TVR 1972M Build Thread

[TiM3]

Do these help? the box is tilted about 5 degrees as that's how the Ford Racing bellhousing is et for some reason so the mounts aren't symmetrical. It's been designed so the mini crossmember is easy to remove should the box need dropping. Pick ups were laser cut from a CAD drawing in 3mm mild steel.

[TiM3]

the other tim said:

Thanks Tim, that's very helpfull and pretty much as I was thinking. My bellhousing is the same as your's, I have a modern Griff box with the external linkage that moves the stick forwards but it also moves it to the right a little so hopefully that'll counteract the tilt.

No problem, my box apparently came out of a Tuscan and has the forward located shifter without any external linkage if you know what I mean. I actually think it will end up further forward than the original. I was thinking of getting a Core Shifter in from the States as they do one that deals with the tilt.

[TiM3]

A bit of an update, unfortunately progress is a lot slower than hoped for as I've had to placate the other half by doing some jobs on the house...

Got the chassis back home and generally happy with the job, it's a very light grey as opposed to white.

I've built up the rear wishbones and fitted the uprights and fitted the front wishbones. A combination of sourcing the right fixings, waiting for the platers etc. meant this took a while. But I'm happy with how it's starting to go together.







And I've now got most of the parts together to finish the front, including some aluminium hubs and uprated stub axles that seem to be nicely built.



However before I go much further I could do with sourcing shock absorbers, does anyone have any recommendations? Would like adjustable spring perches ideally and some damping adjustment seeing as the car will have different weight distribution to stock.

[TiM3]

I've been looking further into suspension... popular brands seem to be AVO and Gaz.

Have people had good experience with Nitron? These seem to be another option.

[TiM3]

Thanks for that, they look well worth investigating, I notice Racetech list sets for M cars at pretty reasonable money.

Have you got or had cars with Protech stuff on?

[TiM3]

I've not done an update in ages, proabably because things have been plodding along pretty slowly...

Anyway a few pics of the chassis build up, I bought some Protec shocks in the end and Fosseway four pot calipers for the front, the rest was just a simple case of refurbishing or replacing what was already there.











I've then spent some time getting the engine and transmission ready and finally fitting it over the last few days, I'll post some pictures shortly...

[TiM3]

Getting my T5 box ready was a lot more hassle than I imagined. It came from a modern Tuscan and these have a different input shaft and bearing retainer to an American T5. This meant my bellhousing wasn't the right fit and clutch choice was more problematic. I decided to replace the lot with Mustang compatible parts so it opens up the choice of clutches etc.

This is the bits being fitted, I have all the part numbers if anyone is ever looking at doing anything similar.



Whilst trying to do a proper job, I also decided to check the bellhousing was centred so I could correct with offset pins, it was within tolerance on the Ford Performance bellhousing.



And finally all back together, I opted for a Ford Performance clutch kit, which is mildly uprated so should suit my slightly tuned motor.

[TiM3]

Tight fit but it's in!

[TiM3]

Granturadriver said:

Looks superb! Well done!

Did you already start to work on the body?

Thank you, still doing a last few bits on the chassis, fuel feed/return lines, handbrake switch etc. little stuff that takes time. I then intend to drop the body back on the chassis and build the car up pre paint. Then strip and send for paint.

Also just installed the custom propshaft which fitted really nicely, made my week!