Newbie - Scared myself to death.

[honahont350]

OK, I’m certainly no newcomer to fast cars, I’ve had 10 years or so experience which I consider ‘just enough’. To give you some idea, I’ve had Porsche’s an RS2, Elise’s and so on. In a nut shell, I thought it about time to step up a gear to a super quick car – The T350c.

So, just collected her from my Garage and drove back to London. On the motorway I decided to give it some serious beans.

WTF!!!! After 100 mph / 130ish (not really sure certainly wasn’t looking!) I changed into 5th and it seemed to power wobble and lose heaps of rear end traction, thought I was a dead man! I assume this is a combination of excess power / touchy steering and the obvious lack of driver aids.

Talk about a humbling experience! I’m normally pretty hard to scare but that was just one step too far, was a few feet and couple of wobbles off hitting the barrier and becoming strawberry jam.

Is this normal? I’m expecting it is! Currently happy to be back in London where I am forced to be driving at speeds far less likely to kill me.

Think I need a verbal crash course on what NOT to be doing if I am to stand any chance of staying alive – so any advice form those that have tamed the beast would be very much appreciated.

On the flipside – it sounds amazing, looks like God and I just love it….. but PLEASE, for the love for Christ, don’t kill me.

Thanks

J

[targarama]

Doesnt sound normal to me. I assume it was dry at the time and you werent doing anything silly with the steering wheel.

I'd get the suspension checked in case something like a anti-roll bar isnt doing its job.

[hollowlegs]

i experienced something similar doing 80 when the roads were damp, was a slightly sweaty armpit moment! hehe

[maxx-waxx]

targarama said:

Doesnt sound normal to me. I assume it was dry at the time and you werent doing anything silly with the steering wheel.

I'd get the suspension checked in case something like a anti-roll bar isnt doing its job.

I agree with that, certainly doesnt sound normal if the road was dry, i would definetly get her checked out

[honahont350]

The road was dry as a bone, but im sure the steering is still mega touchy, When you take one hand off to change gear that's when the 'power wobble' comes in. Does no one else get that?? Even when your well over 100 mph and up your up in 7000 RPM range in 4th? (Sounds really irresponsible I know, but you know what it’s like).

Do you reckon I should give it to TVR to road check? Feel’s fine below 100.

[allyt]

Hollow legs, did you used to be the owner of my T350 ?? Just i know it came from Aberdeen ?

Cheers

Al

[chris watton]

The steering rack is very quick compared to most other cars, in fact, I think it's a just a little too quick for comfort, for me at least - although you do get use to it. I can see why it could catch newcomers to TVR out.

Edited by chris watton on Wednesday 21st June 15:32

[honahont350]

As opposed to taking it to TVR at great expense and great hassle (or all the way back to where I bought it from) does anyone with experience of these beasts live in London? If so would they be prepared to test if for me?

Thanks

J

[hollowlegs]

my t350 does seem twitchy above 100 on b roads but i think its the eneven road surface that causes it, on a smooth road iv had 145 with no twitchyness

so i run my tires now at 22psi on the front and 26 on the rears which seems to help considerabley

[honahont350]

hollowlegs said:

my t350 does seem twitchy above 100 on b roads but i think its the eneven road surface that causes it, on a smooth road iv had 145 with no twitchyness

so i run my tires now at 22psi on the front and 26 on the rears which seems to help considerabley

I’ll be trying that straight away. I'm on Toyo's (new by the look of it).
Don’t get me wrong, it feels fine at high speeds.. it’s ‘just’ when I have buckets of power and during the crucial quick handed gear change. Scared the Cr@p out of me, was about to do a U turn and take it back to the dealer.

[AlexRWD]

honahont350 said:

does anyone with experience of these beasts live in London? If so would they be prepared to test if for me?

Thanks

J

Now that offer could bring some loonies out of the woodwork

I agree with what Chris said, the steering rack is v fast, I remember my first test drives I couldn't believe how twitchy it was at 100mph.

2 years on now, and I guess you eventually get used to it.

[honahont350]

AlexRWD said:

honahont350 said:

does anyone with experience of these beasts live in London? If so would they be prepared to test if for me?

Thanks

J

Now that offer could bring some loonies out of the woodwork

I agree with what Chris said, the steering rack is v fast, I remember my first test drives I couldn't believe how twitchy it was at 100mph.

2 years on now, and I guess you eventually get used to it.

LOL - I was just thinking the same thing.. Some super troll test pilot is probably already suiting up into his jump suit, applying top gun style Raybans and licking his lips.

Seriously though, is someone was kind enough to do so and was known to this forum then it would put my mind at rest.

[hollowlegs]

[quote]I’ll be trying that straight away. I'm on Toyo's (new by the look of it).
Don’t get me wrong, it feels fine at high speeds.. it’s ‘just’ when I have buckets of power and during the crucial quick handed gear change. Scared the Cr@p out of me, was about to do a U turn and take it back to the dealer.
[/quote]

i have a new pair of toyo t1-rs on the rear and a pair of half worn toyo t1-s on the front,

for me at least i found the lower pressure allows a bit of give which reduces the twitchyness but will obviously accelerate the wear of the tread, but thats a minor detail.

[chris watton]

Personally, I'd start by getting the geometry fully checked out by a reputable garage (Joolz or similar), they will, I imagine, test drive the car before and after the set up – this would be your best, and safest bet.

[luca brazzi]

Take a trip out to Racing Green in Ash, Surrey. They have both excellent equipment, a top approach, and will look after your new p + j to your satisfaction.
LB

[grumbledoak]

As mentioned, the steering rack is quite quick on the T cars, so it may just be something to get used to. Take it easy at first.

Also commonly mentioned here are tyre pressures - see posts above. 24 seems to be most commonly recommended, though I don't think that was on Toyos. We often see reports of 26/28 making the car twitchy. Am still on the look-out for a good tyre pressure guage myself...

[honahont350]

so i run my tires now at 22psi on the front and 26 on the rears which seems to help considerabley[/quote]

Sorry to sound a bit dumb - but with the engine at the front, doesn’t that mean is should be the other way around - 26 on the front and 22 on the back?

[targarama]

Yes, forgot the obvious. Check the tyre pressures. 24 all round is a good starting point. Latest TVR suspension settings seem to call for 26psi all round, but try lower to see if that helps (but don't go lower than 22 ).

The answer the previous question - the car is mid-front engined (unlike something like an Audi - our TT needs 36 front, 30 rear) - I think the weight is spread across the front/rear quite evenly on the T350/Tamora.

[jagdpanther]

I would assume with it being high powered and rear wheel drive that it would call for my pressure on the rear to handle the power ditch??

Either way...what a beautiful car you have bought and Im thoroughly jelous

[xTVR]

Definitely suspension geometry. Had a similar issue myself with the Tuscan, and that was the solution - my toe-in/camber setting were out by miles and new tyres really highlighted the killer twitch!
Car was transformed when Joolz fitted nitron shocks & did the settings properly. Best of luck!