How would you modify a Tuscan if you got the chance?
Discussion
Have just bought a Cat D 2000 Tuscan and have been thinking about how to modify it/improve it when repairing it and getting it back on the road. I had an idea of chopping the big bonnet and adding a second hinge but upon speaking with PLASTICMAN, it appears he has beaten me to it! I think you'll find the only appropriate word for it is 'elegant' See link:
http://s125.photobucket.com/albums/p43/davidhillis...
I've been looking at the green tuscan that appeared in evo, using different grills/modifying the grill, using LED lights/HID headlights and even making a custom dash to accomodate an Ipad with bluetooth to audio and maybe a wifi connection to an OBD2 transmitter?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdGIqTQxsks
Are there any things you've seen on other cars or thought about doing but never had the opportunity, time or skills to do?
http://s125.photobucket.com/albums/p43/davidhillis...
I've been looking at the green tuscan that appeared in evo, using different grills/modifying the grill, using LED lights/HID headlights and even making a custom dash to accomodate an Ipad with bluetooth to audio and maybe a wifi connection to an OBD2 transmitter?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdGIqTQxsks
Are there any things you've seen on other cars or thought about doing but never had the opportunity, time or skills to do?
Edited by MPETT on Monday 21st March 20:15
I may be biased but I like the T440 grille that I have on mine. There is one going on ebay at the moment.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...
I´d incorporate the later factory developments, ie chassis heat shielding, bigger brake discs (322 fronts if your calipers will allow), larger rear sceen etc. Improved brake pads make a diff. Def get Nitron shocks or similar, along with sorting out the bumpsteer (eg Saggy style arms) and fitting the 3mm front spacers. Next would be decats along with the Power chip, or bespoke map if funds allow. HID dipped heads are a worthwhile addition. That´s pretty much where I´m at with my July ´00 Tuscan.
Next on my list are roller bearings for the throttles, change the front grill and the addition of an S front splitter. A flip bonnet would certainly make things easier but I´ve got used to taking mine on and off single handed. If doing a respray anyway I´d be tempted to go for a later one piece roof panel if not already fitted. The side trims have a habit of coming off on the early ones.
I´m also planning to sort out the interior using the Zonda as inspiration. This means carbon door cards, centre console, radio pod and dash surround, with alcantara seat centres. I´ve already got carbon seat backs.
Stronger, lighter wheels would be on the list too, funds allowing, along with better seats.
Next on my list are roller bearings for the throttles, change the front grill and the addition of an S front splitter. A flip bonnet would certainly make things easier but I´ve got used to taking mine on and off single handed. If doing a respray anyway I´d be tempted to go for a later one piece roof panel if not already fitted. The side trims have a habit of coming off on the early ones.
I´m also planning to sort out the interior using the Zonda as inspiration. This means carbon door cards, centre console, radio pod and dash surround, with alcantara seat centres. I´ve already got carbon seat backs.
Stronger, lighter wheels would be on the list too, funds allowing, along with better seats.
You don't see many Buicks round Chelsea 
Basil Brush said - comments in line
Larger rear sceen - how do I check this? I remember someone offering an upgraded rear screen clip? Anyone know whom it is?
Shocks or similar- mine has protech shocks. Are these any good?
Along with sorting out the bumpsteer (eg Saggy style arms) - What is the difference? I heard there was a change to the wishbones in production, but the Sagaris chassis has mounting points further out and upwards. Do you mean this or something else?
One piece roof panel - I didn't realise the early ones had stick on side bits. I'll check mine.
I´m also planning to sort out the interior using the Zonda as inspiration. This means carbon door cards, centre console, radio pod and dash surround, with alcantara seat centres. I´ve already got carbon seat backs. Stronger, lighter wheels would be on the list too, funds allowing, along with better seats. - I like your plan. I've seen some diamond stitchining on the Str8Six demo sagaris and that looks awesome!
Larger rear sceen - how do I check this? I remember someone offering an upgraded rear screen clip? Anyone know whom it is?
Shocks or similar- mine has protech shocks. Are these any good?
Along with sorting out the bumpsteer (eg Saggy style arms) - What is the difference? I heard there was a change to the wishbones in production, but the Sagaris chassis has mounting points further out and upwards. Do you mean this or something else?
One piece roof panel - I didn't realise the early ones had stick on side bits. I'll check mine.
I´m also planning to sort out the interior using the Zonda as inspiration. This means carbon door cards, centre console, radio pod and dash surround, with alcantara seat centres. I´ve already got carbon seat backs. Stronger, lighter wheels would be on the list too, funds allowing, along with better seats. - I like your plan. I've seen some diamond stitchining on the Str8Six demo sagaris and that looks awesome!
So far I've only done a few bit to mine, larger tinted rear screen and alloy clips and fitted an iPod compatible alpine headunit. On the to do/wish list;
Fit some decent speakers
Shark nose cans
Nitron shocks/eibach springs plus wheel spacers
Sort engine bay - powder coat cam cover, clean up chasis and ally filler caps etc
Hinged bonnet conversion
Paint wheels anthracite
If money was no object I'd go for a power 4.5 and a respray in either swordfish chameleon flip or spectraflair silver
Fit some decent speakers
Shark nose cans
Nitron shocks/eibach springs plus wheel spacers
Sort engine bay - powder coat cam cover, clean up chasis and ally filler caps etc
Hinged bonnet conversion
Paint wheels anthracite
If money was no object I'd go for a power 4.5 and a respray in either swordfish chameleon flip or spectraflair silver
MPETT said:
Basil Brush said - comments in line Same again.
Larger rear sceen - how do I check this? I remember someone offering an upgraded rear screen clip? Anyone know whom it is? The larger screen has cutouts on the bottom edge where the clips seat, rather than being straight across. The alloy clips are by Raceproved.
Shocks or similar- mine has protech shocks. Are these any good? No idea tbh. I went straight to Nitrons but I would guess anything is better than the standard ones fitted to the early cars.
Along with sorting out the bumpsteer (eg Saggy style arms) - What is the difference? I heard there was a change to the wishbones in production, but the Sagaris chassis has mounting points further out and upwards. Do you mean this or something else? Not the wishbones but the steering arms that the track rods mount to. If you do a search on bumpsteer there have been a few threads on it.
One piece roof panel - I didn't realise the early ones had stick on side bits. I'll check mine.
I´m also planning to sort out the interior using the Zonda as inspiration. This means carbon door cards, centre console, radio pod and dash surround, with alcantara seat centres. I´ve already got carbon seat backs. Stronger, lighter wheels would be on the list too, funds allowing, along with better seats. - I like your plan. I've seen some diamond stitchining on the Str8Six demo sagaris and that looks awesome!
Same again. Larger rear sceen - how do I check this? I remember someone offering an upgraded rear screen clip? Anyone know whom it is? The larger screen has cutouts on the bottom edge where the clips seat, rather than being straight across. The alloy clips are by Raceproved.
Shocks or similar- mine has protech shocks. Are these any good? No idea tbh. I went straight to Nitrons but I would guess anything is better than the standard ones fitted to the early cars.
Along with sorting out the bumpsteer (eg Saggy style arms) - What is the difference? I heard there was a change to the wishbones in production, but the Sagaris chassis has mounting points further out and upwards. Do you mean this or something else? Not the wishbones but the steering arms that the track rods mount to. If you do a search on bumpsteer there have been a few threads on it.
One piece roof panel - I didn't realise the early ones had stick on side bits. I'll check mine.
I´m also planning to sort out the interior using the Zonda as inspiration. This means carbon door cards, centre console, radio pod and dash surround, with alcantara seat centres. I´ve already got carbon seat backs. Stronger, lighter wheels would be on the list too, funds allowing, along with better seats. - I like your plan. I've seen some diamond stitchining on the Str8Six demo sagaris and that looks awesome!
V8 GRF said:
So has the idea of the Sonitas re-body project gone out of the window?
No, simply delayed for now. Am going to start with the running gear, then the interior, then the exterior. I've been in touch with cov uni and they have expressed an interest in doing the interior or maybe the exterior, so hopefully there will be some movement at the end of the summer! For now going to get this car back on the road (a Speed 6 engine us worth a lot more when it can be seen running) do a number of exterior and interior mod, and enjoy it for the summer.MPETT said:
No, simply delayed for now. Am going to start with the running gear, then the interior, then the exterior. I've been in touch with cov uni and they have expressed an interest in doing the interior or maybe the exterior, so hopefully there will be some movement at the end of the summer! For now going to get this car back on the road (a Speed 6 engine us worth a lot more when it can be seen running) do a number of exterior and interior mod, and enjoy it for the summer.
Ah cool, Uni's are quite good for getting good ideas. I work with our local Uni and we set a course a project (it's actually running at the moment) so in exchange for a bit of your time in presenting the idea, setting the task requirements and a bit of time juding teh submissions and giving feedback you can get some great ideas that you can take forward. Students love a 'real' project on their CV and it benefits tham to be in the real world as opposed to course work.V8 GRF said:
Ah cool, Uni's are quite good for getting good ideas. I work with our local Uni and we set a course a project (it's actually running at the moment) so in exchange for a bit of your time in presenting the idea, setting the task requirements and a bit of time juding teh submissions and giving feedback you can get some great ideas that you can take forward. Students love a 'real' project on their CV and it benefits tham to be in the real world as opposed to course work.
I fully agree. It will be great to give something back to the youth. Plus I work in the industry and can get some of the top designers down to give them guidance. I've already talked to some of the glass fibre companies and they have expressed an interest to get involved. I wish I'd had a real design project when I was doing my course. At the moment I've got a cockpit only shell (the front and rear were smashed/removed) and a full/complete Tuscan Mk1 S shell. My wife would kill me, as I was planning on selling the shell, now that I have cat D that can easily be repaired without swapping a shell, but the thought had crossed my mind to donate both of them for a year or two to the Uni, then one could be used for interior design work and the other used for exterior work. The resultant work could then be used to create moulds for anyone wanting something new/different! I'm assuming the body could be reverted to its original shape (the clay could be removed and then repainted!?)
Back to topic...
what about a locking unlocking system that works via mini chip located in a watch, ring or piece of jewlery? I used to have the hall effect switch on the boot of my chim, but this would work without the need to first disarm/unlock the car! (I know a car electronics chap that works occasionaly on concept cars!)
Has anyone fitted a Zenon HID headlamp kit? I think this would look awesome and make night driving even better!
What about these:
http://www.s-v-c.co.uk/prod/bi-halogen.html
You could then fit fog/driving lamps to the bottom pods!
http://www.cbsonline.co.uk/product/90mm_PROJECTOR_...
What about puddle lamps under the wing mirrors? 3rd brake light strip between the indicator pods...etc.
I've clearly been to too many car shows.....
what about a locking unlocking system that works via mini chip located in a watch, ring or piece of jewlery? I used to have the hall effect switch on the boot of my chim, but this would work without the need to first disarm/unlock the car! (I know a car electronics chap that works occasionaly on concept cars!)
Has anyone fitted a Zenon HID headlamp kit? I think this would look awesome and make night driving even better!
What about these:
http://www.s-v-c.co.uk/prod/bi-halogen.html
You could then fit fog/driving lamps to the bottom pods!
http://www.cbsonline.co.uk/product/90mm_PROJECTOR_...
What about puddle lamps under the wing mirrors? 3rd brake light strip between the indicator pods...etc.
I've clearly been to too many car shows.....
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