TF lifting at speed
Discussion
I've been out playing with my daughters MGTF and yes it is great fun hooning around the twisties of sunny Exmoor, could anyone please advise if a few 'mods' are available.
1. the front does seem to lift at speed, nothing too dangerous but I find it gets a bit light when pushing on, it doesn't veer aggressively in any direction, it just dances a little, are there diffusers or even after-market adjustable dampers or heavier springs available? ... even a front brace would be beneficial.
2. the brakes could be much better too, especially when warmed up, there is a fair bit of fade. Is there any preferred choice...Mintex 1144's or Pagid etc? I will replace the O.E. hoses with PTFE/S.Stl but the O.E. 160 callipers look plenty big enough for the job. I have noticed a lot of movement (travel) on the servo and wonder if there has been any bracket/brace designed to prevent this?
hopefully if these 'quirks' can be eradicated the little TF would be even more fun...happy days!
1. the front does seem to lift at speed, nothing too dangerous but I find it gets a bit light when pushing on, it doesn't veer aggressively in any direction, it just dances a little, are there diffusers or even after-market adjustable dampers or heavier springs available? ... even a front brace would be beneficial.
2. the brakes could be much better too, especially when warmed up, there is a fair bit of fade. Is there any preferred choice...Mintex 1144's or Pagid etc? I will replace the O.E. hoses with PTFE/S.Stl but the O.E. 160 callipers look plenty big enough for the job. I have noticed a lot of movement (travel) on the servo and wonder if there has been any bracket/brace designed to prevent this?
hopefully if these 'quirks' can be eradicated the little TF would be even more fun...happy days!
They all lift. There are mods available. Not until 100 plus. I wouldn't want to attempt the near 140 vmax. (Kmph officer). The 4 pot brakes should be very good, new fluid perhaps. Try pulling the EPAS fuse, under the bonnet. Power steering feels over light on my 160. Other VVC seems just right.
as said by Steve the brakes should be good so perhaps the brake fluid has not been regularly changed, check make, model, size, age and pressures of tyres
it also might be you're not fully used to the brakes or perhaps your driving style
ETA: forgot to put in the word 'not'
it also might be you're not fully used to the brakes or perhaps your driving style
ETA: forgot to put in the word 'not'
Edited by nta16 on Saturday 31st August 22:48
A set of AP brakes for MGF go for £300 plus on eBay. To find them lacking you must be using them well above a hoon. If anything i would say they are over braked. Full bore stops will bang your head off the screen, even sans ABS on my Trophy. A tad grabby, needs a gentle foot. MG Trophy race cars have the same setup.
The brakes are certainly fading when hot. maybe its a mix of tired fluid and crappy pads, but the servo does move forwards when pressing the pedal, this will certainly effect braking efficiency...have you seen any braces?
yes, maybe it was a tad more than a hoon
but I can't believe how much fun this car is, it almost asks you to come out of a bend with a hand full of oversteer just so as you can get a bit of a scuttle drift and as for the way it plants itself on approach is just lovely, they really are a joy to drive and you cant help nailing them driving enthusiastically.
That said though, I would like to think a nice after market Nitron or Ohlin suspension kit, polybushes and something akin to 1144's and Goodridge hoses should just about do the trick, and with purchase prices being so undervalued you'd have a very nice usable piece of kit for next to three fifths of nothing.
yes, maybe it was a tad more than a hoon
but I can't believe how much fun this car is, it almost asks you to come out of a bend with a hand full of oversteer just so as you can get a bit of a scuttle drift and as for the way it plants itself on approach is just lovely, they really are a joy to drive and you cant help That said though, I would like to think a nice after market Nitron or Ohlin suspension kit, polybushes and something akin to 1144's and Goodridge hoses should just about do the trick, and with purchase prices being so undervalued you'd have a very nice usable piece of kit for next to three fifths of nothing.
Agreed amazing value. Paid under £900 for my Trophy. Spent around £500 to get it sorted so far, for a mid engined high performance car it's mad. Never vmaxed though. Scary even with the improved aero. Prefer the standard VVC most of the time. 160 sounds awesome and mid range way better, can;t say it feels any quicker at top end though.
Tbh only driven it on the motorway once and that was when picking it up. It's mainly twisties and nice A roads here in North Devon (hooning paradise). Daughter has commented on its tendency to 'wander' when sat on motorway at 70ish so maybe looking at suspension and bushes could help. I have noticed the car gets 'light' between the bends when dabbing a bit of brake but it is only when really pushed. Maybe I should remind myself its not 350+bhp.
yes had T1R's and T1S's and even a set of R888's on on the Cerb over the years, such a difference to the standard dogturd Bridgestones. I will pull the fuse tomorrow (any excuse to go for a drive) maybe the hardtop will help when she's doing motorway work between Devon and Brum but i don't think she'll be too happy with no P.S.
Cooky said:
The brakes are certainly fading when hot. maybe it’s a mix of tired fluid and crappy pads, but the servo does move forwards when pressing the pedal, this will certainly effect braking efficiency
get the brakes checked, could any or a combination of fluid, pads, discs, pipe/hoses(?) and something not right with the servoI’ve got Goodridge hoses and 1144 pads so can say I think they’re good
be very careful with your selection of tyres, seek info and advice
Cooky said:
I have noticed the car gets 'light' between the bends when dabbing a bit of brake but it is only when really pushed. Maybe I should remind myself its not 350+bhp.
or as heavy, wide and long with bigger wheels and tyres – you don’t need 350+hp when you’re pushing the brakes 
as you’ve found this is the type of car where you need to keep flow to keep the go, take your lead boot off the brake pedal, remember what’s written at the front of your TVR handbook
your thinking of ‘upgrading/improving’ before you’ve got the car running right, I’d hope as it’s your daughter’ s car you’d have taught her about the importance of brakes and full and proper servicing of the whole car as it sounds like it might need a full and proper service/look over if the brakes aren’t as good as they should be, get the car running right, then drive it the way it was designed to be and then see IF/what needs attention
good idea to always look at suspension bushes before springs and dampers which could still be fine anyway with new bushes
unless you or your daughter live in or visits very rough areas there’s no real excuse for a hard top
– you’ve bought a soft top why turn it into a hard top – plus you’ll miss many great hood down driving opportunities in late autumn, winter and early spring, many better than in summerif you need any HT leads then these are excellent and actually proved to slightly improve performance (no I’m not on commission) - http://www.fastlaneauto.co.uk/
always nice to have plenty of bhp but as you’ve found you can have smaller numbers on the dials, on paper and in reality and have more fun
thanks nta,
You are probably correct, my lead foot is prone to over brake, it comes with the territory of TVR's and now a DB7. The TF gets around my locality much better than the Aston, much more fun to drive with usable power.
The TF is running very well at present, had the ML HG and belts and water pump replaced recently as well as a nice new shiny set of S.stl water pipes and a lube service, so all is tip top. It does however seem to have a bit of a 'power-band' at just under 4k and delivers very very well. I am utterly amazed at the value of these cars, so much so that I have decided to get one too, thus I would like to get her car sorted and negate the obvious earache from my beloved for excessive tyre wear and such.
You are probably correct, my lead foot is prone to over brake, it comes with the territory of TVR's and now a DB7. The TF gets around my locality much better than the Aston, much more fun to drive with usable power.
The TF is running very well at present, had the ML HG and belts and water pump replaced recently as well as a nice new shiny set of S.stl water pipes and a lube service, so all is tip top. It does however seem to have a bit of a 'power-band' at just under 4k and delivers very very well. I am utterly amazed at the value of these cars, so much so that I have decided to get one too, thus I would like to get her car sorted and negate the obvious earache from my beloved for excessive tyre wear and such.
Cooky,
thanks for taking it all in good spirit
cooling and lubing very much required, important items to remember though, always number one braking (including tyres), then tyres, steering, suspension, lights, windows and mirrors - how well the engine and other stuff goes are bottom of list
if you've got the rest of the car safe and set up well then you'll be able to use the engine's full potentiality - the car with flow and keep the go
then it's driving technique and training, something that's often forgotten about in getting the most out of the car - it's an area I always fail in, I just haven't got it or get it
if you buy one just remember why you like it and don't change it too much that it takes it away from what you like about it now, keep things in balance, some of its limitations are what keep the car in balance
I've always thought I might have a very basic car like a Lomax (Citroen 2CV based) three wheeler kit car, 50mph would feel like 100mph and no speeding tickets
enjoy your rediscovered fun
thanks for taking it all in good spirit
cooling and lubing very much required, important items to remember though, always number one braking (including tyres), then tyres, steering, suspension, lights, windows and mirrors - how well the engine and other stuff goes are bottom of list
if you've got the rest of the car safe and set up well then you'll be able to use the engine's full potentiality - the car with flow and keep the go
then it's driving technique and training, something that's often forgotten about in getting the most out of the car - it's an area I always fail in, I just haven't got it or get it
if you buy one just remember why you like it and don't change it too much that it takes it away from what you like about it now, keep things in balance, some of its limitations are what keep the car in balance
I've always thought I might have a very basic car like a Lomax (Citroen 2CV based) three wheeler kit car, 50mph would feel like 100mph and no speeding tickets
enjoy your rediscovered fun
They are great little cars.
The brake master servo suffers from flexing of its mounting, there is a fairly simple bracket that can help cure it, and braided hoses will help.
F's and TF's are very sensitive to tires and also pressures.
Fitting of the Cupra lip spoiler helps front end lift at speed.
The best mod by far is the remap from Z&F tuning for around 200 quid Mark from Z&F will give a small hike in power and a more responsive throttle.
http://www.zandf-tuning.co.uk/
The brake master servo suffers from flexing of its mounting, there is a fairly simple bracket that can help cure it, and braided hoses will help.
F's and TF's are very sensitive to tires and also pressures.
Fitting of the Cupra lip spoiler helps front end lift at speed.
The best mod by far is the remap from Z&F tuning for around 200 quid Mark from Z&F will give a small hike in power and a more responsive throttle.
http://www.zandf-tuning.co.uk/
had a good look and it seems there is play in one of the track rod ends, this will cause some of the 'wandering', an easy fix. As for the brake brace still not managed to locate an off the shelf item. may have to make one?
has anyone got a pic they can post of a Cupra lip spoiler already fitted. Thanks
has anyone got a pic they can post of a Cupra lip spoiler already fitted. Thanks
Agree with you on the brakes, superb, but room for improvement.
I find 1144 pads a good compromise for the road and pretty sure they are available for this caliper, EBC certainly make uprated pads of various grades for these calipers but I'm not a fan of theres so have steered clear.
As you say a nice set of Braided jump hoses and a DOT 5.1 spec fluid or even a good flush with new DOT 4 will make a big difference for feel.
As for a bracket to stop servo flex see http://www.ukmgparts.com/product.aspx?CID=a6438a2a...
I know AVO make an adjustable set of coilovers for these cars that are available with various spring rates.
there are also many other mods that improve these cars, better gearbox ratios, LSD's uprated bushes, Rose jointed gear linkages, exhausts etc. You could spend a small fortune but I suspect that would detract from the point of this car in your case, A cheap as chips rag top
I find 1144 pads a good compromise for the road and pretty sure they are available for this caliper, EBC certainly make uprated pads of various grades for these calipers but I'm not a fan of theres so have steered clear.
As you say a nice set of Braided jump hoses and a DOT 5.1 spec fluid or even a good flush with new DOT 4 will make a big difference for feel.
As for a bracket to stop servo flex see http://www.ukmgparts.com/product.aspx?CID=a6438a2a...
I know AVO make an adjustable set of coilovers for these cars that are available with various spring rates.
there are also many other mods that improve these cars, better gearbox ratios, LSD's uprated bushes, Rose jointed gear linkages, exhausts etc. You could spend a small fortune but I suspect that would detract from the point of this car in your case, A cheap as chips rag top
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