Let's talk about cars
Aug 26th 2020, 11:25 am
#7501
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,446
Re: Let's talk about cars
I know there are "hoops to jump through" to import a a car into the US, but it is quite doable once they are 25 years old. Newer than that is extremely difficult, but not necessarily impossible - basically it would have to be unique in the US.
Some TVRS built as late as the late 80's, maybe even 1990-91 that had Ford V6 engines, but from the 1980's to mid 1990's a lot had Rover V8's, basically the Range Rover engine, and they were boring and stroking them out to as much as 5 litres. But from the mid 90's onwards, I guess as computer controlled milling equipment became available, they started making their own straight 6 and V8 engines.
Beyond the engines I suspect that some things, such as suspension and steering were constructed from another manufacturers parts, but there was AFAIK always a TVR chassis/ frame underneath.
Aug 26th 2020, 4:07 pm
#7503
Magnificently Withering
Joined: Jan 2007
Location: Oakville, ON
Posts: 6,891
Re: Let's talk about cars
Does any one have experience with TVR's? 
I am mulling over the idea of importing one (that is over 25 years old), and there are a couple of interesting options. I know it would be a bit of a money pit, and yes, I know they're notoriously unreliable, but the prices aren't bad. It wouldn't be happening any time soon, probably 2-3 years at best, so I have enough time to do my homework.
I am mulling over the idea of importing one (that is over 25 years old), and there are a couple of interesting options. I know it would be a bit of a money pit, and yes, I know they're notoriously unreliable, but the prices aren't bad. It wouldn't be happening any time soon, probably 2-3 years at best, so I have enough time to do my homework.
Aug 26th 2020, 4:35 pm
#7504
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2006
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 12,865
Re: Let's talk about cars
I suspect I'm greatly over-simplifying the design of the wheel motors in my mind. That article talks about 'going in reverse' which may indicate a real reversal (obviously, the wheel itself is always going in the same rotational direction - unless you are going in reverse 
). So what I'm fairly positive about is, you take your foot off the accelerator, and the wheels immediately become generators; but maybe as you apply the brake, something is done to increase further the generation capacity of the wheel motors.
What do you see on your CRV charge indicator when you roll downhill (without braking)? The Prius has a very sexy diagram about what's going on with the battery (highly distracting, actually!) I'm almost +ve that it shows charge to the battery when 'rolling' (coasting / no brake). Of course google is not being cooperative in showing me such an image right now! I live on a hill so next time I go out I'll pay specific attention to the 'downhill roll' part!
I think my real question is - what happens differently when you coast down a hill versus apply the brake gently down a hill ...
). So what I'm fairly positive about is, you take your foot off the accelerator, and the wheels immediately become generators; but maybe as you apply the brake, something is done to increase further the generation capacity of the wheel motors.What do you see on your CRV charge indicator when you roll downhill (without braking)? The Prius has a very sexy diagram about what's going on with the battery (highly distracting, actually!) I'm almost +ve that it shows charge to the battery when 'rolling' (coasting / no brake). Of course google is not being cooperative in showing me such an image right now! I live on a hill so next time I go out I'll pay specific attention to the 'downhill roll' part!
I think my real question is - what happens differently when you coast down a hill versus apply the brake gently down a hill ...
Aug 26th 2020, 5:02 pm
#7505
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,446
Re: Let's talk about cars
Well yeah, it would be a toy to take out in nice weather - I wouldn't get rid of my Mustang, and we also have Mrs P's Accord and my truck, so we certainly wouldn't be depending on it for regular transport.
Aug 26th 2020, 5:59 pm
#7506
Turning into a PA gal!
Joined: Feb 2013
Location: State College PA, finally!
Posts: 3,563
Re: Let's talk about cars
Some TVRS built as late as the late 80's, maybe even 1990-91 that had Ford V6 engines, but from the 1980's to mid 1990's a lot had Rover V8's, basically the Range Rover engine, and they were boring and stroking them out to as much as 5 litres. But from the mid 90's onwards, I guess as computer controlled milling equipment became available, they started making their own straight 6 and V8 engines.
Aug 26th 2020, 6:17 pm
#7507
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,446
Re: Let's talk about cars
That said, as TVRs weren't made in large volumes, it will probably be a matter of picking the best available vehicle if/when I decide to go ahead with a purchase, and would probably take a say, 30,000 mile 5.0l over a 60,000 mile 4.2l example.
Aug 26th 2020, 6:27 pm
#7508
Magnificently Withering
Joined: Jan 2007
Location: Oakville, ON
Posts: 6,891
Re: Let's talk about cars
The standard overbore for a Rover V8 was from 89 to 94mm, which with the same stroke went up from 3.5 to 3.9 litres, with a rather oversquare geometry (71mm stroke). Greater increases in capacity were typically achieved through increasing stroke length, up to 82mm for a 4.6 litre engine. That led to its own difficulties in the bottom end, and with such a large crank throw also meant that the 'wrist' end of the rod is exerting pretty significant lateral forces on the cylinder wall. Capacities beyond 4.6l were unusual except in bespoke machined situations, as they were prone to knacker the cylinder liners as well as having all sorts of overheating problems.
Aug 26th 2020, 6:36 pm
#7509
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Nov 2007
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 13,111
Re: Let's talk about cars
There's an argument that it originally started out with a planned 2.9l displacement when GM/ Buick designed it, but I take your point and I am sure that 4.2l would be plenty. My 2002 4.6l Mustang has 260hp, and honestly that is more than enough, even though a new GT has over 400hp, and given that it is a very rare occasion that I have ever pushed the gas pedal all the way to the floor, I am not sure what use having a 400hp engine would actually be.
That said, as TVRs weren't made in large volumes, it will probably be a matter of picking the best available vehicle if/when I decide to go ahead with a purchase, and would probably take a say, 30,000 mile 5.0l over a 60,000 mile 4.2l example.
That said, as TVRs weren't made in large volumes, it will probably be a matter of picking the best available vehicle if/when I decide to go ahead with a purchase, and would probably take a say, 30,000 mile 5.0l over a 60,000 mile 4.2l example.
Aug 26th 2020, 6:40 pm
#7510
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,446
Re: Let's talk about cars
Most likely it would be RHD. LHD ones exist, but I don't think are common. Obviously LHD would be more convenient, but 'd be happy enough with RHD.
Last edited by Pulaski; Aug 26th 2020 at 7:52 pm.
Aug 26th 2020, 7:47 pm
#7511
Forum Regular
Joined: Jun 2012
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 91
Re: Let's talk about cars
My 2002 4.6l Mustang has 260hp, and honestly that is more than enough, even though a new GT has over 400hp, and given that it is a very rare occasion that I have ever pushed the gas pedal all the way to the floor, I am not sure what use having a 400hp engine would actually be.
Aug 27th 2020, 12:40 am
#7512
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jun 2015
Location: Near Lynchburg Tennessee, home of Jack Daniels
Posts: 1,381
Re: Let's talk about cars
Here is a project I started last year. It is a 1983 mail Jeep purchased in Alabama from a guy who has many and sells parts to people still using them. I got a rusted out east coast DJ5 Jeep plus a nearly new frame. After sitting in a field for 20 years some gas in carb and battery hook-up it started right up. I have removed everything from old frame restored and reinstalled on new frame. Made a aluminum plate to convert from two barrel to one barrel carb. A fiberglass body is on order and will build as a no doors, bikini top on stripped down to just the basics. Has a 151 Pontiac iron duke engine and Chrysler 904 automatic transmission as from factory.
Chassis redone ready for fiberglass body
Chassis redone ready for fiberglass body
Aug 27th 2020, 3:48 am
#7513
Account Closed
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2
Re: Let's talk about cars
Here is a project I started last year. It is a 1983 mail Jeep purchased in Alabama from a guy who has many and sells parts to people still using them. I got a rusted out east coast DJ5 Jeep plus a nearly new frame. After sitting in a field for 20 years some gas in carb and battery hook-up it started right up. I have removed everything from old frame restored and reinstalled on new frame. Made a aluminum plate to convert from two barrel to one barrel carb. A fiberglass body is on order and will build as a no doors, bikini top on stripped down to just the basics. Has a 151 Pontiac iron duke engine and Chrysler 904 automatic transmission as from factory.
Chassis redone ready for fiberglass body
Chassis redone ready for fiberglass body
Keep the photos coming.
Aug 27th 2020, 12:24 pm
#7514
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jun 2015
Location: Near Lynchburg Tennessee, home of Jack Daniels
Posts: 1,381
Re: Let's talk about cars
Bought heavy duty bumpers and adapted to fit.
One barrel carb from F150 300 cu inch straight 6
Last edited by ddsrph; Aug 27th 2020 at 12:27 pm.