S1 and S3

[Alan Whitaker]

Hi All
Just a question, on the S1 and S3 is the distance the same on the inside of the chasse rails, I had to cut out my S1 top rail to get a new V8 in. I got a top rail from a S3 V8 and it is about 2" wider than my existing rails, the guy said he thought it was a V8 top rail. I can cut it down to fit just wanted to know if there is any difference.

Alan

[jimed]

I'm not sure what the answer is to your question but the V8S has a different (and strengthened) chassis to the S1-S3 cars so if you are putting a V8 into your S1 you may need to consider if it needs any other work doing. The brakes were different as well on the V8S.
Jim

[Gerald-TVR]

Alan

Cant quite picture what you mean do you have any pics?

[mep12345]

jimed said:

I'm not sure what the answer is to your question but the V8S has a different (and strengthened) chassis to the S1-S3 cars so if you are putting a V8 into your S1 you may need to consider if it needs any other work doing. The brakes were different as well on the V8S.
Jim

I thought the S3 was slightly strengthened from the S1 and S2 and then again for the S4/V8S, could be wrong though. I know the S1/S2 to S3 chassis is different though, even if not strengthened, to accommodate the body shell differences, i.e. longer doors and also change the gearbox mount arrangements. Thought the width was the same though.

Mark

[Alan Whitaker]

Hi Norman.
There is a removable section connecting the top rails together, you have to remove this on the V8s but is welded on the 2.8 &2.9. I do not have a picture of this, hope you know which I am talking about

Alan

[Gerald-TVR]

Hi Alan I understand now but cant help sorry

[magpies]

Hi Alan

I was under the impression that the main bottom rails were the same but the top rails 2" further apart. the bottom wishbone mounts modded to be directly below the wider top mounts and different rack outer rods to the track rod ends. This needs to be confirmed.

[Barkychoc]

Pics might help.

If you need any V8 chassis measurements let me know.

[Alan Whitaker]

Hi Chris.
If you could give me the centre to centre of the top rails that would be good.

Alan

[Barkychoc]

Centre to centre top rail V8S = 560mm give or take a mm.

[Alan Whitaker]

Hi Chris.
Thanks for that, same on mine 560mm, so far things are fitting but the weather is holding up any work, I will have to look at finding a workshop as the bits that are ready to go back on are just filling all the spare room I have.

Alan

[Barkychoc]

For the removeable chassis rail could you do the opposite of the V8S arrangement - cut the chassis beam away in front of the engine leaving a couple of inches of the existing beam each side.
The part that you have removed just bolt it back in with a flat piece either side with holes through the part still attached to the chassis and the bit you removed (4 bolts each side), hopefully this makes sense, pretty similar to the V8S arrangement really.
The V8S beam has the holes reinforced inside with metal tube where the bolts go through - presumably to stop it crushing when you tighten it up. It has a flat piece welded over the end aswell, quite tidy by TVR standards!

[Alan Whitaker]

Hi Chris.
We have just left 3" each side to do just as you say, we can get 2 bolts each side.


Alan