Discussion
Anyone driven a V8 powered TR7?
Just wondered what they were like and if they were a genuine alternative to, say, a TVR 350 'wedge' or similar?
Looking at the S&S Preparations website and they seemed to have some well prepared cars going for very sensible prices. I just wondered what the performance, handling and ownership experience was like compared to a more modern sportscar?
Just wondered what they were like and if they were a genuine alternative to, say, a TVR 350 'wedge' or similar?
Looking at the S&S Preparations website and they seemed to have some well prepared cars going for very sensible prices. I just wondered what the performance, handling and ownership experience was like compared to a more modern sportscar?
You should talk to me 
They're my pet passion!
Tr8's or preferably TR7-v8's are wonderful cars to be had for so little money! Soft tops look the best. No need to stop with a rover v8, you can turbocharge the engine of fit any chevrolet ls1 to ls7 and still you have room for turbo's. The engine bay is cavernous and a 6 speed gearbox also fits. They'll accept a ford 8.8" axle. The car's a monocoque and fully crash tested, it was also over engineered because of the concerns over stricter american legislation which never came into force. In otherwords, they're a very safe place to sit in.
Tvr's are very limited in the engine bay department and on some, changing the box or removing the engine is a nightmare.
Go for the 7 if you like doing modifications
Boosted.
They're my pet passion! Tr8's or preferably TR7-v8's are wonderful cars to be had for so little money! Soft tops look the best. No need to stop with a rover v8, you can turbocharge the engine of fit any chevrolet ls1 to ls7 and still you have room for turbo's. The engine bay is cavernous and a 6 speed gearbox also fits. They'll accept a ford 8.8" axle. The car's a monocoque and fully crash tested, it was also over engineered because of the concerns over stricter american legislation which never came into force. In otherwords, they're a very safe place to sit in.
Tvr's are very limited in the engine bay department and on some, changing the box or removing the engine is a nightmare.
Go for the 7 if you like doing modifications
Boosted.
In the Targa Tasmania, a couple of years ago, a TR7/V8, came in 11Th. The only things in front of it were all competition Porsche's.
It beat every Farari, Lambo, & all the Jap competition stuff. It had been in 8Th place, the year before, when it crashed in the wet. the year was a reasonably dry year, which helps a RWD car.
The next year was very wet, & a Nissan Skyline 4WD won it.
I have a much modifed, but still a road car, TR8, with a 2000 model,
4.6 L Rover V8, tuned to 280 BHP. Its a great drive.
It beat every Farari, Lambo, & all the Jap competition stuff. It had been in 8Th place, the year before, when it crashed in the wet. the year was a reasonably dry year, which helps a RWD car.
The next year was very wet, & a Nissan Skyline 4WD won it.
I have a much modifed, but still a road car, TR8, with a 2000 model,
4.6 L Rover V8, tuned to 280 BHP. Its a great drive.
Cheers guys.
Don't think I'd go too far in modifying one, although you never know....
I've just heard some rather dubious things about TR7 handling. Can anyone tell me what set up it's got as standard (is it double wishbones all round?) and what is typically done to make it better (without welding in extra links and stuff)?
Any idea what sort of performance figures you get from one with a 3.5 Rover V8 in a relatively standard state of tune? Can anyone describe what they're like to drive? If this makes any sense I'm comparing a typical (modest) V8 conversion to a standard TVR 350i.
......I'm sure they can be made to go very quickly. I'm looking for something with addequate performance, character and above all good handling. Something which is involving, but relatively chuckable and not too likely to send me into a hedge.
Chris.
PS Hmmm.... the Grinall looks nice
Don't think I'd go too far in modifying one, although you never know....
I've just heard some rather dubious things about TR7 handling. Can anyone tell me what set up it's got as standard (is it double wishbones all round?) and what is typically done to make it better (without welding in extra links and stuff)?
Any idea what sort of performance figures you get from one with a 3.5 Rover V8 in a relatively standard state of tune? Can anyone describe what they're like to drive? If this makes any sense I'm comparing a typical (modest) V8 conversion to a standard TVR 350i.
......I'm sure they can be made to go very quickly. I'm looking for something with addequate performance, character and above all good handling. Something which is involving, but relatively chuckable and not too likely to send me into a hedge.
Chris.
PS Hmmm.... the Grinall looks nice
Edited by Chris71 on Wednesday 13th December 11:58
Chris71 said:
Cheers guys.
Don't think I'd go too far in modifying one, although you never know....
I've just heard some rather dubious things about TR7 handling. Can anyone tell me what set up it's got as standard (is it double wishbones all round?) and what is typically done to make it better (without welding in extra links and stuff)?
Any idea what sort of performance figures you get from one with a 3.5 Rover V8 in a relatively standard state of tune? Can anyone describe what they're like to drive? If this makes any sense I'm comparing a typical (modest) V8 conversion to a standard TVR 350i.
......I'm sure they can be made to go very quickly. I'm looking for something with addequate performance, character and above all good handling. Something which is involving, but relatively chuckable and not too likely to send me into a hedge.
Chris.
PS Hmmm.... the Grinall looks nice
Don't think I'd go too far in modifying one, although you never know....
I've just heard some rather dubious things about TR7 handling. Can anyone tell me what set up it's got as standard (is it double wishbones all round?) and what is typically done to make it better (without welding in extra links and stuff)?
Any idea what sort of performance figures you get from one with a 3.5 Rover V8 in a relatively standard state of tune? Can anyone describe what they're like to drive? If this makes any sense I'm comparing a typical (modest) V8 conversion to a standard TVR 350i.
......I'm sure they can be made to go very quickly. I'm looking for something with addequate performance, character and above all good handling. Something which is involving, but relatively chuckable and not too likely to send me into a hedge.
Chris.
PS Hmmm.... the Grinall looks nice
Edited by Chris71 on Wednesday 13th December 11:58
They handle well and pull .75 g or more on a skid pad. They will understeer first but then you will get oversteer if you aren't careful but that's normal for a lot of cars. Usual mods are to uprate to stiffer bushes all round. Fit bigger brakes and change spring rates. Up front it's mcpherson strut, at the back it's a live axle with 4 links. Mines wishbones up front and at the rear I have an 'A' Frame locating the axle :0 ride is neutral
I have no roll bars. If you look around you'll find a car with all the usual work already done. Defo join the Tr Register as there are cars for sale in the magazine. Boosted.
Chris71 said:
Cheers Boosted. I suppose it's like all these things - only a test drive will tell.
To some extent I presume any car of that age will have 70s handling, but that's a good thing as long as it's relatively predictable and catchable not "mind that tree, what tree, splat"
To some extent I presume any car of that age will have 70s handling, but that's a good thing as long as it's relatively predictable and catchable not "mind that tree, what tree, splat"
The softness in the bushes was done for the americans but it makes the car very progressive as it settles down into a turn. It also makes it a bit wallowy at other times. Get a testdrive somewhere, you'll enjoy it especially in a v8
Makes you grow horns! Join the register, it's based at Didcot.
Boosted.
Yertis said:
I'm quite interested in one of these TR7 V8 thingamajobs. What to look out for LS1 ? I saw one of the original dozen or so "real" TR7V8s at auction the other day and it went for peanuts, surprisingly. But most of them around are obviously conversions, so how do you spot a good one?
Look for a tidy shell, no rot etc. They rot at the floor behind the seats which can be a pain so walk away from one like that. By now it should be easy to inspect them they're either nice clean examples or utter dogs. There's always a v8 conversion for sale somewhere and you can buy a buyers guide. As said before, best place for information is the TR Register 01235 818866 (I used to be the registrar for the 7 & 8's, my claim to fame lol). Website is www.tr-register.co.uk.
Boosted.
Boosted LS1 said:
Chris71 said:
Cheers Boosted. I suppose it's like all these things - only a test drive will tell.
To some extent I presume any car of that age will have 70s handling, but that's a good thing as long as it's relatively predictable and catchable not "mind that tree, what tree, splat"
To some extent I presume any car of that age will have 70s handling, but that's a good thing as long as it's relatively predictable and catchable not "mind that tree, what tree, splat"
The softness in the bushes was done for the americans but it makes the car very progressive as it settles down into a turn. It also makes it a bit wallowy at other times. Get a testdrive somewhere, you'll enjoy it especially in a v8
Makes you grow horns! Join the register, it's based at Didcot.
Boosted.
Does that mean they're less forgiving with stiff bushes in?
Can you describe the driving experience? Any idea what sort of performance figures you get from a typical 3.5 V8 conversion?
Off to check out the TR register
Chris71 said:
Boosted LS1 said:
Chris71 said:
Cheers Boosted. I suppose it's like all these things - only a test drive will tell.
To some extent I presume any car of that age will have 70s handling, but that's a good thing as long as it's relatively predictable and catchable not "mind that tree, what tree, splat"
To some extent I presume any car of that age will have 70s handling, but that's a good thing as long as it's relatively predictable and catchable not "mind that tree, what tree, splat"
The softness in the bushes was done for the americans but it makes the car very progressive as it settles down into a turn. It also makes it a bit wallowy at other times. Get a testdrive somewhere, you'll enjoy it especially in a v8
Makes you grow horns! Join the register, it's based at Didcot.
Boosted.
Does that mean they're less forgiving with stiff bushes in?
Can you describe the driving experience? Any idea what sort of performance figures you get from a typical 3.5 V8 conversion?
Off to check out the TR register
Firmer bushes are fine. The originals were very soft to suit our american friends that's all. The driving experience is a lot of fun, you just mod the car as you like it. You feel nice and snug sat in a 7. The high sills give some hip protection and the door bars were over engineered. They are a very strong car. Heaters are excellent for the winter. A v8 version gives very respectible performance but without caution you will use lots of fuel if you keep booting it!
Boosted.
Boosted LS1 said:
Yertis said:
I'm quite interested in one of these TR7 V8 thingamajobs. What to look out for LS1 ? I saw one of the original dozen or so "real" TR7V8s at auction the other day and it went for peanuts, surprisingly. But most of them around are obviously conversions, so how do you spot a good one?
Look for a tidy shell, no rot etc. They rot at the floor behind the seats which can be a pain so walk away from one like that. By now it should be easy to inspect them they're either nice clean examples or utter dogs. There's always a v8 conversion for sale somewhere and you can buy a buyers guide. As said before, best place for information is the TR Register 01235 818866 (I used to be the registrar for the 7 & 8's, my claim to fame lol). Website is www.tr-register.co.uk.
Boosted.
I'm already a member of the Register (have been since about 1988
) so that bit's easy. 
Used to skip past the TR7 stuff though I was just wondering about how you'd spot a good conversion versus a poor one. Engine mounts, stuff like that.
Yertis said:
Boosted LS1 said:
Yertis said:
I'm quite interested in one of these TR7 V8 thingamajobs. What to look out for LS1 ? I saw one of the original dozen or so "real" TR7V8s at auction the other day and it went for peanuts, surprisingly. But most of them around are obviously conversions, so how do you spot a good one?
Look for a tidy shell, no rot etc. They rot at the floor behind the seats which can be a pain so walk away from one like that. By now it should be easy to inspect them they're either nice clean examples or utter dogs. There's always a v8 conversion for sale somewhere and you can buy a buyers guide. As said before, best place for information is the TR Register 01235 818866 (I used to be the registrar for the 7 & 8's, my claim to fame lol). Website is www.tr-register.co.uk.
Boosted.
I'm already a member of the Register (have been since about 1988
) so that bit's easy. Used to skip past the TR7 stuff though I was just wondering about how you'd spot a good conversion versus a poor one. Engine mounts, stuff like that.
A good conversion will be all clean and tidy, done properly etc. It may have a Rimmers or S & S subframe. If it's been bodged you should be able to tell as it will have an untidy look about the engine bay. Most conversions are holley carbed, later versions will have the webber or efi. Capacity can be over 5.0 litres. These cars in 3500cc guise usually sell for about 3k which is a bargain, so just look for something with clean bodywork, few owners etc. They often do low mileage ie my convertibles been laid up for a few years but has only done 56k in 26 years! That sort of mileage isn't uncommon as these were frequently 'second' cars. I think the most important thing to get is good bodywork, everything else can be haggled over or changed later. Make sure you get a 5 speed, avoid the 4 speeds for a number of reasons! The auto's are meant to be quite good and quicker then the manual being only 3 speed. They ought to be cheaper to.
Boosted.
chris71 said:
Isn't it normally 3.5 SD1 then?
What's a typical V8 transplant? 130hp as in the TR8 doesn't sound like much for a reasonably substantial car.
What's a typical V8 transplant? 130hp as in the TR8 doesn't sound like much for a reasonably substantial car.
That's a genuine emmisions restricted Tr8 you're referring to. You won't easily find one of those in the UK and if you did you wouldn't modify it!
Look for a TR7-v8, this is the terminology for a tr7 converted to v8 power. Smallest engines are 3.5 but nowadays could also be, 3.9, 4.0, 4.2, 4.5, 4.6, 4.8, 5.0, 5.2, 5.5, chevvy ls1,2,6,7 and then there's turbo's etc. Oh, in the US they like to fit the buick v6 engines and some of them are pretty famous to. How big you go depends on your aspirations but you could have 1000 hp if you wanted it.
Boosted.
In the spring I'll have my TR7V8 for sale. Complete reshell on a california car,
virtually all new, interior etc. Mild 3,500cc with Fast road cam, weber 4 barrel
(Edelbrock/Carter 500). Uprated suspension 200lb springs, spax adjustables all round.
4 Pot Princess calipers on front, uprated servo & master cyl. 15inch MGF wheels.
Body is Cinnobar red with a Tan TR7 interior. Very expensive tan mohair hood.
Loads of waxol so will never rust.
Cost 16K to build.
Negotiations start at around 7K.
PM if intrested.
virtually all new, interior etc. Mild 3,500cc with Fast road cam, weber 4 barrel
(Edelbrock/Carter 500). Uprated suspension 200lb springs, spax adjustables all round.
4 Pot Princess calipers on front, uprated servo & master cyl. 15inch MGF wheels.
Body is Cinnobar red with a Tan TR7 interior. Very expensive tan mohair hood.
Loads of waxol so will never rust.
Cost 16K to build.
Negotiations start at around 7K.
PM if intrested.
Edited by tr7v8 on Monday 18th December 13:36
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