RE: 18 inchers for Tamora
Monday 4th March 2002
18 inchers for Tamora
We have it on good authority that 18" wheels are to be made available for the Tamora as an option. Initial problems with fouling of the arches have been sorted.
Discussion
That was certainly the case on the Tuscan and I thought the Tamora felt just right on the smaller wheels. Not sure what's driven them to offer the option on the Tamora - with the Tuscan it was all the style concious owners wanting bigger wheels (well it does look better than on the tractor tyres).
It will almost certainly bugger up the handling, just as it did on the Tuscan - it is the same suspension geometry and chassis, after all. If anyone's willing to let me borrow their 18" wheels to test on my Tamora, I'd love to see what it feels like, but unless there's rave reviews of the handling, I'm sticking with the roller skate handling I've already got!!
Firstly, sorry Ted but I have heard different, they told me last month in Blackpool that they wouldn't fit and would definitley ruin the set up of the car. I just dont think they will fit. However, even if they do I won't be having any. It will totaly f*** up the handling, and they will look miles too big for the car. The 16" wheels look fine. Why do we have this crazy obsession with 18" wheels anyway? 
OK, so they do make the Tuscan look better, but they also shag up the handling.
18" wheels???
>> Edited by flasher on Monday 4th March 18:47
OK, so they do make the Tuscan look better, but they also shag up the handling. 18" wheels???
>> Edited by flasher on Monday 4th March 18:47
Just to let you know I was talking to Scott at The TVR Centre on the 23rd Feb and he had just taken their demo car back to the factory which they had been running on the 18" wheels. He felt that it would be possible to run the car on this type of wheel.
In addition the car was also going to receive new items to it such as alloy stalks in place of the plastic ones and an improved hood to further reduce the wind noise.
In addition the car was also going to receive new items to it such as alloy stalks in place of the plastic ones and an improved hood to further reduce the wind noise.
I spoke to Steve at the TVR Centre on the 1st March and he said that thanks to them trying the Tamora on 18"s, the factory now approve them (perhaps reluctantly!). They had a couple of pics too and it does look better, we didn't chat about the ride/handling though. Keep an eye on Sprint, hopefully in April's edition there will be a good article fitting bigger wheels.
Chris (+ P11PLE Paradise Purple Chimaera 450)
Chris (+ P11PLE Paradise Purple Chimaera 450)
I've just spoken to the guys at the TVR Centre as that's were my Tamora is coming from and they say the factory should be making them an option real soon. Expect to pay around £900 + VAT for your extra 2" !!
Apparently they need to do work on the inside of the arches and the suspension to make them work properly. According to the TVR Centre they look the nuts and actually improve the ride and handling. They are trying to find out if they can be fitted to my car that is near the end of the production line at the factory. I’m just not convinced it’s worth spending another grand on, I’ll keep you posted.
Apparently they need to do work on the inside of the arches and the suspension to make them work properly. According to the TVR Centre they look the nuts and actually improve the ride and handling. They are trying to find out if they can be fitted to my car that is near the end of the production line at the factory. I’m just not convinced it’s worth spending another grand on, I’ll keep you posted.
I’ve just got off the phone with the TVR Centre after speaking to Michael Cane (The Tuscan racer not the film star) He has done about 500 miles in their demonstrator with 18” wheels on. He said it handles, drives and rides better with the bigger wheels. Now if he dose not know what he is talking about then no one does. So on his recommendation I thought sod it I’ll have them. So my Tamora should be rolling out of the factory in a few days with 18” wheels on it. Apparently they need to change the back off the lights so there is no chance of them fowling the wheels within the arch under extreme conditions such as lunching it over a humpback bridge !!!
Can you tell I’m getting excited?
Can you tell I’m getting excited?
Hey, Nick, with 18" wheels, it'll change the final drive ratio, and that means it'll be even faster!! Tell, me more, if it really does handle better, I might consider the 18" wheels - but I need to be sure - I don't want to lose my car at the factory for 4 weeks, and end up wiith the same handling!!
What do you mean, "they need to change the back off the lights"?
OK, further update. I've spoken to Sue Stoker, who happened to have Peter Wheeler sat next to her, and he's been driving a Tamora on 18" for a few weeks. He feels the handling is no different, and it's more a matter of looks and personal preference. The price on new cars is £1000 inc. VAT.
Don't forget, the ride quality will be detrimentally affested, due to the lower profile tyres. I need to see yours, Nick, and have a go in one before I take the plunge.
>> Edited by nubbin on Tuesday 5th March 11:31
What do you mean, "they need to change the back off the lights"?
OK, further update. I've spoken to Sue Stoker, who happened to have Peter Wheeler sat next to her, and he's been driving a Tamora on 18" for a few weeks. He feels the handling is no different, and it's more a matter of looks and personal preference. The price on new cars is £1000 inc. VAT.
Don't forget, the ride quality will be detrimentally affested, due to the lower profile tyres. I need to see yours, Nick, and have a go in one before I take the plunge.
>> Edited by nubbin on Tuesday 5th March 11:31
Don't worry Nubbin I'll keep you posted. Like I said Mr. Cane was raving about it and I just know as soon as I see one on 18” wheels I’ll be kicking myself if I don’t get it done now. As far as the lights go apparently the rear lights protrude in to the arches a bit ? They have redesigned the back of the lights so they do not take up so much space in the arches. I'm not sure if they have also done the same with the front lights.
Bugger! So now you've got me thinking! And I was happy in the knowledge that 18" rims would never be an option!
So if they're a £1000 option an new cars what the price going to be for our cars? Effectively for £1000 TVR get the 16" rims and tyres back. They're not going to do that now that we've used ours so isn't it going to be a hell of lot more money for us?
Cheers........ Andrew
So if they're a £1000 option an new cars what the price going to be for our cars? Effectively for £1000 TVR get the 16" rims and tyres back. They're not going to do that now that we've used ours so isn't it going to be a hell of lot more money for us?
Cheers........ Andrew
The 18" wheels are £140 + VAT, then tyres on top of that - £658 + tyres. For that you get a harsher ride, costlier tyre replacement, but possibly better looks. I think I'll wait to see Nick's car, and maybe get a ride in it (please, Nick!), before jumping in. I suppose, Andrew, there will be some Griffmaera owners who might like the cast offs (but the Chimaera is 4 nut wheels, isn't it?) The dish on the front and rear wheels is different also. You cannot swap fronts <-> rears. Wear out your 16" tyres, or save them for track days, that's another option.
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