Looking for a Tamora... (Or maybe a Tuscan)
Discussion
Getsis said:
Its not the Chassis that makes the difference it's the fact the Tam is lighter and the weight distribution is better along with better airflow over the body, the Tuscan body is stunning but terrible for airflow hence the many you see for sale cat C etc.
Really.. the Engine gearbox, diff and battery are in exactly the same position. Aero dynamics wouldnt come into cornering and handling until you reaching significant speed. If you were at TAG 11 and saw the RG demonstrator tuscan going round, that too kind of dispels that myth.Ive always been curious about this question and theres usually very few answers. I think the real answer lies in the geo/rack position. As in reality the differentiating point between the two cars is the plastic tub that sits on top of the chassis.
Getsis said:
I have driven both cars on a track at speed and the Tuscan was sh!t compared to the Tam, A sag was better than the tam though but not by much. The Tuscan's extra weight really showed in fast cornering.
The tuscan supposedly weighs 20 kgs more than the sagaris... the sagaris is a different kettle of fish as there are chassis differences.Edited by m4tti on Thursday 13th February 11:58
Getsis said:
Its not the Chassis that makes the difference it's the fact the Tam is lighter and the weight distribution is better along with better airflow over the body, the Tuscan body is stunning but terrible for airflow hence the many you see for sale cat C etc.
I think suggesting the Tuscan body is a reason for "so many Cat C" cars is stretching it a bit 
It is well reported about the aggressive rack and flawed geometry of early Tuscans which I'm sure plays a much larger role. I think you could have driven 2 Tuscans around the track and come to the same conclusion due to setup - Ii.e 1 was poor, one was good. Investment in good shocks, tyres and setup can resolve these issues.Unfortunately whatever you do to a Tam you can't move away from the fact that the back end has been whacked severely with the ugly stick (Imo only
)The Tuscan is a whole foot longer than the Tamora (The Tam is exactly the same length as my wife's MGF Trophy 160 - but a lot wider), but AFAIK the chassis is essentially the same - or perhaps identical.
Not entirely sure why the Tam handles better than the Tuscan (stock) - I drove both when trying to decide which to get a decade ago, and the Tam won hands down (although it was still close based on the looks of the Tuscan alone)
10 years later, I still have a Tam and still love the handling and 'stubby' looks - never been too keen on excessive front and rear overhang on sports cars...
Not entirely sure why the Tam handles better than the Tuscan (stock) - I drove both when trying to decide which to get a decade ago, and the Tam won hands down (although it was still close based on the looks of the Tuscan alone)
10 years later, I still have a Tam and still love the handling and 'stubby' looks - never been too keen on excessive front and rear overhang on sports cars...
Edited by chris watton on Thursday 13th February 13:28
A Tuscan is a crap handling car at speed, don't distract from that fact with a cheap jibe at the best handling "T" TVR out of the box. You want to look good or drive great? that's what you have to ask yourself when you purchase a Tuscan or a Tamora. I'm in the Tuscan bracket now but that could change when I return to Blighty where there are more track days available.
but that could change when I return to Blighty where there are more track days available.The reality of it is this.. as quoted from walford on a previous thread...
Walford said:
Its the same chassis and running gear
Most cars are on after market dampers
That leaves
slower steering rack
more KPI on early cars 2000
wheel size and tyres
ARBs
setup
yes this can give a totally different drive but ether car could run either setup
they are not different cars
Tuscan (post 2001) Tamora and T350
Sag has completely different chassis wishbone mounts
Most cars are on after market dampers
That leaves
slower steering rack
more KPI on early cars 2000
wheel size and tyres
ARBs
setup
yes this can give a totally different drive but ether car could run either setup
they are not different cars
Tuscan (post 2001) Tamora and T350
Sag has completely different chassis wishbone mounts
Edited by Walford on Tuesday 3rd July 20:18
there is a big difference in 16 vs 18, and with tams having mainly 16, and tuscan mainly 18, could it simply be this is the basis for the perception?
my tam is definitely softer and easier with 16, (and feels less inclined to follow ruts and tramlines etc) but ultimate grip and sharpness is much better with 18 (caveat being very different tyres on each size also)
my tam is definitely softer and easier with 16, (and feels less inclined to follow ruts and tramlines etc) but ultimate grip and sharpness is much better with 18 (caveat being very different tyres on each size also)
Not driven a Tam so I can't comment about that model but
Did have a Tuscan mk 1 S . It generally handled well but the rack was quick and took some getting used to and rear end grip was knife edge at the limit, absolutely no way back when it went.
I then had a T350 which was a lot more forgiving and seemed to have higher level of grip.
I then tested a T350 with the Wilder engine prototype which was on SP 12's and the handling on that car was a revelation in terms of grip and feel, way more planted. The guy who developed the car ( Boss Cerbera, who used to post on here ) said the difference was due to the lighter wheels which were a better match for the stock suspension. I got TVR Barnet to put SP 12's on my car and they were a big improvement. I then had Ohlins fitted and they worked even better.
When I had the 4.3 upgrade from TVR Power I found I could happily use all of the power available whenever i felt like it in the dry. In damp conditions if the back wheels spun up she still handled well, entirely controllable. That is something I would not have tried in the mk 1 Tuscan.
Now I am back to a Tuscan, a mk 2. I have not driven this one in anger yet but I have driven another Tuscan S 2 in a 'spritely' fashion before and to be honest apart from the back end being marginally more lively the mk 2 is much more like my pre-mod T 350. So I have some work on the new Tuscan but the stock mk 2 Tuscan handling is far from s
t.
I'll comment again when I have the weather to spank the Tuscan a bit.
Did have a Tuscan mk 1 S . It generally handled well but the rack was quick and took some getting used to and rear end grip was knife edge at the limit, absolutely no way back when it went.
I then had a T350 which was a lot more forgiving and seemed to have higher level of grip.
I then tested a T350 with the Wilder engine prototype which was on SP 12's and the handling on that car was a revelation in terms of grip and feel, way more planted. The guy who developed the car ( Boss Cerbera, who used to post on here ) said the difference was due to the lighter wheels which were a better match for the stock suspension. I got TVR Barnet to put SP 12's on my car and they were a big improvement. I then had Ohlins fitted and they worked even better.
When I had the 4.3 upgrade from TVR Power I found I could happily use all of the power available whenever i felt like it in the dry. In damp conditions if the back wheels spun up she still handled well, entirely controllable. That is something I would not have tried in the mk 1 Tuscan.
Now I am back to a Tuscan, a mk 2. I have not driven this one in anger yet but I have driven another Tuscan S 2 in a 'spritely' fashion before and to be honest apart from the back end being marginally more lively the mk 2 is much more like my pre-mod T 350. So I have some work on the new Tuscan but the stock mk 2 Tuscan handling is far from s
t. I'll comment again when I have the weather to spank the Tuscan a bit.
Edited by OldandGrumpy on Friday 14th February 08:58
OldandGrumpy said:
Not driven a Tam so I can't comment about that model but
Did have a Tuscan mk 1 S . It generally handled well but the rack was quick and took some getting used to and rear end grip was knife edge at the limit, absolutely no way back when it went.
I then had a T350 which was a lot more forgiving and seemed to have higher level of grip.
I then tested a T350 with the Wilder engine prototype which was on SP 12's and the handling on that car was a revelation in terms of grip and feel, way more planted. The guy who developed the car ( Boss Cerbera, who used to post on here ) said the difference was due to the lighter wheels which were a better match for the stock suspension. I got TVR Barnet to put SP 12's on my car and they were a big improvement. I then had Ohlins fitted and they worked even better.
When I had the 4.3 upgrade from TVR Power I found I could happily use all of the power available whenever i felt like it in the dry. In damp conditions if the back wheels spun up she still handled well, entirely controllable. That is something I would not have tried in the mk 1 Tuscan.
Now I am back to a Tuscan, a mk 2. I have not driven this one in anger yet but I have driven another Tuscan S 2 in a 'spritely' fashion before and to be honest apart from the back end being marginally more lively the mk 2 is much more like my pre-mod T 350. So I have some work on the new Tuscan but the stock mk 2 Tuscan handling is far from st.
I'll comment again when I have the weather to spank the Tuscan a bit.
my tam has 18 sp12....put some 18 spiders on it today for the first time to try...it was definitely retrograde step, didn't like them at all!Did have a Tuscan mk 1 S . It generally handled well but the rack was quick and took some getting used to and rear end grip was knife edge at the limit, absolutely no way back when it went.
I then had a T350 which was a lot more forgiving and seemed to have higher level of grip.
I then tested a T350 with the Wilder engine prototype which was on SP 12's and the handling on that car was a revelation in terms of grip and feel, way more planted. The guy who developed the car ( Boss Cerbera, who used to post on here ) said the difference was due to the lighter wheels which were a better match for the stock suspension. I got TVR Barnet to put SP 12's on my car and they were a big improvement. I then had Ohlins fitted and they worked even better.
When I had the 4.3 upgrade from TVR Power I found I could happily use all of the power available whenever i felt like it in the dry. In damp conditions if the back wheels spun up she still handled well, entirely controllable. That is something I would not have tried in the mk 1 Tuscan.
Now I am back to a Tuscan, a mk 2. I have not driven this one in anger yet but I have driven another Tuscan S 2 in a 'spritely' fashion before and to be honest apart from the back end being marginally more lively the mk 2 is much more like my pre-mod T 350. So I have some work on the new Tuscan but the stock mk 2 Tuscan handling is far from s
t. I'll comment again when I have the weather to spank the Tuscan a bit.
Edited by OldandGrumpy on Friday 14th February 08:58
The spiders look lovely but are quite heavy. I found that the lighter alloys made the car far more 'planted' especially over bad surfaces, and also smoothed the ride significantly- no more 'bobble' if you know what I mean.
Not sure about the outboard motor. Might need a snorkel to go with that. Bloody weather.
Not sure about the outboard motor. Might need a snorkel to go with that. Bloody weather.
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