I'm impressed!!

[dannyboyo]

Read on a thread a while ago someone praising Top Cats Racing (think it was Graham500). So I phoned them this morning and spurted out a list of stuff I need doing. The guy (Warren) said I could pop up there any time today, so off I went (only up the road near Aylesbury, I'm in Hemel). Got up there and the Engineer was straight out with the jack fiddling round under the car, while Warren made me a cup of tea and gave me a tour of the workshop and all the race prepared cars they've got there. Wow, what a place Lots of meaty engines lying round the workshop! I could live amung all those cars!

Anyway, he's gonna call me with a quote ( 38 quid an hour - bargain!)

They will check out your TVR as though it were one of their race cars (for free) and let you know exactly what the situation is, then you can decide what they should or shouldn't go ahead with. They've got my vote, 1st impressions - pretty damn good.

Don't mean to sound like an advert, but it's refreshing to find somewhere that is so friendly and are genuinely proud about the work they do on cars.



>>> Edited by dannyboyo on Tuesday 11th March 17:34

[GreenV8S]

They don't service my car (there's probably a "yet" in there somewhere) but having spent a couple of days with them on the Tuscan racecar experience I can confirm that their engineering skills are first class, and they seem open, honest, friendly - and reasonably priced. What more could you ask for?

[rubyV8S]

They certainly get my vote, again! so far they have replaced the cam on the S and also fitted a new stainless exhaust system, manifolds very soon!!

When we had the cold spell back in December, the car was very reluctant to fire up, wrong plugs and the engine flooded. The guys from Topcats came over to my house (30+ miles) spent over an hour and a half getting it started AND didn't charge me a penny! That's service.

will endorse what dannyboyo has said, excellent service, honest, friendly and very reasonable costs and they i will definitely give them any future business, servicing, etc.

First class

Mark

[graham 500]

Hi dannyboyo,

Glad you got on well at Top cats, got mine booked in again next week. [Off to Tenerife for a week] so while I'm away their going to change front main beam lights MOT and few other bits and Bobs, still trying to work up courage to go aheah with wicked brake upgrade they have worked out for me, 300mm grooved drilled disc 4 pot callipers mmmm!!! What the heck!! When i get back I'll have to show them off.

[day_dreamer]

They are having an open day in the near future.

[url]www.pistonheads.com/tvr/default.asp?storyId=6401[/url]

Malc

>> Edited by day_dreamer on Wednesday 12th March 07:39

[dannyboyo]

Just an update!

Just got a call from Warren with a quote for the work, and I think it sounds pretty good, but this is the first bit of work I've have done on the Chim, so any comments welcomed!

OK, then.

- Fit new clutch
- Replace propshaft and UJ
- Recondition PAS rack
- Set up steering geometry
- Fit new speedo sensor
- Fix bonnet hinge (needs re-fibreglassing)

- 14 hours labour

£1400 for the lot inc.VAT

I've heard stories that just the clutch can be £700! So going by that I guess this is pretty good?!?

[trefor]

graham 500 said: Hi dannyboyo,

Glad you got on well at Top cats, got mine booked in again next week. [Off to Tenerife for a week] so while I'm away their going to change front main beam lights MOT and few other bits and Bobs, still trying to work up courage to go aheah with wicked brake upgrade they have worked out for me, 300mm grooved drilled disc 4 pot callipers mmmm!!! What the heck!! When i get back I'll have to show them off.

Graham - can you tell me what they quoted for the brakes? (offline if you like) I'm going for a similar upgrade soonly, Peninsula offer the best deal so far, but since I'm in Wycombe these guys might get my business if the kit/price is good.

Ta.


T/.

[manek]

dannyboyo said: Just an update!

Just got a call from Warren with a quote for the work, and I think it sounds pretty good, but this is the first bit of work I've have done on the Chim, so any comments welcomed!

OK, then.

- Fit new clutch
- Replace propshaft and UJ
- Recondition PAS rack
- Set up steering geometry
- Fit new speedo sensor
- Fix bonnet hinge (needs re-fibreglassing)

- 14 hours labour

£1400 for the lot inc.VAT

I've heard stories that just the clutch can be £700! So going by that I guess this is pretty good?!?

Well, if I might be allowed to comment (again ), I'd say the PAS rack is OK to leave if you're strapped since it's been weeping very slightly for years and hasn't got any worse. It just needs a little fluid top-up every couple or three weeks.

As for the rest, sorry to hear the car needs that much done (can I stop feeling guilty now?? )

[johno]

Why does the prop shaft need replacing ? I could understand the UJ's .. but the whole propshaft ?

Graham500,

I would also like to know of the brake upgrade price if you would be so generous.

Cheers

Mark

[graham 500]

I'm having 17x7 on front and 18x8 on the rears. Front brake spec 2x300 grooved drilled discs/2xbells/ 2xHi Spec 4 pot callipers/hoses/2x mounting brackets/pads and all the fixing bolts [callipers billet alloy]
Rears 2x300 grooved drilled discs/2xbells/hoses/2x mounting brackets/pads and all fixing bolts 1600ish

Have to wait for new wheels to turn up cause by puting larger discs, will have to take 3mm out of back of existing wheels not worth doing short term...

I stand corrected but that sounds a fair price!

>> Edited by graham 500 on Wednesday 12th March 20:06

oops!! plus the dreaded vat of course...

>> Edited by graham 500 on Wednesday 12th March 20:15

[dannyboyo]

Well, if I might be allowed to comment (again ), I'd say the PAS rack is OK to leave if you're strapped since it's been weeping very slightly for years and hasn't got any worse. It just needs a little fluid top-up every couple or three weeks.

As for the rest, sorry to hear the car needs that much done (can I stop feeling guilty now?? )

Hi manek, the steering has now got to the point where it is stiff as hell most of the time, and there's a god awful squeeking coming from the rack, irrespective of how much fluid is in it. It'll be nice to have it sorted anyway, Warren (TopCats) said it'll only be a couple of hundred to have it recon'd anyway. Also the rack is leaking more now, and i'm not sure it'd get though it's MOT.

Johno, as for the prop shaft thing, I may be mistaken!! He reeled off a couple of bits that need replacing in that area (definatly the UJ), i think it was something else the prop shaft is connected to thinking about it (not the diff!!!). Maybe a coller or something! If the prop shaft is held still, the wheels can be turned about 1/4 of the way round, so theres a fair bit of slackage there!

In the clutch, apparently a couple of the springs have gone, causing the clutch to wear unevenly. And making the pedal feel notchy too.

P.s. Ahhh, don't feel guilty Manek I'm still chuffed with the car, and I expect a few bits like this now and again!! So have you decided on a replacement yet? Still leaning towards a 968? (go on, you know you wanna!!)

>> Edited by dannyboyo on Wednesday 12th March 20:20

[manek]

Still considering the 968 -- though the need to conserve pennies for the next few months is giving me cause to rethink. The owner of last one I drove had spent about as much on general maintenance as I spent on the Chimaera and, judging by the cars up here, it's not atypical.

In which case, I might just decide to live with the Focsu for a few more months so the initial depreciation doesn't look quite so horrendous. then -- well, who knows...?

>edited to correct typos

>> Edited by manek on Thursday 13th March 01:47

[scruffy]

dannyboyo said:
I've heard stories that just the clutch can be £700!

£200 fitted (well OK I did it myself), that was for a single plate competition thing, with hindsight I would probably stick with a straight replacement for the origional.
When new was fitted, it worked like a bloody switch, hate to think how practical the double plate would be in a congestion zone..

[dannyboyo]

scruffy said: £200 fitted (well OK I did it myself), that was for a single plate competition thing, with hindsight I would probably stick with a straight replacement for the origional.
When new was fitted, it worked like a bloody switch, hate to think how practical the double plate would be in a congestion zone..

Oh, to have a garage to work on my car!!!

Ooo, don't start me on fung congestion charging!!

By the way, scuffy, am I right in thinking you work in TV?!? Same here!

[scruffy]

dannyboyo said:
By the way, scuffy, am I right in thinking you work in TV?!? Same here!

I do sir!! Which bit of the telly are you?

Sorry mate - engineer then!! What? Soldering iron/coalface or white gloves and ego?!

Nice to see Maneks old car again!! You'll never guess what we did with it at Pie on the beach...

Second thoughts..


>> Edited by scruffy on Thursday 13th March 04:51

[dannyboyo]

scruffy said:

dannyboyo said:
By the way, scuffy, am I right in thinking you work in TV?!? Same here!

I do sir!! Which bit of the telly are you?

Sorry mate - engineer then!! What? Soldering iron/coalface or white gloves and ego?!

Nice to see Maneks old car again!! You'll never guess what we did with it at Pie on the beach...

Second thoughts..


>> Edited by scruffy on Thursday 13th March 04:51

I just do a few projects, fix edit suites, TX suites, studios etc. Bit of everything really. I'm over at LPC (old Pearson TV) just off Tot Court Rd. On a night shift now actually!! Howz about you?

So go on....what did u do to my little baby!! Can't be worse than what I did in safeway car park in Cardigan a couple of weeks ago!!

[scruffy]

Dubbing mixer in Ingerland, Tonmeister in bit of Europe, and re-recording mixer in the states.

I make the tea n all.

Worked all over really, people still think I know what I'm talking about so I'll keep taking the calls till they realise...

Might be playing keys for the cinematic orchestra when next they tour..

The Chim? We didn't do anything a chassis jig wouldn't sort out..

Only kidding - see you at the next one..

[manek]

Phew! Thought I musta been asleep...

[d_drinks]

GreenV8S said: They don't service my car (there's probably a "yet" in there somewhere) but having spent a couple of days with them on the Tuscan racecar experience I can confirm that their engineering skills are first class, and they seem open, honest, friendly - and reasonably priced. What more could you ask for?

Why thank you kind sir, it's nice to know that people have such a positive unsolicited view of the team. As already said I can confirm that Warren and the rest of the guys at the workshop are a great bunch and are only too happy to deal with questions over your TVR

Go on Peter you know you want us to look after your baby

Cheers
Darren

Edited to say 'sorry Ted' trying to avoid the wrath of the great one for commenting on a company you have a vested interested in !!



>> Edited by d_drinks on Thursday 13th March 13:10