Trevor arrived today

Trevor arrived today

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quint22cp

Original Poster:

25 posts

70 months

Friday 18th May 2018
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Hi All,
This is my 1st posting on PistonHeads so I know there are answers out there to most of my questions but I'd just like to say hello to the community before digging in through all the back posts.

I've always wanted a TVR, 15 years ago I seriously looked at getting a Cerb' but as it was to be my daily drive all the horror stories on here put me off. Fortuitously I bought a 1988 Porsche 911 which has only let me down once in 15 years and has since quadrupled in value.

Today I am the proud owner of a lovely blue TVR Tuscan. After explaining to my wife where the TVR initials originated she has now called it Trevor (as probably a 1000 other TVRs are called).

It looks absolutely gorgeous and that sound of the Speed 6 engine is just music. It is an old car (2000) and I didn't give a lot for it so I expected it to come with a generous helping of "issues". On the way home the LCD first pixelated and then when completely blank, bad LCD or wiring I guess. The roof panel rattles like a chain smoker on woodbines and lots of the switches don't seem to do anything.

Fortunately I wanted a 'project' so all of this is just great. Also me being both an electronics and mechanical engineer will obviously help things along.

Just a couple of quick questions.
The 3 shift lights at the top of the dash seem to randomly go on and off. I can't find any reference to them in the useless owners manual.
At startup from cold, it chuffs and pops a bit, idle is about 700 - 800 rpm ?
On over-run in 3rd there is a loud droning noise, not sure if this is exhaust resonance or gearbox trouble, all gears select OK and there are no obvious graunching or grinding noises ?

Loving it, I spent 2 hours this evening just siting and admiring what a beautiful thing it is.

Pete

Chim450

1,452 posts

260 months

Friday 18th May 2018
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Congratulations Pete. The Tuscan really is a thing of beauty.
The LCD screens do fail after a while. I had mine replaced a few years ago. I’m sure there are some places still around that fix or replace them (? Python Racing). I’ve not had a problem with the change up lights but if your LCD display isn’t working you won’t be able to see at what revs the lights are programmed to change at. I’ll email you the “secret” way to gain entry if the electrics fail as requested.

ianwayne

6,244 posts

267 months

Saturday 19th May 2018
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Hope you enjoy the car! After seeing that Tuscan at the auction, I've remembered that the front o/s wheel looked a bit squiffy to me. I took a photo of it.

The outer bead seemed distorted or the wheel itself slightly buckled? Perhaps an optical illusion.



Perhaps it's worth checking them all? I've been led to understand the Spider alloys are prone to this.

TR4man

5,207 posts

173 months

Saturday 19th May 2018
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Look forward to reading of your trials and tribulations.

Funnily enough I collected my early 2000 Tuscan last week and I'm also called Peter! Apart from the test drive, I had never driven one before and must have looked quite odd as I gingerly drove it from Warwickshire to Cheshire last Saturday. I was in lane 1 virtually the entire journey!

They certainly attract a lot of attention and I was conscious of several cars slowing down as they overtook me for passengers to take photos. Might also have something to do with the rather bright colour of mine.

I agree about the lack of info in the owners manual and there doesn't appear to be a workshop manual similar to the Steve Heath bible that I had with my Chimaera. I have found this website useful http://www.mytuscan.co.uk/problems_main.php#engine...


s6boy

1,613 posts

224 months

Saturday 19th May 2018
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Congratulations on the new purchase and welcome.
I'm sure with your background you'll have a good handle on most of the issue as they crop up but it will pay you to get to know a good garage who can explain some of the more annoying foibles. Let us know where you are and I'm sure someone will give a pointer to a good local place.
I would initially agree that the display wiring may have a dry joint somewhere or has vibrated too much in the binnacle. However you also mention the shift lights randomly flickering which reminded me I had the same symptoms when an incorrect alternator was fitted. From memory it was a Land Rover part but the wrong model had been ordered. This would definitely be worth speaking to an expert about or compare what you have with the correct part number -TVR E2152.
Hopefully the rattling roof will be fixed by replacing the rubber seal which goes right around the cockpit and should keep the rain out from around the windows. Quite an easy job to do but you need to ensure it is well seated (with a rubber mallet) around the top corners of the windscreen and roll hoop.
Anyway best of luck and try and make the most of this weather driving

brownspeed

730 posts

130 months

Saturday 19th May 2018
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I got an LCD panel from PH member LeeT350C for my Tamora. I don't know if its the same one in a Tuscan.(?) I expect Lee would advise you if it would fit- or would know where to source one if it doesn't.
Despite being a mechanical engineer with an aversion to all things electric- I managed to install mine- it was a doddle.

welcome to the whacky world of TVR- great choice; you need to get used to strangers pointing and giving you thumbs up

Bobhon

1,057 posts

178 months

Saturday 19th May 2018
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brownspeed said:
I got an LCD panel from PH member LeeT350C for my Tamora. I don't know if its the same one in a Tuscan.(?) I expect Lee would advise you if it would fit- or would know where to source one if it doesn't.
Despite being a mechanical engineer with an aversion to all things electric- I managed to install mine- it was a doddle.

welcome to the whacky world of TVR- great choice; you need to get used to strangers pointing and giving you thumbs up
No the earlier Tuscan's had smaller LCD's than the rest of the T cars. So the Tamora one won't fit.

brownspeed

730 posts

130 months

Sunday 20th May 2018
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yeah- I suspected it may not be same- I did see a thread a while back asking Lee if he was doing them for the Tuscan- so maybe now he does- certainly worth asking him (he's a top bloke) if not- like I said- he may know where you CAN get one from.
Good luck to OP with the refurbishment.

so called

9,074 posts

208 months

Tuesday 22nd May 2018
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quint22cp said:
Just a couple of quick questions.
The 3 shift lights at the top of the dash seem to randomly go on and off. I can't find any reference to them in the useless owners manual.
At startup from cold, it chuffs and pops a bit, idle is about 700 - 800 rpm ?
On over-run in 3rd there is a loud droning noise, not sure if this is exhaust resonance or gearbox trouble, all gears select OK and there are no obvious graunching or grinding noises ?

Pete
The start up revs don't sound bad.
My understanding is that the cold start revs should be around 600 and increase to 900 as she warms.

Congratulations. They are lovely aren't they. smile
For info, My early (2000) Tuscan had the older throttle body design.
This is where the shaft for the butterfly flaps is not bushed at all where it passes through the throttle body casting.
You can imagine, after time, wear occurs and results in a headache at tuning time.
I had mine upgraded with roller bearing by Jason at Str8six.

so called

9,074 posts

208 months

Tuesday 22nd May 2018
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TR4man said:
......... drove it from Warwickshire to Cheshire last Saturday.

Hi Peter, where in South Cheshire are you?
Any where near Shavington?

TR4man

5,207 posts

173 months

Tuesday 22nd May 2018
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so called said:
TR4man said:
......... drove it from Warwickshire to Cheshire last Saturday.

Hi Peter, where in South Cheshire are you?
Any where near Shavington?
Just down the road from you in Woore!

In fact, I drove past your gaff about an hour ago, going to and from Tesco's to fill her up with Momentum in readiness for Thrills in the Hills on Sunday!

so called

9,074 posts

208 months

Tuesday 22nd May 2018
quotequote all
TR4man said:
so called said:
TR4man said:
......... drove it from Warwickshire to Cheshire last Saturday.

Hi Peter, where in South Cheshire are you?
Any where near Shavington?
Just down the road from you in Woore!

In fact, I drove past your gaff about an hour ago, going to and from Tesco's to fill her up with Momentum in readiness for Thrills in the Hills on Sunday!
Small world, I came through Woore last night on my way home from Derby. (M6 junction 16 flooded???)