Discussion
I picked up my first Tiv on Saturday, a very clean and well cared for Griff 500 and after a bit of driving around I've got my first few questions for those of you that are old hands by now.
1. My wife is finding the passenger seat a bit uncomfortable, we've tried moving it about, tilting back/forward etc but she feels that where the seat back kind of comes forward close to the headrest its putting her in an uncomfortable shoulders forward position, it looks like the lack of lumbar support doesn't help but has anyone else experienced this? Is is possible to retro fit a lumbar support? I saw a thread about fitting cerb seats but that’s a bit more drastic than I probably need right now.
2. I have long legs and a short body and feel that I could do with raising the drivers seat a little, on the passenger side it looks like it may have some blocks on the runner bolts to do this, has anyone done something similar or do I just need to get used to not being able to see any of the cars bodywork!
3. The dealer mentioned that some people remove one of the throttle springs to soften the throttle pedal, normally I'd laugh at people wanting softer controls but strangley I'm finding the Griffs throttle so stiff that when getting back on the pedal after changing gear I'm just not matching the revs at all and driving it like a total novice driver. Is it all just a case of getting used to it a bit more or am I getting old? Its probably the first car I've driven where I don't feel at ease after a couple of hours of driving which I know is a good thing, as I'm wary of stamping on the loud pedal and visiting a hedge or field, should I just stick with it and learn to drive it instead?
4. The seats could do with re-connolising, any recommendations in the Surrey/Sussex/Kent area and an idea of cost?
I'll finish by saying what a fantastic car it is, I've lusted after a TVR since I first saw a Griff when they were launched years ago and I used to see city boys hooning them around London, I had a giggle at some the interesting TVR engineering such as the heater controls etc but I am so pleased I chose to get a Griff instead of another BMW or similar, its worth the money just to hear that fabulous V8 rumble and peoples head turn going through towns. The fact that the missus loves it as much as me is a double bonus as her opinion is that all TVR's break down and are dangerous, lets hope I can stop both of these from coming true
Mags
1. My wife is finding the passenger seat a bit uncomfortable, we've tried moving it about, tilting back/forward etc but she feels that where the seat back kind of comes forward close to the headrest its putting her in an uncomfortable shoulders forward position, it looks like the lack of lumbar support doesn't help but has anyone else experienced this? Is is possible to retro fit a lumbar support? I saw a thread about fitting cerb seats but that’s a bit more drastic than I probably need right now.
2. I have long legs and a short body and feel that I could do with raising the drivers seat a little, on the passenger side it looks like it may have some blocks on the runner bolts to do this, has anyone done something similar or do I just need to get used to not being able to see any of the cars bodywork!
3. The dealer mentioned that some people remove one of the throttle springs to soften the throttle pedal, normally I'd laugh at people wanting softer controls but strangley I'm finding the Griffs throttle so stiff that when getting back on the pedal after changing gear I'm just not matching the revs at all and driving it like a total novice driver. Is it all just a case of getting used to it a bit more or am I getting old? Its probably the first car I've driven where I don't feel at ease after a couple of hours of driving which I know is a good thing, as I'm wary of stamping on the loud pedal and visiting a hedge or field, should I just stick with it and learn to drive it instead?
4. The seats could do with re-connolising, any recommendations in the Surrey/Sussex/Kent area and an idea of cost?
I'll finish by saying what a fantastic car it is, I've lusted after a TVR since I first saw a Griff when they were launched years ago and I used to see city boys hooning them around London, I had a giggle at some the interesting TVR engineering such as the heater controls etc but I am so pleased I chose to get a Griff instead of another BMW or similar, its worth the money just to hear that fabulous V8 rumble and peoples head turn going through towns. The fact that the missus loves it as much as me is a double bonus as her opinion is that all TVR's break down and are dangerous, lets hope I can stop both of these from coming true
Mags
Hi.
Can't help with No. 3, but the rest....... 1,2 & 4
We had the same problem. Answered it by aquiring a set of Cerbera seats. Adjustable lumbar support included, much better body support all round and just need to be re-furbed to fit the car and renew everything. Raises the seat position be about 4 -5 cm.
Really simple to change over, an exact swap. Undo the 4 bolts from underneath, move the square tube mounts from griff seat to Cerby seats and re-fit. Took me about 40 mins to do both. Get some big washers to help spread the load when they're re-fitted.
Can't help with No. 3, but the rest....... 1,2 & 4
We had the same problem. Answered it by aquiring a set of Cerbera seats. Adjustable lumbar support included, much better body support all round and just need to be re-furbed to fit the car and renew everything. Raises the seat position be about 4 -5 cm.
Really simple to change over, an exact swap. Undo the 4 bolts from underneath, move the square tube mounts from griff seat to Cerby seats and re-fit. Took me about 40 mins to do both. Get some big washers to help spread the load when they're re-fitted.
First off, welcome to the fold.
Seats are a personal thing but I do find the Cerb seats (fitted in the SE/last 100 cars) to be a far more comfy driving position. It's not an unusual upgrade from what I've seen. Possibly LordGrover (eta and as if by magic he appears while I'm posting this) is your man to speak to on here as I know he has the Cerb seats in his pre-cat so may be able to give a well balanced view.
For what its worth, after driving quite a few 500's when looking for mine I found the seats almost felt like you could slide out of them. The Cerb seats are far more supportive and have the benefit of having the lumbar support pumpy thing
Mrs MoJo also finds it a little uncomfy in the passenger seat but mainly due to lack of leg room (as I think Clarkson once commented, the Griff was the first one and half seater car he'd come across !! ) along with the fact it scares her stupid. She's actually insured to drive it but still refuses to get behing the wheel.
Regarding getting used to driving it, it'll all come in good time. I've had mine over a year now and I'm still learning, or at least it is still trying to teach me !! don't tell anyone but once you get the hang of them they're not quite as scary as folk lore makes out, but will still bite you if you're overly confident
Hope you enjoy it.
Simon.
Seats are a personal thing but I do find the Cerb seats (fitted in the SE/last 100 cars) to be a far more comfy driving position. It's not an unusual upgrade from what I've seen. Possibly LordGrover (eta and as if by magic he appears while I'm posting this) is your man to speak to on here as I know he has the Cerb seats in his pre-cat so may be able to give a well balanced view.
For what its worth, after driving quite a few 500's when looking for mine I found the seats almost felt like you could slide out of them. The Cerb seats are far more supportive and have the benefit of having the lumbar support pumpy thing
Mrs MoJo also finds it a little uncomfy in the passenger seat but mainly due to lack of leg room (as I think Clarkson once commented, the Griff was the first one and half seater car he'd come across !! ) along with the fact it scares her stupid. She's actually insured to drive it but still refuses to get behing the wheel.
Regarding getting used to driving it, it'll all come in good time. I've had mine over a year now and I'm still learning, or at least it is still trying to teach me !! don't tell anyone but once you get the hang of them they're not quite as scary as folk lore makes out, but will still bite you if you're overly confident
Hope you enjoy it.
Simon.
Edited by Mr MoJo on Monday 28th September 16:55
I had similar Lumber support issues and used to have a small cushion for the lumber support, then gave in and put a T350 seat in and very comfy it is too no more expensive trips to the Chiro clinic.
As for the throttle spring, I would check both ends of the cable for signs of fraying (the plenum end is prone to it), and also check it slides freely in the cable sleeve as they can get twisted, all of which will make the pedal stiff or notchy.
As for 1 or 2 springs, I've only ever had 1 spring on bith my Griffs. The only risk is if the springs snaps you could end up stuck on wide open throttle, but I'm sure there are a lot of production cars with only one throttle return spring.
no more expensive trips to the Chiro clinic.As for the throttle spring, I would check both ends of the cable for signs of fraying (the plenum end is prone to it), and also check it slides freely in the cable sleeve as they can get twisted, all of which will make the pedal stiff or notchy.
As for 1 or 2 springs, I've only ever had 1 spring on bith my Griffs. The only risk is if the springs snaps you could end up stuck on wide open throttle, but I'm sure there are a lot of production cars with only one throttle return spring.
Cheers for the responses (well, most of them)
I'll have to have a closer look at the seat mountings, sounds like they may have been tinkered with. So how much have others paid for cerb seats then?
Good job I didn't get the missus to go out in one of the SE's I've seen for sale, I would have had to re-mortgage for one of those!
LordGrover, I'm assuming your comment was in good humour, and you make a valid point at the use of 2 springs, although it was the dealer that made the suggestion before I mentioned anything about the pedal. Is that picture from your 'personal collection'?
I'll have to have a closer look at the seat mountings, sounds like they may have been tinkered with. So how much have others paid for cerb seats then?
Good job I didn't get the missus to go out in one of the SE's I've seen for sale, I would have had to re-mortgage for one of those!
LordGrover, I'm assuming your comment was in good humour, and you make a valid point at the use of 2 springs, although it was the dealer that made the suggestion before I mentioned anything about the pedal. Is that picture from your 'personal collection'?
Some Griff’s had lumber support. IIRC they were a Ford unit that can be inserted into the original seat. They were an inflatable cushion with a rubber bulb, rather like the blood pressure gauges that doctors use.
Possibly from the Ford Granada, can anyone confirm? If anyone has fitted these themselves and can give details, I wouldn’t mind doing this myself.
Possibly from the Ford Granada, can anyone confirm? If anyone has fitted these themselves and can give details, I wouldn’t mind doing this myself.
Hi and welcome. Re the shoulders thing, I find the drivers seat really comfy however the passangers side as you describe. Don't know if this is just due to the drivers side sagging a lot more due to majority of miles being driven sans passenger? Eitherway I'll go Cerb when I spot some that suit just because should add to the driving experience and also still look period in a Griff.
Mr MoJo said:
Possibly LordGrover (eta and as if by magic he appears while I'm posting this) is your man to speak to on here as I know he has the Cerb seats in his pre-cat so may be able to give a well balanced view.
I bought the Griff with the cerbera seats already fitted. They are much more comfortable and supportive than standard seats but I have two issue with them:- they are a fair bit higher - some of you may've noticed a slight bald patch appearing where my head touches the roof.
- they don't look 'right'.
Mags said:
LordGrover, I'm assuming your comment was in good humour, and you make a valid point at the use of 2 springs, although it was the dealer that made the suggestion before I mentioned anything about the pedal. Is that picture from your 'personal collection'?
Hello and well done with the new motor.
It sounds like the answer to 3 of your problems is to fit Cerb seats. My griff came fitted with Cerb seats and i've since gone back to the originals. In the original seats you are actually sat on the floor of the car (not joking) as the old wire frame and a bit of foam is all thats underneath the leather. I've kept the cerb seats in case i go near a track but at the time i was swithing around £150 - £200 a seat was the mark if i had sold them.
I agree with Lordgrover that Cerb seats don't look right (in my opinion) but i would add that once your sat in them you can't see them anyway - so what does it matter.
Changing seats will make no difference to the springs on the throttle. My brothers Chim has a double spring affair and its a little heavy for my tastes but you do get use to it. I've not heard anyone ever complain about the spring snapping on here so not sure how big a factor this is.
Tildo
It sounds like the answer to 3 of your problems is to fit Cerb seats. My griff came fitted with Cerb seats and i've since gone back to the originals. In the original seats you are actually sat on the floor of the car (not joking) as the old wire frame and a bit of foam is all thats underneath the leather. I've kept the cerb seats in case i go near a track but at the time i was swithing around £150 - £200 a seat was the mark if i had sold them.
I agree with Lordgrover that Cerb seats don't look right (in my opinion) but i would add that once your sat in them you can't see them anyway - so what does it matter.
Changing seats will make no difference to the springs on the throttle. My brothers Chim has a double spring affair and its a little heavy for my tastes but you do get use to it. I've not heard anyone ever complain about the spring snapping on here so not sure how big a factor this is.
Tildo
Hmm, a few votes for cerb seats then, will see how we go, I've only just bought the damn thing, I don't want to start modding it already!
The lumbar thingy would be good, a friend did this on some jap thingy, I think he might have bought it from demon thieves, will have to give him a call.
No-one got any good contacts on the re-connolising then?
Mags
The lumbar thingy would be good, a friend did this on some jap thingy, I think he might have bought it from demon thieves, will have to give him a call.
No-one got any good contacts on the re-connolising then?
Mags
On the throttle spring front:
I got my Griff (500) in April this year and initially had an issue with the throttle pedal weight and got really quite worried about it (partly being scared of the car as well!). After a while I got into the swing of things and everything clicked into place. Feels fine now I'm used to it and confident with the car. Personally I'd leave it as is for now, see if you adapt to it like I have.
Rob
I got my Griff (500) in April this year and initially had an issue with the throttle pedal weight and got really quite worried about it (partly being scared of the car as well!). After a while I got into the swing of things and everything clicked into place. Feels fine now I'm used to it and confident with the car. Personally I'd leave it as is for now, see if you adapt to it like I have.
Rob
1 ) If she sits in the Driver’s seat does she still feel uncomfortable ? It is possible (and I think fairly common ) to swap them from side to side. The seat base can get a bit saggy which presents your back in the wrong place on the back rest. Could be the passenger seat was once the driver's seat and has gone a bit soggy.
2 ) Seat height is adjusted by winding nuts up and down on the fixings studs. Basically there are four threaded studs sticking out of the seat base and then through the floor. To lower the seat simply wind the nut up each stud and then take up the slack with the nut underneath. You will need a 13mm spanner.
3) Even with two springs it should not be too heavy. As others have suggested get down in the foot well with a torch and check the cable is not frayed where it disappears into the outer. If you operate the throttle butterfly manually does it feel tight ? Only having one spring is probably unwise. I understand it is fairly worrying when the throttle sticks wide open. If you must change the springs I would advise fitting two slightly weaker examples rather than having just one.
4) Go to a horse tackle shop and get some saddle soap and connaly leather treatment. It looks a bit like runny lard (probably is just fat with some solvent in it ) a quick ruby dub with the saddle soap and then the treatment and they will probably look fine.
I guess you already know this but until you are used to it, try to avoid standing on the right hand pedal unless the front wheels are in a straight line and even when you are used to it don’t engine brake and definitely absolutely completely avoid engine braking in the wet.
2 ) Seat height is adjusted by winding nuts up and down on the fixings studs. Basically there are four threaded studs sticking out of the seat base and then through the floor. To lower the seat simply wind the nut up each stud and then take up the slack with the nut underneath. You will need a 13mm spanner.
3) Even with two springs it should not be too heavy. As others have suggested get down in the foot well with a torch and check the cable is not frayed where it disappears into the outer. If you operate the throttle butterfly manually does it feel tight ? Only having one spring is probably unwise. I understand it is fairly worrying when the throttle sticks wide open. If you must change the springs I would advise fitting two slightly weaker examples rather than having just one.
4) Go to a horse tackle shop and get some saddle soap and connaly leather treatment. It looks a bit like runny lard (probably is just fat with some solvent in it ) a quick ruby dub with the saddle soap and then the treatment and they will probably look fine.
I guess you already know this but until you are used to it, try to avoid standing on the right hand pedal unless the front wheels are in a straight line and even when you are used to it don’t engine brake and definitely absolutely completely avoid engine braking in the wet.
steve-V8s said:
I guess you already know this but until you are used to it, try to avoid standing on the right hand pedal unless the front wheels are in a straight line and even when you are used to it don’t engine brake and definitely absolutely completely avoid engine braking in the wet.
Absolutely couldn't agree more.Read this horror story and take heed please
Edited by Barreti on Wednesday 30th September 17:58
Welcome to the fold. These cars really are the dogs b*ll*cks. Its because they have a reputation that we love them so much - plus the look and that sound.
I've only owned my 500 since Feb and had similar issues to you; namely, I as the driver felt the seat lacked lumbar support, but after a few thousand miles in it I find it quite comfortable now. I also felt the throttle was 'heavy' but I think it was just that it is so responsive compared to anything else I had driven. Again I've got used to it now. I was also 'nervous' about 'booting' it, having heard the horror stories. I took a day's performance car driving course using my Tiv and I spun it all over the place and that put to rest any worries about it just biting me. I now feel much more confident about driving it hard. Sure it was easy to spin it, even in the dry, but it didn't just let go, and it wasn't a total surprise to find myself going backwards. I'd say it was no more unpredictable than any other car - its just that with all that power you can't afford to have a 'heavy' right foot or chop down a gear and use the engine to slow the car (that was the quickest way of locking up the back wheels and ending up sideways).
I'd give the Mrs a few more miles in it and see if she's still uncomfortable before shelling out a few hundred quid for different seats. Likewise, with the throttle, give it some time.
Best of luck.
I've only owned my 500 since Feb and had similar issues to you; namely, I as the driver felt the seat lacked lumbar support, but after a few thousand miles in it I find it quite comfortable now. I also felt the throttle was 'heavy' but I think it was just that it is so responsive compared to anything else I had driven. Again I've got used to it now. I was also 'nervous' about 'booting' it, having heard the horror stories. I took a day's performance car driving course using my Tiv and I spun it all over the place and that put to rest any worries about it just biting me. I now feel much more confident about driving it hard. Sure it was easy to spin it, even in the dry, but it didn't just let go, and it wasn't a total surprise to find myself going backwards. I'd say it was no more unpredictable than any other car - its just that with all that power you can't afford to have a 'heavy' right foot or chop down a gear and use the engine to slow the car (that was the quickest way of locking up the back wheels and ending up sideways).
I'd give the Mrs a few more miles in it and see if she's still uncomfortable before shelling out a few hundred quid for different seats. Likewise, with the throttle, give it some time.
Best of luck.
Thanks again guys. The adjustment on the seat is good to know, I'll take a look at the weekend.
I had a little drive last night and was getting smoother, I'm now pretty sure its just a case of getting used to the feel of the car and the engine response to the throttle, I doubt I will worry about the spring strength, although I will ensure there is no fraying.
I did take a days training at North Weald Airport about 2 years ago when I first bought a BMW Z3 M Coupe, not too dissimilar to the Griff just more weight and less torque. Luckily for me it rained pretty hard in the pm and I got to learn exactly what you mention, just touching the throttle when the wheels had any angle on them in the wet sent me spinning, I also have experienced once wheel spin in 3rd in the wet in a straight line in the Z3MC so this is one of the reasons I am weary of the Griffs power and weight. The difference was I had a late Z3MC that had ASC and traction so less driver brain required. I also ride a litre sports bike, so I'm at least used to reading the road and knowing when to not wind on the power.
Any recommendations on a suitable driving school? I could do with exactly what you mention, an airfield and lots of run off to learn the limits and what happens when you do stuff like this, I'll look up the one I went on before, I forget the name, Andy someone, was very good.
Mark
I had a little drive last night and was getting smoother, I'm now pretty sure its just a case of getting used to the feel of the car and the engine response to the throttle, I doubt I will worry about the spring strength, although I will ensure there is no fraying.
I did take a days training at North Weald Airport about 2 years ago when I first bought a BMW Z3 M Coupe, not too dissimilar to the Griff just more weight and less torque. Luckily for me it rained pretty hard in the pm and I got to learn exactly what you mention, just touching the throttle when the wheels had any angle on them in the wet sent me spinning, I also have experienced once wheel spin in 3rd in the wet in a straight line in the Z3MC so this is one of the reasons I am weary of the Griffs power and weight. The difference was I had a late Z3MC that had ASC and traction so less driver brain required. I also ride a litre sports bike, so I'm at least used to reading the road and knowing when to not wind on the power.
Any recommendations on a suitable driving school? I could do with exactly what you mention, an airfield and lots of run off to learn the limits and what happens when you do stuff like this, I'll look up the one I went on before, I forget the name, Andy someone, was very good.
Mark
Sounds like you have a reasonable idea of what you are about which is good and as you are biker you will have a far better idea than most about the level of grip available on various road surfaces. I would add however that it is lifting off the power abruptly or changing down without matching the revs that is the real danger area. In my experience if the back tries to be in front when you get on the power you can normally catch it. It is when you back off too abruptly that you end up making a car shaped hole in the hedge.
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