New Tiger owner

[Paul]

Hello everyone. Just acquired a Tiger E1, and in need of some guidance. I'm a very young hearted 60 year old, who has driven 1.8 million miles, and currently owns a Boxster, a 911 Targa, and Golf. (The Boxster was taken round many major passes in Italy, Switzerland and Austria in June).
My question is about my small disappointment at the Tiger. Is it 'normal' for the gear change to be stiff and difficult, with a short gear lever and difficult clutch pedal?
Do the brakes 'normally' have to be leant on quite a bit (they are standard discs)?
Maybe I've just got used to being 'spoilt' with the above cars, and I was realistic enough to know that a Tiger would be fairly basic, but as the car is to be used on trackdays by myself and my wife, it needs to be good in both the above areas, and at the moment, it's not.
The car has done only 7,400 miles..and if taking it to Chester Racing Cars would be a benefit, can people recommend them?
Not exactly a real newbie, but I'm sure longer standing members on this site will forgive me.
By the way..how do I post photos here?
Thanks in anticipation......

[tiger6trev (T.C)]

Hi Paul

First of all WELCOME to the forum do not worry about your age we are nearly all Wrinklies.

Yes you have been spoilt even with a servo the brakes aren't brilliant maybe look at 4pot callipers for the front

Gear leaver this may have the Tiger remote which again is pretty stiff and clunky try changing it to a Westfield remote this makes the change allot smoother, Clutch mmmmmm difficult one could be a number of things do you know who built the kit.

Chester Sports cars I know Duncan and Graham very well and they will look after your car give them a try and see

As for you a few questions if you please
where are you based
where did you purchase the car from
and I hope you now have the Tiger you are willing to use it and come out on some runs with us.

Hope the info helps we are a good bunch not anoraks! and we do like to use our cars

Once again Welcome and we hope to see you soon just keep login in you will get allot of help here

Regards Trev. (TC)

[tiger6trev (T.C)]

Sorry Paul

Clive, Graham Phill and Neil could tell you how to post photos
I still haven't mastered it yet I need help with this..

I believe there are older posts regarding how to post photos.

Over to you guys tell him how its done

Trev.

[weavo56]

Hi Paul , welcome to the club . The tiger is a pure drivers car with NO driver aids . Have a look at the post I did about my gear shift and the one TonyB did when he changed his . Are you willing to get stuck in and do jobs your self ? The cable clutch is harder than most cars it could be the route the cable takes to the clutch lever too sharpe a bend and it will cause friction . I went for a sierra 4x4 cable which is about 3 times longer and goes into the nose and back under the alternator .Made the movement alot better and kept it away from the hot exhaust down pipes ,is it a pinto or a zetec engine ?

Graham

[philltigeravon]

Hi Paul

I have the tiger remote gear shifter, mine was stiff until i covered it all in grease, this is the major cause of stiffness, if its not that then go with Trevs suggestion of changing to a westfield one, however be aware that the westfield ones are shorter than the tiger so you need to check once fitted that gear stick doesnt hit the dash etc, you will also probably have to enlarge the hole in the tunnel top too.

Phill

[clive1]

Hi Paul,Welcome to the NWATOC,on the general board of the forum scroll down to the 24th May started by Graham,Putting pics on site,very helpful.
Clive.

[Paul]

Firstly, many thanks to you all for your replies. I have loved cars since I was about 13 when I learned to drive one. Various Lambrettas, Triumphs, and a Harley Davidson at 17 - 19 were my only transport until I was taught to drive by the police on joining. Since then, I 've driven umpteen cars, all sorts from full race minis and Mini Marcos kit cars which I built, to Porsche engined VW Beetles, XR3is, TVRs, Lotus, Porsches (have two) and so many company cars, from Cortina to Mazda RX8.
I've driven all over the Uk and Europe, but this i my first venture into Kit Cars.....

Thank you all for you help and advice. I think I'll take some of your suggestions on board, get the brakes seriously upgraded by Chester Sports Cars, who can also have a look at the clutch adjustment.

I bought the car privately from an ex police officer on the Wirral (I live near Chester Zoo), and am quite happy to spend money on it to get it up to where I'm happy with it. Most of it is good, although it also has a tendency to 'spit' back through the twin 45 Dellortos..is that normal too?

Happy to come out on any runs organised, even if it's freezing my nuts off. I 'm not one of those who buy a soft top or kit car and only use it when the sun shines. I'm always driving a boxster around at night with the roof down..as long as it's not hammering down...and will be using the car at Oulton Park for track days a fair bit.

Anyone willing to help with the Tiger who also wants a drive in a Porsche is welcome.......

Thanks for making me feel welcome.

[chrism]

Hi Paul, think I looked at that car before I bought mine, was it in Meols?
Too much for my budget!
Good to see another local (ish) member, next time you bring it on the Wirral let me know. Maybe I could manage a run out to Chester Zoo way (Upton/Bache?) once I've sorted my sump and clutch cable :-)
Chris

[Paul]

Hello Chris...Yup, that's the one. 2.0 Pinto, fast cam, and has had some recent work done (cam belt, clutch, head rebuild), but in need of further work and upgrades.
My postcode is CH2 4BG. (3, Badgers Walk, Caughall Manor)
Telephone is 01244 380276
Anyone on this site is welcome to come round for a coffee , chat, story swap, or whatever.
(It would also help if you like Porsches, as my missus is a fanatic)
Paul

[chrism]

Cheers Paul, will give you a ring one weekend when I've sorted clutch cable and sump!
C

[tonyb]

Hi Paul, welcome to the madhouse, webbers or dellortos spitting back is quite common on a steady throttle, I changed to bike carbs more tractable and less fuel in your face !

Tony

[neilj]

Hi Paul, first of all Welcome to the club.Secondly i am right in thinking that this is the cat i saw in August in Hoylake reg D--- YNO.

Maybe i'll see you about as i live off Hope farm in Great sutton and am always going to Oulton Park to watch the track days so if you see a silver Z4 BMW flashing you it'll most probably be me

just a quick question what year is the Targa?

neil

[Paul]

Hello Tony and Neil...

Thanks for the advice on the carbs...It's just a bit disconcerting when they spit back on the overrun.
I forgot what it's like to use carbs after years of fuel injected cars.

The Targa is an 03, in Arctic Silver, with full aero kit and turbo alloys.
It's only done 40k, and is a bit of a lard-arse to be honest, but great for posing in on sunny days.
The Boxster is a 2.7 with full race steel exhaust. Frightens everyone, and is gorgeous in long tunnels.

I have some really funny pics and videos to post - when I can get round to it.

Yes, the car is the D***YNO one, and needs some TLC to get right for the track, but I'll be there as often as work allows, so will watch out for anyone flashing me, whether lights or two fingers.....

In the meantime, if anyone wants to come round for a drive and a chat / coffee / gaw[p at the Porsches, just let me know.

What a friendly bunch

[rickwatton]

Hi Paul. Welcome to the club hope to meet you some time. Rick

[Paul]

Right..an update. I've been to see the guys at Chester Sportscars, and the Tiger is going in next week to have front brake disk upgrades, rear disk kit, larger master cylinder, clutch and gearchange linkage sorted, and even some decent mirrors.
That'll do for a start..and over the next year or so, I'll progressively bring this car up to a really good standard. It'll also get a colour change in that timescale.
This weekend I'll figure out how to get photos on here and post some.
Oulton Park here I come....