Wedge Lust for TR8

[Bob Claffie]

Somebody, please help me. I need a slap the side of the head. I've got a pretty good fleet and the Big Healey is almost finished and now I've got this powerful urge for an "8". I don't need one, just think it would look good in the driveway and maybe a thousand miles a summer. Give me some good reasons NOT to buy one (my wife will appreciate any and all input). Thanks, Bob

 

[Guest]

'Cos I want one, and there aren't enough good ones to go round.
Will that do?

 

[Mickey Richaud]

All I can tell you is... Mine is NOT for sale! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/nonono.gif

But I hope you find one! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/thumbsup.gif

 

[StagByTriumph]

Somebody, please help me. I need a slap the side of the head. I've got a pretty good fleet and the Big Healey is almost finished and now I've got this powerful urge for an "8". I don't need one, just think it would look good in the driveway and maybe a thousand miles a summer. Give me some good reasons NOT to buy one (my wife will appreciate any and all input). Thanks, Bob

Well Bob, it is because you want a TRIUMPH V8, not a ROVER!

So what your "id" is telling you is ...

buy a Stag!! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/driving.gif

 

[Brosky]

If I could get away with it, I'd have one next to my TR6.

 

[RonMacPherson]

Under braked, brakes are waaaay too small for vehicle capabilities. Rear suspension is archaic in design and execution. Unless the engine is verrry low mileage or recently gone through, all the seals, gaskets are leakers, Lucas electrics, especially electronics.

 

[PATR8]

The brakes are weak, it will drip oil all over your garage, the interior material suck (so much plastic and plaid) but all that means nothing once you are driving with the V8 rumble beneath you..... Oh what a sweet car... I am looking for a DHC to go with my FHC

 

[Cheapsnake]

There are plenty of reasons NOT to buy a TR8 mentioned above, but as Mickey says, that V8 rumble makesw them all go away. You know you want one and you're just in temporary denial. Come on in and join the insanity.

Tom

 

[Mickey Richaud]

Under braked, brakes are waaaay too small for vehicle capabilities. Rear suspension is archaic in design and execution. Unless the engine is verrry low mileage or recently gone through, all the seals, gaskets are leakers, Lucas electrics, especially electronics.

I've solved the brake issue with a Rover Vitesse setup and 14" rims, though there are better pads for the stock items. As for the rear suspension, for my purposes (cruising and an occasional "spirited" drive through isolated twisties), it's more than adequate. Leaks and electrical system: Well, it IS British, after all!

I know all the (alleged) shortcomings; still it gives as much or more pleasure than any other car I've driven. Lots of room, very comfortable, yet firm ride. And I love the Holley secondaries!

And it's still NOT for sale! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif

 

[BOXoROCKS]

Sorry Bob, its not my nature to deny some one a good fun time.
I bought mine 3 yrs ago. I made a whole bunch of believers out of a lot of skeptics. I had several offers to buy it, it aint for sale. Way to much fun for comparetively little money. Its stock,mostly( a couple of chrome soil pipes stickin out the back) burble... and on a summer day cruising to the lake,...well...

I gotta say,..I LOVE the sound.. that why Harley guys buy those contraptions..

 

[Bob Claffie]

You all disappoint me. I thought I'd hear all kinds of horror stories on parts non-availability. VB and Moss don't carry anywhere near the variety as they do for AH and MG. Brakes don't pose a problem for me, this would be a "cruiser" , not a track car, probably not even autocross. Have some concerns on interior and trim pieces, after all these things are a quarter century old. Since you have failed to talk me out of it I'm just going to have to look harder to get one before you scoff up all the good ones. Last question, given a choice should I look for carb or injection? Thanks, Bob

 

[RSMTR8]

Carb or Injection huh? Well, that is a big can of worms. You will get lots of input on that topic! The fuel injected has a few more horse's than a stock carb setup, but there are pro's and cons to both. If you ever want to give it a little more UMPH, the carb model is the way to go, it is easy to put on a larger carb and cam, then on the injection models. I have had my 8 for almost 3 years now, and it is completely restored now. It is all stock except for the carb which most people will tell you the originals once they go, they are more trouble then they are worth! Most people go to the Holley/Edelbrock setup, more dependable and more powerful. There is no other Triumph that handles or as TIGHT as a TR8. Good Luck!

Rod

p.s. - Maybe this picture will help inspire your decision!

https://www.britishcarforum.com/bcforum/photopost/showfull.php?photo=2312

 

[Mickey Richaud]

...And most of us can actually WORK on the carb models! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif

More inspiration in the attached photo.

 

[stever_sl]

Most of the TR8s I've found for sale in the past 6 months seem to have been either Canadian or ex-Canadian cars for some reason. Which means speedometers reading only km/hr (not all that useful to my hardwired mph brain), odometer in km (ditto), and a complete lack of air conditioning. It gets way too hot here to ride around without a/c, and dropping the top just lets the sun and humidity in...

But here's a link to a video someone posted here awhile back, which ought to take care of any urge to give up on a TR8 -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwllzPthJMY

Steve Richardson
St Louis MO
76 TR7 (original owner)
50 Dodge Wayfarer
No TR8 (yet)

 

[BOXoROCKS]

Mickey, a fine looking carb set up. I still have the stock zs carbs, no problems yet. If I were to just change the carb set up would I really notice the diff. I am sure I will leave well enough alone right now,but if the day comes, is it worth it, to go your route rather than redo my zs carbs. As I have mentioned before, my problems are the stock ignition.

 

[Mickey Richaud]

Thanks, Box! At the risk of offending any purists, the difference is very noticeable, particularly with a mild cam. It is an expense, but it's almost as if the engine was DESIGNED for a 4-barrel. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif

And I've also swapped in a Mallory Unilite distributor - also a great improvement.

 

[swift6]

Thanks, Box! At the risk of offending any purists, the difference is very noticeable, particularly with a mild cam. It is an expense, but it's almost as if the engine was DESIGNED for a 4-barrel. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif

As it was originally a GM design... Maybe it was. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif

Well Bob, it is because you want a TRIUMPH V8, not a ROVER!

So what your "id" is telling you is ...

buy a Stag!!

Coming from a man with a 3.9l Rover V8 in his Stag. Tsk Tsk. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/nonono.gif /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/jester.gif (BTW Glenn, I still need to go for a ride in that car /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif )


My Stock TR8FHC has nearly 140K miles on it and it is still running beautifully. I do plan on a 4-bbl and more open exhaust in the future to 'uncork' some more power and more rumble though. These really are 'hooligan' cars. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/thumbsup.gif

 

[PATR8]

I have a MSD ignition system on mine and a eldebrock 4 barrel carb. Got a cam from Woody, makes a pretty good match. My brother has a Trans Am GTA and my "little" V8 will run right with him. It looks lots better, sounds better, the women like it better... so why do you not have a TR8 yet?

 

[roofman]

https://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Triumph-T...1QQcmdZViewItem
This one looks good.

 

[Guest]

Aaargh stop it stop it stop it.
I want it.

Must resist..........

Someone already has the name 'wifesgonnakillme'