TVR TUSCAN S (MK1) – Viper GTS Blue

The body and chassis were separated and the chassis stripped of every nut & bolt and all its components. It was then relieved of sharp edges (not good for powder coat adhesion). The chassis was then shot blasted before being powder- coated in its original RAL colour to BS ***** . This process was to a far higher specification and standard than employed when the car was originally manufactured.

The suspension wishbones, rear uprights and general bracketry were also treated in the same way. All gold passivated items were stripped and re-coated to ensure their original, new factory-finish was re-instated. The chassis and its suspension components were then reassembled using new “metallastic” bushes with thrust washer modifications, uprated ARB drop links, ball-joints, and track rod ends, etc. The latest specification Bilstein Sport dampers and progressive rate Eibach springs were installed. The original setup was devised by Lee Noble for the MK3 Tuscan S. However, slight improvements have been made over the years and the solution installed on this car is the best available for any road based Tuscan. The steering rack was also rebuilt by Kiley Clinton Engineering (best in the business) with there signature modifications for improved reliability. Our UK partners revised suspension geometry has also been utilised during the rebuild.

Having worked at the TVR factory as an engine builder from 2001-2005, our UK partner is fully aware of the shortcomings of the early Speed Six engines. Since leaving the factory in 2005, they have developed this engine further over the last 17 years. They have now built over 800 Speed Six engines for customers’ road cars. They have developed various Speed Six race engines since 2009. These have competed successfully in the Sprint & Hillclimb Championship, TVR Tuscan Challenge, CSCC, Masters Historic and Peter Auto Endurance Racing Legends Championships.

In 2011 the engine was removed and sent for a rebuild to the revised spec and has been run in this car for the last 13 years without any issues. However whilst the car was apart we took the opportunity to open it up and check for any issues, none were found but there are a couple of extra improvements we have made since so these were added.

2x Chilled cast camshafts.

24x Later type finger followers.

24x Nitrided valves.

24x Cast valve guides.

24x Uprated valve seats.

24x Valve stem seals.

Composite headgasket with revised coolant gallery layout.

Chain kit.

Uprated top chain slipper.

Modified 1/2 time sprocket with high load roller bearings.

Rebuilt water-pump.

Later type oil pump rotors.

Modified auxiliary shaft bearings.

Set of main bearings with thrust modification.

Set of big end bearings.

Set of piston rings.

O rings and seals.

Set of stainless cover bolts.

The cylinder head was completely rebuilt using new and uprated valve seats & valve guides. The engine was put back together incorporating coolant and oil gallery modifications to both the head and the block castings. The throttle bodies were stripped, inspected, vapour-blasted and rebuilt using the re-passivated linkage kit and the fuel injectors were sent for testing & servicing. All engine and gearbox bracketry has been dipped & re-passivated to re-instate an “as new” factory finish to the car.

The car is now 23 years old, and all pipework and rubber items were showing their age and starting to perish. They were therefore all replaced with new equipments, as follows:

Full high pressure oil hose kit.

E10 compliant fuel lines.

E10 compliant Bosch fuel pump.

Black silicone coolant hose kit.

Low pressure PAS hoses.

Stainless steel braided brake hose kit.

Alternator & PAS drive belts.

Differential & engine mounts.

Rebuilt steering rack.

Rebuilt driveshafts.

Exhaust mounts & clamps.

4 x Michelin Pilot Sport 5 Tyres with latest recommended tyre sizes.

The clutch was replaced with a new bearing, master cylinder and re-sealed clutch slave cylinder.

Brake discs & pads were inspected, cleaned & refitted with a new handbrake cable.

A New battery, Anderson jump start connector and & “Accumate” trickle charger were fitted.

The car was further improved with the boot opening switch being relocated to allow the rear badge to sit flush with the bodywork and to improve operation. All TVR and Tuscan model badges were sent for specialist re-chroming, painting and plastic doming. All new fluids & filters were used during the rebuild and the car was wheel aligned on our Optiline 4 camera system.