Building the "keeper" Tuscan 1 what to do.....
Discussion
Just killing a bit of idle time at work... what do we think to a wish list of modifications/updates/other-stuff that you would have done to get a Mark 1 Tuscan "just so"... any rough prices would be cool too, I'm doing some man-maths at the moment working out if I should build my newly purchased car into a keeper for the next 10+years or just keep it for a year or two an upgrade... 
In reserve will always be enough cash for a 4.3 rebuild @ power should the worst happen... engine performance mods will always come last on the list, it should be fairly fast as it is!
My list so far..
1) Full healthcheck @ a specialist, it doesn't need a service, may get valve clearances done, TB's balanced, dyno etc, just a day of TLC really and to hopefully expert eyes spot any upcoming problems....
2) Mk2 grill and winglets (help with front end lift at speed)
3) Full geo-setup, steering rack height check, shock adjustment, fast-road handling setup
4) new tyres, I haven't checked the offsets on whats on there, I'm planning a weekend of burnouts and doughnuts then some of the correct offsets for best handling.
5) Full HID headlight conversion
6) Rear spoiler... maybe... dont like the looks of them but apparently they really do help keep the bum on the road, my last Tuscan had one, but it make opening the boot a royal pain
7) Opening bonnet conversion (who does these? they were all new back when I had my last TVR, Surface and Design... any others?)
8) now the bonnet opens, will need to clean and tidy under there, replace hoses with braided items where possible/appropriate, new rocker cover, few other cosmetic tarty things... some new heat sheilding
Probably just racked up 8-10 grand there!
Other things..
decat? helps with gearbox cooling and gearstick temp.. will I still pass emissions test? can they be moved further back instead?
Full respray, it's in pretty good condition but is 13 years old after all, I can see it wanting a full respray in the next year or two...
Interior Re-trim, again, pretty good for the year, but getting rid of that horrible fuzzy felt stuff on the roof and doors would be nice, as well as some nice new cross stitched seats and door cards.. then if you're going that far, might as well do the lot!!...
Tuscan 2 Dash Conversion? Is this even possible? I do like the MK1 "pod"... but then I also like dials.... and I also like full digital dash (like in the S2000...)... possible custom job?
Retrofit Aircon, pretty low down on the list this, but it'd be nice to have..
Other cool bits and bobs I should add to the wish list?
Thanks
In reserve will always be enough cash for a 4.3 rebuild @ power should the worst happen... engine performance mods will always come last on the list, it should be fairly fast as it is!
My list so far..
1) Full healthcheck @ a specialist, it doesn't need a service, may get valve clearances done, TB's balanced, dyno etc, just a day of TLC really and to hopefully expert eyes spot any upcoming problems....
2) Mk2 grill and winglets (help with front end lift at speed)
3) Full geo-setup, steering rack height check, shock adjustment, fast-road handling setup
4) new tyres, I haven't checked the offsets on whats on there, I'm planning a weekend of burnouts and doughnuts then some of the correct offsets for best handling.
5) Full HID headlight conversion
6) Rear spoiler... maybe... dont like the looks of them but apparently they really do help keep the bum on the road, my last Tuscan had one, but it make opening the boot a royal pain
7) Opening bonnet conversion (who does these? they were all new back when I had my last TVR, Surface and Design... any others?)
8) now the bonnet opens, will need to clean and tidy under there, replace hoses with braided items where possible/appropriate, new rocker cover, few other cosmetic tarty things... some new heat sheilding
Probably just racked up 8-10 grand there!
Other things..
decat? helps with gearbox cooling and gearstick temp.. will I still pass emissions test? can they be moved further back instead?
Full respray, it's in pretty good condition but is 13 years old after all, I can see it wanting a full respray in the next year or two...
Interior Re-trim, again, pretty good for the year, but getting rid of that horrible fuzzy felt stuff on the roof and doors would be nice, as well as some nice new cross stitched seats and door cards.. then if you're going that far, might as well do the lot!!...
Tuscan 2 Dash Conversion? Is this even possible? I do like the MK1 "pod"... but then I also like dials.... and I also like full digital dash (like in the S2000...)... possible custom job?
Retrofit Aircon, pretty low down on the list this, but it'd be nice to have..
Other cool bits and bobs I should add to the wish list?
Thanks
jcpgasoline said:
If you really want it to be a keeper then chassis restoration is the foundation. Body off, shot & sand blast it back to bare metal, anti-corrosion primer, new and better powder coat. Then you have a durable platform for upon which to build!
Good point! This did actually occur to me on the way home from work today. I suppose any other bodywork, respraying etc would be best done whilst the body is off too? Surely you mean wheels if you are talking offsets?
I would add as others have, full chassis refurb, new roof and door seals, steering rack refurb, new rad,
The list can be long
I would avoid the boot spoiler - horrid things and do you really drive fast enough often enough for lift to be a big issue? It wasn't noticeable on my MK1 until I was doing over 130mph. Geo set up is the big thing
I would add as others have, full chassis refurb, new roof and door seals, steering rack refurb, new rad,
The list can be long
I would avoid the boot spoiler - horrid things and do you really drive fast enough often enough for lift to be a big issue? It wasn't noticeable on my MK1 until I was doing over 130mph. Geo set up is the big thing
blueg33 said:
Surely you mean wheels if you are talking offsets?
I would add as others have, full chassis refurb, new roof and door seals, steering rack refurb, new rad,
The list can be long
I would avoid the boot spoiler - horrid things and do you really drive fast enough often enough for lift to be a big issue? It wasn't noticeable on my MK1 until I was doing over 130mph. Geo set up is the big thing
Sorry profiles.. Or offsets if changing the wheels needs to happen... I would add as others have, full chassis refurb, new roof and door seals, steering rack refurb, new rad,
The list can be long
I would avoid the boot spoiler - horrid things and do you really drive fast enough often enough for lift to be a big issue? It wasn't noticeable on my MK1 until I was doing over 130mph. Geo set up is the big thing
I think my car has the very early hubs/disks which negate the need for spacers.. Will have to check on that one.
Including the aircon, I reckon you're looking at around 10-12k for your list, depending how much you're doing yourself.
Decat will not get through the test but worth it for the reduction in heat and resulting chassis/body damage plus you do get a bit of a performance gain.
I'd add to your list throttle body bushes/bearings and inlet gaskets as it does help with driveability.
Decat will not get through the test but worth it for the reduction in heat and resulting chassis/body damage plus you do get a bit of a performance gain.
I'd add to your list throttle body bushes/bearings and inlet gaskets as it does help with driveability.
Basil Brush said:
Including the aircon, I reckon you're looking at around 10-12k for your list, depending how much you're doing yourself.
Decat will not get through the test but worth it for the reduction in heat and resulting chassis/body damage plus you do get a bit of a performance gain.
I'd add to your list throttle body bushes/bearings and inlet gaskets as it does help with driveability.
Cool, thank you, I'll make a note of bushes, bearings and gaskets on the TB's... easier to get reconditioned one on and exchange basis with all new bits and swap them myself? or are they not available like that?Decat will not get through the test but worth it for the reduction in heat and resulting chassis/body damage plus you do get a bit of a performance gain.
I'd add to your list throttle body bushes/bearings and inlet gaskets as it does help with driveability.
So it's a swap the straight through pipes for cats at MOT time job? In theory I've got easy access to some ramps so could do this myself quite quickly...
I'll be doing some but not many of the jobs myself, general maintenance and tinkering I'm fine with, bodywork, trim work and the handling stuff is definitely best left to the experts. Also anything involving more electrics than "a couple of plugs". I wouldnt know where to start with fitting aircon!
Any other "nice ideas" for what to do?
Thanks
Dave
dvs_dave said:
Ceramic coat the exhaust manifolds, cats, and pipes up to the back boxes.
Nitrons, geo, Quaife Torsen LSD, Upgraded ECU with knock control, sequential injection and idle speed control, and TC for when you don't feel like wrestling with it.
Wowzers, I bet ceramic coating is expensive!Nitrons, geo, Quaife Torsen LSD, Upgraded ECU with knock control, sequential injection and idle speed control, and TC for when you don't feel like wrestling with it.
Are they already wrapped with heat stuff out of interested?
Other than keeping engine bay temperatures down and also cabin/gearbox temps, any other advantages to this?
Hadn't thought about a fancy LSD... Eta quite surprised how expensive the quaife unit is, is it really as simple as plug and play with the new unit? That's probably something I could do myself relatively easily.
I'd put the upgraded Ecu and injection into performance / engine tuning... Definitely later after "general sorting" or would be done if a rebuild is required sooner.
Has anyone managed to get TC and/or ABS working properly on a Tuscan? I bet that requires some serious setting up...
Edited by ILoveMondeo on Tuesday 16th July 21:10
Good point, nothing set in stone at this point, front grill and dash were only real cosmetic changes planned anyway.
I doubt the dash would be practical or possible anyway.
Besides that its mostly under the skin stuff (and the bonnet but you can't see that unless its open anyway). Don't think an interior retrim could be seen as buthering.
Even to do all that on top of the purchase price of the car would come in dramatically cheaper than a mk2, they seem to be on a mission to become as expensive as a sagaris!
I doubt the dash would be practical or possible anyway.
Besides that its mostly under the skin stuff (and the bonnet but you can't see that unless its open anyway). Don't think an interior retrim could be seen as buthering.
Even to do all that on top of the purchase price of the car would come in dramatically cheaper than a mk2, they seem to be on a mission to become as expensive as a sagaris!
As far as aware, changing the dash is quite difficult due to the ecu being in the dash in one but not the other do it isn't just a straight fit. You could always look at the dash mod from plasticman/Dave the trimmer which in my opinion looks really good.
If I was in your position I would go with the chassis and try and change every bush, joint and perishable item whilst you're doing it. Once that's done, I would change the front grill to Typhon/t440 style grill, bonnet conversion. Then HID's, LED rear lights. Interior I would do as stated then eventually get a 4.3 or super sport conversion. Think that lot should keep you going!
If I was in your position I would go with the chassis and try and change every bush, joint and perishable item whilst you're doing it. Once that's done, I would change the front grill to Typhon/t440 style grill, bonnet conversion. Then HID's, LED rear lights. Interior I would do as stated then eventually get a 4.3 or super sport conversion. Think that lot should keep you going!
If/when you get the re-build, STR8Six zircotec the exhaust manifold when they do the 4.3 conversion.
If you go for a de-cat, the heat issue is not such a concern, but on my main bonnet the paint has micro-blisters above the exhaust. When I get a re-spray, I'll get some heat insulation applied to the underside of the bonnet.
The blistering is fairly common, I understand. Aggravated by slow moving traffic here in the over populated South!!
Nick
If you go for a de-cat, the heat issue is not such a concern, but on my main bonnet the paint has micro-blisters above the exhaust. When I get a re-spray, I'll get some heat insulation applied to the underside of the bonnet.
The blistering is fairly common, I understand. Aggravated by slow moving traffic here in the over populated South!!
Nick
Sounds like you are thinking about what I have just finished over the past few years. Thread is here: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... and I've kept the blog up to date to detail costs.
magpie21 said:
Sounds like you are thinking about what I have just finished over the past few years. Thread is here: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... and I've kept the blog up to date to detail costs.
I was thinking there must have been others who have taken on something like this..Thank you, I'll be reading thoroughly!
From first glance it looks I've been secretly ripping off your ideas... barring the colour scheme that's pretty much exactly what I had in mind, interior is especially nice by the way.
Edited by ILoveMondeo on Wednesday 17th July 10:18
Depends on your objectives really and how far you want to go.
As a general rule of thumb (and assuming car is A1 condition) I'd say priorities are:
- Decent shocks or service them if you already have some and they haven't been looked at for 3yrs+
- Check bushes (would avoid polybushing)
- Change wheels to proper offsets (SP12 or alternative) or spacers to correct if on a budget
- Full Geo and set-up
- Proper supportive seats
- Consider harness bar and harnesses
- Carbon cans
...oh and just to add I'm personally reaching the conclusion that the winglets/spoiler on a mk2 do contribute to stability at legal speeds also on the basis that the car seems to handle much better when 'pushing on'. Could be down to suspension geo also though.
As a general rule of thumb (and assuming car is A1 condition) I'd say priorities are:
- Decent shocks or service them if you already have some and they haven't been looked at for 3yrs+
- Check bushes (would avoid polybushing)
- Change wheels to proper offsets (SP12 or alternative) or spacers to correct if on a budget
- Full Geo and set-up
- Proper supportive seats
- Consider harness bar and harnesses
- Carbon cans
...oh and just to add I'm personally reaching the conclusion that the winglets/spoiler on a mk2 do contribute to stability at legal speeds also on the basis that the car seems to handle much better when 'pushing on'. Could be down to suspension geo also though.
Edited by spartridge on Wednesday 17th July 10:29
nawarne said:
If/when you get the re-build, STR8Six zircotec the exhaust manifold when they do the 4.3 conversion.
If you go for a de-cat, the heat issue is not such a concern, but on my main bonnet the paint has micro-blisters above the exhaust. When I get a re-spray, I'll get some heat insulation applied to the underside of the bonnet.
The blistering is fairly common, I understand. Aggravated by slow moving traffic here in the over populated South!!
Nick
Even with decat and some thermo-tec stuck to the underside of the bonnet, the paint above the manifold area has still crazed on mine. If you go for a de-cat, the heat issue is not such a concern, but on my main bonnet the paint has micro-blisters above the exhaust. When I get a re-spray, I'll get some heat insulation applied to the underside of the bonnet.
The blistering is fairly common, I understand. Aggravated by slow moving traffic here in the over populated South!!
Nick
glow worm said:
TVR Power 4.5 Engine upgrade
And a supercharger! It'd be lovely to dive in with something like that, but having done everything the wrong way around with a couple of other cars I've had in the past I think I'll definitely stick with sorting the chassis and handling first, then cosmetics and finish with the engine. That's if a disaster doesn't force my hand in the meantime!
The only things stopping me from leaping in right away are that I'm inclined to enjoy the rest of the summer in it before losing to a garage for weeks, although I may do a few bits and bobs myself in the short term. Quaife Diff being one, decats being another, although I'm concerned about insurance implications of losing the cats so may not do that at all..
Also since my OP the prospect of a house move in spring next year has raised it's head which may scupper any modifications at all until next summer until the dust has settled (and the bank balance recovered) from that one! I wont be taking a penny of credit to do any of this so slow and steady is the way to go from a financial perspective! (another error I've made in the past racking up mega debts to get a car just the way I want it and then having my hand forced to flog the bloody thing)...
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