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Technical Info and FAQs - TVR Tuscan

This page will eventually show a range of handbooks, technical tips, 'how-to' guides, hint and tips for TVR Chimaeras. It is a work in progress that will be added to by the archives team so if you have anything that may be suitable please let us know. Submit an addition for the technical/archives pages

The Tuscan was first shown at the 1999 Motor Show and first customer cars were delivered the following summer.  The car quickly became a favourite with its immense power and razor sharp race-car like handling with stering that was so direct that it often caught out first time drivers.

The majority of cars were were equipped with the 350bhp 4.0 litre variant of TVR's own Speed Six engine although Red Rose specification cars and the later Tuscan S models used a more powerful version that pushed the power up to 400bhp.  
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TVR Tuscan
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TVR Tuscan Model Page
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TVR Tuscan Archives Page
There is little doubt that although these cars are, pound for pound, probably the fastest and most capable cars available from any manufacturer worldwide, they have suffered dramatically from a poor public perception about engine quality control and reliability.  It is true, and TVR recognised, that some early cars did experience manufacturing problems with finger-followers where the sub-contractor had used a sub-standard material.  However, given that all engines that suffered from this will by now have been rebuilt to the correct specification, this does not explain the longevity of the perception of the reliability issues.  
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There is probably some truth in the fact that these cars came to the fore at around the same time that internet usage started to mulitply and therefore owners that did experience early problems used the internet to spread their tales and thus knowledge of engine failures became widespread very quickly.  But perhaps more importantly, the Speed Six is essentially a race engine and needs to be treated as such.  The owner's manual gives strict guidance on warming up the engine and yet it was not uncommon to see owners of these cars, ewpecially in the early days, revving them beyond 4000rpm from cold; this in turn can cause top end oil starvaton which can lead to increased wear and reliability problems 
Please note that these pages are under development and are being continuously added to.

Servicing

TVR Service Schedule
TVR Service Sheets

Engine & Gearbox 

Shimming a Speed Six Engine
Shimming a Speed Six Engine
File Size: 1060 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Balancing Speed Six Throttle Bodies
Balancing Speed Six Throttle Bodies
File Size: 1375 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Speed 6 Valve Adjustment Spreadsheet (Excel)
File Size: 30 kb
File Type: xls
Download File

Sagaris workshop manual by Graham Varley

Sagaris/Speed Six Workshop Manual now available only to club members

Sagaris 'Bible' access - another huge benefit of being a TVRCC member!
If you have ever wanted a Graham Varley Sagaris workshop manual, but thought that the £200 - £220 that these items sell for on eBay was a tad expensive, we have some great news for you! With Graham’s generous blessing, he has agreed that the TVRCC here in the UK can host the FULL manual online on our website. For new members unaware of the content or in case you’ve been living under a rock, this is Graham Varley’s 450-page Sagaris & Speed 6 “Bible”. It’s the only essential reference and addition for any Speed Six engined TVR, be it a Tuscan, Tamora, T350, Sagaris or Cerbera.
Sagaris/Speed Six Manual

Electrics

Tuscan Dashboard Code C
File Size: 1385 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Tuscan Dashboard Diagnostic Codes
File Size: 157 kb
File Type: jpg
Download File

Tuscan Wiring Diagram

Chassis & Suspension 

Tuscan Steering Rack Overhaul
Tuscan Steering Rack Overhaul
File Size: 2563 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File


FAQs

Diagnostic codes Tuscan Mk I
A - Speedo sensor not activating zero switch or switch broken
B - Speedo sensor not releasing zero switch or switch broken
C - Water level sensor not activating zero switch or switch broken
D - Water level sensor not releasing zero switch or switch broken
E - Fuel level sensor not activating zero switch or switch broken
F - Fuel level sensor not releasing zero switch or switch broken
G - Water level sensor open circuit
H - Air temp sensor open circuit
I - Oil temp sensor open circuit
J - Oil pressure sensor open circuit
K - Fuel level sensor open circuit
L - Erratic road speed sensor input
O - No communications between analogue and control 

Tyre pressures
Optimum tyre pressures will depend on size, make of tyre, and also date of manufacture of the car.
The standard Tuscan Mk I has different size wheels on the front than the back. They either came with 35 or 40 profile tyres. The equivalent sizes are as follows
Front 18/225/35, Rear 18/255/35
Front 18/235/40, Rear 18/245/40 

The manual specifies the 16" wheel pressures but not the 18". Here are some examples in psi. 

2001 Tuscan 4.0 18/235/40 18/245/40 Bridgestone S02 22/24
2001 Tuscan 4.0 18/235/40 18/245/40 Toyo T1-S 24/26
2005 Tuscan MkII 4.0 S 18/255/35 18/255/35 Eagle F1 GSD3 28/28 

Ignition coil fuse
If your car won't start, it will be worth checking the ignition fuse, # 17. On earlier models the fuse rating was updated from 15 to 20 amps. 

Speedo pod vibrating
There are a number of causes for the speedo pod to vibrate, all of which can be fixed. 
Wheels not balanced (low profile types on the Tuscan, especially on 18 inch wheels are very sensitive to in-balances).
Suspension out of alignment
Wheels buckled. The inside rim of wheels on earlier cars could deform, for example, if crashed into a pothole. Later cars had heavier wheels with this area strengthened. 

Speedo reading not correctly
On the Mk I Tuscan there are two speedo readings, the brass needle and the electronic readout.
If the electronic readout is incorrect, this points to the speedo sensor needing cleaning or being replaced. A dealer can do this. If the electronic readout is correct but the brass needle is wrong, this will require the pod being removed and sent back to the factory for fixing.

Oil pressure
The oil pressure sensors can start leaking. This can be seen from oil spotting under the car on the offside, nearer the bulkhead than the front. Oil pressure readings at idle, which varies from 700-900rpm, are reported to vary from 18psi to as low as 7 psi. If in doubt check with your dealer. The pressure reading should rise with revs. If the pressure does not rise significantly as the engine speed increases this is likely to be a faulty sensor but you should get it checked out by your dealer asap in case something more serious is wrong.

Earth strap
One cause of poor or none starting is corrosion causing a poor contact between the earth strap and the chassis. To fix, jack the car up and remove the front offside wheel. Reach in to the back of the wheel arch to see the earth strap. Unbolt the ends and clean everything, especially the contact point on the chassis. Refit and cover with grease to protect..

Engine stuttering
In general if the engine stutters it could just need a service. However there are some specific fixes:
If your engine stutters at constant, modest rpms e.g. 2500 this could be down to worn throttle bodies. There are a number of third party parts which aim to fix this wear on a more permanent basis.
If the stuttering occurs at higher rpm and larger throttle openings e.g. 6000 rpm, this could be down to a broken coil or worn HCT leads. There is a known problem with a vibration of one of the throttles causing the ECU to misfuel causing a stutter at high rpm. There is a modified ECU which can mask the problem satisfactorily.

Engine fans
If one of the engine fans comes on permanently or doesn't come on at all, it could be the temperature sensor located underneath the airbox is not connected well. Water can get trapped in the connector causing the fans to incorrectly function. Note this is also the temperature reading used by the ECU so the engine may not be running correctly. Also note there is a separate sensor which is used for the driver's electronic temperature readout.

Useful links

 www.mytuscan.co.uk/parts

Disclaimer

Owing to the nature of TVRs and their potential performance, together with the associated risks of something failing at the high speeds of which these cars are capable, the TVRCC strongly advises that all maintenance on TVRs is conducted by qualified professionals.  A list of TVR dealers and independent garages that specialise in TVRs can be found   here.
However, in response to feedback from members, for those members will do wish to undertake home maintenance of their TVR, we have tried to provide a source of the necessary technical information. It has been compiled from a variety of sources, including TVR workshop manuals, other websites and members' own reports of how they have completed work on their cars,   and therefore the TVRCC takes no responsibility for any inaccuracies or the subsequent consequences thereof.  If you have any doubt, please seek the services of a professional.
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