Insight into the TVR lifestyle

[Lee]

So it's been just over a month of owning my TVR Cerbera and what a learning curve its been. It's currently running.....just, but not very well. I know the issue but because I'm such a dedicated zed fan I have my garage occupied by a zed in for treatment with another parked outside.

In summary I have covered 1400 miles in the TVR which must be a TVR record surly In this time she has misbehaved 3 times.
1) ECU fault dodgy ground meant insufficient voltage. Cure by cleaning the earths.
2) Misfire in high rev's due to coil pack given up. (these are from a Citroen Saxo go figure)
3) Starter motor ate itself see photo
4) Don't really count as a fault because like all human beings this was an error on my part, resulted in another dead coil pack

But all this aside when driving around in the Cerb (She needs a name) everyone stares, some take photos and people always ask what is it. Then the noise!!! Some of you heard from the BMW meet but the popping and backfiring puts the biggest grin on my face not to mention the flames. The TVR meets are incredible very friendly like the zed community with lots going on and even a monthly magazine. Here are some photos, first being the work I've done so far and others from the TVR meet.

Lee out

Full engine shot of the V8 with the covers off. Note this V8 is a purpose built British design.

Starter motor removal

Main gear inside the starter split in two.

First TVR meet. This is a Sagaris they come with a straight 6 commonly a 4 litre,

Left is a Tamora (convertible) right is a T350 comes in T top but this one is a coupe.

Another Sagaris

Another Tamora next to a Chimera (Tam is a straight 6 and the Chim is a 4litre rover v8)

Mk2 Tuscan with its duck tale, looks so cool.

Who would of thought I would spot an S50 engine in a Cerbera. Safe to say the owner bombarded me with questions.

TVR Cerbera fighting of supercars (Are Cerbera's super cars???)

 

[zedonist]

Enjoyed that read, thank you Lee...that V8 must be high compression to break the starter though?

 

[Lee]

Enjoyed that read, thank you Lee...that V8 must be high compression to break the starter though?

More age related I think. If its the original its 18 years old.

 

[hard top]

Made for a good read @Lee, just out of interest, how many bits on these cars are from other makes parts bins?

 

[andyglym]

Good info and pics, thanks

Super car? Oh yes, brutal legend of a British icon. Yes please

 

[Grumps]

You know your stuff Lee and you knew full well what you were letting yourself in for when joining that elite club. I think for you its as much about tinkering and repairing as it is driving. I'm sure your loving both aspects of TVR ownership!

 

[zedwheels]

Have always fancied owning a TVR. The sounds they make..mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

 

[Mnbrennan]

Love it and I will have one someday (addition of course) ;-) still waiting for my ride...

 

[Brian H]

Nice read @Lee, thanks for the honest account of ownership

 

[Mint]

Great read @Lee, really enjoyed seeing your car (and you of course) on the South Downs cruise. Sounded AWESOME

 

[GazHyde]

I've enjoyed the occasional tinkering session on it, and of course the obligatory test drives afterwards. It's hard work trying to keep up behind it in a 2.2 Z3 and much better from the passenger seat!

I've taken a couple of videos which I'll try and upload to YouTube from when Lee was calibrating the engine idling last week. We had a laptop plugged in reading live data from the engine. This was a good old RS232 connector from the ECU - you take the ECU box apart and plug it straight in to the circuit board. Then you adjust the angle of the pots on each bank of cylinders until it idles at the correct rev range, and some other values are within tolerance. Really interesting to see considering the ECU on a Zed is basically a sealed "black box" you can't do much with!

Oh, and it's quite possible to die of exhaust fume inhalation while its running even with the exhausts pointing out the garage door. Almost had it idling perfectly when the next door neighbour came round because he wanted to get his kid to sleep...

 

[t-tony]

On a similar note, years ago I dragged my brother in law out of a workshop full of cellulose paint fumes after he'd collapsed through too much inhalation. Wicked stuff. He was impatient and couldn't wait for me to get back to him just after midnight one night.

Tony.

 

[Lee]

Made for a good read @Lee, just out of interest, how many bits on these cars are from other makes parts bins?

We laugh but I have never come across such a Heinz variety car before. So far I have found that:
1) Coil packs are the same from a Citroen Saxo 1.6 x2
2) Front indicator lenses are from a challenger tank!
3) Washer bottle and pump are ford,
4) Original rear light cluster is a mk3 fiesta also the side indicator lenses
5) Fuel tank cork gasket is from a 40's motorbike
6) Door poppers and touch switch's now sold in Maplin
7) Granada track rod ends

The list goes on

 

[t-tony]

Always been the same, it's fun spotting what bits came from who.

Tony.

 

[Althulas]

I like that T350 in T top in my dreams my wife would say.

 

[zedwheels]

We laugh but I have never come across such a Heinz variety car before. So far I have found that:
1) Coil packs are the same from a Citroen Saxo 1.6 x2
2) Front indicator lenses are from a challenger tank!
3) Washer bottle and pump are ford,
4) Original rear light cluster is a mk3 fiesta also the side indicator lenses
5) Fuel tank cork gasket is from a 40's motorbike
6) Door poppers and touch switch's now sold in Maplin
7) Granada track rod ends

The list goes on

My god a real mongrel then. A nice mongrel though.

 

[M666BMG]

I've read this and ive made my mind up.

 

[t-tony]

I've read this and ive made my mind up.

AND !!! You can't just say that and walk away .......................... we'll never get to sleep tonight.


Tony.

 

[hard top]

He means he is going to stick with his 75 as he claims it also has a Rover V8 in it and parts from Maplin's....air freshener etc.......

 

[M666BMG]

AND !!! You can't just say that and walk away .......................... we'll never get to sleep tonight.


Tony.

I'm keeping the M !