Discussion
Its getting harder and harder to justify the running costs of the Cerb (While my business partner is running an oil burning "bulletproof" beemer) and I am wondering whether to chop it in and get a cheaper Chim and get a 2nd car. My question is, having driven a 4L Chim courtesy car and not exactly been blown away..would a 5L Chim be fast enough to give me THAT feeling or would I always just be thinking..."now if i'd been in the Cerb" etc?
My friend has a Griff 500 which is going to cost him £3k-£4k to put the engine right after the crank recently snapped. He now finds out that this is a reasonably common accurance on the 5 litre engine (he wished he had known this before hand!).
All the specialists have said not to replace it with a 5 litre, but go for an engine based on the stronger 4.6. He is doing this and going for a V8 Developments 5.1 engine which is a lot stronger.
May be worth considering when looking at engine size??
What about getting a cheaper runaround to reduce the mileage and running costs of the Cerb and still keep it for weekend fun?
You've got to ask yourself if anything else would always be 2nd best after the Cerb and whether this would bug you - I know it would me.
>> Edited by Buster4.2 on Thursday 24th June 09:02
All the specialists have said not to replace it with a 5 litre, but go for an engine based on the stronger 4.6. He is doing this and going for a V8 Developments 5.1 engine which is a lot stronger.
May be worth considering when looking at engine size??
What about getting a cheaper runaround to reduce the mileage and running costs of the Cerb and still keep it for weekend fun?
You've got to ask yourself if anything else would always be 2nd best after the Cerb and whether this would bug you - I know it would me.
>> Edited by Buster4.2 on Thursday 24th June 09:02
Buster4.2 said:
My friend has a Griff 500 which is going to cost him £3k-£4k to put the engine right after the crank recently snapped. He now finds out that this is a reasonably common accurance on the 5 litre engine (he wished he had known this before hand!).
Who told him it was common?
I'm on my second Griff and I've never heard of this being a major issue.
Have owned both and they are two different types of car.IMHO I prefer my Chimaera as it is a convertible and while the cerbera was a great car I missed not being able to take the roof off.I also found the cerbera was only really fun when pushing it hard all the time where as the Chimaera,particulary the 500 is great fun all the time and not as delicate.After saying that I have a Tuscan Convertible on order, which I think will offer the best of both worlds.
>> Edited by p7ulg on Thursday 24th June 10:03
>> Edited by p7ulg on Thursday 24th June 10:03
angusfaldo said:
My friend has a Griff 500 which is going to cost him £3k-£4k to put the engine right after the crank recently snapped. He now finds out that this is a reasonably common accurance on the 5 litre engine (he wished he had known this before hand!).
Who told him it was common?
I'm on my second Griff and I've never heard of this being a major issue.
I had the crank snap on my 400SE ... If you shop around, and talk Cash, many people will "loose" the vat.
I managed to get a new "Long" engine for change of £2300 including fitting
Buster4.2 said:Sounds like a salesman's pitch or bullshit rivalry between engine modders. Have a search on the Chim and Griff forums and see how many tales of broken cranks you can find.
He now finds out that this is a reasonably common accurance on the 5 litre engine (he wished he had known this before hand!)
ATG said:
He now finds out that this is a reasonably common accurance on the 5 litre engine (he wished he had known this before hand!)
Sounds like a salesman's pitch or bullshit rivalry between engine modders. Have a search on the Chim and Griff forums and see how many tales of broken cranks you can find.
Don't think this is the case! He has since done quite a bit of research on the matter and it does appear to be a weak point in the engine. He wasn't aware of the problem before buying his Griff, but has since spoken to various specialists in the know.
His car is at Peninsula, along with another one with the same problem.
Peninsula are aware of the issue along with V8 Developments - both credible TVR specialists with very good reputations. Do some of your own engine enquiries if you're that sceptical!!
I wasn't trying to stir up a hornets nest, but thought the information should be available to Bazza to aid in his decision. My friend wishes he had known as he wouldn't have purchased a 500. I'm sorry if you can't see the manner in which the information was offered.
On the reliability front think I would go for the Rover V8 everytime.The AJP is a very complex engine and needs lots of expensive maintainence, consistant with a high performance handbuilt engine.Obviously the 5 Litre is in a higher state of tune than the standard Rover V8, but these engines are pretty bulletproof.
Not sure if you've seen this reverse post in the Chimaera forum - www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=107576&f=8&h=0
Basically, I would say yes, nothing will compare to the Cerbera at what it does, as I found out. Then again, nothing compares to the Chimaera/Griffith (even a 4.0!) in their field.
Both differnt animals I think, and both very very pleasurable at what they do. In some ways (and especially with the lid off) I actually enjoy the Chimaera more when compared with the shakey hands and sweaty palm rocket ride of my old Cerbera.
I miss the Cerbera, but have stopped comparing the Chimaera with it and enjoy it for its own (very accomplished) niche.
Cheers,
Tommomic
>> Edited by tommomic on Thursday 24th June 10:50
Basically, I would say yes, nothing will compare to the Cerbera at what it does, as I found out. Then again, nothing compares to the Chimaera/Griffith (even a 4.0!) in their field.
Both differnt animals I think, and both very very pleasurable at what they do. In some ways (and especially with the lid off) I actually enjoy the Chimaera more when compared with the shakey hands and sweaty palm rocket ride of my old Cerbera.
I miss the Cerbera, but have stopped comparing the Chimaera with it and enjoy it for its own (very accomplished) niche.
Cheers,
Tommomic
>> Edited by tommomic on Thursday 24th June 10:50
Buster4.2 said:
Ok, maybe I should retract the 'common occurance' & substitute 'known weakpoint'.
No offence meant to 500 owners - just trying to offer some advice.
Sounds like you haven't read this thread Buster:-
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=104784&f=9&h=0
Buster4.2 said:
Ok, maybe I should retract the 'common occurance' & substitute 'known weakpoint'.
No offence meant to 500 owners - just trying to offer some advice.
Maybe you should amend it to 'this is unfortunate and can happen to any engine, it is NOT a known weakpoint of the RV8'.
Speak to V8D and make your own mind up. Only passing on information received!
These guys are touted as experts and when I was ringing round helping my mate out, was told exactly what I have reproduced here!
I'll make sure I wear my flame proof underwear before attempting to offer any information in future
>> Edited by Buster4.2 on Thursday 24th June 16:33
These guys are touted as experts and when I was ringing round helping my mate out, was told exactly what I have reproduced here!
I'll make sure I wear my flame proof underwear before attempting to offer any information in future
>> Edited by Buster4.2 on Thursday 24th June 16:33
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