TVR Griffith 4.3 bigvalve

TVR Griffith 4.3 bigvalve

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Discussion

Phil OB

Original Poster:

2 posts

13 months

Thursday 19th October 2023
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Hi folks,
Can anyone tell me in a 4.3 big valve has a different engine number to a standard 4.3
Some have said it has a V at the end but I’m not sure. Any information would be much appreciated.

Classic Chim

12,424 posts

156 months

Thursday 19th October 2023
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NCK built the first 9 BV4.3 engines and these were always considered to be very fast in original guise
Many more standard 4.3 were then upgraded to BV spec but not on par with these first engines as I think North Coventry Kawasaki who then became TVR Power and now Powers Performance ported the heads and intake etc. The later upgrade was just bigger valves and possibly cam and usually done by Tvr dealers around the country as part of this upgrade pack.
So though I can’t answer your question directly yes there should be some identification marks.
Hopefully a 4.3BV owner will confirm what to look for.
Tvr history.
The BV was the most powerful engines placed in a production Tvr before the later 500 and 450 were used and considered to be the most race like RV8 engines in any production TVR. They could rev to 6500 or more. Most Tvr engines red line at 6200 and are actually out of puff by 5500
Those first 9 or some say a few more were development engines in many ways as the factory were searching for more power.
If your looking at very early BV cars this is worth investigating.
Any 4.3BV has kudos due to this revy nature.
Obviously 30 years and lots of upgrades and engine tuners later most RV8 TVR owners can get similar power figures out of their engines quite easily but it’s a very interesting engine is the 4.3BV in Tvr history line.



ETA so there is some confusion. Those early engines are identifiable but im not sure if these factory upgrade cars usually done by dealers around the country actually stamped the engines to identify them from a standard 4.3.

An email to POWERS PERFORMANCE might get you some information from the horses mouth so to speak as Dom built those first engines. He’s a very busy man so be patient thumbup



Edited by Classic Chim on Thursday 19th October 18:55

MikeE

1,850 posts

291 months

Friday 20th October 2023
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Phil OB said:
Hi folks,
Can anyone tell me in a 4.3 big valve has a different engine number to a standard 4.3
Some have said it has a V at the end but I’m not sure. Any information would be much appreciated.
Yes your engine number on the chassis plate (and in the owners handbook) should end in V if it was ordered as a BV from the factory

Phil OB

Original Poster:

2 posts

13 months

Friday 20th October 2023
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Thank you for your replies guys. The one I’m looking at does not have the V . However it’s still a nice car so I may have a look. I used to have a 500 and just want another toy.

NicBowman

785 posts

245 months

Sunday 22nd October 2023
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From my memory the 4.3bv always had full leather trim. So an easy check for that.

Nic

GAARD

44 posts

217 months

Tuesday 31st October 2023
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Dom at TVR Power still has build notes on the cars. Mine is a 1992 430BV built for Martin Lilley. Dom was very helpful and when I decided to fully rebuild the car, Dom also made some suggestions for upgrades to the engine also.