TR4 Purchase

[flatsix3.6]

Considering buying a TR4 and would like to know what upgrades would be good to look for or to do for motoring in these days, such as brakes, carbs,suspension, ignition and in paticular work on the engine to gain a few extra hp.

Edited by flatsix3.6 on Monday 1st October 15:49

[badhuis]

Why upgrade it? Use it for a couple of months then decide what you think needs upgrading.
Never in the 23 years I have owned my TR4 I have felt the need to put more power into it. It sounds great and being low to the ground you always feel fast enough. Same for the brakes - they work well with the correct Mintex pads even without a booster.
While I like to keep things original I changed some things over the years:

• removed the ign points and installed magnetic pickup under the distr cap.
• replaced the mech fan and installed a Revotech electric fan
• dumped the dynamo for an alternator.

Carbs are original and doing just fine, always a good starter and not too expensive on fuel. Suspension wise it could do with a bit more travel at the rear but I do not want the car to be higher on the wheels, also do not want stiffer springs so I have to live with it which means going a bit slower on humps etc.
Enjoy the car as it is! I know I do and will not change it to another car or form. Perfect little sports car.

[Yertis]

badhuis said:

Why upgrade it? Use it for a couple of months then decide what you think needs upgrading.
Never in the 23 years I have owned my TR4 I have felt the need to put more power into it. It sounds great and being low to the ground you always feel fast enough. Same for the brakes - they work well with the correct Mintex pads even without a booster.
While I like to keep things original I changed some things over the years:

• removed the ign points and installed magnetic pickup under the distr cap.
• replaced the mech fan and installed a Revotech electric fan
• dumped the dynamo for an alternator.

Carbs are original and doing just fine, always a good starter and not too expensive on fuel. Suspension wise it could do with a bit more travel at the rear but I do not want the car to be higher on the wheels, also do not want stiffer springs so I have to live with it which means going a bit slower on humps etc.
Enjoy the car as it is! I know I do and will not change it to another car or form. Perfect little sports car.

I agree. But also, if you look, you can probably find one with all the mods you're after already done.

[tapkaJohnD]

Have you seen this?
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

J.

[fourfoldroot]

I have no upgrades on my 1961 TR4, somebody had put a brake servo on which I have since removed as it made the pedal too hard. Also I removed the rocker oil feed as this was reducing the pressure available elsewhere. Someone in the past has added TR4a sidelights and grille but I have the parts ready to convert it back. Only mod I have done is to remove the bumpers which may not be to all tastes but easily reversible. Plenty of power as it is, 50 mph feels alot faster than it actually is when you are not cosseted by the surroundings of a modern car.

[audi321]

tapkaJohnD said:

Have you seen this?
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

J.

That WAS my thread. The mods removed it for some reason.

Anyway, I have a TR4 1962 in red if anyone is interested to know more about the history/current state, please PM me (I'll probably get this removed too!).

[flatsix3.6]

Looks smart without the bumpers.

fourfoldroot said:

I have no upgrades on my 1961 TR4, somebody had put a brake servo on which I have since removed as it made the pedal too hard. Also I removed the rocker oil feed as this was reducing the pressure available elsewhere. Someone in the past has added TR4a sidelights and grille but I have the parts ready to convert it back. Only mod I have done is to remove the bumpers which may not be to all tastes but easily reversible. Plenty of power as it is, 50 mph feels alot faster than it actually is when you are not cosseted by the surroundings of a modern car.

[85Carrera]

Agree re upgrades. Mine is bog standard but will probably fit electronic ignition this winter.

What I would add though is that overdrive is essential.