PGB BME Posted November 3, 2014 Report Share Posted November 3, 2014 Having purchased a tr250 (needs full resto, couldn't resist at the price!) I'm wondering about the pro's and con's of either leaving it lhd and on carbs or converting to rhd with PI, not wanting to be accused of ending up with a tr5 replica what effect does the change to rhd and PI have on the value since the vehicle would loose it's originality. Having said that modifications/improvements don't seem to have much effect financially. Any thoughts! Phil Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Motorsport Mickey Posted November 3, 2014 Report Share Posted November 3, 2014 It is what it is, because of owners with less scruples owners trying to ring them into TR5s I'm sure in the near future the TR250 will gain extra popularity and value on it's own merit, maybe RHD it but keep it original and enjoy it. Mick Richards Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tom Fremont Posted November 3, 2014 Report Share Posted November 3, 2014 Whether for show or driving the TR250 is a loser in stock form ; in both cases because of the TR5's existence. It will never be a TR5 in the eyes of many ( most? ) but it can in every way meet or exceed its performance with straightforward mods. Mine both have been converted to that result using triple Webers, cam and c/r changes. Others can weigh in on this point, but IMO there's no difference in value between a TR250 on P.I. and one on triple Webers if they're done properly. I recommend the Webers because they last forever and don't suffer from altitude sickness; moreover they're prettier to boot . I'd leave a TR5 on P.I. if I had one, but would probably have to have a '250 on Webers to drive! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
pfenlon Posted November 3, 2014 Report Share Posted November 3, 2014 I finished my TR250 a while ago and after buying a TR5 I was so impressed with the injected engine, pulled like a train. So I converted my 250 to FI, sadly I didn't use it much and sold the old girl on. I called it the splutterer, but when the spluttering stopped, it was grand. I am told it now has TR5 badges, and whats wrong with that, unless of course you are trying to take an innocents spondooleys. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest ntc Posted November 3, 2014 Report Share Posted November 3, 2014 It is called fraud Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PGB BME Posted November 3, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 3, 2014 Hi Thanks for the comments, the idea of triple webers is interesting, the idea of copying a tr5 is a non starter, replicas never can compete with originality however perhaps minor upgrades might be the way forward, ie webers with brake & suspension mods etc. I am tempted to keep it lhd, the documents will state that the vehicle is a tr250 so as I say minor mods Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AL TR250 Posted November 3, 2014 Report Share Posted November 3, 2014 Having joined the 250 club myself earlier this year, my thoughts have been on skimming the head to increase the compression (and also converting to unleaded). Any thoughts from those more experienced on whether that would give it a bit more oomph? Ali Quote Link to post Share on other sites
pfenlon Posted November 3, 2014 Report Share Posted November 3, 2014 It is called fraud as usual, you didn't read the post properly before posting your comprehensive reply. some things never change, sadly. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tomtr250 Posted November 3, 2014 Report Share Posted November 3, 2014 When I built my last 250 it went on webers, fast cam, big valve head, lightened and balanced etc, drove well but boy could it drink!! Having now driven several well sorted PI cars I'm going to use the original engine with a PI top end on the 250 I now have, that said - I won't be pretending its a TR5!! It will be badged as a 250. I'm a big fan of webers, look great sound even better but the fuel economy was ****, I won't be going there again on a TR, even if you stick with the twin carb set up, I would bin the American spec head and fit a UK spec one Good luck with the build, mine is stalled at the moment due to home improvements Tom Quote Link to post Share on other sites
graeme Posted November 4, 2014 Report Share Posted November 4, 2014 I am tempted to keep it lhd, the documents will state that the vehicle is a tr250 so as I say minor mods Before you make a decision LHD/RHD, try and get a drive of a LHD TR. I have had my TR4A for 15 years in RHD form. When I moved to Canada I kept it RHD and don't find that a problem over here. I have recently finished my LHD TR6 and find it ackward to drive and a pain to get in and out. I am used to driving my LHD daily driver so that is not a problem, it just doesn't feel right. I am considering converting my TR250 to RHD even tho' it is likely to stay in Canada. Also, have you considered supercharging your TR250, Moss do a nice kit. Cheers Graeme Quote Link to post Share on other sites
YankeeTR5 Posted November 4, 2014 Report Share Posted November 4, 2014 @Neil....or over hear, it can also be called a "tribute" car. See this with Mustangs dressed up as Shelby's all the time. They're marketed as such (tribute that is) so no harm no foul. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
littlejim Posted November 4, 2014 Report Share Posted November 4, 2014 Guess the current owner can, or should be able to, do what he likes to it. The key bit is what he says to prospective buyers when flogging it. All seems a bit 'anal retentive' to me, but I guess important to those who take their TR to shows on trailers, and those who bought it to show, not drive around in. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Geko Posted November 4, 2014 Report Share Posted November 4, 2014 All seems a bit 'anal retentive' to me, how true - worth a forum on its own where enthusiasts could release something, at last Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted November 4, 2014 Report Share Posted November 4, 2014 A properly set up triple Weber set should be more economical than a PI but to get it to work you do need to have the full package i.e. head flow work/decent cam/proper induction and exhaust flow and decent ignition setup or you are wasting your time and it will drink fuel. Sure R/Hand drive it but do it properly please as I see far too many bodged conversions so get the correct steering column firewall bracket and dont try and make one out of the L/hand one you have chiselled off!. Buy a proper R.hand drive loom dont just extend the wires over in all the same colour using scotchlocked on or silly crimp connectors. Do weld all the old holes up in the L/hand side and even fit a new toe board not just a riveted plate over it. Be proud of the "250" badging as its different now with so many "TR5`s" coming out of the woodwork Stuart. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tomtr250 Posted November 4, 2014 Report Share Posted November 4, 2014 Stuart i bow to your superior knowledge, Dennis Vessey set mine up on his rolling road but it still drank like the proverbial fish!! Everything else you mention, I agree 100% Tom Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tom Fremont Posted November 4, 2014 Report Share Posted November 4, 2014 I've done circa 110,000 miles on one '250 engine with the same '60s vintage Weber DCOEs; first with only head shave and Kent cam, then with Racetorations head, exhaust and P.I. cam ( the latter recipe now has 73K miles on it ). Fuel economy is 30+ mpg IMPERIAL on the highway, and 23-24 overall. It was actually slightly higher with the first setup though not as quick. Lost on many is the fact that the lowly idle jet selection determines overall fuel economy for the most part. I've got quite a selection! One step smaller or larger in the same series can account for a 20% gain/loss. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
foster461 Posted November 5, 2014 Report Share Posted November 5, 2014 I agree with Tom. My TR6 has all the head/cam mods and the 3xDCOE's and my fuel consumption is about the same as it was with the standard Strombergs under normal driving. Fuel level in the float bowls is critical, that can really mess things up if it is not correct and send you off on a wild goose chase swapping tubes and jets in a futile attempt to compensate for it and get the engine to run right. Stan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted November 5, 2014 Report Share Posted November 5, 2014 Stuart i bow to your superior knowledge, Dennis Vessey set mine up on his rolling road but it still drank like the proverbial fish!! Everything else you mention, I agree 100% Tom Does depend on how heavy your right foot is as well! Stuart. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tomtr250 Posted November 5, 2014 Report Share Posted November 5, 2014 Stuart I think you hit the nail on the head!! regards Tom Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dave Burgess Posted November 18, 2014 Report Share Posted November 18, 2014 Phil leave it left hand drive, its a shorter walk to the kerb. Plus if you ever want to sell it, it will be worth more on the incontinent. If you can drive it doesn't matter what side the buttons are on. If you want to race around at 4000 revs or more then put it on Webers. If you want to do lots of miles (touring in Europe) but also have some poke, then increase the compression ratio, put a slightly uprated cam in it. lighten and balance as much as you can afford, lighter fly wheel and put it on SU's. And call it a 250. Dave B Quote Link to post Share on other sites
flatlandsman Posted December 2, 2014 Report Share Posted December 2, 2014 Just a thought... probably a pricy one too! Consider perhaps leaving it in LHD BUT go for full house on head, webers etc ect INCLUDING a hi torque starter because: if you look down the holes where the manifold goes you will see that without a steering column in the way, you have agreat big hole and LOTS of room to fabricate/procure the manifold your car always wanted with all the right length primaries etc. So there you go there's my 6 pen'orth! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PGB BME Posted December 3, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 3, 2014 Thanks all for your comments/suggestions - much to consider me thinks!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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