Red Rose Suspension
Discussion
Hi folks,
If I'm correct, the suspension on a 2001 Red Rose spec Tuscan is upgraded from standard. Is it still worth upgrading this further to use Nitrons, etc? I test drove a RR on the weekend and it felt much more stable than a standard setup, so does anyone know how much difference it would make?
Oh yeah, and one other thing... what are those little lights just above the fog lights at the front? Are they supposed to be side lights?
Cheers,
J
If I'm correct, the suspension on a 2001 Red Rose spec Tuscan is upgraded from standard. Is it still worth upgrading this further to use Nitrons, etc? I test drove a RR on the weekend and it felt much more stable than a standard setup, so does anyone know how much difference it would make?
Oh yeah, and one other thing... what are those little lights just above the fog lights at the front? Are they supposed to be side lights?
Cheers,
J
Edited by BigJL on Monday 6th August 09:52
Hi Justin,
RR spec is a much discussed topic here! If you do a search you will find a lot of info. Although I own a factory RR spec 2001 Tuscan, I am still not 100% certain as to what is "standard" and what isn't as it can depend on the original build spec that the factory built the car to.
To quote someone who is more experienced than I (Whitey):
"...Red Rose pack consisted of:
18" Spider wheels.
Bigger brakes with alloy front bells.
Firmer adjustable suspension.
Engine built to RR spec which became S spec (but the S's got bigger bore exhausts)
with of course the marker pen on the fuel rail
and...that's it!!
All for £4200.00.
Some cars are advertised as RR as they have had the engines rebuilt to supposed RR/S spec over the years, but as you say, unless you have the proof of build as a original factory RR, it's not a genuine Red Rose..."
Some factory RR cars would still benefit from upgraded suspension such as Gaz Golds, Nitrons, Protech etc, etc and I personally feel this is something that I will be doing to mine at some point. I also believe that the bottom-end engine components were better "selected" for balance too but I guess I could be wrong....
Hope this helps to clarify,
Andy
RR spec is a much discussed topic here! If you do a search you will find a lot of info. Although I own a factory RR spec 2001 Tuscan, I am still not 100% certain as to what is "standard" and what isn't as it can depend on the original build spec that the factory built the car to.
To quote someone who is more experienced than I (Whitey):
"...Red Rose pack consisted of:
18" Spider wheels.
Bigger brakes with alloy front bells.
Firmer adjustable suspension.
Engine built to RR spec which became S spec (but the S's got bigger bore exhausts)
with of course the marker pen on the fuel rail
and...that's it!!
All for £4200.00.
Some cars are advertised as RR as they have had the engines rebuilt to supposed RR/S spec over the years, but as you say, unless you have the proof of build as a original factory RR, it's not a genuine Red Rose..."
Some factory RR cars would still benefit from upgraded suspension such as Gaz Golds, Nitrons, Protech etc, etc and I personally feel this is something that I will be doing to mine at some point. I also believe that the bottom-end engine components were better "selected" for balance too but I guess I could be wrong....
Hope this helps to clarify,
Andy
andyoleary said:
"...Red Rose pack consisted of:
18" Spider wheels.
Bigger brakes with alloy front bells.
Firmer adjustable suspension.
Engine built to RR spec which became S spec (but the S's got bigger bore exhausts)
with of course the marker pen on the fuel rail
Hi Andy,18" Spider wheels.
Bigger brakes with alloy front bells.
Firmer adjustable suspension.
Engine built to RR spec which became S spec (but the S's got bigger bore exhausts)
with of course the marker pen on the fuel rail
I wasn't aware that any TVR left the factory with adjustable suspension
My car is supposed to be factory RR but it doesn't have adjustables.
It does have all the other bits though.
The suspension does seem firm although I don't know how it compairs with a normal Tusc.
Still plan on putting Nitron or Gaz on once I can convince TOH
Paul
I can't help but agree Paul, mine actually has Avo's on the front which have limited adjustability and "standard" on the back (2001 build). I think I will be going for the new Bilsteins (sp) or Gaz Golds at some point in the near future as, especially on B-roads, it tends to skip about a bit!! 
Andy
Andy
Whitey said:
to clarify the RR suspension was only height adjustable.
That makes sense, when I was checking mine, I was looking for a screw or knob to adjust firmness since its quite jaring on B roads. I didn't check for hight adjustment.BigJL,
I'm fairly sure height adjustment doesn't really effect firmness.
RR shocks could still be firmer than standard even though they are not adjustable that way.
Mine cirtainly are firm! I've now lost count how many times its felt like my spine is about to go through my skull!!
Guess I could try driving slower.....
...Nah...I'll just get used to it, or I'll change the shocks!
Before spending ££££s on fancy adjustables (which i dont doubt are good), I would suggest people have a proper wheel geometry setup. I dont mean have the tracking done at quickfit, I mean a computerised, 4 wheel laser alignment.
I know for a fact that the camber tolerances on the Tuscan are very small, and chances are that the most immaculate of cars leaving the factory were never set up right!
My standard 4ltr car has had the geometry set up bang on factory specs and handles superbly. It tramlines down old, worn-out roads, but I would expect all Tuscans to do this.
I've never driven one with Nitrons on, so these may be better still....
I know for a fact that the camber tolerances on the Tuscan are very small, and chances are that the most immaculate of cars leaving the factory were never set up right!
My standard 4ltr car has had the geometry set up bang on factory specs and handles superbly. It tramlines down old, worn-out roads, but I would expect all Tuscans to do this.
I've never driven one with Nitrons on, so these may be better still....
demon_jako said:
Whitey said:
to clarify the RR suspension was only height adjustable.
Mine cirtainly are firm! I've now lost count how many times its felt like my spine is about to go through my skull!!Tuskaa 7 said:
Can you explain in a little more detail how this feels? I get a real sudden thud, as though the suspension simply cant cope when going over small potholes etc in the road. Is this normal?
Yep! Thats exactly it! No idea if its normal though.Don't think its hitting the stops though, just feels like the shocks can't adjust quick enough.
Is this something to do with 'hard bounce'
I know you get such settings on shocks, I learned that from XB360 'Dirt'
Older Tuscans as standard seem to be under sprung and over damped. Mine was awful when I originally got it even with the original RR shocks on (even though it isn´t a RR ), being wallowy in corners and really harsh over bumps. Nitrons made a huge difference to both these areas. I agree that the alignment is very important to the way the cars drive, but a suspension upgrade is definitely worth the cash. 
), being wallowy in corners and really harsh over bumps. Nitrons made a huge difference to both these areas. I agree that the alignment is very important to the way the cars drive, but a suspension upgrade is definitely worth the cash. The plot thickens.......
I've been toying with the idea of getting some new shocks for the Tuscan for a while, then I realised I needed new rear discs and pads too.
So I thought I'd rediscover my spanner skills and fit the discs and take a look at the shocks.
Discs and pads are now on the car, although the coilovers on the car are not what I thought.
I've had the car for four years and the suspension has been getting gradually worse, additional roll, crashyness and understeer developing this year.
So I've just taken one rear shock off, and it's height adjustable(same as the front) with Eiebach springs on it? Odd I thought - front have a red-ish damper but I can't see if the springs are named.
From what I can tell these have been on the car from new, ie no recipts or record from any dealer.
Anyone else found these on a Red Rose? (MY2000)
Cheers
R
I've been toying with the idea of getting some new shocks for the Tuscan for a while, then I realised I needed new rear discs and pads too.
So I thought I'd rediscover my spanner skills and fit the discs and take a look at the shocks.
Discs and pads are now on the car, although the coilovers on the car are not what I thought.
I've had the car for four years and the suspension has been getting gradually worse, additional roll, crashyness and understeer developing this year.
So I've just taken one rear shock off, and it's height adjustable(same as the front) with Eiebach springs on it? Odd I thought - front have a red-ish damper but I can't see if the springs are named.
From what I can tell these have been on the car from new, ie no recipts or record from any dealer.
Anyone else found these on a Red Rose? (MY2000)
Cheers
R
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