F-Type R to Tamora.
Discussion
Having had a T350 about 15 years ago I'm now extremely tempted to jump into a well sorted Tamora for occasional Sunday drives and weekends away. I know the Tamora can do the loud fun bit but how would it compare with the F-Type R for longer trips?
Will I need to be wearing earplugs on the motorway? Is the heat soak into the cabin still a thing these days or are there any mods available to help? I'm obviously expecting a rawer experience vs the F-Type but it would be nice to know if the Tamora is at least comfortable enough for a 3-4 hour drive? Also I'm 6'3" - should I fit? I remember the T350 being ok but tight.
Thanks.
Will I need to be wearing earplugs on the motorway? Is the heat soak into the cabin still a thing these days or are there any mods available to help? I'm obviously expecting a rawer experience vs the F-Type but it would be nice to know if the Tamora is at least comfortable enough for a 3-4 hour drive? Also I'm 6'3" - should I fit? I remember the T350 being ok but tight.
Thanks.
Edited by LockNumber25 on Saturday 15th August 22:23
I think it would be fine for those uses. The standard back box or tame replacements shouldn’t be too loud. I have the powers back box which is really loud and I don’t need earplugs but it’s an occasional car so doesn’t bother me.
Heat soak will happen and it does get hot but not so much of an issue with a ragtop.
Other than that it will be a much rawer and involving experience which you probably already know. Tamora would be my choice of ragtop TVRs.
Heat soak will happen and it does get hot but not so much of an issue with a ragtop.
Other than that it will be a much rawer and involving experience which you probably already know. Tamora would be my choice of ragtop TVRs.
PPPMAT said:
I think it would be fine for those uses. The standard back box or tame replacements shouldn’t be too loud. I have the powers back box which is really loud and I don’t need earplugs but it’s an occasional car so doesn’t bother me.
Heat soak will happen and it does get hot but not so much of an issue with a ragtop.
Other than that it will be a much rawer and involving experience which you probably already know. Tamora would be my choice of ragtop TVRs.
Thanks PPPMAT for the reply. The heat soak worries me a bit, think I'd struggle with that. Guess there's nothing that can be done?Heat soak will happen and it does get hot but not so much of an issue with a ragtop.
Other than that it will be a much rawer and involving experience which you probably already know. Tamora would be my choice of ragtop TVRs.
I have a t350 and so the heat soak is more of an issue but it’s got air con so it’s not the end of the world by any means. It does heat up but I would have thought it would be absolutely fine in a Tamora with air con. A TVR is never going to have the refinement or everyday usability of the Jag and they have their quirks as I am sure you know but there is nothing else like them.
I have heard taking the cats off gets rid of some of the heat but that would then make it louder. I am by no means an expert but that is what others have said. I would speak to a friendly specialist who would probably be able to advise properly.
Cheers
Matt
I have heard taking the cats off gets rid of some of the heat but that would then make it louder. I am by no means an expert but that is what others have said. I would speak to a friendly specialist who would probably be able to advise properly.
Cheers
Matt
PPPMAT said:
I have a t350 and so the heat soak is more of an issue but it’s got air con so it’s not the end of the world by any means. It does heat up but I would have thought it would be absolutely fine in a Tamora with air con. A TVR is never going to have the refinement or everyday usability of the Jag and they have their quirks as I am sure you know but there is nothing else like them.
I have heard taking the cats off gets rid of some of the heat but that would then make it louder. I am by no means an expert but that is what others have said. I would speak to a friendly specialist who would probably be able to advise properly.
Cheers
Matt
Thanks for taking the time to reply. Really appreciate it.I have heard taking the cats off gets rid of some of the heat but that would then make it louder. I am by no means an expert but that is what others have said. I would speak to a friendly specialist who would probably be able to advise properly.
Cheers
Matt
Because these vehicles floors are not flat and have tunnels for aerodynamic's to cause ground effect by stopping turbulence underneath they add more bottom lip at the front but what this also does is pull the heat from the engine and tunnel down to the road. The griff and chim's because of their front ends were fitted with an aluminium splitter/lip spoiler to the front lower body just in front of the chassis, this helped under bonnet temps and reduce turbulence over the rear.
LockNumber25 said:
Pursyluv said:
Can you post details of the Jag, as I’m looking to go the other way?
Thanks for the interest but this is all very speculative at the moment. Can I ask why your thinking of going the other way?My Tamora is sans Cats, and I don't need earplugs on the motorway. (and it sounds WAYYY better than an f-type)
I can't say that I noticed any difference in the cabin temperature as a result, but i don't find it to be too hot due to engine temps, it did make a difference in engine temp reduction however (not to mention more popping on the overrun)
The gearstick/ gearknob do not get hot, the stylish aluminium handbrake surround tends to be the hottest surface in the cabin.
I'm 5`5" and had to move the pedal box nearer and raise the seat, i'd expect taller folk would be ok; why not try sitting in one first.
For longer trips; i guess you need to be creative with luggage stowage as space IS limited
I can't say that I noticed any difference in the cabin temperature as a result, but i don't find it to be too hot due to engine temps, it did make a difference in engine temp reduction however (not to mention more popping on the overrun)
The gearstick/ gearknob do not get hot, the stylish aluminium handbrake surround tends to be the hottest surface in the cabin.
I'm 5`5" and had to move the pedal box nearer and raise the seat, i'd expect taller folk would be ok; why not try sitting in one first.
For longer trips; i guess you need to be creative with luggage stowage as space IS limited
Whilst my beemer daily driver was in for repair my insurance company supplied me with a V8 F Type R for a week. Awesome car in a completely different league to my TVR. Having 550 bhp on tap, 4WD, decent handling and fabulous soundtrack this is the nearest thing I’ve seen to a modern interpretation of the TVR ethos.
I’m a long term TVR owner and love my Griff but presently an F Type is a serious consideration for me right now.
I’m a long term TVR owner and love my Griff but presently an F Type is a serious consideration for me right now.
You have owned a TVR before and the fact you are considering another one means that you already know all the answers...It will be less comfortable, louder, hotter, probably slightly slower but (most of the time) you will love it. TVRs (particularly late models) generate more smiles, waves, thumbs up, unsolicited garage chats, 'nice car mate' comments from kids, truck drivers asking you to 'blip the throttle', etc., etc.
At a car show in 2019 the owner of a beautiful Ferrari came over to me and said 'you have had about 10 times more people look at your car and give you nice comments than I have'. TVRs are FUN in a way that no Porsche, Jaguar, BMW, etc. could ever be. However, the are clearly not as 'good' as any of those big brand sports cars.
At a car show in 2019 the owner of a beautiful Ferrari came over to me and said 'you have had about 10 times more people look at your car and give you nice comments than I have'. TVRs are FUN in a way that no Porsche, Jaguar, BMW, etc. could ever be. However, the are clearly not as 'good' as any of those big brand sports cars.
monty quick said:
You have owned a TVR before and the fact you are considering another one means that you already know all the answers...It will be less comfortable, louder, hotter, probably slightly slower but (most of the time) you will love it. TVRs (particularly late models) generate more smiles, waves, thumbs up, unsolicited garage chats, 'nice car mate' comments from kids, truck drivers asking you to 'blip the throttle', etc., etc.
At a car show in 2019 the owner of a beautiful Ferrari came over to me and said 'you have had about 10 times more people look at your car and give you nice comments than I have'. TVRs are FUN in a way that no Porsche, Jaguar, BMW, etc. could ever be. However, the are clearly not as 'good' as any of those big brand sports cars.
Love this. Thanks very much for replying.At a car show in 2019 the owner of a beautiful Ferrari came over to me and said 'you have had about 10 times more people look at your car and give you nice comments than I have'. TVRs are FUN in a way that no Porsche, Jaguar, BMW, etc. could ever be. However, the are clearly not as 'good' as any of those big brand sports cars.
Edited by LockNumber25 on Monday 17th August 14:45
Decats made a huge reduction in cabin temp of my Tamora - especially for the passenger. They also have the added bonus of not melting all the paint off the chassis. Yes it's a bit louder, but as far as I recall - I decatted the car about 15 years ago - it was actually better on motorways, moving the drone to a higher point in the rev range. Mine also has the 'quiet' JP full system, and it's fine to have a civilised conversation (when the roof's on).
As someone else mentioned, the gearknob used to get too hot, but a member on here many years ago made a batch of heatsink gearsticks, which helped massively.
I used to take my Tamora to the South of France, and it was exceptionally comfortable (and reliable). Apart from the time we were stuck in a two-hour traffic jam and got so hot that the sat nav overheated, never to work again; I dare say I wished I'd gone for air con, but it's the one-and-only occasion.
As someone else mentioned, the gearknob used to get too hot, but a member on here many years ago made a batch of heatsink gearsticks, which helped massively.
I used to take my Tamora to the South of France, and it was exceptionally comfortable (and reliable). Apart from the time we were stuck in a two-hour traffic jam and got so hot that the sat nav overheated, never to work again; I dare say I wished I'd gone for air con, but it's the one-and-only occasion.
I had the seat raised on my Tamora to get a better driving position 5'-8". Now removed as it is for sale through Amore ATM, give Mark a call if you fancy a test drive in one.
I think that when Dave The Trimmer re-trimmed it he put dynamat or similar under the carpet on the tunnel. Didn't really notice the heat sink, but the gearlever became a nice hand warmer in the winter.
I think that when Dave The Trimmer re-trimmed it he put dynamat or similar under the carpet on the tunnel. Didn't really notice the heat sink, but the gearlever became a nice hand warmer in the winter.
I have never noticed excessive heating / heatsoak - at least not after I got the fan adjustment sorted in the settings menu so it didn't always blow hot air.
The gear stick gets a little warm, but not hot.
My car has the cats in. It also has air con, which is very handy on longer trips. Lengthy motorway drives are easier with the roof on.
Good luggage space, and if your suspension is set right, decently comfortable (for a sports car)
Not too loud while driving, but forget about listening to a flute solo. Compared to the Jag the audio system / car noise balance is very different.
With the pedal box adjustment you should fit.
Have fun finding a good one.
The gear stick gets a little warm, but not hot.
My car has the cats in. It also has air con, which is very handy on longer trips. Lengthy motorway drives are easier with the roof on.
Good luggage space, and if your suspension is set right, decently comfortable (for a sports car)
Not too loud while driving, but forget about listening to a flute solo. Compared to the Jag the audio system / car noise balance is very different.
With the pedal box adjustment you should fit.
Have fun finding a good one.
I am in complete agreement with Sevenman's comments which are pretty much spot on.
Without air con a long summer trip with the roof up would be 'warm' as the position of the air intake heats the air unless you are travelling at a sufficient rate of knots.
The main thing I would add is remember you are buying a 15 year old car. It will therefore have niggles that a nearly new one won't. The 'niggles' on mine are driving me a little mad at the moment!
By these I mean water ingress in passenger footwell which I STILL haven't managed to fix; analogue speedo went mad yesterday (now seems fine); driver door mirror has a life of its own (but has been fine for the last week); water ingress into one of the faired in headlamps; air con pumps out humid air after a time (I may have fixed this by having a go at unblocking the drain but haven't done a long enough roof up trip since then). Nothing I can't cope with though!
Best of luck and report back - I am very slightly tempted by an F type...
Without air con a long summer trip with the roof up would be 'warm' as the position of the air intake heats the air unless you are travelling at a sufficient rate of knots.
The main thing I would add is remember you are buying a 15 year old car. It will therefore have niggles that a nearly new one won't. The 'niggles' on mine are driving me a little mad at the moment!
By these I mean water ingress in passenger footwell which I STILL haven't managed to fix; analogue speedo went mad yesterday (now seems fine); driver door mirror has a life of its own (but has been fine for the last week); water ingress into one of the faired in headlamps; air con pumps out humid air after a time (I may have fixed this by having a go at unblocking the drain but haven't done a long enough roof up trip since then). Nothing I can't cope with though!
Best of luck and report back - I am very slightly tempted by an F type...
Gassing Station | Tamora, T350 & Sagaris | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff