Almost sold my Tuscan due to poor handling! Fixed for £20!

[s6boy]

JR said:

s6boy said:

Is there a link on the SP website? If so I'm not finding it.

Click on Full SP above your post...

Well I'd worked that out on me ownsome but then couldn't find the spacers within the SP site.


eta. and so far they're permanently engaged.

eta (again) Ok just got through, the spacers aren't on the site which is why I couldn't find them. Had a good chat and will be ordering them tomorrow.

Edited by s6boy on Tuesday 29th June 12:40

Edited by s6boy on Tuesday 29th June 13:20

[dvs_dave]

Full SP said:

dvs_dave said:

TVR owners are generally more technically minded than most.....they attract that sort. Any simple modification that promises big results will if course spark a technical debate as to how or why it works.....check the Speed 6 forum for proof!

I would have thought that our layman's explanation of what TVR did to compromise the offset and how our solution reverses this compromise would be sufficient!! More owners confirming that they do actually work will undoubtedly prove the point. The deep technical discussion is of course valid, but not relevant to most, who, after all, just want their cars to handle better!

Sharing how and why it works is for some interesting. Whether or not everyone is interested is not important.

Anyway, what's more important is that I've not recieved mine yet so I can't do anything but talk about the theory. Get them to me quick before we all dissappear up our own theroetical arses!

[Chad speed]

Full SP said:

Chad speed said:

Just fitted some cheapo 3mm spacers to my Mk1 Tuscan as I was quite intrigued by this one and a little bit sceptical. Sceptical because its supposed to work for all tyre sizes and the intersecting point of king pin inclination and centre of contact patch most definitely changes if the rolling radius changes, as it does with different tyre widths and aspect ratios's (I have 225/35ZR18's).
The result? Well, round the twisties its much improved and inspires more confidence, it's almost even chuckable. But, and so far it's a big but, high speed wander and tram-lining is worse, as though the front toe settings are parallel or even toeing out (it may be worth looking at rear toe as well).

What is your geometry set up? And OF COURSE it's worth checking the rear geo (and not just the toe)

As per my previous posts, having correct tyre pressures and geo/ ride heights is a prerequisite for getting the best out of your Tuscan and 225/35 18 is the worst possible front axle set-up on a Tuscan. Thanks for taking our spacers idea and spending your money elsewhere. Really appreciate that Chad!!

When you get 235/40 18 tyres on the front (assuming your set-up is good) you'll find your car is where you'd hope it will be. Perhaps then you can drop us a cheque in the post for commission ;-)

Edited by Full SP on Monday 28th June 10:16

Full SP, Just loggged back on and surprised at your response, apologies if you took offence at my purchase of Halfords wheel spacers, but I did say I was sceptical and in my case I was partly right. My intention was to try the cheapo spacers out then buy some from you if I was happy. Perhaps when I change the front tyres I'll try the spacers again. I appreciate your time trying to improve the Tuscan front end, perhaps I missed the bit where you said the spacers were recommended with 235/40 18 tyres. I wish you well in your venture.
Chadspeed

[Full SP]

Chad speed said:

Full SP, Just loggged back on and surprised at your response, apologies if you took offence at my purchase of Halfords wheel spacers, but I did say I was sceptical and in my case I was partly right. My intention was to try the cheapo spacers out then buy some from you if I was happy. Perhaps when I change the front tyres I'll try the spacers again. I appreciate your time trying to improve the Tuscan front end, perhaps I missed the bit where you said the spacers were recommended with 235/40 18 tyres. I wish you well in your venture.
Chadspeed

Hi Chadspeed
I was absolutely clear in pointing out that the 225/35 18 set-up is poor, full stop. The 235/40 18 front tyre (or indeed 255/35) is far better and when coupled with the spacers and good geo and tyre pressures the car is transformed. As far as I can see, we don't know where your geo is at, what your ride heights are, the state of your suspension hardware or even the tyre pressures you are running, so until we/ you know all of these things are right I don't think it is reasonable to suggest that your scepticism was well founded. Other users are certainly reporting otherwise and as the spacers will have been arriving yesterday/ today I'm sure we'll be getting a lot more feedback over the coming days.
So, let's see how everyone gets on!
Cheers
Matt

[Mike Blake]

Fitted mine this afternoon and just had a quick blast up the lanes - first impression is that the car is considerably less twitchy and feels better planted.
May be the old placebo effect but it does seem to be a step in the right direction for my car.
Thanks to SP.
Mike

[flashheart59]

Got mine on this afternoon too and straight out for a drive. Again there probably is an element of the placebo effect but on a mix of twisty country lanes and some fast A roads I'm sure this feels better, much less twitchy at speed over bumps and seems to have lost some of the desire to head for the ditch in slower bumpy/uneven corners. In fact at one point I found myself at cruising speed driving one handed with finger and thumb, a nice change to what is often two white knuckled hands gripping the wheel.

Had the geometry setup last week and with the spacers I'm almost happy with the handling, well worth £20. New shocks next.

[PCS]

Got mine this afternoon also, just back from a spin and the steering does feel less twitchy and erratic. The car also seemed to not want to steer itself into the nearest hedge. IMO well worth the money.

[Macey]

Ordered mine today, please Mr Postman, can you deliver them to me ready to be fitted on Saturday?????

[Konrod]

Mine arrived yesterday, fitted them last night. Did the upgrade make any difference?......don't know as I couldn't take it out, but will be driving it today.

[dvs_dave]

Fitted mine last night and it really has improved things considerably. So much so I could tell the difference within the first 50 yards! The steering over bumps is way less twitchy and the steering is more solid and much more confidence inspiring. Pot holes/manholes no longer send a shudder through the wheel and consequently the car requires much less in the way of corrective steering inputs. High speeds, the steering doesn't wander and on fast bends, it feels much more planted and mid corner bumps don't unsettle the car like before. It's equally impressive under heavy braking where the car is much more stable and the squirminess seems to have gone.

All in all an excellent upgrade that you’d be daft not to do! Thanks SP for sharing your little secret.



For the record I've a Mk1. S with Nitrons, a full and recent corner-weight and geo re-tune, running 255/35's all round (F,24psi, R, 26psi). The car handled well beforehand, wasn't scary, didn't dive for the nearest hedge, and could comfortably be driven at speed with one hand on the wheel.

[m0ssy]

Ok been reading this with interest and am in....

Thanks for the recent reply to my mail SP.

Will report on my findngs once ordered/ fitted.

Edited by m0ssy on Thursday 1st July 10:33

[RM75]

I don't want to complicate things, but can I just briefly ask; having read that the Sagaris has a wider track, would there be any benefit in also fitting spacers on the rear of a Tuscan? Something like 3mm rear and 5mm front?

[Full SP]

RM75 said:

I don't want to complicate things, but can I just briefly ask; having read that the Sagaris has a wider track, would there be any benefit in also fitting spacers on the rear of a Tuscan? Something like 3mm rear and 5mm front?

The Sagaris was engineered with a wider track so it doesn't follow that widening the track on a Tuscan will take it towards a Sagaris in terms of handling. In any event, 5mm spacers anywhere on the car are absolutely not recommended because you lose spiggot engagement of the wheel and thread engagement becomes marginal.

Thanks for all the feedback guys, I'm delighted to hear they're working out. It's such a simple thing, and you've got to admit, when you first pick up on of our spacers you can't believe that slimline little thing can make such a difference.

[RM75]

Ah, OK thanks.

[flashheart59]

Further to my last outing, did 250 miles to Goodwood and back today, there is no doubt at all in my mind these spacers do make a huge improvement to drivability. Really pleased, just can't believe it's taken so long to sort this out with such a simple thing. Could have kept driving for hours more!

Jp.

[Shaolin]

flashheart59 said:

Further to my last outing, did 250 miles to Goodwood and back today, there is no doubt at all in my mind these spacers do make a huge improvement to drivability. Really pleased, just can't believe it's taken so long to sort this out with such a simple thing. Could have kept driving for hours more!

Jp.

Glad to hear it, I ordered mine last night, too late to go to Goodwood with though (tomorrow).

For anyone who is finding it difficult to get through on the phone, I emailed matt through his profile and paid using Paypal - hope you don't mind me mentioning this Matt?

[Konrod]

flashheart59 said:

Further to my last outing, did 250 miles to Goodwood and back today, there is no doubt at all in my mind these spacers do make a huge improvement to drivability. Really pleased, just can't believe it's taken so long to sort this out with such a simple thing. Could have kept driving for hours more!

Jp.

Yep, had mone out today and I'd agree with everything that's been said - far more planted and in fast corners you aren't constantly doing minor corrections.

[Hotwheels.]

Think yourselves lucky you lot...everyone is saying that pre spacer, you're dragged to the kerb, whereas mine throws,and i really do mean 'throws', me into the white line/oncoming traffic,which i'm sure you'll agree, a little more hairy than a kerb/verge. Perhaps some new shocks and a set up are also in order. Will fit the spacers today if i get time and i'll report back,but by the sound,they're already a winner!

Edited by Hotwheels. on Saturday 3rd July 09:33

[justyr]

Here is my preliminary assessment: Tuscan mk1 S with Nitron sports + Eibach, and now with SP spacers.
- First notice that there is less tramlining during my warm up run out to the twisties. Dare I say 'no tramlining'? On my 'test road' it's close...
- Car is definitely a bit more neutral, less frisky/twitchy/throwy.
- Car still retains directness and flickability in the twisties.

Summary: It's better, & safer. It's another step in the right direction and so I recommend.

Finally I would like SP's input on recommended tyre pressures if poss for the above setup, thanks.

J

(edited to say am running 235/40 F, 245/40 R, Eagle F1)

Edited by justyr on Saturday 3rd July 11:45

(edited again to say my rear tyre size is as per TVR owners handbook for the S. It states 25psi all round normal driving. I'll try this. (Note: The 'mytuscan' website states 255/35 rear tyre size for the S.))

Edited by justyr on Saturday 3rd July 11:58

[Full SP]

justyr said:

Finally I would like SP's input on recommended tyre pressures if poss for the above setup, thanks.
(edited to say am running 235/40 F, 245/40 R, Eagle F1)

Edited by justyr on Saturday 3rd July 11:45

(edited again to say my rear tyre size is as per TVR owners handbook for the S. It states 25psi all round normal driving. I'll try this. (Note: The 'mytuscan' website states 255/35 rear tyre size for the S.))

Edited by justyr on Saturday 3rd July 11:58

26psi seems to be the best all round pressure for GY as opposed to 28psi for the Toyo T1-R. Tyres do perform very differently over their life however so I'd recommend you spend a bit of time trialling pressures for your own car, on your type of roads and your own driving style. I realise this advice is a bit vague but I'm limited to one miracle cure per month so this is the best I can do for now