Mk III Chassis

[S1X OK]

Due to a visit to the scenery back in October, my 03 Tuscan is being rebuilt on a MkIII chassis. Speaking to the Crash Repair department at Blackpool I'm told the MkIII is a noticeable improvement on MkII with better high speed stability, less bump-steer and even a tighter turning circle. My car is scheduled out of the shop around the end of the month and I'm intrigued as to how it'll feel when I get my hands on it.
Has anyone had experience of the two chassis and if so, how do they compare?

[cacatous]

When did they start manufacturing on the Mk3 chassis?

[TUS 373]

That's news to me too. Does not mean to say its untrue though - this is TVR afterall.

[S1X OK]

I asked how long they'd been using the MkIII and was told about seven months.

[andyvdg]

Interesting........

I think the MkII is the "S" era chassis.

MkIII is the T350 chassis perhaps.....?

We need facts!

[cacatous]

So my old car (May 02) was a Mk2 chassis?

I will would be interested to drive a Mk3 version to see how much better it is!

Does anyone know if it uses the uprated steering system like the T350 and Tamora (Electric I think)

[whitey]

was the MKII chassis not simply just re-positioned front suspension pick up points ?

I guess the MKIII is just another tweek.

[marino]

Spoke to The Factory last year about the different handling charecteristics of the Griffith, Tuscan and Tamora, it was felt that the steering setup/routing on the Tamora was superior and that some changes were to be made to the Tuscan. So MkIII perhaps?

[luca brazzi]

marino said:

Spoke to The Factory last year about the different handling charecteristics of the Griffith, Tuscan and Tamora, it was felt that the steering setup/routing on the Tamora was superior and that some changes were to be made to the Tuscan. So MkIII perhaps?

Not sure what mine is (June 2001), but Linda was grinning all the time when she had her ride. So I can guess even those that aren't #3 aren't that bad.

LB

[marino]

luca brazzi said:

marino said: Spoke to The Factory last year about the different handling charecteristics of the Griffith, Tuscan and Tamora, it was felt that the steering setup/routing on the Tamora was superior and that some changes were to be made to the Tuscan. So MkIII perhaps? Not sure what mine is (June 2001), but Linda was grinning all the time when she had her ride. So I can guess even those that aren't #3 aren't that bad. LB

Steve, as I have said many times before, it's the driver that makes the car.

Dave. (How much for the SR5 DVD?)

[S1X OK]

whitey said:

was the MKII chassis not simply just re-positioned front suspension pick up points ? I guess the MKIII is just another tweek.

Speaking to Ray Whiting, the rebuild guy at Blackpool, I think that's more or less what's happened. Based on experience gained on the MkII, shunt a few points around, tweak camber angles etc., etc. He also told me he could tell the difference in a MkII and MkIII by jumping in and driving to the end of the road.
I'm intrigued to know if anyone taking delivery of a Tuscan in the last few months has driven a MkIII and noticed any improvement.

[S1X OK]

Just spoken to Crash Repair at Blackpool. It seems I'll have to wait a little longer to discover the delights of the MkIII chassis. They just discovered the rollbar is bent and needs replacing (something not noticed in initial damage assessment) and has now knocked completion back to mid-February.
If the rollbar replacement would have been included in the original repair estimate, it would have pushed the bill over 60% of the cost of the car and it would've been written off. Not sure how I feel about that.

I know, it's TVR and these things happen, but I'm more excited about the return of the car than when I first got it back in March. Probably because I now know what I'm missing out on.

I know it's supposed to be the coldest for two years, but looking out at the blue sky and clear air, it looks soooooo driveable!

[andyvdg]

Yeah, unfortunately (for you that is) all this blue sky and cold north wind around here == very dry roads == traction!

Never mind, not long to wait really......