Message text written by INTERNET:triumphs-owner@autox.team.net
>Date: Mon, 25 Jan 1999 15:19:32 +0100
From: "pierre" <pierre@dataweb.ch>
Subject: TR4 A and TR5 PI
>Hi,
>i'm considering to buy a TR4A-IRS or a TR 5 in a short future,
>has anyone experience with tuning these cars ?
>I heard road-handling was not so good on IRS, is that true and if so, is
>there a way to improve this ?
>Also, can the engines be tuned , and how ?
>What about overall reliability of a normal/tuned Triumph ?
<
Hi Pierre,
You ask good questions. The answers to these will be available here on the
list. I do my own tuning but that is just tune-ups. These are incredibly
easy on a TR4A such as I own. It is not complicated nor difficult nor
time consuming. I have not modified my engines for more HP but it can
be done.
As for reliability, I find these engines VERY VERY reliable with
just a little love and care. I do not expect my current modern
cars to be anywhere nearly as reliable when they are 30+ years old.
The electronics will have deteriorated to the point they will never run, and
somehow you can never find replacements when the cars are more than 10
years old.
TR's on the other hand are simple and the parts are plentiful.
If you modify your engine for more power, then you will be putting
greater stresses on the engine. These enginges were just fine for
the stresses expected in everyday life, but they were not overdesigned.
If you routinely use many more HP, then I would expect a failure of
something expensive in the foreseeable future. If you just want to drive
in a spirited manner, the TR5 PI ought to have ample power.
As for the IRS having WORSE handling than the solid axle....
Well, the IRS was designed to keep each rear tire on the ground no matter
what the other side is doing. In my opinion, the IRS is better than the
solid axle under all but the worst conditions. The advantage of
the solid axle is its simplicity, and therefore marginally greater reliability
and somewhat less expensive repairs.
-Tony
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