Discussion
Should have had her down the Ace last night my monkey mate......sorely missed.
Even pepe le pew showed up !!! (with one of the 912 le mans fellas....not Alex)
New OP Mike there too (kent bloke & vette restorer)....great to meet you old chap.
Meant to point you towards "sausage meet" on wedge forum.
In greenwich park most saturday mornings......good variety of cars (inc chimps) and you get to meet (Mr Zigazaga) Mark.
He's absolutely barking........but a top lad.
Figured it might be reachable for you cos of where you are.
Even pepe le pew showed up !!! (with one of the 912 le mans fellas....not Alex)
New OP Mike there too (kent bloke & vette restorer)....great to meet you old chap.
Meant to point you towards "sausage meet" on wedge forum.
In greenwich park most saturday mornings......good variety of cars (inc chimps) and you get to meet (Mr Zigazaga) Mark.
He's absolutely barking........but a top lad.
Figured it might be reachable for you cos of where you are.
Solitude said:
Should have had her down the Ace last night my monkey mate......sorely missed.
Even pepe le pew showed up !!! (with one of the 912 le mans fellas....not Alex)
New OP Mike there too (kent bloke & vette restorer)....great to meet you old chap.
Meant to point you towards "sausage meet" on wedge forum.
In greenwich park most saturday mornings......good variety of cars (inc chimps) and you get to meet (Mr Zigazaga) Mark.
He's absolutely barking........but a top lad.
Figured it might be reachable for you cos of where you are.
I didn't get home until after 9.00pm Gav so sadly couldn't make it, racked up 400 miles in my 47mpg gas powered TVR including spanking a 90's Porker so a good TVR day for me all the same.Even pepe le pew showed up !!! (with one of the 912 le mans fellas....not Alex)
New OP Mike there too (kent bloke & vette restorer)....great to meet you old chap.
Meant to point you towards "sausage meet" on wedge forum.
In greenwich park most saturday mornings......good variety of cars (inc chimps) and you get to meet (Mr Zigazaga) Mark.
He's absolutely barking........but a top lad.
Figured it might be reachable for you cos of where you are.
Lets do the Nial Garner day on the 30th mate, it's time to get some miles under the the wheels of that Wedge.
I like the band analogy Alun.. I like to think I drive my TVR like I play my guitar- clumsily, badly, sometimes offensively, but always turned up to 11 and in my head making the best noise ever 
It wouldn't be TVR if it wasn't challenging, something about sticking it back together with mastic and cable ties and then wringing it's neck and having it scare the s
t out of you now and then, proper stuff 
It wouldn't be TVR if it wasn't challenging, something about sticking it back together with mastic and cable ties and then wringing it's neck and having it scare the s
t out of you now and then, proper stuff lancelin said:
I love driving my Griff and it requires skill but don't go racing modern cars on twisty country roads! you will be beaten. A modern BMW diesel will leave a TVR in the dust unless you can drive like Tony Pond - which you cant.
Just enjoy the man vs machine experience
In the wet I'd tend to agree with you but naah not in the dry.Just enjoy the man vs machine experience
PhilH42 said:
lancelin said:
I love driving my Griff and it requires skill but don't go racing modern cars on twisty country roads! you will be beaten. A modern BMW diesel will leave a TVR Griff owner in the dust unless you can drive like Tony Pond - which you cant.
Just enjoy the man vs machine experience
In the wet I'd tend to agree with you but naah not in the dry.Just enjoy the man vs machine experience
lancelin said:
I love driving my Griff and it requires skill but don't go racing modern cars on twisty country roads!
Driving a modern sportscar, with all of its tech thingies and computer assistance, can make you appear like and feel like a driving god.Driving a TVR means you actually are a driving god.
Simples.
WillS.
Solitude said:
Should have had her down the Ace last night my monkey mate......sorely missed.
Even pepe le pew showed up !!! (with one of the 912 le mans fellas....not Alex)
New OP Mike there too (kent bloke & vette restorer)....great to meet you old chap.
Meant to point you towards "sausage meet" on wedge forum.
In greenwich park most saturday mornings......good variety of cars (inc chimps) and you get to meet (Mr Zigazaga) Mark.
He's absolutely barking........but a top lad.
Figured it might be reachable for you cos of where you are.
Nice to met you too Gavin ,I'm taking the Chim to work tomorrow to sort a few concerns but should be able to make Greenwich next timeEven pepe le pew showed up !!! (with one of the 912 le mans fellas....not Alex)
New OP Mike there too (kent bloke & vette restorer)....great to meet you old chap.
Meant to point you towards "sausage meet" on wedge forum.
In greenwich park most saturday mornings......good variety of cars (inc chimps) and you get to meet (Mr Zigazaga) Mark.
He's absolutely barking........but a top lad.
Figured it might be reachable for you cos of where you are.
CanoeSniffer said:
I like the band analogy Alun.. I like to think I drive my TVR like I play my guitar- clumsily, badly, sometimes offensively, but always turned up to 11 and in my head making the best noise ever
HI mike
See music is like a TVR
It wouldn't be TVR if it wasn't challenging, something about sticking it back together with mastic and cable ties and then wringing it's neck and having it scare the st out of you now and then, proper stuff
Funnily enough a few years ago I did some front end Chassis painting, replacing old cable ties for new was somewhat therapeutic, there's a lot of them. HI mike
See music is like a TVR
It wouldn't be TVR if it wasn't challenging, something about sticking it back together with mastic and cable ties and then wringing it's neck and having it scare the s
t out of you now and then, proper stuff A few months ago I worked out the firing order of our RV8 and played it on the drums
I'm sure I had a misfire there two
QBee said:
Sad to read of your angst.
I too go through these "should I sell it?" times. I was without mine for most of last winter after I broke the engine, and felt it was time to get it right and pass it on. Then I got it back, but had my sensible hat on, so trailered it over to Warrington and back for the turbo install. Good job I did - it would have broken in the Peak District in the pouring rain on the way back otherwise.....slipped a gudgeon pin after 50 miles of its first run in 5 months, and had to go straight back to base for another month and more wallet agony.
Since I have finally had it back I have re-kindled my love for it, and enjoyed a trip to Scotland in it with SWMBO.....the turbo made her love it more, not because of the extra power, but because it is so much quieter and smoother!
In the end it is so hard to know what to do, but my grandson is 9 now and is keen to get his mitts on it when I have finished with it, though I cannot see him lifting a finger to do anything on it. I thought gaining 80 extra bhp would make me want to keep it so much more....but it hasn't. It isn't a beast to drive, far from it, it is just the good handling, quick car it has always been (since Mat Smith sorted the handling back in 2012).
Keep the faith, my friend, i am sure you will soon have it back.....next Saturday or Sunday springs to mind! If another plan comes to fruition, you may have a passenger to talk to on the way down - I have offered a lift to Epsom to a guy to collect a company car.....a Nissan Leaf.
Feels like full circle in one thread
Sorry Anthony I didn't reply, I too go through these "should I sell it?" times. I was without mine for most of last winter after I broke the engine, and felt it was time to get it right and pass it on. Then I got it back, but had my sensible hat on, so trailered it over to Warrington and back for the turbo install. Good job I did - it would have broken in the Peak District in the pouring rain on the way back otherwise.....slipped a gudgeon pin after 50 miles of its first run in 5 months, and had to go straight back to base for another month and more wallet agony.
Since I have finally had it back I have re-kindled my love for it, and enjoyed a trip to Scotland in it with SWMBO.....the turbo made her love it more, not because of the extra power, but because it is so much quieter and smoother!
In the end it is so hard to know what to do, but my grandson is 9 now and is keen to get his mitts on it when I have finished with it, though I cannot see him lifting a finger to do anything on it. I thought gaining 80 extra bhp would make me want to keep it so much more....but it hasn't. It isn't a beast to drive, far from it, it is just the good handling, quick car it has always been (since Mat Smith sorted the handling back in 2012).
Keep the faith, my friend, i am sure you will soon have it back.....next Saturday or Sunday springs to mind! If another plan comes to fruition, you may have a passenger to talk to on the way down - I have offered a lift to Epsom to a guy to collect a company car.....a Nissan Leaf.
Feels like full circle in one thread
It's a love affair after all, nothing last forever but if she's good you'll string it out for as long as possible
I'm collecting my car today.
The very interesting and great friends I've met through Tvr are very much a reason to keep it.
We all have ups and downs with these cars as in life.
This power thing,,, when you drive them as you have done on so many occasions ( which is a miracle in itself) as short circuit driving is so hard on every aspect of the machinery that power becomes less impressive, you just can't get enough of it.
I watched some 250cc cart racing with Alonso onboard the other day, that's super fast stuff and even there you can tell he's screaming for more power and speed,,, love that bloke
Your words remind me of years ago when blokes would talk of fast cars,,, coming from bikes I was always sadly dissapointed that it wasn't as fast as I'd expected and realised I knew a different world of power.
That's the problem, once you know fast you just want faster and it never ends.
So as I've decided that's an expensive way to annoy yourself I've settled on the power I have and just use RAINSPORT 3 to amuse myself into roundabouts
Soon as it's back I'll come say hi Anthony, it's time you drove mine and gave me some feed back
Edited by Classic Chim on Saturday 23 September 07:31
GR_TVR said:
Good to hear it's back today, Alun.
I expect a post shortly after exclaiming you were crazy to even think about selling it!!
Crazy,,, absolutely, sell it, everything's forsale at the right price,,, my price is 30k so I'll be keeping it then I expect a post shortly after exclaiming you were crazy to even think about selling it!!
Here's how it gets you, been awake since 5.30 am waiting to get on a train at 11 something
Nah, got some chores first but hey proper excited, it never weakens once your hooked it seems.
Even the dog looks at me gone out every time I take her for a walk and there's no car there, I've been hearing and watching people for years now who are selling or buying and often the ones who come back to Tvr because nothing quite fills the gap, I wouldn't want to have to do that and that feeling of loss of such a great toy let alone hobby interest is something I'll avoid all I can.
Patience is a great virtue if you own a Tvr, if you don't have it you will have 5 years on so you'll be a better man for owning one whatever happens,,,
Sorry, Alun, you are probably surprised I didn't reply before you caught the train.....been at Lincoln Hospital yesterday and today with the daughter. Her shoulder has been out on the razz for the last week, but it came home of its own accord this morning, the dirty little stop out, and I got her home at 2.30, with a bottle of morphine and her arm in a massive external rotation sling to stop the shoulder going straight back out again. So far so good, it's still in joint.
I'm off to The Land Of Your Fathers and back tomorrow to see Bill, but hopefully you will make some time to enjoy your pride and joy.
I'm off to The Land Of Your Fathers and back tomorrow to see Bill, but hopefully you will make some time to enjoy your pride and joy.
I was aware you would be doing hospital runs Anthony.
I have to thank Peter (phazed) Anthony (Qbee) and Peters son Mike who worked Thursday night and most of today putting the car back together and a great job he did too.
Best clutch I've ever felt, no exaggeration it's about 50% lighter to press down than the one that's just come out.
To clarify this, Anthony was going to donate his old clutch for me to (get away with) but it's been binned
So through hook and a few crooks a new Tvr Parts clutch has now been fitted. Thanks Anthony,,, he's not the crook by the way
Tvr ownership is becoming more about the people than the cars,,,
Peter joked it's not bad for a Fiesta clutch which was amusing but now I'm really worried it is as how can it be so light.
Maybe I've hit on the problem, my old ( fairly new ) clutch was very heavy from day one. Something's not right but I just keep getting told I rest my foot on the pedal as that is what causes the bearing Carrier to machine the fingers down to absolutely nothing I could break the remaining bits off with my fingers! I was taught to not leave my foot on a clutch at 15 years old so I'll lamp anyone who says I do
It's fixed and seems better than ever, Peter test drove it while I followed in his mighty 5.5 Chimaera.
What an engine and suspension set up he has there.
He drove mine faster than I dare, but I drove his and just wanted more, wow what confidence it gives you.
We have a similar brake caliper set up but different discs and pads and I can confirm the DS2500 are really good on the front on Peter (phazed car)
Mine are sort of lazier when you first hit the pedal ( Brembo road pads) then the braking force starts to come, both set ups work really smoothly.
Peters felt better at proper stopping but it's very marginal as when you lock up you lock up.
I didn't so no flat spots Peter
but I really enjoyed hitting them a bit. Firmer pedal than mine, I'll change the fluid.
What a great day.
I have to thank Peter (phazed) Anthony (Qbee) and Peters son Mike who worked Thursday night and most of today putting the car back together and a great job he did too.
Best clutch I've ever felt, no exaggeration it's about 50% lighter to press down than the one that's just come out.
To clarify this, Anthony was going to donate his old clutch for me to (get away with) but it's been binned
So through hook and a few crooks a new Tvr Parts clutch has now been fitted. Thanks Anthony,,, he's not the crook by the way
Tvr ownership is becoming more about the people than the cars,,,
Peter joked it's not bad for a Fiesta clutch which was amusing but now I'm really worried it is as how can it be so light.
Maybe I've hit on the problem, my old ( fairly new ) clutch was very heavy from day one. Something's not right but I just keep getting told I rest my foot on the pedal as that is what causes the bearing Carrier to machine the fingers down to absolutely nothing I could break the remaining bits off with my fingers! I was taught to not leave my foot on a clutch at 15 years old so I'll lamp anyone who says I do
It's fixed and seems better than ever, Peter test drove it while I followed in his mighty 5.5 Chimaera.
What an engine and suspension set up he has there.
He drove mine faster than I dare, but I drove his and just wanted more, wow what confidence it gives you.
We have a similar brake caliper set up but different discs and pads and I can confirm the DS2500 are really good on the front on Peter (phazed car)
Mine are sort of lazier when you first hit the pedal ( Brembo road pads) then the braking force starts to come, both set ups work really smoothly.
Peters felt better at proper stopping but it's very marginal as when you lock up you lock up.
I didn't so no flat spots Peter
but I really enjoyed hitting them a bit. Firmer pedal than mine, I'll change the fluid. What a great day.
Edited by Classic Chim on Saturday 23 September 23:55
Glad your car is back together. Well done Mike and Peter.
And glad you have a lighter clutch.
You have driven my car with its servo clutch - how does it compare for weight? And how does it compare with Peter's?
Any pics of the old clutch assembly for discussion? What element did Peter think had caused the old one to fail? Was the thrust release bearing seized.
And glad you have a lighter clutch.
You have driven my car with its servo clutch - how does it compare for weight? And how does it compare with Peter's?
Any pics of the old clutch assembly for discussion? What element did Peter think had caused the old one to fail? Was the thrust release bearing seized.
Glad to hear you got back okay Alun.
Your clutch problem is a proper conundrum, no real reason why the clutch fingers have worn to practically nothing.
The good news of course is the new clutch is super light and I am so envious of that.
Compared to my car, yours is so smooth at lower rpm, obviously down to the milder state of tune and so quiet!
The main thing is that your car is up and running, is running great and has years of life left in it, a really good car.
That was interesting driving your car back to back with mine. Yours, obviously down on power, (only by comparison) but still feels very strong, smooth, quiet yet still very planted on the road. Exactly what a good road car should feel like.
Mine by comparison, faster as you would expect but compromised by firmer suspension and a less smooth bottom end, ( which I really didn't think it did have) which makes it less pleasant by comparison for a road car.
This is something people should consider when considering modifications to their cars. They need to consider what they want from their car.
Of course, mine is pretty awesome on track and to have that capability there has to be compromises, c'est la vie.
Your clutch problem is a proper conundrum, no real reason why the clutch fingers have worn to practically nothing.
The good news of course is the new clutch is super light and I am so envious of that.
Compared to my car, yours is so smooth at lower rpm, obviously down to the milder state of tune and so quiet!
The main thing is that your car is up and running, is running great and has years of life left in it, a really good car.
That was interesting driving your car back to back with mine. Yours, obviously down on power, (only by comparison) but still feels very strong, smooth, quiet yet still very planted on the road. Exactly what a good road car should feel like.
Mine by comparison, faster as you would expect but compromised by firmer suspension and a less smooth bottom end, ( which I really didn't think it did have) which makes it less pleasant by comparison for a road car.
This is something people should consider when considering modifications to their cars. They need to consider what they want from their car.
Of course, mine is pretty awesome on track and to have that capability there has to be compromises, c'est la vie.
QBee said:
Glad your car is back together. Well done Mike and Peter.
And glad you have a lighter clutch.
You have driven my car with its servo clutch - how does it compare for weight? And how does it compare with Peter's?
Any pics of the old clutch assembly for discussion? What element did Peter think had caused the old one to fail? Was the thrust release bearing seized.
I'd put a Tenner on mine being lighter than yours now Anthony and about 50% less pressure than Peters Race clutch with a very smooth lubed type feel. And glad you have a lighter clutch.
You have driven my car with its servo clutch - how does it compare for weight? And how does it compare with Peter's?
Any pics of the old clutch assembly for discussion? What element did Peter think had caused the old one to fail? Was the thrust release bearing seized.
Mike did a great job as the gears are now easier to engage and the lever Slots in without resistance. Very impressed.
I use two throttle springs and the clutch now feels lighter
awesome. I'll refrain from putting pictures up on here as I should show my broken clutch to the supplier for his appraisal as I can't think of what's caused this.
Although the bearing looks ok it's loose and rattles, how it operated when hot is a good question.
I've been struggling with the heavy clutch for awhile now as in traffic it can start annoying a nerve in my left foot so leaving that part of my foot resting on the the pedal is a no go!!!!
I even choose my shoes based on the type of driving I'm doing
If I'd known I'd end up with such an easy clutch I'd have had this one years ago!
Early days so better let it bed in and see how it goes.
I think a little lube here and there has made the new fork arm move easier so less pressure to start with, good mechanic! I'm assuming the pressure plate fingers are less tensioned on this Tvr Parts clutch which says it's an AP Racing clutch by the way than the Clutch that came out.
I think the release bearing has been spinning on the clutch fingers for a long time to grind them to nothing. It's only two years old though. Very odd.
As I've said before and fully accept, no warranty on clutches so it's what it is.
I want to know what caused it so it doesn't happen again.
The only time there should be slip/movement/friction between the release bearing and the fingers is as you first press the clutch.
After that first contact the release bearing should be spinning within itself.
On that basis I have to conclude the bearing seizes when put under load then it is slipping against the fingers creating the wear.
Steve
After that first contact the release bearing should be spinning within itself.
On that basis I have to conclude the bearing seizes when put under load then it is slipping against the fingers creating the wear.
Steve
It's such a simple operation you'd think so,,, or someone leaves their foot on the clutch,,,,
I'm starting to not care less as I've just gone for another cruise to collect milk.
And I've not experienced a Tvr with such soft pedals. It's amazing.
I've put up with judder starts as the pedal would come up in steps rather than a sound movement from very early on in its life.
Night and day comes to mind.
I'll let Anthony confirm what it's like hopefully next week end but I'm now over the the moon with how this has turned out.
Rather spookily my drivers window went up really smoothly earlier and it's not done that for sometime,,, there's a brill team down at Peters place
ETA
The new set up when the clutch pedal is fully released there is free play of a few mm, exactly as you'd expect, similar to the other two pedals.
The old one there was absolutely none, it was firm right to the top and even with your foot right off was taught,, this is what makes me wonder and has done for a long time as I work tirelessly to get my bike brakes and clutch to have just the right amount of free play on the cables, it's close to my youthful heart and I never liked this solid feel the pedal had.
The lack of wear on both pressure plate and friction plate also confirm to me the few drag runs I did amount to a few races off the traffic lights and any clutch should take that many hundreds of times let alone half a dozen spirited attempts in the correct environment.
As this suggestion that it can only be lazy driver left ft syndrome is a very real one. I'd like to point out I spent nigh on £3000 on MBE to not have to ride the ruddy clutch and when I get a you tube account I'll prove how it can drive away from 800 revs without needing to ride the clutch in second or third gear, any gear.
That's it, off me chest, cars better than ever.
Sell it, I'm mad but not nearly that mad.
I'm starting to not care less as I've just gone for another cruise to collect milk.
And I've not experienced a Tvr with such soft pedals. It's amazing.
I've put up with judder starts as the pedal would come up in steps rather than a sound movement from very early on in its life.
Night and day comes to mind.
I'll let Anthony confirm what it's like hopefully next week end but I'm now over the the moon with how this has turned out.
Rather spookily my drivers window went up really smoothly earlier and it's not done that for sometime,,, there's a brill team down at Peters place
ETA
The new set up when the clutch pedal is fully released there is free play of a few mm, exactly as you'd expect, similar to the other two pedals.
The old one there was absolutely none, it was firm right to the top and even with your foot right off was taught,, this is what makes me wonder and has done for a long time as I work tirelessly to get my bike brakes and clutch to have just the right amount of free play on the cables, it's close to my youthful heart and I never liked this solid feel the pedal had.
The lack of wear on both pressure plate and friction plate also confirm to me the few drag runs I did amount to a few races off the traffic lights and any clutch should take that many hundreds of times let alone half a dozen spirited attempts in the correct environment.
As this suggestion that it can only be lazy driver left ft syndrome is a very real one. I'd like to point out I spent nigh on £3000 on MBE to not have to ride the ruddy clutch and when I get a you tube account I'll prove how it can drive away from 800 revs without needing to ride the clutch in second or third gear, any gear.
That's it, off me chest, cars better than ever.
Sell it, I'm mad but not nearly that mad.
Edited by Classic Chim on Sunday 24th September 19:34
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