Chassis variations
Discussion
I'm interested in finding out what differences there were between the chassis of the S2 and the S3. I've read both that the S3 was strengthened and stiffer, but also that there are no real differences in the actual chassis.
Does anyone have any definitive info on this?
For example, would an S3 tub fit on an S2 chassis?
Does anyone have any definitive info on this?
For example, would an S3 tub fit on an S2 chassis?
I've seen this mentioned before. However, although doors are wider, they don't connect to the chassis do they? Looking at pictures of a chassis, there's nothing they could be attached to. Besides, there will be flex between the tub and the chassis and if the doors hinged on the chassis, they'd be moving relative to the rest of the tub and I cannot see that as working out well. AFAICT the doors hinge on the main tub, so I don't think that the longer doors has any effect on the actual chassis.
I believe that the S3 introduced some additional mount points between tub and chassis, but presumably, those could simply be added to an earlier chassis.
Apparently some minor rear suspension mount changes.
Overall nothing I can see that would prevent an S3 tub fitting an S1/2 chassis. Anyone tried this?
I believe that the S3 introduced some additional mount points between tub and chassis, but presumably, those could simply be added to an earlier chassis.
Apparently some minor rear suspension mount changes.
Overall nothing I can see that would prevent an S3 tub fitting an S1/2 chassis. Anyone tried this?
I can maybe help with looking at the body moulds and the chassis jigs...The chassis changes more in line with 2.8 engines going. The earlier car have the foremost outrigger tube as a one piece tube 'V' in shape fitted as one piece and the body shell mounting plates are attached as such flat, but then this means that they set on the edge of that 'V' to end up flat across the rear edge of the tube. Later chassis have the two parts of the foremost tube butt welded onto the edge of the main for/aft oblong section THEN the body plates are bigger and set C/L on the two extensions. Note that in line with V8 production the two front lower oblong tube sections go up size on wall thickness, (this is the tube that the rack cut away arc is set into). I have lots of drawings to the separate plasma cut fabrications on my FB page, Nothing in pick up points change, the trailing arm are a copy as such of the Reliant SS1 (TVR ignore the shock pick up point form Reliant design and take 3 bites of the cherry to put back into the right place) and track change for the V8 is in the wishbones/trailing arms. Sadly I cannot say if the floor pan is the same, but then it is only FG.
A@
A@
There were changes to the trailing arms at a few points along the life of the S - pick up points / ancillary fixings / shimming.
The [only] other changes I am aware of are the changes to accomodate the V8 at the final model changes most of which were applied to the S4 to simplify production runs. This included a wider track for the suspension front and back (25mm each side) and some additional cross bracing along the main spine and making an existing cross brace removable in the engine bay.
The [only] other changes I am aware of are the changes to accomodate the V8 at the final model changes most of which were applied to the S4 to simplify production runs. This included a wider track for the suspension front and back (25mm each side) and some additional cross bracing along the main spine and making an existing cross brace removable in the engine bay.
There were changes to the trailing arms at a few points along the life of the S - pick up points / ancillary fixings / shimming.
Re the trailing arms...(I refurbished them as part of my business back when) as I mentioned shock picks changed 3 times and track adjusters were added to S3/S4 and V8S. Obviously handbrake tags were different when the cars got rear discs.
A thought is that the whole front end brackets etc. for the cooling and radiator changed. A@
Re the trailing arms...(I refurbished them as part of my business back when) as I mentioned shock picks changed 3 times and track adjusters were added to S3/S4 and V8S. Obviously handbrake tags were different when the cars got rear discs.
A thought is that the whole front end brackets etc. for the cooling and radiator changed. A@
Adrian@ said:
…A thought is that the whole front end brackets etc. for the cooling and radiator changed. A@
I guess I'm going to try and convert an S1 chassis into an S3. Will require some welding for sure, but seems to be ancillary stuff, like rad mounts etc and not major backbone changes.Here's another thought though. What changed for the S4?
I know the engine bay etc was changed to accommodate the V8, but how did they achieve the wider track? Was it simply longer wishbones etc? Was the body/tub also made wider, or do the wheels simply stick out more?
Shame to hear that. So far I thought this a pretty good place to discuss the TVR S.
Although not new to cars and motorcycles, I've only been thinking about and trying to learn as much as possible about the S for a few days.
Are there any better forums for the TVR S Series you could suggest?
Although not new to cars and motorcycles, I've only been thinking about and trying to learn as much as possible about the S for a few days.
Are there any better forums for the TVR S Series you could suggest?
Having owned tooo many TVR's, though never actually owned (but worked on lots) a later 'S' Series and only owning 10 TVR ATM (including an original 3000S that the S evolved from) someone will be along to say I am talking rubbish and someone else with point you off to the land of the free! LOL I will let them get on with it. A@
Most of the S community have migrated onto facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/tvrsseries
I'm unsure as to why you are asking if you can fit one S body onto a different S chassis.
I'm unsure as to why you are asking if you can fit one S body onto a different S chassis.
UKenGB said:
I am under the impression this is a change that can be implemented later with info about the mod available here on PH. However I've not researched that yet.
There is the mod to remove one of the lower braces to allow the gearbox to be taken out without removing the engine.The brace I was refering to was up top at the front - although I maybe merging it with the removable brace on the Chimp / Grief chassis.
You could send an email to Southways. Richard knows the S inside and out, maybe even top to bottom.
Not sure what you are trying to acheive. You can widen the track by simply fitting zero offset wheels. If you are seeking to improve the chassis 'dynamics' then you're not going to see a vast - if any - improvement by trying to modify an S1 chassis to match an S4. You're better off assessing the chassis and adding / modifying it.
UKenGB said:
Adrian@ said:
… You need a S series specialist. A@
That's why I'm here. 
Unfortunately many of the long term 'S' owners have drifted away from the Forum although a few of the "old lags" hang out on Facebook. Most of the questions which crop up on FB have been answered many times over the years here on PH.
There is some good advice on FB but mostly is isn't and the c**p search and non-existent archiving functions make it a very poor resource for new S owners looking for help.
FB has a place; it is good for selling stuff and if you want to show people cute kittens it is perfect
Stick with PistonHeads and you'll get the info you need.
So you want to drop an S3 tub onto an S1 chassis? Well the chassis and the tub are discrete units so fitting another tub won't affect the way the car runs, drives or stops. Your best course of action is to put one chassis next to the other one and measure, measure and measure again. Then a visual check to see if anything looks different, particularly the tub mounting points, the hand-brake position and the seat-belt mounting points. Also check the clearance inside the rear wheel arches where the top of the rear damper bolts to the chassis. If that comparison isn't possible then the only option is to bite the bullet and give it a go.
The S3 tub might drop straight on, if you're lucky. But even it doesn't fit straight off you will be able to make it fit one way or another. Chopping out bits of fibreglass and re-matting is quite easy once you get over the initial reluctance the take a saw to it.
AFAIK the only significant difference was to the mounting point for the rear trailing arms but that's not relevant if you're using the complete S1 rolling chassis.
This sounds like a really interesting project so I hope you will document the process on here so others will be able to benefit from your experience.
Good luck!
Edited by v8s4me on Thursday 24th November 16:25
v8s4me said:
Stick with FB and you'll get the info you need.
I think this should say "stick with PH......."For those who don't know, a google search in the form:
TVR S Series whateveryouwanttoknowabout site:pistonheads.com
will generate a list of PH threads going back to the year dot. Then the fun starts......
v8s4me said:
Stick with FB and you'll get the info you need.
Proof that you need to speak to a specialist (Richard at Southways has been mentioned) and not get confused by people pushing you at either FB or PH and certainly not to believe that the pick up points on the V8 chassis is any different from a S1/2/3 as the are not. (smiling gracefully) A@
Edited by Adrian@ on Thursday 24th November 13:04
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