Discussion
Im going to view another Tuscan this weekend. I recently looked at one which was leaky and tatty so gave it a wide birth, but it went like stink and made a cracking sound, so it kind of brought the whole speed six possibility vs AJP again. It also felt a lot more lively than the cerbera. I plan on doing all my maintenance, and have reviewed PetrolHead Petes speed six head rebuild and everything else I can get my hands on. Apart from the fact there’s no timing marks it looks pretty straight forward.
Id just psyched myself up to speed six power over ajp but after reading RND engineering’s site again, Im having doubts. They focus a lot more on the weakness of the bottom end and the problems around torsional stress in the crank. When I spoke to a reputable TVR specialist they said the bottom end was strong. Infact they said the speed six wasn’t that bad all round, even the head, its just the failures a reported more than the success.
Have any of you guys experienced bottom end failure? Am I being over anxious? Additionally, the Tuscan I recently viewed seemed to have an uneven almost erratic idle note from the left exhaust pipe. Is this typical of a speed six exhaust config?
Id just psyched myself up to speed six power over ajp but after reading RND engineering’s site again, Im having doubts. They focus a lot more on the weakness of the bottom end and the problems around torsional stress in the crank. When I spoke to a reputable TVR specialist they said the bottom end was strong. Infact they said the speed six wasn’t that bad all round, even the head, its just the failures a reported more than the success.
Have any of you guys experienced bottom end failure? Am I being over anxious? Additionally, the Tuscan I recently viewed seemed to have an uneven almost erratic idle note from the left exhaust pipe. Is this typical of a speed six exhaust config?
RND have an axe to grind so take from that what you will.
Within the engine's designed performance envelope the "issues" mentioned are irrelevant. History has proven this completely as bottom end failure is not a known problem. I'm sure there's isolated intances of it as there are with any engine, but nothing more sinister than random failures.
Further to the info on that website, there is nothing fundamentally wrong with the engine's design, lubrication system or various geometries etc. The mistakes that TVR made were using incorrectly specced (i.e. cheap) materials in certain areas (e.g finger followers) and not building them very carefully. The modern rebuilds address these two areas which is why in some cases 100k warranties are included. Again, historically proven beyond a doubt.
Best thing to do is go to a TVR/PH meetup, talk to owners, listen to cars, go for rides in them, see what a good one should feel/sound like and buy a car that has already had a warranted engine rebuild from one of the main specialists (TVR Power, Str8six, Racing Green etc.).
They do need regular maintenance and lots of fettling to keep them on song but other than that, there's not that much to go wrong on them, and when they do, they're pretty simple to fix.
Within the engine's designed performance envelope the "issues" mentioned are irrelevant. History has proven this completely as bottom end failure is not a known problem. I'm sure there's isolated intances of it as there are with any engine, but nothing more sinister than random failures.
Further to the info on that website, there is nothing fundamentally wrong with the engine's design, lubrication system or various geometries etc. The mistakes that TVR made were using incorrectly specced (i.e. cheap) materials in certain areas (e.g finger followers) and not building them very carefully. The modern rebuilds address these two areas which is why in some cases 100k warranties are included. Again, historically proven beyond a doubt.
Best thing to do is go to a TVR/PH meetup, talk to owners, listen to cars, go for rides in them, see what a good one should feel/sound like and buy a car that has already had a warranted engine rebuild from one of the main specialists (TVR Power, Str8six, Racing Green etc.).
They do need regular maintenance and lots of fettling to keep them on song but other than that, there's not that much to go wrong on them, and when they do, they're pretty simple to fix.
Edited by dvs_dave on Tuesday 12th July 22:02
Agree with Dave, I have run mine now for a year expecting it to detonate itself following the rumours and helpful suggestions from bystanders. I have to admit it is fantastic, I have driven some great cars but I took it out yesterday, was sat in a bit of traffic and a guy by the side of me was having a joke and said ' Would you swap my car for it', there aren't many cars that happens in. I challenge you to find another car that creates all the positives without the negatives for what they cost.
There have been lots of developments on these engines recently, fff2, 100k mile warranties , 4.3, 4.5, upgraded parts, new stronger blocks etc. They are being used in anger on the race track and you can't offer long warranties and track time without looking really silly (and going broke which they haven't).
I think in years to come the AJPV8 and the speed six will be applauded.
BTW I do my own maintenance where I can and have loved it, grab a Sag manual, the head guide and a few other bits and bobs and there should be nothing on this car that should stump you.
There have been lots of developments on these engines recently, fff2, 100k mile warranties , 4.3, 4.5, upgraded parts, new stronger blocks etc. They are being used in anger on the race track and you can't offer long warranties and track time without looking really silly (and going broke which they haven't).
I think in years to come the AJPV8 and the speed six will be applauded.
BTW I do my own maintenance where I can and have loved it, grab a Sag manual, the head guide and a few other bits and bobs and there should be nothing on this car that should stump you.
I would only look for a car with a rebuilt engine if the car was pre 2003, its well known that the engines produced from mid 2003 onwards had all of the early well documented problems sorted out.
having said that though there are many early speed 6 engined cars out there that have been well cared for and maintained so go into it with your eyes open and as already said, talk to other owners, and get advice from some of the known speed 6 experts.
out of all of the tvr range, the speed 6 powered cars must be one of the most divided camps going
you`ll find some owners swear by tvr power, others str8six, racing green, the list goes on and all having varied opinions on who is best and worst, it can be a bit of a minefield, I`d listen to everyone, but keep my mind open and make my own judgments.
Its a great engine, I`ve had tvr powered v6`s, rv8,ajp, and now speed 6, and to me the speed 6 is the best of the lot and with all of the different development work going on with this engine it can only be a good thing for us the owners to have a few options on the table should future engine work ever be required.
having said that though there are many early speed 6 engined cars out there that have been well cared for and maintained so go into it with your eyes open and as already said, talk to other owners, and get advice from some of the known speed 6 experts.
out of all of the tvr range, the speed 6 powered cars must be one of the most divided camps going
you`ll find some owners swear by tvr power, others str8six, racing green, the list goes on and all having varied opinions on who is best and worst, it can be a bit of a minefield, I`d listen to everyone, but keep my mind open and make my own judgments.Its a great engine, I`ve had tvr powered v6`s, rv8,ajp, and now speed 6, and to me the speed 6 is the best of the lot and with all of the different development work going on with this engine it can only be a good thing for us the owners to have a few options on the table should future engine work ever be required.
Thanks for all the replies chaps. I'm hopefully looking at another Tuscan this weekend. Its a 2001 car that had a factory rebuild after about 1500 miles. Whether a factory rebuild is a good thing I'm not sure.
Iv kind of resigned my self to the fact that if I buy a pre 2003 car, I'll probably have to buy a new head and whip out the head rebuild guide at some point. . If I were to get 6k miles before such time as I do a head swap then it wouldn't feel so bad and would be part of the fun
The other thing I've noted is speed six parts generally seen more pricey than ajp. I think its going to be a really tough decision.
Iv kind of resigned my self to the fact that if I buy a pre 2003 car, I'll probably have to buy a new head and whip out the head rebuild guide at some point. . If I were to get 6k miles before such time as I do a head swap then it wouldn't feel so bad and would be part of the fun
The other thing I've noted is speed six parts generally seen more pricey than ajp. I think its going to be a really tough decision.
I bought a spare head, and have it sat on the side. 5k miles in and no problems, touch wood. Mine is a 2001 with no history, but my plan was to buy a car and then rebuild it to my spec. MPett is also doing the same. My car has now done 39k so I am guessing it has been apart, early rebuilds were a bit hit and miss. There are some great parts out there now, and more coming.
I would get an independent to look at it if you don't like living on the edge like me, they take a little looking after and it might take a while to get them fully sorted, but they are well worth it........
PS They like to be used as well......
I would get an independent to look at it if you don't like living on the edge like me, they take a little looking after and it might take a while to get them fully sorted, but they are well worth it........
PS They like to be used as well......
Daston said:
Mine had an engine rebuild from factory and was replaced by the same rubbish parts. Just had a full engine rebuild last September....tis for sale too (shamless plug)
Thanks mate that's really good to know regarding the rebuild. Not sure now whether to discount cars which haven't had a rebuild with the improved components.The AJP is pretty robust, but even they had early crank weakness issues. The Sp6 certainly has no 'weakness' in the bottom end, failures are very rare, but then you could argue thats becuase if a sp6 fails its normally due to some problem in the top end, worn cams, followers, valve guides / high oil consumption (although technically the last one isnt a 'failure'!).
However, TVR did tend to save money on the early days and therefore some of the components can be improved. Little end bearings, early pistons, rods etc. There have been some instances of big end bearing failures, but typically this has been on track, or oil starvation.
Get one with a TVR Power / Str8 Six rebuild and you wont have any issues (and even if you do - Dom or Jason would help out)
However, TVR did tend to save money on the early days and therefore some of the components can be improved. Little end bearings, early pistons, rods etc. There have been some instances of big end bearing failures, but typically this has been on track, or oil starvation.
Get one with a TVR Power / Str8 Six rebuild and you wont have any issues (and even if you do - Dom or Jason would help out)
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