How similar are the chassis, really?

[jayemm89]

Hi all,

I have heard quite a bit about the similarity of TVR chassis, but I was hoping for a bit of clarification on a few things.

Now, it is my understanding that, for example, the griff and chim are the same chassis underneath (different body/engines in some cases). I have heard that the tuscan is effectively a shortened cerb chassis.

Now, I have also heard people say that the tamora, t350 and to some extent the sagaris are the "same" chassis as the Tuscan, but those cars all generally get praised for being much better handling. Is it just better setup etc... on those cars, or are the chassis actually different and are people just simplifying things (eg. Saying an Aston is an XJS underneath)

Cheers all
James

[roseytvr]

I cant answer the question unfortunately but very interested in the response, particularly around the T cars. I am looking to build a sag targa and understand a sag chassis is best but could do with understanding why and what the differences are! Not meaning to hijack your thread OP

[jayemm89]

Not at all Rosey!

I am sure you saw the sag Targa that was for sale recently, that was a Tuscan chassis if I recall.

I know the Tuscan is a longer car but I do believe that is basically the boot, not a longer chassis per se.

also I believe there are people in the race series who have put bodies on racing tuscans to improve the handling, obviously aero must play a part?

[Basil Brush]

There were some changes to wishbone / damper mounts over the years but all T cars have basically the same chassis.

The Sag has suspension mount points moved up and out to give the lower ride height and wider track. It still uses the same wishbones etc as the other cars. I think the very late chassis were all the same with both the standard and Sag suspension mount holes to simplify things.

[SteveSPG]

ive seen a number of t car chassis with 2 sets of holes drilled for sag wishbone mounts, and other t car mounts.

therefore though there may be changes to the chassis over time, the chassis used by the factory for any of the t cars would be the same.

it would be relatively easy to make a jug from a later chassis, and drill the sag holes into any t car chassis...

[plasticman]

Apart from you will be drilling into thin air

[DJR 7]

plasticman said:

Apart from you will be drilling into thin air

Don't tease Dave ..... Explain to the man :-)

[dvs_dave]

The sag has wider and higher up suspension pickup points. This widens the track and lowers the roll center. None of the other t-chassis cars have this, unless you're lucky and have one of the very very latest cars. However they still utilize the original pick up points due to track width restrictions.

Wishbones, and uprights are the same on all T-cars except the very early Tuscans.

All later T-chassis (Mk2 Tuscan on I think) have a rear top shock mounting point that is further out to bring the shock into a more vertical position.

Aside from the above incremental detail changes they are all essentially identical.