Hello... first post.

[Swiss Roll]

Hi fellow Tuscan owners.

I have been lucky enough to take over ownership of T111 VVR. Owned previously by at least two pistonheaders. I am sure I will have many questions over the next few years but do have one I'd like to ask now.

I am considering putting heat reflective cloth inside the bonnet to protect the paint finish. Has anyone done this and noticed an increase in engine running temp? Just concerned that I may do more harm than good.

Thanks

Swiss Roll
(a very happy new member to piston heads.)

[nawarne]

Before having a re-spray, my bonnet had blistered due to heat from exhaust/cats whilst stationary in traffic.

You have three options:
1) Get manifold zircotec/equivalent coated. Keeps radiated heat down. (Could also wrap exhaust to the cat clamp)
2) De-cat - bit of a faff at MOT time, unless you know a friendly tester.
3) Fit heat reflective mat on underside of bonnet.

I have my manifolds coated now, but have just bought some mat as well to glue on the underside of the bonnet as well. Bit of a belt and braces approach, but I don't want heat to mar the paintwork again.

I cant say the engine is running any hotter now compared to before the manifold coating.
Nick

[vcm]

..and welcome to the incredible world of tuscan ownership.
hope you get as much enjoyment out
of your tuscan as i have.

[Marto]

Welcome chap..... Another to the Scottish fold..... Splendid.

[natben]

Welcome to the crazy world of TVRs, and It's good to see Scotty's old Tuscan staying in Scotland. There seem to be quiet a few TVRs in Aberdeen now.

If you don't have any heat reflective material under the bonnet I would certainly suggest you get some.

[Chilliman]

Welcome to PH dude Can't add anything about under bonnet cooling, but made up you've joined the mad house Be great to meet up with you and Harley Pilot sometime in the new year.... might even get Kenny along

Oh, and Scott, if you read this, you couldn't have sold the car to a nicer bloke

Cheers,

Chilli

[scotty_d]

Welcome to the world of silly grins

Hi chilli thank you for bulling a new unsuspecting person in to the fold I owe you a beer top work.

[scotty_d]

Hi Tony to add to the reflective material under the bonnet, I have it fitted to the cerb, the chims came out the factory with it fitted as well so it would be a good mod I would think.

[Basil Brush]

My car is decatted and has some reflective mat on the bonnet but it's still suffered a bit over the years. It definitely minimises it though.

[Swiss Roll]

Picked the Tuscan up... Now I know what the grin factor is. Scotty... best you get the docs in quickly... I may have 3 points already - so what it was worth it!

[scotty_d]

Ha ha good stuff , it nearly got me a section 59 "ASBO" In the first 2 weeks of ownership I'll be sure to forward them on if that's the case ha ha. It is rather nippy and easy to press on.

[minkybob]

Hi
Where's the best place to get some heat reflective mat?
cheers

[HarleyPilot]

Hey SwissRoll
Obviously your powers of persuasion improved when you got home o made up that you have experienced the grin factor!! Chilliman you have a lot to answer for! My GF thinks you are on commission from TVR Hehehe!. Crazy not to hold a Saltire gathering in the new year - it would be a memorable occasion.

HP

[More Steam]

I haven't seen any increase in under bonnet temps. I can't see how it would cause things to heat up too much. I just wish someone had done it to mine before the damage was done. Also being in Aberdeenshire, I find the biggest problem is trying to get the car hot enough at this time of year. If your after reflective stuff, I think I've got some in my garage but I don't have the heat resistive adhesive.

[Swiss Roll]

If I'm totally honest… I loved the open road… I hated every moment of coming through Aberdeen. On the verge of stalling at every set of lights and roundabout. Revving it hard to keep moving. Only spun the wheels up once so probably used a good 500 miles worth of clutch material getting through the city. Ignored most of the looks as when I let off the gas it sounded like the 1812 overture going off in the exhaust… I'm still grinning now thinking about it. Is it usual for them to be difficult to start again if you stall it? (happened when I popped in to see Barry at TVR Ecosse.)

I might need an engine manual so I can tweak the idle up from the 800 it seemed to be sitting on.

Hopefully any Aberdeenshire meets can be North of the city!

Still Grinning

Tony (Swiss Roll)

[nawarne]

minkybob said:

Hi
Where's the best place to get some heat reflective mat?
cheers

I've just got some from Neil Perry at ML Performance parts ...about £29 delivered for a square metre.

Cut to shape allowing for a small hem/fold on edges. Contact adhesive to secure fold and on Neil's advice used staples as well. Contact adhesive to underside of bonnet, seal edges with high temp silicone - lovely job!

Nick

[More Steam]

Swiss Roll said:

If I'm totally honest… I loved the open road… I hated every moment of coming through Aberdeen. On the verge of stalling at every set of lights and roundabout. Revving it hard to keep moving. Only spun the wheels up once so probably used a good 500 miles worth of clutch material getting through the city. Ignored most of the looks as when I let off the gas it sounded like the 1812 overture going off in the exhaust… I'm still grinning now thinking about it. Is it usual for them to be difficult to start again if you stall it? (happened when I popped in to see Barry at TVR Ecosse.)

I might need an engine manual so I can tweak the idle up from the 800 it seemed to be sitting on.

Hopefully any Aberdeenshire meets can be North of the city!

Still Grinning

Tony (Swiss Roll)

It should idle OK. Once hot 800 is about right.

Mines very rough for the first couple of minutes but settles down fairly quickly. It sometimes stalls when cold and it can be a pain to start up again. I presume its because the engine is running very rich when cold and it partially floods. Unfortunatly, the best cure seems to be to fire it up whilest giving it some juice.