FREE modification to make your S feel more responsive
Discussion
This is a very simple tip which will make your S feel faster, more responsive and less tiring to drive at zero cost. It takes about 10 seconds, and is fully reversible if you don't like how it feels.
Unclip the secondary throttle return spring from its little hole, as arrowed in the photo. It is unnecessary - I've been driving mine for over 20 years like this, and never had the slightest problem with the throttle sticking. Make sure that the coiled primary springs, shown at bottom-left of the photo, are oiled and turning freely before doing this.
If you don't like how the car feels afterwards, it's a 10-second fix to put it back - but I think you'll be surprised what a big difference it makes to how the car feels. On occasions when engineers have replaced mine, thinking it had come off accidentally, the car immediately felt sluggish and far less pleasant to drive.
And now he waits for the purist backlash ... ¦:¬)
BOB
Unclip the secondary throttle return spring from its little hole, as arrowed in the photo. It is unnecessary - I've been driving mine for over 20 years like this, and never had the slightest problem with the throttle sticking. Make sure that the coiled primary springs, shown at bottom-left of the photo, are oiled and turning freely before doing this.
If you don't like how the car feels afterwards, it's a 10-second fix to put it back - but I think you'll be surprised what a big difference it makes to how the car feels. On occasions when engineers have replaced mine, thinking it had come off accidentally, the car immediately felt sluggish and far less pleasant to drive.
And now he waits for the purist backlash ... ¦:¬)
BOB
frontfloater said:
I think you'll be surprised what a big difference it makes to how the car feels.
Not a purist, but I don't like the sound of that. I suppose it'd make the throttle pedal slightly lighter. If you prefer a lighter pedal you might see that as a good thing. It does mean your throttle return has a single point of failure, and is more vulnerable to sticking if the cable wears or jams. Neither of these total deal breakers but still a negative IMO.One of the things I find makes the biggest difference is aligning the cable correctly at the bulkhead and setting the pedal height. That address problems of excessive friction/wear in the cable, and a uncomfortable heal-and-toe position.
Sorry but that "secondary throttle return spring" should not be there, should never have been there and is probably a bodge done by somebody previously due to something sticking in the past.
If the throttle closes properly without it connected do yourself a favour, remove it completely and throw it away so that it looks tidier and not bodged.
Cheers,
Carl.
If the throttle closes properly without it connected do yourself a favour, remove it completely and throw it away so that it looks tidier and not bodged.
Cheers,
Carl.
If the spring wasn't original equipment, what is the small hole for? It appears to have no other purpose. And given that the car has been serviced by at least 8 different TVR specialists during my ownership, surely at least one of those would have spotted it as being non-original and mentioned that? Those who serviced the car included Richard Thorpe at RT Racing, Central TVR, and most recently Heath at X-Works (who was one of several engineers who re-attached the spring). The engine also had a rebuild by Ford experts Specialised Engines, and had under-bonnet work done by the factory many years ago. So these were not unknowledgable chaps. But not one of them even mentioned the spring, nor suggested that it shouldn't be there.
To my knowledge the car was never used for motorsport. It was the 1989 press car, registered by Haughins and given to "Fast Lane" among others to test.
BOB
To my knowledge the car was never used for motorsport. It was the 1989 press car, registered by Haughins and given to "Fast Lane" among others to test.
BOB
Edited by frontfloater on Thursday 22 August 18:55
frontfloater said:
If the spring wasn't original equipment, what is the small hole for?
I also think that this is not original, mine does not have one and it does seem too much of a bodge for Ford, as mentioned below. Weight reduction is important on all sports cars, so with the hole and no spring that's a win win situation.
frontfloater said:
If the spring wasn't original equipment, what is the small hole for?
Someone drilled it so they could fit an auxiliary spring? Possibly a bodge to overcome a fraying throttle cable that was beginning to stick?Standard set up has a spring here.........
Because I got shot of all that gubbins I added an extra spring (yes, I drilled the hole)
Edited by phillpot on Thursday 22 August 20:32
I have the 2.8 engine so maybe not too relevant but they have a similar spring....
I had 2x2.8 Capri's (same engine) in my youth and they didn't have one.
I also had an XR4x4 (same engine) which did have one.
The Capri's both suffered from sticky/notchy by throttle cable and I was always trying to lubricate and re-align it. The position of the linkage on the engine of the k-jet system always made me think it was designed for a left hand drive car and certainly in the Capri the cable route was very convoluted to get it to where it needed to be which was part of the problem in my opinion.
I had the cable on the TVR stick on a 360deg slip road, the resulting stains in my under garments are an indicator of the need for the spring !
I had 2x2.8 Capri's (same engine) in my youth and they didn't have one.
I also had an XR4x4 (same engine) which did have one.
The Capri's both suffered from sticky/notchy by throttle cable and I was always trying to lubricate and re-align it. The position of the linkage on the engine of the k-jet system always made me think it was designed for a left hand drive car and certainly in the Capri the cable route was very convoluted to get it to where it needed to be which was part of the problem in my opinion.
I had the cable on the TVR stick on a 360deg slip road, the resulting stains in my under garments are an indicator of the need for the spring !
Just one return spring on my S1 and it needs to be replaced as it is a bit rusty and baggy. I was messing with it yesterday.
I've only had a return spring fail once and that was on a 1969 MGB GT with an Aldon 1950cc unit and single 45 DCOE. I replaced it with two slightly weaker springs so I had some redundancy in the system.
I've only had a return spring fail once and that was on a 1969 MGB GT with an Aldon 1950cc unit and single 45 DCOE. I replaced it with two slightly weaker springs so I had some redundancy in the system.
Two springs on RV cars offer better mpg
I must be in the minority of people who like my firm pedal feel.
My 2.9 S which was my first and best Tvr,, I’ve only had two had a firm feel too, I thought it was Tvr’s way of saying “ are you sure you want to press that thing right now “ a sort of safety device
I must be in the minority of people who like my firm pedal feel.
My 2.9 S which was my first and best Tvr,, I’ve only had two had a firm feel too, I thought it was Tvr’s way of saying “ are you sure you want to press that thing right now “ a sort of safety device
Gassing Station | S Series | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff