New T350T

Author
Discussion

a1butch

Original Poster:

269 posts

194 months

Tuesday 7th July 2015
quotequote all
The Tamora has gone and now replaced with this 2005 lazer blue T35T.


I've enjoyed the last few days cleaning up and driving but I do have a couple of novice T350 questions:

The bonnet catch is not working, is there another way to access the engine bay?
Targa panels, is there a proven method to reduce the wind noise?
Replacement tyres, what is the thinking of wider section rears, say 245/255?


jrb43

799 posts

255 months

Tuesday 7th July 2015
quotequote all
a1butch said:
The Tamora has gone and now replaced with this 2005 lazer blue T35T.

I've enjoyed the last few days cleaning up and driving but I do have a couple of novice T350 questions:

The bonnet catch is not working, is there another way to access the engine bay?
Targa panels, is there a proven method to reduce the wind noise?
Replacement tyres, what is the thinking of wider section rears, say 245/255?
Gorgeous! Well done.

Define "not working" for the bonnet catch? Mine isn't sprung so you pull the lever to vertical, leave it there and then pull up on the bonnet which is now unlocked. Any problems tend to involve the cable outer pulling through the tab on the underside of the steering column. This is best investigated by a 3yr old/professional contortionist with a pair of mole grips.

Targa panel noise MAY just be down to poor fit - worth taking them out and starting again: pusing them as far forward as you can before lowering them down. After that it's a bit of a dark art that I haven't investigated yet.

Tyres - Someone will be along to help. I know there's a maximum width for the Spiders which is lower than that of the SP12s some of us are using.

DonkeyApple

55,344 posts

169 months

Tuesday 7th July 2015
quotequote all
On mine I had to to pull the bonnet lever from outside and simultaneously lift the bonnet if I recall.

Targa panels were quiet on mine if I fitted them correctly. However over about 120mph and they began to whistle!

There were two types of latches and I beleive mine were the later type which were better.

Congrats on buying the best looking modern Tiv.

a1butch

Original Poster:

269 posts

194 months

Tuesday 7th July 2015
quotequote all
Thanks for the compliments.
Regarding the bonnet release, maybe I need to try the handle again. I assumed it was sprung like my Tamora.
My targa catches should be the later versions (2005 car). I haven't driven over 70mph yet (honest) so the no whistling just a slight wind noise.
It's also fitted with a JP exhaust and de-catted. Far too loud for my liking especially at cruising speeds so thinking of swapping out.

ShiDevil

2,292 posts

174 months

Tuesday 7th July 2015
quotequote all
Did you not look at the engine before you bought it tongue out Stand side of car...door open, flip catch down under steering wheel, simultaneously lift bonnet. Ensure wipers out if way....

Drop bonnet gently, push latch back, try pull bonnet up it should be locked.

Join the TVR T350 Facebook Group, over 120 owners smile

a1butch

Original Poster:

269 posts

194 months

Tuesday 7th July 2015
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There definitely is an engine under the bonnet, I can say that for sure :-)

ChazUwe

245 posts

235 months

Tuesday 7th July 2015
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Great looking car! Best colour for sure! Here is mine smile


dobbie

131 posts

188 months

Tuesday 7th July 2015
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Was mine :-( looks fab Charles, all going well I hope? Think I'm going to order a new one as I miss it so much now! Will email you so pictures at some point of how she slept at night for you history file. Cheers Chris

MrWillfin

295 posts

178 months

Tuesday 7th July 2015
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Lovely car!

You must've been the Essex guy the seller told me was coming up at the weekend, beat me to it!

Enjoy, lots of car for the money :-)

a1butch

Original Poster:

269 posts

194 months

Tuesday 7th July 2015
quotequote all
That's me :-)
The pre oiler doesn't work at the moment (possibly the pump has failed) so have to sort that out plus there's other big jobs to do. Great car otherwise.

tunepipe911

518 posts

149 months

Wednesday 8th July 2015
quotequote all
a1butch said:
The Tamora has gone and now replaced with this 2005 lazer blue T35T.


I've enjoyed the last few days cleaning up and driving but I do have a couple of novice T350 questions:

The bonnet catch is not working, is there another way to access the engine bay?
Targa panels, is there a proven method to reduce the wind noise?
Replacement tyres, what is the thinking of wider section rears, say 245/255?
nice T350T,

this is the extra clip I placed to put some more pressure on the panels and the seals,
not Original TVR,but it helps
have fun,

R,

mk1fan

10,520 posts

225 months

Wednesday 8th July 2015
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I run 225/40 all round on Tamy withour issue. Uniroyal Rainsport 3. They will be temporarily going on Suni whilst her wheels are checked and re-booted.

7 TVR

2,589 posts

168 months

Thursday 9th July 2015
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mk1fan said:
I run 225/40 all round on Tamy withour issue. Uniroyal Rainsport 3. They will be temporarily going on Suni whilst her wheels are checked and re-booted.
I'd say you need to go up a bit on the rears imho

mk1fan

10,520 posts

225 months

Thursday 9th July 2015
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Had no issues on or off track / wet or dry.

JockyWilson

49 posts

165 months

Saturday 11th July 2015
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Interested to see how you get on changing to the T350, I'm thinking of doing the same.
Do you find driving it with the panels off gives the full "open air" experience? Anything stand out so far over the Tamora?

T66ORA

3,474 posts

257 months

Saturday 11th July 2015
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7 TVR said:
mk1fan said:
I run 225/40 all round on Tamy withour issue. Uniroyal Rainsport 3. They will be temporarily going on Suni whilst her wheels are checked and re-booted.
I'd say you need to go up a bit on the rears imho
Agree, 255/35 rears on 18s, 225s are standard on 16s.

a1butch

Original Poster:

269 posts

194 months

Saturday 11th July 2015
quotequote all
JockyWilson said:
Interested to see how you get on changing to the T350, I'm thinking of doing the same.
Do you find driving it with the panels off gives the full "open air" experience? Anything stand out so far over the Tamora?
I had the panels off today. I wouldn't say you experience the full convertible airing but very close. I prefer the targa experience as it's just about right. Removing and replacing panels I'm learning is a little fiddly but I'm glad I moved to the T350, I just prefer the look.
The water temp reached 105 (water sensor warning came on and cool aircon suddenly turned hot) at various points in the journey today but my Tamora rarely hit 90 in similar conditions. Alloy rad was fitted by the previous owner 6 months ago and no leaks found so maybe the T350 generally run hotter than Tams?
I don't think you'll regret the move although the price difference between the models is wide enough for serious consideration.


JockyWilson

49 posts

165 months

Saturday 11th July 2015
quotequote all
a1butch said:
I had the panels off today. I wouldn't say you experience the full convertible airing but very close. I prefer the targa experience as it's just about right. Removing and replacing panels I'm learning is a little fiddly but I'm glad I moved to the T350, I just prefer the look.
The water temp reached 105 (water sensor warning came on and cool aircon suddenly turned hot) at various points in the journey today but my Tamora rarely hit 90 in similar conditions. Alloy rad was fitted by the previous owner 6 months ago and no leaks found so maybe the T350 generally run hotter than Tams?
I don't think you'll regret the move although the price difference between the models is wide enough for serious consideration.
I replaced the coolant in the Tam with Evans waterless coolant which made a bit of a difference.
The price jump to the T350 is what made me hesitate in the past, but I think I'll make the change sooner or later as I prefer the look as well and I need something with air con, though there's not too many Targas out there.

a1butch

Original Poster:

269 posts

194 months

Sunday 12th July 2015
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I wouldn't discount the coupe unless you really have your heart set on the open air feeling of the Targa. Now I'm a few weeks into ownership I wouldn't feel too short changed if I'd bought the Coupe instead.
One T350T owner I met today has silicone sealed his targa panels as he couldn't stand the constant wind noise. I may try that over winter tbh.