 versions of the wishbone I have at the moment and on the pics I've seen on supplier's websites.

This is the early, shorter version.
http://www.thetvrshop.com/pop_image.asp?image=PTVR...

Later version with hole
http://www.thetvrshop.com/pop_image.asp?image=PTVR...

Edited by Basil Brush on Monday 9th July 19:29

Thank you - very helpful.

Do you know if the rack was lifted in the later designs to help with the bump steer issues? Having looked at some of the bump steer demo images on early Tuscans I wouldn't want to be driving one on a bumpy track!

[Basil Brush]

I know rack spacers were fitted to later cars but don't know if they started at the same time as the wishbone change or later.

[Walford]

TimJM said:

Is there an easy way (easy for anyone with eyes) to tell if a car has the newer revised front end with regard to handling. I believe they were changed in 2001 at some point but don't know when or how to tell by just looking.

Was it just wishbones that changed or was the rack lifted too?

later type top ball joint moved out
less KPI
early type has only the inner four holes




Length of track rod



length of rack

Edited by Walford on Tuesday 10th July 08:22

[TimJM]

Thanks Walford, last question on the subject (I promise) if you have an early 2000 model do the spacer kits make an improvement equal to the revised 2001 models?

Looking at the prices 2000's can be had for <12k but 2001 are around 16k+. I'm thinking for the 4k difference could be spend on suspension and setup but only if it is worthwhile and I am not wasting money with a sub-standard solution.

Tim.

[Basil Brush]

TimJM said:

Thanks Walford, last question on the subject (I promise) if you have an early 2000 model do the spacer kits make an improvement equal to the revised 2001 models?

Looking at the prices 2000's can be had for <12k but 2001 are around 16k+. I'm thinking for the 4k difference could be spend on suspension and setup but only if it is worthwhile and I am not wasting money with a sub-standard solution.

Tim.

Nitrons and spacers make a huge difference on the early cars and bump steer can be improved massively with a bit of rack lifting. I've swapped my front setup to the later spec, with wider rack, longer wishbones etc, and am currently setting it up to get the bump steer addressed.

From my experience messing about with the old, original front setup, a little bit too much bump toe out is miles better than any bump toe in, which is what mine had as standard.

[Walford]

TimJM said:

Thanks Walford, last question on the subject (I promise) if you have an early 2000 model do the spacer kits make an improvement equal to the revised 2001 models?

Tim.

For me Pistonheads is about sharring info with other petrol heads and having a laugh

Improvement were brought in gradually over the time 1999 to 2002 except spring and damper, this came much later

So the very early cars have the wrong rack length and the most "bump in" very scary and expensive to sort
not sure when turns (ratio) lock to lock was increased,
the next improvement was less KPI but this can be achieved by machining the upright and just buying the later top wishbone
I dont think any of the Tuscans had the rack mounted correctly
so most have had the rack moved up trading "bump in" for "bump out"
some cars have custom or Sag steering arms fitted

Tyre size affect these cars massively as does tread pattern and sidewall strenght

The wheel spacer story seems to be that the cars were designed with bells and rotors but were removed for cost reasons leaving the scrub rad marginal, this is some what blurred by people saying the spacers massively improve the later cars

My cars geo was completely sorted but still became unsettled quite easterly until I fitted Nitrons, these were a game changer

Hope this helps

[Basil Brush]

Walford said:

not sure when turns (ratio) lock to lock was increased,

I don't think the ratio actually changed. The shape of the top wishbone was altered to allow the wheel to turn further, meaning more turns lock to lock but the same ratio.

[TimJM]

Walford said:

Hope this helps

Yes it does, it sounds like a late 2001 or 2002 onwards model is the way to go and I will still need to sort out the suspension and possibly lift the rack. So I should be budgeting 3k on top of purchase price for setup if I want to achieve predictable fast road/track handling.

Cheers,

Tim.