Final Analysis
I am delighted every time I drive my TR6.
It gives me a rush every time I go down the road in it.
With a little research, I have found the V6 really comes alive
when using 95 octane Super Premium, and the smell... Oh, that
glorious sweet smell...
Seriously, the TR6 has surpassed
all my expectations. I drive it as much as possible and I
am reminded of what a true sports car really is all about.
There is no radio, just the sound of the engine and of the wind
around you. What else would anyone want?
This car starts every time with
no complaints. The Sequential Fuel Injection is a delight to
have - no more fiddling with carburetors. The V6, the 5 speed
and the differential are matched very nicely. The suspension is
tight, with very
little body roll but not uncomfortable. It gives a sense
of confidence when driven in a 'spirited' fashion. There
are no 'running hot' issues. The floor is well insulated
against heat and vibrations, making it very comfortable to drive.
What I have built here is
a machine that will not only run fast, it runs in a very dependable
manner.
It gets 26-28 mpg with no problems, and yet it has plenty of pop
for fun. In it's first 8 months of being driven, over 3400 miles
have been logged with no problems.
As far as the modifications I've
made, well this is a tour de force of modern components.
Why not just go out and buy something new, like a Miata, Z3/4,
or S2000? Well, the TR6's lines are classic and timeless. All I did was improve it so it
would really perform and in the process surprise a few
unsuspecting motorists. I guess to each his own.
On the other hand, I guess I
could have gone 'traditional' and started by overhauling the
engine, adding 3 carbs (or better yet add the new Supercharger
Kits), Pertronix, and a header/exhaust system. Add to that
the expense of an overdrive tranny or 'conversion' kit. On
top of that add the expense of a new differential.
Suddenly the bill gets really expensive and I can assure you the
V6/Tremec/R200 differential costs a fraction of what the
above mentioned solution costs - even without the supercharger
kit!
I had a chance to put the car on
scales. The TR6 tips the scales at roughly 2200 lbs -
with a full tank of gas, mind you. Not too shabby. I also have
had the chance to put the TR6 on a dyno and the results were
very pleasing. With all the improvements, we are looking at
around 170bhp. I think with a little work on the heads and
a new cam, 185bhp would not be out of the question.
An argument I hear a lot about
my car is that it is far from 'original'. I agree 100%.
However, I argue just about every
TR6 out there is no longer 'original'. Some people
overhaul
the engine with higher compression, new pistons, etc.
Others change gearboxes with units out of Toyotas, ditto
for brake upgrades. Other folks use Pertronix ignitions
and Miata seat conversions. There is even a 'bolt on' upgrade
for the differential. There are upgrades for exhaust, rear
shock conversions, you name it. So, I'm not so far off
after all...
Please, drop me a line.
I really would like to have your opinions on all this work.
Send me an
email at [email protected].
Thanks for reading...
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