Wedge questions
Discussion
I'm thinking of getting a 390SE, as my wife has now obtained practical family and canine transport. I have 2 questions -
Can I rely on it for daily use - will it usually work and will it demist in winter? If not it's back to the better half's Dolmite Sprint.
What is the true output of the 390 engine? 275bhp seems a bit optomistic.
Can I rely on it for daily use - will it usually work and will it demist in winter? If not it's back to the better half's Dolmite Sprint.
What is the true output of the 390 engine? 275bhp seems a bit optomistic.
I have an '87 390, now done 104000 although I rebuilt the engine a couple of thousand back for a laugh... 
Yes, you could use it every day if you like the noise, the draught, the scary handling in the wet, the 18mpg, the feeble-ish lights (OK, they're not THAT bad, but I'd rather take the company van down a twisty road fast in the dark...)... and no, the demist isn't good. It's better than the early wedges, but still not what you'd like. The clutch is a pain in traffic (weren't they all?) and every boy racer on the road will give you a hard time, but apart from that, go for it.
I've no idea what output my engine is: I know it overfuels (probably contributing to the 18mpg!) and needs setting up properly but let's say 'adequate' ;-)
It isn't as torquey as I'd hoped a V8 would be (I had a V6 Tasmin before it), but as that can be down to camshaft choice etc., and I haven't driven anything as a comparison, I can't comment further. For rarity value, the 390 is the way to go. Get as late a car as you can so you get the bodywork tweaks that accumulated as the years went by (flares, skirts etc.).
Ian
Yes, you could use it every day if you like the noise, the draught, the scary handling in the wet, the 18mpg, the feeble-ish lights (OK, they're not THAT bad, but I'd rather take the company van down a twisty road fast in the dark...)... and no, the demist isn't good. It's better than the early wedges, but still not what you'd like. The clutch is a pain in traffic (weren't they all?) and every boy racer on the road will give you a hard time, but apart from that, go for it.
I've no idea what output my engine is: I know it overfuels (probably contributing to the 18mpg!) and needs setting up properly but let's say 'adequate' ;-)
It isn't as torquey as I'd hoped a V8 would be (I had a V6 Tasmin before it), but as that can be down to camshaft choice etc., and I haven't driven anything as a comparison, I can't comment further. For rarity value, the 390 is the way to go. Get as late a car as you can so you get the bodywork tweaks that accumulated as the years went by (flares, skirts etc.).
Ian
Go on you know you want to!!!:-)
Am not entirely sure about everyday use,I suppose it depends on the type of traffic you have to drive through. A roads and open B roads are a hoot,and you'll love the sound
(best sounding TVR IMHO!).
Mine is fine apart from in heavy traffic where the high state of tune of the 'ol Rover lump makes it a bit hard work.i.e. No torque at idle,a bit of drivetrain shunting and a fairly heavy clutch. But after all what are we, men or mice!
Better get your order in for the gold medallion and hairy chest wig in advance for those summer days with the ragtop down!
I have had my 400SE for comming up for 6 years. initially I drove he car as my everyday car for the first 2 years. It was great. I diswagree with the highly tuned comment.. the car is docile in traffic, you canpull away in 2nd without even realising it ... pull off without touching the throttle too. such os the torque of the beast, just put it in 5th gear at 30mph and it will happily pull all the way through to 150 should you ask it to.
only things to bear in mind .. it will leak, it will mist up when it rains, you will learn the smell of rotting wool and you will learn what dodgy electrics are.
HOWEVER you will walk everywhere with a smile on your face, when you are sad it wil make you happy, you will learn to smile at people as they stare at you ( you will be looked at pointed at when driving around town).
Do it .. the pro's far outweigh the cons ..
Plus ofcourse there is a welth of infomation here in the likes of Mr Heath and the other owners.
only things to bear in mind .. it will leak, it will mist up when it rains, you will learn the smell of rotting wool and you will learn what dodgy electrics are.
HOWEVER you will walk everywhere with a smile on your face, when you are sad it wil make you happy, you will learn to smile at people as they stare at you ( you will be looked at pointed at when driving around town).
Do it .. the pro's far outweigh the cons ..
Plus ofcourse there is a welth of infomation here in the likes of Mr Heath and the other owners.
the dodger said: jvaughan - a 390SE is very different to a 400SE. IMHO a 400 is a much better one to go for as the 390 is highly tuned and therefore more fragile - especially if it's an everyday car.
I disagree. Its only different by a few cc's how can that make such a considderable difference ?
Richard Aldous has a 390, I have a 400. Yes the inside is different, and physically the engine looks different, however... as Richard Aldous will confirm... Both my car and his were setup correctly, the performance difference was negligable.. BOth cars also remained very close in the power and performance stakes until his was retired with a few bits of minor corrosion.
, either way still think that they sound luverly The 400SE basically had a Land Rover engine while the early 390 had an Andy Rouse screamer and the later cars had a NGK version which was not quite as powerful but very strong.
However the 400 were fitted with all sorts of odss and sods as th engine supplies started to dry up due to changeovers.
The sound is due to the internal baffles in the silencers rusting through and causing the silencers to be rather ineffective....
Steve
However the 400 were fitted with all sorts of odss and sods as th engine supplies started to dry up due to changeovers.
The sound is due to the internal baffles in the silencers rusting through and causing the silencers to be rather ineffective....
Steve
JPMorgan said:
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2 sheds said:
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shpub said: The 400SE basically had a Land Rover engine
Steve
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Blimey thats gonna rattle a few cages,
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Nah mines posh, it has a Range Rover lump
Does it still have the transfer box?
Mike
Bobble said: I've had both a 350i and a Dolly Sprint - and I'd go for the Sprint without hesitation.
Mrs S reckons I don't treat the Sprint right! She is very protective, so although it's got K&Ns I'm not allowed to add the sports exhaust or 180bhp engine that is still sitting in the shed!
If somepone will buy my 406 estate (someone must need sensibly quick family transport!) I will let you know which I prefer, or at least drive more often
Mike.
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