Speed Six Tamora vs Tuscan
Discussion
I'm looking at getting a Tuscan or Tamora in one or two years time. From looking at cars on the net it seems that fewer Tamoras appear to have had rebuilds than Tuscans even if they were built in the same year. Does anyone have any advice regarding the difference between the engines?
mistermexican said:
I'm looking at getting a Tuscan or Tamora in one or two years time. From looking at cars on the net it seems that fewer Tamoras appear to have had rebuilds than Tuscans even if they were built in the same year. Does anyone have any advice regarding the difference between the engines?
Some have been rebuilt and some haven't!garreth64 said:
Well the Tam is a 3.6 and the Tuscan a 4.0 for a start 
orlyhttp://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3240517.htm
Good luck with the Tamora or Tuscan search
In terms of the perception one has been rebuilt more frequently than another, its probably because there were fewer Tamoras built and they were built later than Tuscans, and the engines did get better in time.
Apart from the CC, there is no difference in design and the components that fail are not CC related, nor are they Tuscan vs Tamora related, they are speed six related and as such are common between the 3.6 and the 4 litre. The speed six had a number of 'weak' areas, but the primary one is the finger follower / camshaft material, in early engines quality was poor which led to excessive premature wear, and the general failure mode was a popped shim that went through the engine, and the first thing you would notice is no oil pressure as it reaches the fuel scav pump....nice.
Improved oilways and cooling have reduced detonation and over heating seen on the earlier engines, and there are improved half time bearings available. Generally the other weak areas are valve guides - they wear and eventually as a result the valve seats need to be recut - symptom is high oil consumption.
I would recommend a good few evenings spent reading the past threads to ensure you enter the world of the speed six with your eyes open. IMHO you should look for a car with a TVR Power or Str8 Six rebuild for peace of mind, they both have great reputations.
In terms of the perception one has been rebuilt more frequently than another, its probably because there were fewer Tamoras built and they were built later than Tuscans, and the engines did get better in time.
Apart from the CC, there is no difference in design and the components that fail are not CC related, nor are they Tuscan vs Tamora related, they are speed six related and as such are common between the 3.6 and the 4 litre. The speed six had a number of 'weak' areas, but the primary one is the finger follower / camshaft material, in early engines quality was poor which led to excessive premature wear, and the general failure mode was a popped shim that went through the engine, and the first thing you would notice is no oil pressure as it reaches the fuel scav pump....nice.
Improved oilways and cooling have reduced detonation and over heating seen on the earlier engines, and there are improved half time bearings available. Generally the other weak areas are valve guides - they wear and eventually as a result the valve seats need to be recut - symptom is high oil consumption.
I would recommend a good few evenings spent reading the past threads to ensure you enter the world of the speed six with your eyes open. IMHO you should look for a car with a TVR Power or Str8 Six rebuild for peace of mind, they both have great reputations.
Many thanks Robertjp. I've got a good while yet before I get one or the other so I think I'll take your advice and look around. Was also going to give TVR Power, Racing Green TVR and Str8 6 a call to get some info. I'd also like to drive a couple first to get a feel for them as they're a bit different from my Type R!
Robertjp said:
Improved oilways and cooling have reduced detonation
I've seen this mentioned twice of late, what exactly are the improved oil ways? RND's oil line to the exhaust follower shaft or other mods to the head? I'm about to fit a new casted head to my motor and it appears to be the same as the original (2000).mistermexican said:
Many thanks Robertjp. I've got a good while yet before I get one or the other so I think I'll take your advice and look around. Was also going to give TVR Power, Racing Green TVR and Str8 6 a call to get some info. I'd also like to drive a couple first to get a feel for them as they're a bit different from my Type R!
Drive all the rebuild demos you can. The RG offering is simply superb. Not yet tried the others but I'm sure people will come on and say they are good too.Night Rider said:
I've seen this mentioned twice of late, what exactly are the improved oil ways? RND's oil line to the exhaust follower shaft or other mods to the head? I'm about to fit a new casted head to my motor and it appears to be the same as the original (2000).
I have to say im sure Jason showed me but im buggered if i can remember exactly im sorry
, maybe give Jason at Str8 six a call... blueg33 said:
Thanks. Typical TVR, I don't think the words "consistent", "same" or "standard" appear in the TVR dictionary!
Well said Nick;)As for the Speed 6 mines a factory rebuild to the new standard what ever that means! but I've got to say its a pretty good engine and my Tamora which I've had since April and done 6K miles has been faultless and its had plenty of stick espically when I took it over to Europe in the summer, but I will be swapping the speed six out for an LS3 next winter ready for 2013...I just love V8's
Buzz
Buzz Billsberry said:
Well said Nick;)
As for the Speed 6 mines a factory rebuild to the new standard what ever that means! but I've got to say its a pretty good engine and my Tamora which I've had since April and done 6K miles has been faultless and its had plenty of stick espically when I took it over to Europe in the summer, but I will be swapping the speed six out for an LS3 next winter ready for 2013...I just love V8's
Buzz
I fancy having a go in a V8 Tuscan. My G33 was a V8 and I love the low revs power deliveryAs for the Speed 6 mines a factory rebuild to the new standard what ever that means! but I've got to say its a pretty good engine and my Tamora which I've had since April and done 6K miles has been faultless and its had plenty of stick espically when I took it over to Europe in the summer, but I will be swapping the speed six out for an LS3 next winter ready for 2013...I just love V8's
Buzz
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